Thursday, 16 October 2008
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Election: You're an IDIOT If You Vote For...
guest post submitted by junebug
It's disheartening that I pretty much refuse to have any conversations about the presidential elections, as people seem to take offense so easily. What really aggravates me is that if someone chooses to vote for a candidate whom the other person opposes, then the respective person is just ignorant. "If you vote for Obama then you're an idiot for not realizing... blah dee blah blah," or, "How can you vote for McCain, you're so clueless for blah dee more blah".
Politicians are still people. And last time I checked, we are still called to love our neighbors. We so often tend to forget this when it comes to people we do not personally know, whether it be someone we heard a rumor about, a rich celebrity who has made one too many mistakes, or a person who wants to lead our country. Are they not real people? Does the command in Matthew 22:39 not apply to who we choose? As I said, I do not talk politics often, but I do like to listen in on why one supports a particular candidate. I think the reasons I have heard are earnest and genuine and when it comes down to it, these two guys are our candidates because most of the country thought they were well-suited for the job.So maybe it's time we stop with the hating, judging, and scornful looks and pray that whoever becomes our president is used as a tool of God. This is not to say just go with the flow and not have political discussions and debates and be informed on issues. All I am saying is we do what Jesus calls us to do - love. That means both Obama and McCain, Palin and Biden. Jesus never said it was easy, but He did it.
How do you think you'll react if the candidate you didn't vote for wins the election?
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Comments (174)
I agree, people do not know how to respect others opinions and personal beliefs anymore.
"Thank goodness the election's over!"
I already voted (absentee). I don't care anymore.
And I hate talking about politics because of what you said - people getting offended or attacking each other and whatnot. I avoid those conversations at all costs.
as long as someone can justify why they are voting for who they are voting for, they aren't "idiots". at least they are voicing their opinion by voting!
since i don't live in the states, i can't vote for anyone. we did have an election in canada a few days ago, and stephen harper got re-elected in. i was a little disappointed, but i don't get too piss off when the candidate i vote for doesn't win.
I just made a similar post about this earlier.
And the judging is ridiculous even coming down to people claiming if you vote for one over the other you aren't a Christian...I just saw a news story of a 106 year old nun who just cast her vote for Obama...it seemed like she didn't care who you vote for she was just happy to get to exercise her right to vote and share her opinion.
I would be upset. It is, however, most of the McCain/Palin supporters displaying much hate for Obama. You know, calling him a terrorist, Muslim, saying "Kill Him" or "Bomb Obama..." Trying to get through these peoples' head that those rhetoric comments are disrespectful is like trying to drill into a brick wall with string cheese.
I support Obama because of his addressment of issues. Not because he's black. I do believe that he can change this nation for the better with his proposed plans.
I won't tell anyone how I vote, or my political view anymore simply because I get shamed for either not being conservative enough or not liberal enough. We don't need anymore division as a country.
@trebleclef402@xanga - AMEN!
I don't care who wins at this point, because let's be honest, I don't like either candidate that terribly much...I'm pretty close to penciling in Colin Powell. I'm sure all four of them are wonderful people, I just don't agree with them on how to run an economy/country.
If Obama wins, sweet, he has amazing economic advisers.
If McCain wins, w00t, this silly war will finally be managed well.
If Barr wins....oh wait...hahahahahahaha! (I would jump for joy and click my heels repeatedly)
I think people need to grow up and get over their hurt feelings, including the candidates, one in particular. Politics is a dirty business, it always has been. By the way, Jesus and the Apostles were not always so nice and loving to those they disagreed with, try reading most any of Paul's Letter to the Galatians.
You act as though this is a new phenomenon, go back and read some of the things people said back in the day about candidates and their supporters. People said if you were for Grover Cleveland, you were a lazy, drunken, womanizer or whatever. It is a myth that politics used to be more civil. It never was. But in the end people still manage to get something done every once in a while because in the end it is all just talk. You know...sticks and stones.
I think I'll just have to suck it up. Whoever wins the election, I will have to trust that they will be able to run the country efficiently.
Not many people are responding well to this.
But I agree with you.
Its hard sometimes to see the other person as a PERSON.
A real human,
Our brothers in Christ!
And when the man I support loses, [which I think he will]
I will get ready for the world that we will live in because of it.
@megank1991@xanga - you wrote, By the way, Jesus and the Apostles were not always so nice and loving to those they disagreed with, try reading most any of Paul's Letter to the Galatians.
The thing is Jesus and the Apostles were contending for the Gospel truth, and there's a world of difference between the Gospel and espousing a particular political viewpoint. And I don't know if I would describe Jesus and the Apostles as "not always so nice and loving to those they disagreed with." Although Jesus was certainly blunt with the Pharisees, we also see Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, and Paul's epistles, including his letter to the Galatians, were written out of love. Paul's pastoral heart was grieved and distressed when he saw that his brothers and sisters in Christ were being lead astray by false doctrine.
...my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Galatians 4:19-20
You certainly do make an excellent point that what's happening today is nothing new. As Solomon reminded us there is nothing new under the sun.
All this negativity and all this judgmentalness is just going to get us nowhere. It is going to make our lives worse. People need to learn how to see things more than one way more.
I'll get over. You can't satisfy half the people in this country much less the whole darn thing. We'll move on and make the best of what comes. No matter who wins, people will complain and countdown the four years to the next one.
If alzheimers patients in nursing homes can vote, then I say, leave me the heck alone about my decision to vote the way I want to. Idiots have just as much a right to vote nonsensical as a genious does inteligently.
@megank1991@xanga - i definitely agree that this isn't new. and i even more agree that we shouldn't be sensitive, especially our candidates. i would like to know that my future president is in control of his emotions and wouldn't let jabs at his personality break him down!
but though Jesus was most definitely harsh and to the point, He still loved so much that its difficult to understand by our finite emotions. i would agree maybe not so sensitive, but still loving. and as naphtali said, paul was trying to sort through the truth... this was the beginning of Christianity! i can't imagine how much confusion they were going through! galatians chapter 6 is so interesting because it's hard to be so super sensitive since no one wants to be told they're doing something wrong or sinful - but paul tells us to do so in love and gentleness. these examples remind me that sometimes love requires saying something that isn't so sweet or pleasing to hear.
i think you raised some very great points though that we really need to not be so sensitive - whether we are passionate over a candidate or not.
wow i realized i just eprop-ed myself.
I am so sick of this election. These are good words.
the people chose or the media chose... if it was the people Ron Paul would still be in I would think. The media put him out despite his winning many debates. This election is about as lame as the Bush VS. Kerry one.. both were members of a cultish club called skull and bones, aka the order of death. Why are these type people even allowed to run? I think it's time people grow some balls and vote for a 3rd party guy like Chuck Baldwin.. or even write someone in... like Ron Paul simply to show their protest to this cracked system.
The truth of the matter is that the dollar will likely fall completely by the end of the year and we will have some sort of civil war or worse.
I will probably go about my day as if nothing happened, considering I probably won't vote for president just all of the other people (Reps. & Sens.)...I don't like either guy. I was in Obama's camp until he picked Biden and became just as bad about distasteful attacks and advertisements as McCain. I have just come to the realization that either one of them will go into office and probably not change a whole lot. I am tired of voting for the best of two evils. So I won't vote for either one. Anyways it won't matter, I am from Texas and McCain will more than likely sweep the state.
it is going to be so tremendously hard because I have truly done the research, honed in on the important issues, and sharpened my viewpoints and I honestly believe one candidate far surpasses the other.
I pray that God would make this a fair election..that justice would be done, and I pray very hard for myself that I won't get angry or dislike those who do not vote the same way (yes I have been guilty of doing this..I always invite people to think more about their vote.. it's a privilege). You're right, and this was a good reminder, that people are people, and politicians are people as well. However, we have to remember that these individuals need to be held to a higher standard simply because they are going to be making some major decisions on behalf of all of us. Therefore, I think each of us has a right to our opinion and a right to be passionate, and above all, gosh, a right to care. If no one cared, and no one voted.. then the whole practice of voting is pointless. People who don't care should not vote..I strongly believe this. But people who care have a right to get riled up sometimes, but taking into the consideration of respecting others.
I think I would feel gutter if the person I vote for didn't win the elections, but then again it really doesn't concern me as I have nothing to do with the US elections.
I'll be sad initially, but the author here is right on the money, we should pray for him and his VP that they do a great job as our new leader.
@laytexduckie@xanga - So, you haven't heard all the nasty comments and such about Palin????? I guess.
Not only are people showing hatred for the candidates but also for the people who don't vote which ever way "you" think they should. I personally, am tired of being thought of in a negative way because my political views are different than someone else's!
Anyway, what will I do if "my" candidate doesn't win? Pray HARD! On second thought even if "my" candidate DOES win, that's what I'll be doing!