At What Cost?

The world of politics has always been a passion of mine. I have studied it, followed it and have become involved enough to have seen the “backroom” side of things. One cannot help but feel that the greatest ability to affect change in our country is to become a part of the process. After being a part of Election ‘08’ in a large capacity I have walked away with a single, solitary question. At what cost?

What are we willing to pay for a change in our country? It seems that we are willing to pay for it with the lives of millions of American babies. Hey the new administration doesn’t plan on discriminating based on age. If they have it their way you can kill your unborn child by partial birth right up until the time your water breaks as long as the head doesn’t come out all the way.

It seems we are willing to pay for change with our right to the personal health care of our choice. But hey when you are waiting in line for three weeks to have that broken arm fixed like some in Canada and Europe have had to do, just remember to say to yourself “Yes we can”. I mean there isn’t a shortage of healthcare professionals in America is there? Up until now, the countries that have the health care system being proposed have sent their leaders to America for health care because of the lines and the lack of guarantee that they would see the Doctor they wanted or needed to. Interesting. Where are we supposed to send our leaders or better yet your parent or child? India…? Mexico…?

Maybe we are willing to pay for change with our freedom of speech. Yeah that’s it. If we can’t preach the gospel the way the Bible tells it that will make our country better. Lets vote in a candidate that wants to sign hate speech legislation that will make it illegal to preach against homosexuality, sin or to preach that hell is real. Pastor, just make sure as you sit in jail that you raise your voice loud and proud while you shout “Yes we can”. I mean come on this is change we can believe in right?

Quite a tab we are running up now isn’t it?

If I had time I would tell you about Gay marriage, cutting military funding by 25 percent, lack of support for Israel and oh yes my personal favorite the Islamic and radical ties that helped propel the largest campaign in the history of presidential elections. But let’s stay off those hot button issues and push the economy button. Let’s look at a promise for cutting taxes in the middle class. Sure everyone is going to get a tax cut, but did anyone mention that that tax cut is to come after the Bush tax cuts are removed? The government, Wall Street and predatory lenders got us into this mess, but don’t worry guys the American people will reach even further into their hole laden pockets to pick up the check. No really “Yes we can!”

I decided to stand outside a few polling places on Tuesday with a few simple pieces of paper to hand out. On the paper was printed the stances of the two candidates running for office. As I stood there I simply talked to some people. Nothing pushy. Just asking questions as they walked by. In conversation I met people of every race and economic status. Teachers, lawyers, pastors, factory workers, fast food employees and students of every color were all part of this conversation. My question was simple, direct, disarming even. How are you doing today? I see you have made a decision to vote. Have you decided whom to vote for yet? I got the range of possible answers to which I followed up; Really which of their stances on the issues really made you want to vote for them? “Well I just feel John McCain would make a better president” I heard. “You know I just want the complete opposite of George Bush” another one said. “Well to be honest I just want a chance to be a part of making history one woman told me.” Hmm…

I asked one pastor a few questions beginning with “what was it, the stance on abortion, Israel, gay marriage or hate speech that you agreed with the most? He looked at me like I was from another planet. “I don’t understand, what do you mean?” he said. “You know the fact that your candidate agrees with the homosexual agenda, abortion, and hate speech legislation that will limit your ability to preach the gospel. I was just wondering which one of those things lined up with the ministry you are currently representing?” I got another answer that felt like a punch in the stomach. He looked at me with a look of horror and said “I was unaware of the fact that he supported the hate speech legislation.” Hmm…

I’ve been told that I should relax and not worry about the decision that was made on November 4th. That everything will work itself out. That I need to appreciate the fact that history is being made before my own eyes. I’ve been told it will be ok, just because he is a black man doesn’t mean he is going to break the country. I have been called racist and untrusting because of the race of a man I oppose, and that could not be the furthest thing from the truth. Ladies and gentleman I am the furthest thing from a racist that there is in the world. Many of my closest friends are of other races than my own. Collectively we look like a rainbow when assembled. To be honest if the coin were flipped and the candidates switched views and the election had come out the opposite I would be sitting here writing the same thing about John McCain. Lord knows I wanted to have an awesome Barack Obama, rockstar t-shirt just like everybody else, but the coin isn’t flipped and we are sitting here with one question; at what cost?

Many Christians Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and so on went into this election uninformed about the real issues that were at stake. We voted against someone who wasn’t even running, or for someone because we wanted to make history. Maybe you knew the issues and still went the direction you did and to that thank you for at least being informed. But I must say freely that we have to pay yet another price. We have got to bow our knees and pray for our new president. We have got to stand up and make our voices heard on these issues, and demand that the godly principles we were founded on as a nation be kept and or restored. We have got to pay the price in prayer and diligent action concerning these things. We have no right to complain because we as a nation have chosen our leaders, but we do have a right to petition. Petition heaven and when necessary petition our leaders to see our rights and our morals protected in this country. To that I say “Yes We Can!” Yes we can change our nation! Yes we can come together as a nation regardless of race or gender, finances or social status! Yes we can see America turn to Christ! So what is the answer to this question we face? Everything. It is going to cost us everything we’ve got spiritually to make it happen. We are going to have to stand when it’s not easy and bow when it would be easier to stand. It may be difficult, but that’s hope for a brighter future.