Thursday, September 18, 2008

Politics, Religion....Let's talk!

One of my very best friends asked me, "why does it seem that so many christians vote Republican?" I told her that my best guess was that it was because of what we consider the "moral issues", such as abortion, gay marriage....etc. She then asked, "do you think they would tend to just vote their party, or do they really look into the candidates?" So I am asking all of you. Who are you voting for and why? It's just about time to vote, and it's time to get real. I am 80% sure that I am voting for McCain. So prove your side, and let's have a grown-up discussion about all of the things you are not suppose to talk about.

14 comments:

Laurie said...

OOOH fun! Funny how opinions differ so much. I don't always know why "moral" and "republican" go in the same sentence. I've seen just as much drama on both sides. I'm for Obama, this election. He's not for gay marriage, but civil unions. That sounds only fair to me. Abortion is a tough one, and always will be. I'm saddened when women use it as a form of birth control. It is a lot of our young people who choose this " option ". There should be birth control available to all women and young adults, who ask. The debate will always war on. I have a friend who's husband is in his sixth tour in Iraq. They are voting for Obama, for many reasons, I guess. It's disheartning to hear people say republicans have the upper hand on morality. I guess it comes down to the issues and policies. I'm still learning. Good subject Kim!

One- said...

Laurie, I agree that all Repulicans are not moral, nor Democrats immoral. Many people will vote Republican because they are against abortion, yet cheat, on their loved ones, etc....It definitely doesn't "give them the upper hand on morality." It's crazy to even think that. Just as it's not fair to say all politicians are liars. Well, maybe not. Lol! They ALL seem to flip flop! Do you think we know for sure that Obama is "Christian"? I've read some things about him lately, pertaining to him studying the Quaran (spelling?) and other studies of the muslim nature. That would be a big thing to keep secret?

Dena said...

I'm with Laurie on a lot of what she said except I think if two people love each other they should be able to get married. My God loves people who really love each other and are good to each other. I don't think he would be ok with a couple who beat each other down over a couple who treat each other well just because one was male female and the other wasn't (just my view). I don't think the court should decide if I was raped or not to determine if I could have an abortion or not. Nor should I be forced to remember the incident forever...again should be my choice. I hate when it is used as birth control too, but it gets too hard to regulate and say this person can and this one can't. You have to live with your decision and it isn't always easy no matter what people may think.

I have heard the Muslim thing too, but realize even if true there is two different kinds (not going to define here but can explain better to you on the phone). Anyway, he is Christian now and was actually affiliated with a really pastor that was pretty extreme so he left that church.

So I still believe in separating church and state. It shouldn't matter if our president is a jew, christian or catholic because our policys should be based on the needs of the american people and what we need right now is someone to clean up this economic mess and hopefully make us safer at home. We are not any safer now than when we started this war ( please realize I support our soldiers and everything they have done and think they are wonderful for the freedoms they have provided to people). I just think that there is a good chance we will be hit again once we have a new pres. whichever way it goes.

The economy is horrible and living in nevada and schools are horrible. It is going to take either party a long time to get us out of this and it won't be pretty.

So I used to really like McCain but I don't think he is saying what he really feels but what the party wants him too. He used to buck the system more. He didn't even get to chose his own running mate (read back: he wanted lieberman or huckabee they are less conservative than palin) And Palin...don't get me started...we elected a govenor in nevada who had ethical issues during the election and look what a mess he has turned out to be. She has so many issues and so little experience...can you really say she would make you comfortable running a country? Really? I may have actually gone with McCain if he had chose Lieberman. Mccain has too man health problems/age to not consider the VP issue. I really wanted Hillary. For all the Hillary haters...she is a smart, confident lady, who raised a daughter who has stayed out of trouble and done positive things. But at this point I am with Barack/Biden. Barack has less experience than McCain but is still doing things his way and has some interesting plans (check out his ideas on education). Biden has writen the most extensive Domestic Violence Initiatives in history...so taking care of women and families...he's there.

I am not a lock...thing could always change...can't wait for the debates...

Laurie said...

OOH Dena, goood! I was into watching the house of represenatives for about 6 months. That's when I first heard of Joe Biden....... Anyway, this coming election has got so many involved! People are finding the facts and participating. Good talk guys.

Anonymous said...

Well.. I think the Republican / Democrat thing really is irrelevant to who you are voting for. I'm not sure whether you are a christian or not figures in either. Basically, we have tended to vote republican in the past as less government and more freedom is what we would like to see in our country. Recently, those ideas seemed to be most strongly represented by the Republicans. Issues such as Abortion, Gay Marriage, etc. definitely hit home when it comes to your own morals - it seems like it's become taboo to actually say something is wrong, but it's ok to criticize everyone who does. We are voting for McCain, and it is simply because he has a history of service with no major selfish agenda. To spend that many years in service and have no major scandals really is an accomplishment. The War is unfortunate - they always are, and everyone would like it to end. You just don't want to lose everything the young men and women have sacrificed so much for. You can't just "leave". Anyway - it's nice to live in a country where we are free to disagree, preferably without being mocked, made fun of, or intimidated. And so....I personally don't enjoy disagreements! Isn't it great when you feel like your a "team" everyone on the same page and all that???? The older I get the more Ive learned to let people be who they are and treat them the way I would want to be treated even if we are nothing alike or dont believe the same. America is still a great nation!!

Teri

Laurie said...

Teri, who are you foolin, I know Tim wrote that! Hee hee, Love ya

Dena said...

I agree that it is easy to say someone else is wrong for saying something is wrong. I wish certain things didn't have to be but unfortunately they are. I think sometimes what we experience really molds our thinking. I have worked the juvi/child welfare system for so long now that has definitely influenced my feelings on specific matters at the same time so did my infertility issues. Talk to someone who couldn't get pregnant when they were surrounded by teens who had babies they couldn't care less about or ones who were pregnant and using drugs/alcohol. So conflicted!!! When you have a mom collecting SSI money for her kid who was drug exposed at birth so now he is considered disabled even though for the most part the juvenile/child welfare system is still raising him we still pay her to raise him. Watching a little girl have to (pressure) have a baby from an abuse situation. So many things can change views on things. I know I used to really think in what would be considered a serious liberal way, but I now see I really have some convervative views on certain issues. Much more to the middle.

Anonymous said...

Very funny Laurie!!I will admit I do ask him to enlighten me on so many things I dont understand. I admire him so much~ But if he would have wrote it--trust me it would have been a looooooooooooooong one!! With lots of big words.

Teri

Jen said...

All I have to say is I agree 100% w/ Teri/Tim. I was not surprised when I scrolled down to the end to see that it was Teri. One thing I do have to say is "One Nation Under GOD" and this has always mattered since the beginning of time. I do want somebody who loves AMERICA!!! You guys are all great! Jen

One- said...

Oh, all my friends...y'all are good. Keeping me very entertained! Keep it comin'- Shannon, Meleea, Mom, Dad, Allison, where are ya? Let me hear from you too!

Anonymous said...

I was thinking today about what Dena said too, and I do understand how it would influence your opinions and views working in the juvi/child welfare system. Im sure you see a lot!!
Anyway, Im glad you have been blessed with two absolutely adorable babies!!

ps. Laurie I bet you thought Tim wrote my comment because the word booty was never used.

Teri

Scott said...

Thanks for this very interesting discourse Kimmy. I am also thankful that y'all haven't given in to the 30 second drivel that both parties are putting out on TV and the radio. I personally find most of it insulting. I like all of you am very interested in the position of the two candidates and their running mates on the issues. The primary issues of concern to me and I believe a lot of Americans are the war in Iraq, education, immigration, health care, the housing/mortgage dilema,abortion, gay marriage,global warming and many other sub issues. Trying to find an unbiased presentation that simply lists the issues and tells you what each of their positions are is very hard to find. Most blog sites spend way to much time telling you how wrong the other guy is rather than simply stating their opinion and how they plan to solve a particular issue. All that being said one of the most non-biased presentations that I have found is by Julie Muhlstein at WWW.heraldnet.com in an article on June 9, 2008 titled "Compare Barack Obama and John McCain on major issues". Each of the issues is summarized and it gives their position. Each of the issues also links to a much more detailed explanation. My hope for this country and myself is that each of us will study their position on each of the issues and come November vote based on knowledge rather than emotion or the worst thing following a party line. I have been voting for over forty years and it is easy to become very cynical since so many politicians have basically lied to us ( that would be politicians from both parties). When I was younger and the Vietnam War was going on I was extremely liberal and very much against alot of things. I have found that over time I have become much more conservative on many issues but not all issues. At 20 McCain would not have gotten my vote but now at 62 I am leaning his way because his stand on many of the afore mentioned issues more closely aligns with my beliefs than does Obama's. I am looking forward to the debates for some clarity. As to some of the previous blogs, I lean towards what our founding fathers said in the preamble to the constitution. "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal endowed by their creator with certain inailienable rigths, amoung which are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." To me that means that they believed that when God created us in our mothers womb He gave us rights that couldn't be taken away by man unless God so directs us. I believe the right to life is one of those, liberty also but when it comes to happiness He only guaranteed us the right to purse it. If in our pursuit we break laws or endanger others then society has the right to punish us. As this discussion goes on I would like to see it focus on one issue ie. immigration and have each of give our opinions and then compare them to the two candidates opinions. Hopefully this will help us all especially those who are sitting on the fence trying to decide whom to vote for. Ours is a great system because on Nov. 5th after the election we don't have to worry about a military coup or riots in the streets if our man doesn't win. Oh yeah, as too Palin I like her and if she has to become president can she do any worse than all of the men who have held this position so far. Thanks for the debate Kimmy, and thanks to all of you for your insightful and intelligent comments. Love Dad

Dena said...

One f the news prgrams the other night just had their immigration positions on the ther night. I thought it was interesting how close they were with a few exceptions. That is where the Dems and even some Repubs and I had parted ways. Again working in the system and my dad working construction in California growing up formed some views. Funny that my sister and I see it so differently though. The only thing is that even with all the supposed rules I see the courts take people in and pay for them with ur tax dollars instead of deporting and on the flip side have seen them be deported, comeback and commit more crimes. Mexico will harbor fugitives and not send them back to face charges, yet will give them maps to help them get back to america. What can our gvernment really do without the ACLU or someone else stepping in and saying yu are profiling, ect. Tugh thing to figure ut.

Dena said...

my o key really didn't want t wrk. sorry for the type o's