Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Election Day Edition

Willibrord, Bishop and Missionary

Why I Will Vote

No, I don't believe that any human government will bring about God's rule on earth. I don't need to believe that in order to vote. The American Empire invites me to exercise a small voice in its leadership. And I want to influence things just a little.

Alternatively, here's why Christians perhaps ought not vote...

... also Alan Creech: "white flag"

How I Will Vote

I'm going to vote a straight Democratic ballot. I don't care about where these people stand on abortion, particularly because I'm not aware of any upcoming legislation that's going to further liberalize the laws. What I do know is that contrary to what a lot of religious Republicans would like to believe, there isn't a single Republican Senator that's ready to sacrifice his or her career to set up a federal amendment to limit or outlaw abortion. Doesn't it strike you as a little sick that there's widespread support in this country for a ban on gay marriage or civil unions, but nobody's going to make it illegal to kill a gestating human? The anti-abortion stances of such politicians are not in any sense "pro-life," but merely a strange breed of conservatism that doesn't really have anything to do with a Christian commitment.

I want the United States to have leaders who are honest and responsible about the Iraqi Occupation. The Bush Administration and its remaining Republican supporters clearly are not. I want to give Democratic candidates a shot.

I'm voting for Newberry in Lexington's mayoral election. The present mayor takes the Bush administration's cue: "I've not made a single mistake in office." Yah, except for the city council, you know, hating her.

I'm voting for the condemnation of the Kentucky American water company. It's foreign-owned; I'd prefer they at least call it the Franco-German water company, or whatever. That's where the profits go. I prefer local control and administration of local resources, and for the money it generates to go back into the local economy.

Update: I almost didn't get to vote. I've mislaid my drivers license, and the lady at the poll was very suspicious of my United States passport. She nearly turned me away, but between my University of Oxford student ID and my VISA card decided that counted as legitimate. Just not the US Passport.

She said if I needed ID, I could go downtown and have them make one for me.

Go figure.

14 comments:

Lex Lata said...

Checks and balances, baby, checks and balances. No political party should be in charge of the White House and both chambers of Congress at the same time. Bad stuff happens.

Not here anymore said...

Why I will vote:
Because I get to leave work.
And I get a cool sticker.

byron smith said...

I don't get to vote, but glad you guys are. I thought this summed up a number of things nicely.

+ Alan said...

I remain in Christian neutrality - especially as an Abbot.

Anonymous said...

I'm voting as well. It will be tasty.

Anonymous said...

Will you write me in for an office?

By the way, if you want to know why your liberal political opinions are wrong and mistaken, I can point you to who will tell you why.

Just let me know!

#Debi said...

I think it's interesting that you voted for the government takeover of the water company, but voted for the mayoral candidate that stands opposed to it...

I didn't vote a straight ticket. I voted for some Republicans, some Democrats, and the one Libertarian that made an appearance, if for no other reason than to encourage Libertarians to run for other offices.

I also voted for Newberry. Isaacs has made nothing but mistakes, the biggest being her obsession with the water company. Btw, the profits of the water company go in a good part to the Lexingtonians who work for them, as much as Toyota's profits go to their employees. Shall we seize control of Toyota next? One problem (of many) with LFUCG running the water company is that it not only supplies water to Fayette County, but also to several surrounding counties, none of whom get to vote on the takeover. Also, there's that thing about government-run anything working as efficiently as private enterprises. Just my two cents' worth there...

Peace unto you...

Kyle said...

Thanks, Debi. Ultimately, it just seemed to me that local control means better accountability.

Cheers, guys.

Anonymous said...

I was completely unhappy with the senatorial choices in Tennessee. One was a crook, and the other was a clown. I threw my vote away and voted for a third party.

It has also been fun being in England, both because I don't have to watch the nasty campaign ads, and also getting to watch the Brits, who think if the Democrats can only win, all the world's problems will be solved. I think there's going to be some disappointment over here on that.

Kyle said...

Hahaha

Expax said...

I still feel little dirty because if I didn't know what they stood on then I voted democrat. Maybe its my former roots or something, I don't know. I have had enough of Republicans in general who continue to ignore the social injustices that are at our door each and everyday. Maybe the democrats can do better, I don't know. The abortion issues does bother me. However so do people starving in the streets.

Just seems so weird not to vote a straight Republican ticket.

Kyle said...

Hahaha, doesn't it, though?

:0)

Anonymous said...

Losing your ID, and then having a hassle about being allowed to vote? Can't you see God's working and warnings in your life? Yet you did not stop to ponder, and committed the sin that is voting Democrat (ever notice how similar 'demon' and 'democrat' are?) way! Expect due punishment.

Kyle said...

Hahaha!

Clearly. :0)