On politics . . . sort of.

'Tis the season for this kind of post, I suppose. I've been writing this over the course of two weeks, and I just deleted a LOT that I didn't necessarily want to put on a blog. But here are a few thoughts in no particular order.

• I won't talk about who I will or won't vote for in November. I do my best to remain aggressively non-partisan. But I will talk about how I decide who to vote for.
  
  I think that one thing that we rarely think about in an election year is that every candidate interested in the presidency wants what is best for our country and the people living here. I don't think any candidate running for president has ever run with intention to "take down America." Can we all agree on that? The dissension comes from disagreeing on what is best for our country and how to bring about what is best.
  
  So my job, as a voter, is to examine the plans presented by each of the candidates and decide which of them best represents my values and what I believe are the important issues facing our country, along with evaluating whether or not he or she has what it takes to carry out their plan (and let's face it . . . no one will do everything he promises). I do this not only by researching myself, but also by considering the opinions of those who know a lot more than I do . . . those with whom I agree and disagree. To vote responsibly takes a bit of effort. Moving on . . .
  
  

• To insist that I, as a woman, must be insulted that McCain chose Palin is just ignorant. I won't pretend to know whether or not choosing Palin was a political game on McCain's part or not. I would concede that it's a possibility. And I won't say whether or not I agree with her views. That's not what this is about.
  
  I've done some research . . . the fact is that she is worthy of a spot in this race. You can agree with her or disagree with her . . . but either way, she has experience. Maybe not as much as Biden or McCain, but enough to make a great candidate for VP. On top of that she's smart and she has a whole lot of charisma. So, give her credit where credit is due. I really think that those who say she doesn't have enough experience are basically saying that she hasn't been in the spotlight long enough. Joe Biden said today that her experience as governor "warrants respect" and that she will be a "formidable opponent." I am fascinated by those who are effectively setting the women's movement back 20 - 30 years by labeling her as just another pretty face.
  
  And the whole "can a mother of five handle the vice presidency" thing? Ugh . . . don't even get me started on that . . .
  
  


• The founder and president of a Christian organization has weighed in on Palin's daughter's pregnancy and said that Christians make mistakes and Christian parents have kids that make mistakes and concluded by offering his support. Yep. Thanks for clearing that up.
  
  I just wonder why he can't show that kind of grace toward people from any party. Why instead, does he take out full page ads in the Washington Post to make attacks? Don't make me pull out my WWJD bracelet . . .
  
  
  
• Along the same lines, I recently heard a Christian woman make hateful remarks about Hillary Clinton. Not just disagreeing with her, but hating her through words. It made me cringe. I think this kind of thing happens a lot during these times and it's easy to justify because, well, sometimes politicians don't seem real.
  
  And, I know that people in politics, and Hollywood, etc. need to know and accept that they'll be in the public spotlight. I know that it's something they've chosen. But I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about those of us who have decided to follow Christ.
  
  I think sometimes we forget that politicians are people too. People whom God loves as much as he loves us. People who have as much value to him as we do. How we love politicians we disagree with is how we love God.
  
  
  
• In conclusion, I don't really have a WWJD bracelet (or WWJD jewelry of any kind). Just wanted to put that out there . . .