We are one week away from a major election in the United States, an election which has befuddled many and which will, upon its completion, cast a pall of despair over some and an aura of hope over others. I have some deep concerns about both candidates for president, and about both political parties. I lament the polarized environment in which we are somehow governed. I grow cynical over the way that political campaigns play loose with the truth. I take no joy in ‘debates’ in which candidates simply look for pegs on questions upon which they can hang their talking points.
I am a person with fairly strong conservative tendencies. I do consider raising taxes on the rich in order to fund more benefits for the poor to be an inequitable redistribution of wealth. Surely there is a better way. (I chuckle at the dark humor of the story of Joseph, lamenting how the entire Egyptian nation become the slaves of Pharaoh as he demanded and got a fifth (20%!) of all their produce. What is our standard rate?)
At the same time, I do believe there is a role of a government of the people in the work of caring for the people. One way that ‘we the people’ can care for one another is through the government we form. There is a role, if only in playing a part in breaking up the sinful systems which strip opportunity from those historically oppressed.
I can be won by certain elements of the rhetoric of both parties. And I find something deeply simplistic in those who find themselves one-issue voters, posing a shibboleth on some issue or another, and electing to office the completely incompetent on the basis of one treasured view. At the same time I find that I am one.
The office of president with its veto powers, and its power to sway the legislative branch and to stock the judicial branch can impact single issues in frightening ways. Given that, I simply cannot see myself entering a voting booth and voting for a person unwilling to stand for the unborn. I know that the issues of life go way beyond the issue of abortion. Life is cast away in careless military conflict and life is wasted when prejudicial systems are not battled and defeated. And yet I find that there are many who are willing to be advocates for the living oppressed and for the soldier being deployed to his death. But there are few who are willing to take a stand for the unborn.
I’ve been disappointed by the campaigns of both major candidates. However, I just can’t find room in my conscience to vote for someone who cannot see the continuity between a child born and a child unborn.
These are my personal views, not those of Hope Church. I know there are substantial counter opinions out there. I’m open to them.
I am Randy Greenwald and I approved this message.
TulipGirl
Several people close to me (not at church, but elsewhere) have basically taken the abortion issue off of the table this election season with the comment, “Nothing has changed the past 8 years in protecting the unborn.”And I can understand that sentiment. But then. . . one of the first things the current president did was to reverse the executive orders of the previous president regarding federal funding for abortion. The past two Supreme Court nominees have been ones that tend towards stricter construction of the Constitution (as opposed to the tendency of activist judges of the Warren court.) And one of the current candidates has stated that one of his first acts as president would be to promote and sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would go beyond Roe v. Wade.It seems as if our culture as a whole HAS been shifting towards what the pro-life movement has advocated — a place where abortion is unnecessary and unthinkable, a place where the choice for life is doable, where the community support structures are in place, where shame doesn’t require hiding pregnancy. And this is a good thing. . . But it’s still tenuous and FOCA and federal funding would not help. . .So, I simply can’t put this one issue aside. . .
snowbot
Have you seriously considered casting a vote for a third party candidate? “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” – John Quincy Adams
Randy Greenwald
Indeed I’ve considered it. But I’d appreciate it if you, or Mr. Adams, would persuade me that such a vote is NOT lost.
snowbot
Comparison of U.S. Presidential Candidates
snowbot
FYI, I’m still undecided. But for what it’s worth, I just ran across this article from Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin.. it’s his attempt to persuade you that a vote for him is not a wasted vote.
Gus/Adri
Snowbot, if there are two candidates that are pro-life, one is willing to engage other countries for mutual benefit and the other is extremely isolationist, I choose the former.g
Gail and Keith
Many of you know I am rabidly pro-life having risked arrest and gone to jail to save the unborn. I still am a radical when it comes to the unborn, but I’ve softened in the last year or two when it comes to being a “one-issue voter,” a term I despised being labeled with. My vote is already cast and so……we await the outcome for good or ill. G
Randy Greenwald
Maybe ‘softening’ is one way of looking at ‘maturation’? I don’t know. I do know that change can be a good thing. Maybe we all are on a trajectory of maturity. I hope so. Gus’s comment reminds us that in reality none of us are ‘one-issue’ voters per se. We have issues that are of greater importance than others – all will have those – and then there is a hierarchy of issues lining up beneath that. So, though I say that there is one issue driving me, that is not really the case.
Rebekah
Despite my tendency to get jumpy, and excitable on this topic, I am really very rational…I only get disturbed when people don’t go through the complex decision matrix that you, Randy obviously went through. (I’m not pointing any fingers at any of the readers of this blog–just at strict partisan voting in general). As tulipgirl points out, some gains were made during the past 8 years to fight the pervasiveness of abortion, but what made me take it off the table, so to speak, is that I think abortion is fixed in the American mindset as a given right. It’s not going to be outlawed, and I think there are enough checks and balances in place from solid conservative leaders and watchdog groups that it’s not going to become much more pervasive. And within your own personal sphere, you can do life-affirming things. (And I didn’t say that because I think tulipgirl is wrong–that was just more…a reflection upon my personal thought process). Somebody asked me the other day how I as a “good little Christian” could be supporting the ticket I was heading out to campaign for, and I said, “Well, the only thing I support the other ticket on is their view of abortion and gay marriage,” then consequently left off the important rest of the answer about how as a “good little Christian,” I support the ways the ticket values life in other ways… So, I guess I’m saying that I think…you could be sinning to vote for either candidate…or you could be honoring God…by voting for either candidate. It all depends upon your heart orientation as you bubble in your ballot.
Randy Greenwald
Rebekah – thanks for being rational! It is worthwhile to ponder your comments. You may give me too much credit for rationality!I’m so encouraged by the conversation that my post started. I sometimes wonder if Christians, conservatives in particular, can differ civilly. I’m encouraged here to think we might. And if we do, then we can hear each other, understand each other, and perhaps really think and not react. But if someone called me a ‘good little Christian…’ I think that’s when I’d become jumpy!
Gus/Adri
Re: ‘abortion right’It will be interesting to find out if the South Dakota constitutional initiative to ban abortions passes.g
Matthew
There can and will never be a candidate for president who represents and agrees with what I think is the best direction for this country. Having said that I have strong disagreements with the candidates of both major parties, but such is the nature of politics. Voting for a third party candidate is nothing short of a wasted vote. Running on these tickets is nothing short of insanity. The simple fact is we have a two party system, and have for over 150 years. There was mention of the Constitution Party the most votes they ever received by their most popular candidate Howard Phillips was less then one percent of the vote. Running on a third party ticket to me is childish, immature, and a giant waste of taxpayers money. To continually bang your head on the wall and cry that it isn’t fair is not the way to change things. Yes, I can appreciate some of the views that these candidates have and some of the things they stand for, but to vote for them is doing nothing more then getting “the one” I disagree with more from the major party into office. I didn’t really care for Ron Paul when he was running for the nomination of the Republican Party, I do however have respect for him because even though he is a libertarian he was mature enough to try to get the nomination in a format that works. No, he did not get the nomination but he was able to raise awareness for his beliefs and paved the way for others. How many people have heard of Chuck Baldwin? Or take Bob Barr seriously. The two major parties are what we make them, join one of them, be active, let your voice be heard, and you can change the status quo. But I implore you, don’t waste your vote.
Matthew
A quick note on Chuck Baldwin, this guy is one of those special people that I can’t have a rational discussion about. This man is a conspiracy theory nut, a loony, and a crackpot. Coming from me, who believes in Big Foot and that Marilyn Monroe was murdered is saying volumes. He continues to ignore every piece of evidence to the contrary and perpetuate the lie of a North American Union and that the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America will end life as we know it goto the web page and read about it Chuck http://www.spp.gov/. There will be NO Amerodoller. “They” are not going to merge Mexico, Canada, and the US. There are no secret plots to dissolve our national sovereignty. There are no planes for a NAFTA Super Highway running from Canada to Mexico. What’s worse is he knows this is true but he uses it to get attention to his pathetic political campaign. A man according to his own article wants to release immediately two boarder patrol agents who shot a man and then tried to cover it up. Disgusting.
TulipGirl
“. . .what made me take it off the table, so to speak, is that I think abortion is fixed in the American mindset as a given right. It’s not going to be outlawed. . .”More or less, I see things in a similar way. I still think great strides can be made to continue to make abortion undesirable, unnecessary, unthinkable. . . Most of that will continue to be through cultural shifts. Maybe it’s just my perspective, but while “abortion rights” seem to be more of a given among GenX/GenY — doesn’t it seem to you that these same groups are more pro-life than what we saw 10-15 years ago?And while I believe this is primarily a cultural shift and that it is highly unlikely that abortion will be “outlawed,” in the near future, there are still government actions (judicially, legislatively, administratively) that can either hurt or help vulnerable pregnant women, their children and families. Funding for Planned Parenthood here in the states and around the world, judicial appointments, enforcing health standards for freestanding abortion clinics, Women’s Right to Know acts. . . so many things that either promote abortion as the “solution” or promote true solutions. But, I’m preaching to the choir here. . . *grin*
TulipGirl
Oh! I forgot to write also. . .”And while I believe this is primarily a cultural shift and that it is highly unlikely that abortion will be “outlawed,” in the near future. . .”I’m not ready to give up hope that protection of the preborn, the aged, the infirm and the vulnerable is beyond good and life-affirming legislation. The boys and I watched “Amazing Grace” a few weeks ago during Mommy Movie Night. What an amazing example of perseverance, going against what the culture had accepted as the norm, continuing to shine the light on the darkness of slavery. . . I have a friend who has said she is cynical, and if Roe is reversed and legislation on abortion goes back to the states, the result would be people pridefully saying, “Not in my state. . .” while turning a blind eye to the problems around them.On the contrary, I believe that after the dust and legislation pretty much settled in various states, I think we’d see people’s efforts expand. . . continuing to care for mothers and children. . . but also to other communities in need. Maybe I’m optimistic. . . maybe I’m naive. . . But I am hopeful.
Randy Greenwald
Tulipgirl’s an optimist. I love an optimist. I wish I were one! I am one only in the light of the eventual crush of Satan under the feet of Christ, and though Paul says that will be soon, he said that 2000 years ago.I am not expecting to see much change in terms of abortion being substantially outlawed. That would surprise me. But what I don’t want to see are restrictions which are now in place eased any further. I’d be interested in hearing from Rebekah, though, what life-affirming things Christians can be doing beyond supporting (or not supporting) pro-life candidates. That’s not a challenge – I’m sincerely interested.
Anonymous
“I’d be interested in hearing from Rebekah, though, what life-affirming things Christians can be doing beyond supporting (or not supporting) pro-life candidates. That’s not a challenge – I’m sincerely interested.”I’m not Rebekah, but I’d like to weigh in on this a little. A life-affirming thing that Christians can do is to encourage their loved ones/friends with infertility problems to consider adoption as a first choice instead of a second choice after significant infertility treatments have been attempted. All too often, infertile couples are uneducated in the moral issues that surround things like in vitro, as they are desperate to have children. Christians tend to be hesitant to discuss the moral dilemas surrounding such significant fertility treatments because educated discussions can lead to the abortion realm. Encouraging, urging, suggesting adoption to people struggling with infertility is a wonderful, life-affirming thing that Christians can do to help the pro-life agenda. That, in my opinion and experience, would be a very good place to start.Staci
Rebekah
I’m not sure what exactly to say–I said we can do “life affirming things,” but what are they? I don’t know… I agree with Staci that encouraging couples to adopt, instead of venturing into what I say is the morally “biguous” realm of in vitro, is a huge one. (I actually had somebody tell me that he supports abortion because people aren’t willing to adopt the kids that are already out there and need parents). As a culture supporting families that choose to have lots of kids and not denigrating them (Hope hasn’t ever been a church like that, but culturally, big families are smirked at). And then at we get so worked up at Planned Parenthood–and rightly so, because their sex ed IS awful–but I’d love to see the “Christian Community” come up with a sex ed curriculum that can take over and be a really good, solid alternative to what Planned Parenthood is offering. That’s a whole other discussion that I could blog about all day long, but there’s a whole different mindset at play that views abortion as just another form of birth control and a baby as a disruption to the convenient and happy life that was previously at play. But I’m still a pessimist, and I think that nothing will change. I think things at the youth level in sex ed programs would probably have the biggest impact.
Randy Greenwald
Rebekah – thanks for your thoughts. As to this: “I’d love to see the “Christian Community” come up with a sex ed curriculum that can take over and be a really good, solid alternative to what Planned Parenthood is offering. “I believe that CareNet has produced and has used locally an alternative. I’m not familiar with the details, but I know it is there and I suspect it is quality.
snowbot
Great discussion! By the way, based on my previous comments, apparently I made the impression that I was arguing in favor of third parties. That wasn’t my intention! I posed the question for the sake of discussion. And the only reason I mentioned Chuck Baldwin was because Randy wanted to hear an argument in favor of third parties… so I directed him to his argument, since I had just read it. But I wasn’t intending to endorse him or even the idea of third parties, necessarily. Just clearing that up. Apparently there was some confusion on that matter. : )
snowbot
Just adding to the discussion… I found this website to be of interest – ProLife ProObama. I’d be curious to hear thoughts about the arguments laid out there.
snowbot
I don’t know if anyone is still reading these comments, but… I appreciate John Piper’s comments here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjGbZNyIBY
TulipGirl
“I believe that CareNet has produced and has used locally an alternative. I’m not familiar with the details, but I know it is there and I suspect it is quality.”I am acquainted with the woman who heads that up locally. . . And that was one of the things I was involved with in Texas B.C. (Before children. . .) I think there is more of a “think global, act local” approach to much of the pro-life movement. (In contrast, for example, to federally-directed initiatives or International Planned Parenthood Federation.)
Carol
Here are a few more links for snowbot:http://www.nrlchapters.org/obamabookhttp://www.obamawantsyou.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NN4TKrViNE