I was not surprised by the results of last night's election. My congratulations go out to President-elect Obama, and, as a Believer, I will begin to pray for him daily. I see him as an intelligent articulate man and hope that he will lead our country properly. I have not believed most of what was told to me about John McCain, and will extend that same courtesy to President-elect Obama, and that gives me hope. History was made on this night, and it is an event that all Americans should enjoy and celebrate.
There are many espousing today on what happened last night, so I will throw my two cents in and reveal my thoughts on what I think happened last night and what has happened over the last four years.
There is a debate raging currently on whether this is a center-right country or a center-left country. In my opinion, to assume that this is a center-left country or that the country is going to become a center-left country is a short-sighted assumption. First, the country is still a center-right country...case and point: California passed the ban on same sex marriage. Last time I checked, California was still the most liberal state in the country, and this ban still passed quite easily there. Second, all of us age and mature and when we do we move right. You can be extreme left and mature and still be left but your movement is right. And, that is something that will never change. If there is an attempt to push policies that are extremely liberal and left there will be consequences, and my sense is President-elect Obama knows that.
Last night the people spoke! Some have said it was a rejection of conservatism, but I believe it was a rejection of President Bush, the war and the fuel for the economic engine of this country. Conservatism is alive and well and still the majority. Approximately 20% of voters identified themselves as liberal while over 40% identified themselves as moderate or conservative. Also, people are sick of foreign oil being the only fuel that drives our economy. Republicans have done little about that in eight years; people are ready to give someone else a chance.
Speaking of Republicans, over the last eight years, Republicans have had the power, and Christians have given them a free pass on most issues. We defended them because we felt they represented us, but no party should represent us as Christ is our only representative. Evangelicals gave the Republicans new found power and this power corrupted them. Republicans were quick to compromise in their selection of candidates and ran many unprepared pseudo-conservative candidates up for office. Many were elected and now many have been found guilty of various violations; I believe it is because of their failure to understand the reason they were elected in the first place. It was not because they were Republicans; it was because they were supposed to be conservative, and, sadly, many were conservative only in name. Conservative became a new synonym for Republican and meant less and less until...judgement day, November 4, 2008.
Now, we face four years of Democratic reign. What will it bring us? Past history tells us that power corrupts, and with all three branches under Democratic control, I am no more confident than before, but one things is for sure...there will be no one else to blame after four years. People are pragmatic and when promises are made and believed and those promises become the wave that puts a party in full control, watch out if those promises are not filled. Pragmatic people have short term memories and jump ship quickly. I heard a sound bit of a woman crying about how good it will be not to have to worry about paying for gas or paying her mortgage. Hmmm, never heard President-elect Obama make those promises, but, in the shark-infested world of politics, it does not matter because that is what she expects and, if not delivered, well, I will just leave that to your imagination.
There is one final issue that greatly troubles me. I do not know if this country has become callous to this issue, or if that many Americans do not believe it is an important issue. The issue I write about is abortion. I am disturbed that it was not really an issue. We did not hear much about it, we did not talk about it or allow it to be a factor. I believe it is one of the most important issues of our day, and, if left unchecked, it will eventually produce other ugly manifestations that will remove the value of life from the sick, the elderly and the mentally handicapped. I often wonder how PETA can fight so hard for the lives of animals yet make no fuss over abortion. I wonder how environmentalists fight so hard for a parcel of land to keep a spotted owl alive, yet lift not a finger for the unborn. I am praying for President-elect Obama's stance on this issue to change.
As I close, I do not ascribe to those who say that this country will turn to socialism, change the Constitution, and remove freedom of speech. Those are alarmists who have not read the book of life. I know the end; Christ comes to claim His bride and reign forever. As Believers, lets live as the Bible instructs, trusting in our Lord, and if we do, I am confident all will be well!
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