Ugh, I really hate discussing politics, but I guess it is time to layout my personal feelings on the subject and give some background.  Over on my husband’s blog, he has been talking a little bit about how we are going to be voting.  I will start with my political background, then the line, I believe, should be where faith and politics collide, and finally how I feel about this election.

Political Background:  I guess I would best describe myself as a conservative with a stong libertarian  slant.  Basically, the meat of my political plate is conservative, but the potatoes are definitely libertarian.  I have socially conservative views, as well as fiscally conservative views.  However, I believe most of the law making should come from the state and that the government, should stay out of people’s personal lives (and pockets) as much as possible and within reason (obviously).  I also believe in the right to let people totally screw up their own lives, but be held accountable for screwing up others lives.

Compassion and Charity?  Yes, I do believe in helping out my fellow man, but I do not believe it is the governments responsibility.  That is a perfect job for the church.  The beauty about the church is that they are right there in the town, they see the need, they know what is going on and can help those in need.  Many years ago at my child hood church, a woman’s husband died in a machine accident.  They had many young children and a huge farm.  The church immediately came running to the rescue.  The offered her a job as the church secretary to help get her back on her feet, the men pitched in at the farm until she was able to rent out a portion of it and hire some help for the rest.  She was able to bring her young children with her to the church, while she worked, and her older boys were working with the men at the farm, learning how to help take it over.

Today, she is married to a farmer, who had lost his wife years ago, and they have the farm back under control and they have tons of children and she doesn’t need help from the church.  That is church in action.  The government cannot just hand out money blindly, but that is what it does.  There are so many moochers and greedy people taking advantage of the government, which results in the common man, who is working, having to work harder and ultimately make less.I could go on about morality, abortion, and all of that until I turned blue, but I don’t have that much time, so I will go on to the next thing.

Voting?  This may sound crazy to some, but I would give up my right to vote if every other woman would give it up as well.  I feel like voting rights for women has been… well… a disaster.  But, as long as women are allowed to vote, you bet I will, because someone has to try to counter-balance the stupidity of female voting.  I admit, I tend to vote for the lesser of two evils in most elections, but in the primaries, I vote for the ideal candidate.  I also realized there would never be such a thing as the perfect candidate.  Everyone has issues, and man is imperfect.  I also thought about how it would be if I ran, yes, even I would do things that weren’t the best things ever, I know it is bound to happen.  So, here I am, who do I vote for in the election?  Ugh.  It is more often than not a catch 22.  Well, maybe more of a paradox.Where do I feel Faith and Politics Collide?  Sit tight and don’t get angry until you have read the whole thing.  ;-)  One of my favorite quotes of all time is from George Washington’s farewell address:

“…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” - George Washington

Yes, I do believe that as Thomas Jefferson said, that the Bible is the corner stone, but we also must be careful (my Anabaptist background is coming out in full force here).  Religious freedom was one of the reasons this country was founded.  A state-run/state-controlled church is dangerous.  “Religion” cannot control government.  The result is the middle ages under the Catholic church.  Absolution was a way of life, and people lived their lives out of fear.  The grip the Catholic church had on people was terrifying.  The church had its opinion on everything, if you disagreed, you were automatically a heretic.

With that said, I don’t believe that the level to which separation of church and state (which is NOT in the constitution - it was in a letter - esh) is carried out today is a good thing - it is horrible.  The concept only meant that there would not be a state church, not that you couldn’t say a prayer or have the ten commandments posted.  People are insane.

Who am I voting for in the election?  Well, as my husband said, it will be McCain.  Why?  Well, it’s a long story.  Who did I vote for in the primary?  Ron Paul and dang proud of it.  I wanted to go, but was in the middle of a hair raising project at work and thought that I wasn’t going to make it to the primary.  I had to convince my boss that I should leave, that was fun.  Mike promised me that he would vote for a reasonable candidate of my choice in November - and that is the story.  I did like Ron Paul, and do support most of his ideals.

Why McCain?  Quite frankly, I am afraid for this country, especially that will not bounce back from the stances and views of the other party.  Yes, I realize that McCain has his serious issues, but the chasm between the two candidates leave no straddling the line for me this round.  I must vote my conscience, and ultimately, I leave it in God’s hands.What are my feelings about Palin?  Well, usually I will be the first to stand up and say a woman?  Are you kidding?  However, with this woman, I will make an exception.  So far, everything I have seen about her and I have heard from her, thrills me.  She use to hunt moose?  How can you not love a woman like that?!  :-)  I am excited, she seems like she could be a great role model for young girls instead of all the other frightening women seen in the media today.

As many problems as we have in the country, I still think it is the best one out there, and I am still proud to be an American, even though I do get embarrassed every now and then - it is still my country.

I will do my part, as I believe I am called to do, but I put the rest in God’s hands.  If we are going to survive the next few years with the gross instability in the world, it will have to be by God’s hands.So… Now you know.  I usually like to add a verse from the Bible, but I am running very short on time, so I leave you a link to Romans 13.