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I'm sick of this election stuff; I really am. I'm ready for Nov 4 to come and go so we can talk about something else and receive other emails in our inboxes. I've never been big on politics, and I'm sure I haven't written a political post before. But at the risk of just adding to the noise, can I voice a few things that concern me?
I'm sick of hearing people say they want to vote for Obama because they want change. What does that even mean? I don't want change. I want certain improvements--I know we can do better--and change is part of that. Granted. But change can be good or bad, and I certainly don't want bad change. I'm also sick of pro-lifers getting criticized for voting based on only "one issue." So can I explain what I think about as I vote this year?
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The foundation of America, right? I just want to keep it that way!
I will vote for LIFE.
I don't like it that people die of preventable causes. It bothers me that so many children around the world die of hunger, or sickness from bad water, or AIDS inherited from their parents, or malaria. But I absolutely hate it that over a million babies are killed every year in the US for the convenience of their parents. We're fighting cancer and hunger and disease and bad water. We make laws against murder and genocide and abuse. But somehow we think this is OK?
Obama has not only voted consistently pro-choice, but he voted against a bill that would protect babies whose abortions failed and who were actually born alive.1 He votes for killing them. Does that make sense, even from a liberal standpoint? Right now, according to our laws, the only thing that differentiates a "fetus" from a "baby" is that a baby has been born--has come out of the womb. Obviously babies can be born months early and live just fine. But in Obama's mind, if it's a baby the parents would rather have dead, and the abortion didn't work, you can kill her after she's born anyhow. Well, if that's ethically OK, what's wrong with a parent deciding a week or two later that they don't want the baby and killing him or her then? What makes that baby less of a human than a one-month-old? A two-year-old? You or me?
We are talking about human life. We are talking about values. America has throughout history (imperfectly, of course, but still) been a place people of all types can come for refuge and find opportunities for life. Why are we denying that to these babies? Obama said, "I've got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby." That is the value he puts on infant life--"a punishment."2 (Please note the irony in that he doesn't want his daughter punished with a baby if she makes a mistake, but he'd be fine with his innocent granddaughter punished with death because of the mistake and choice of his daughter.) One wonders about the values he's teaching with this viewpoint, too... especially when you add the fact that he voted in favor of teaching comprehensive sex education in Kindergarten3 and voted against notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.4]
This is about more than just pro-life vs. pro-choice. It's more than just "one issue." This is about the way we view life, whether it is valuable, whether it is worth rescuing even if it is inconvenient or costly or unpopular. What right do we have to talk about saving the dying children in Africa when we will not even save or our, or even call it wrong to kill them? I will vote for life.
I will vote for LIBERTY.
This has been what's set America apart since its inception--freedom! Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, freedom to live our lives apart from the needlessly tight control of a too-big government. America was started to be free of governments that tried to tax too much and control too much. Obama wants to raise taxes by billions of dollars (some have said his proposals would amount to a $2 trillion tax increase5--in a time when our economy is already at one of our lowest points) in order to make the government bigger. I have a problem with that.6
He wants to reduce our liberty to spend out money how we please by increasing social security tax, death tax, capital gains tax, and other taxes. Where is it going? In part to fund drivers licenses, welfare, and social security for illegal aliens [i.e. those not paying taxes].7
He wants to reduce the liberty of companies, health care providers, and individuals by making a government health care plan.8 Excuse me, but when did the government become an expert in health care? Give me a break! I have two questions for you. 1) Has this proven to be a good thing for any other country that's tried it? (Ask the Canadians if you're not sure.) 2) Has the government proven to be efficient in its current tasks? I don't know about you, but when I think about going to a government office like, say, social security, I think of long lines, technology that's a few decades behind, unfriendly and bored faces, high fees because they can, lack of options, and wasted time. So when I think about combining this with my healthcare... yikes! I believe in healthcare that people can afford. But it is not the government's place to start this program.
He wants to reduce people's liberty to bear arms. The National Rifle Association said he "would be the most anti-gun president in American history."9
He wants to reduce the liberty of the states to make their own laws--a major principle of our consititution and government since the beginning. Dobson points out, "[Obama] has promised that "the first thing I'd do as president" would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act.10 The FOCA is a devastating piece of legislation that would overturn nearly every local, state, and federal anti-abortion law passed in the last 40 years. In fact, it's so broadly written that legal analysts suggest the bill may prevent institutions and physicians from refusing to provide abortion services by invoking the conscience clause."10
I believe in America. I believe in the values on which our nation was founded. I do not want to see them destroyed in our frenzied desire for "change." So please, as you vote this year (and I hope you do vote!), consider what things are of real value, and vote for them.
And then take heart in the fact that God is sovereign over nations and powers, and He has used the worst of them for His own ends.
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Ps. 112:7).
SOURCES:
1,2,3,10: Focus on the Family Action newsletter
4,7,8: Bill Brown Weighs In
5: Pajamas Media
6: Our government is already much bigger than it was ever intended to be. I ran across this site in looking for a good picture, and I concur.
9: National Rifle Association
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| | Posted 10/24/2008 3:18 PM - 10 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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