Thoughts on Politics

I always have brain-waves when I can do nothing about them. I had such a great idea for what to blog about regarding the election on my way to Panera this morning. And now that I'm here....crickets. I will try to recall it as it came to me but if it sucks just know it sounded so good 20 minutes ago in my head.

Disclaimer: I am still undecided about who I will vote for. There is still a lot of politics left before November. Sometimes, I'm left wondering if I will vote at all in this election. But I will, too many people have fought for that right for me to ignore it.

I am no politician. I, of late, have tried to stay neutral except for really funny things that Stephen Colbert tweets, I often retweet. But that's just humor. Not political debate. In the midst of the Republican National Convention my twitter and facebook newsfeed has been blowing up with Christians supporting Mitt Romney. A couple of years ago, I probably would have been one of them.

Mitt seems like a nice enough guy, a genuine family man. I like that. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. But what I struggle with is what my Christian facebook friends begin to believe. "Mitt Romney can save this country." And sometimes even a step further: "Mitt Romney can save this country from the likes of Barack Obama who is anti-American." Oh dear says I.

One of my friends told me one night "Just because you are a Christian, you are not required to like Tim Tebow." Agreed. And in the same way "Just because you are a Christian, does not mean you are required to be a Republican."

I find it difficult to discuss politics with some Christians, I used to be one of them. My dad still is. As Christians, once we realize that opposing beliefs don't have to be threatening then it is much easier to entertain two thoughts at once. You don't have to accept them both but you should respect them both.

Neither Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama can save this country. No politician can. This is not a one-man job. Our country is in a bad spot and it's going to take some time to fix. For either candidate. There's not some magical formula you can put into a computer and "fix America." For one thing, it may take a little compromise. Something that neither party seems willing to do.


I don't want to bash either candidate but for a moment I will bash disrespectful followers of either candidate. Barack Obama does not have the capabilities to single-handedly ruin this country. Our forefathers were brilliant political minds and our system is set up to prevent that from happening. I don't like the fear factor that people play. "If you vote for Barack Obama, America as we know it will end." Oh the dramatics.

My plea is that we all be respectful to one another. I believe that all Christians vote, to some degree, according to their convictions. But my convictions may not be the same as yours. Abortion and gay marriage are not the only issues. Though, most Christians would argue that. Please stop with the "if you vote for Barack Obama you are against America too." Or on the opposite end of the spectrum: "If you vote for Mitt Romney you are narrow-minded."

I love a good debate, my husband and I do it often. Not just arguing but taking a stance, one way or another just for the sake of debate. I am open to hear you out on why you think one candidate is better than the other but if you can't do it without bashing the other (or the people who are voting for the other) then I don't care to hear it at all.

I realize this is so simplistic. I promise I have a stronger political background than this but this is my feeble attempt at peace. I know that the candidates are not being nice to one another (which is just embarrassing for both of them) but we can be better. Let's set an example for them. Be respectful of others and their beliefs and convictions. They may be different than yours but they are no better or worse.

I told you all, it sounded so much better in my head in the car. But I hope something resonated with you. Be nice. There, that's all I needed to say.