Its 10 pm on election night and Barack Obama has the electoral votes and will be the president-elect starting in January 2009.
I voted for Obama. Those who know me best would know that I am a supporter of him but some of you might be surprised by my choice. I have been a supporter of him the past 4 years and read his books. He is an impressive great man, lawyer, past community organizer and politician. Politically I am an Independent and this is the first presidential election of the past 3 i could vote in, where i voted for Democrat. I really vote based on the candidate and issues not the party, locally and nationally.
As a Christian, I am pro-life and against gay marriage (typically Republican values). However I don't think these issues are the only issues Christians should consider. I don't think abolishing abortion is ever going to happen. If it does, i think the reality is that women will find other harmful and destructive ways to rid themselves of thier unwanted fetus and create worse problems and more deaths of unborn children and mothers. It is more complicated than what we might think.
I often think of the low income clients I work with and the insititutional problems that influence them. I believe that if Jesus was walking the earth he would be spending time with the poor, the gay, the homeless, unemployed and the hurting people. I care about how politics not only affects my family's life but also the lives of those I advocate for and live near. I also firmly believe that every person has the right to healthcare and women equality in pay. Those were big issues for me this campaign.
I respect you no matter who you voted for. I just hope that everyone I know was a responsible citizen and voted. I would also like to calm your fears if you think that because of the results of the election, our country is going downhill in terms of morals or values and is causing you any anxiety attacks. I challenge you to pray for our new leader daily and respect him, and avoid assumptions based on rumors and untruthful information. You might be suprised at the new changes and how they might benefit you these next 4 years.
And Lastly, today history was made as the first African American president was elected. This is monumental for the African American and minorities of our country in giving them a leader for the first time that looks like them, relates to them and offers them someone to look up as the leader of our country. Our country's history has come full circle and the ethnic group that once was in bondage in this country now has one leader having the chance to lead us all together. It is also unique as Barack is equally biracial of Caucasian and African American descent representing both races and recognizing the needs of the minority races of other citizens as well. A huge historical event for our country that i am proud of.
I encourage your comments. Thanks.
5 comments:
I don't really get into political debats however, healthcare does make be a little nervous as to where the system could end up.
My thoughts on healthcare, do you think I you should be responsible for my medical bills? I would answer - no. You are not responsible for any of my medical services nor should the government be responsible or owe it to me to provide me with free or almost free medical care. If I need to pay higher premiums for my medical care then maybe I should work harder and find a better job. I feel like a lot of Americans out there think the government owes it to them to pay for their medical care.
The possibilities of the hospitals being completely over loaded with people and therefore are not providing quality healthcare services are pretty realistic should Obama change the system.... but I could be wrong.
That's my thoughts. I voted McCain!
i don't think the government owes people necessarily.. but the reality is many people who work full time can't get health insurance through an employer.. in order to get state insurance you have to prove your employer won't give your insurance..( know this form my internship in a medical setting) i just think that people who work full time in service jobs shouldn't be turned away from emergency and needed health care. Not everyone is blessed with the opportunities and priviledge i have to have had great jobs, and the opportunity and priviledge to get a college education..there are barriers to some people..
thanks for your comment.
Agreed. Chris and I (one of them) went without health insurance for 3 years. Both of us had "good" jobs but the employer didn't provide us with health care benefits. Throughout the entire time we never complained/thought that the government should pay for it or did we seek government assistance for the doctor bills we did have.
I'm sure it's case by case. But I do believe that there are A LOT of people out there taking advantage of government assistance when they good and well can go out there and get themself a good job. Full-time at Starbucks provided full health care benefits.
That's what trips my trigger
Good debate! No hard feelings!
I think what most people forget is that people like you, me, and Whitney were granted an incredible amount of white privilege just by being born into white middle class families with access to education. It's really hard for some people to imagine what it would be like not to live in our shoes. People tell us all the time that we have what it takes to be successful, or at least make a living...some people are never even told that much.
I think it takes an understanding of that phenomenon to even begin to see how public assistance and other programs to help underrepresented populations can be helpful.
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