Well, this past Sunday was the day. Some 30+ evangelical preachers are said to have preached a sermon, endorsing a candidate for President of the United States in direct conflict with IRS rules. A group called the "Alliance Defense Fund" is behind this effort. Here is their statement, assuring that they are prepared to defend any of these pastors and congregations if the IRS moves against them. As I've stated in my last entry on this topic, I don't feel the need to endorse a candidate from the pulpit. I never have. I cannot imagine I would ever feel so compelled. Having said all that, I did promise to chat here about my views regarding the two candidates - something it is perfectly legal for me to do. Finally, let me restate my bottom line: I don't think God cares who our next President will be in a "gee, this messes up my whole plan" kind of way. Come November 4th, I'll vote. On November 5th, I am confident, no matter which candidate won the election, God will still be God - and I will still be one of His people.
But, let's imagine for a moment that it's Barack Obama. (I'll start with the domestic issues and move on to foreign affairs in my next post.)
There is a part of me that would be excited to see the race barrier broken where the Presidency is concerned.
I suppose that Barack will go to work to keep his many campaign promises that have struck a chord on Main Street. Let's consider health care. He has made a point of saying that he will make sure every American can have access to the same health benefits that he has had as a U.S. Senator - and by access, he means that it will be affordable. This is interesting to me as my family health plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield is running nearly $1000 a month. He also promises to simplify health coverage benefits for everyone, specifically mentioning in his recent speeches the amount of hours it takes people to communicate with health insurers and the frustration of submitting claims and the like. I hear that with great interest, too, as my family has had many such telephone tag experiences with our providers. But... in all reality, the President of the United States cannot sit in his oval office and with the swoosh of a pen, make all this happen. And, the real kicker, it will take billions of dollars. Where does that money come from?
Let's consider another of those campaign rally calls, affordable college education for every child. Sounds great that there will be an affordable way for all four of my girls to go to college. But again, my kids, your kids, the children of every parent in America - where does the cash come from?
Taxes. Barack promises that people making less than $200,000 will not see a tax increase under his watch. In other words, he says tax increases won't effect me. But, as I listen to him further he talks about increasing taxes on businesses. Where do you suppose businesses get the money to pay their increased taxes?
I'm not saying any of the above are facts, or should be deal breakers where your support of Barack Obama is concerned. I'm just saying... let's remove the fluff and be honest. His ideas will cost.
Then there's change. Barack's battle cry is change. I often wonder what people envision when they think of the change he will bring. Is it simply to remove George W. Bush from the White House? Is it to bring troops home from Iraq ASAP? Is it to make people around the world like us more? What do you envision when he promises to bring change?
Change appeals to me! For me, the change that is needed could accomplish almost all of the above - and without it, I fear, none of the above will be accomplished. The change we need is to have the partisan bickering and rhetoric stop, and to have our elected officials work on our behalf again. It's been interesting to me to see this latest urgency force Dems and Repubs to play nice... and how hard it has been for any of them to actually do it.
This is actually where I am most concerned about Barack Obama. It isn't that I'm worried he will tax us all to death, or that he will swell government through excessive social programs or any of that - I worry that when he talks change, he isn't talking about changing HIS tone to lead by example. And I've seen no evidence that he is or will.
Let me ask you a question. Be honest. Which candidate do you think will be more likely to pick a member of the rival party to be a member of his cabinet or appoint a member of a rival party to a key position in his administration? Okay, another. Which candidate do you believe would listen to and accept the counsel of a member of the rival party?
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