Politics Today

Politics

Well I feel the urge to write something. I really haven’t had much time to write stuff lately (working 45 hours a week does that to you ; )) But I feel the urge to write something while I can, and one of the things I want to write about is the current politics, especially of the elections coming up in Novemeber.

The 2008 Presidential race, as far as the Reps and Dems go, is between McCain and Obama. I admit it wasn’t exactly how I predicted it. I didn’t really think McCain would get the nomination. He didn’t have the “presidentialism” that others had, and he fell way behind when Giuliani got ahead. I was also a bit skeptical of Obama, if he really had what it took to get him through the Democratic nomination. I was not sure he could get past Hillary, and now that he has, he, despite all the turmoil that has come up with him, is perhaps the favorite in the general election.

So this would probably be my time to say that although I’m not a huge McCain fan, he’s good enough to endorse and support – especially over Obama. I’m supposed to say that I think McCain has better war tactics and economic tactics, and seems a little closer in line to my beliefs. This seems like my time to, even though I haven’t supported him in the primaries, to give a defense for what will be my vote for him this November.

But if that day comes, it is not today. Nor am I supporting Obama. I don’t really like either one. I guess McCain is probably the lesser of the two evils, but he’s no angel by any means. I know that since I’m not running for President and since it’s a harder job than it seems and my leaders are given to me by God, people say I shouldn’t complain. All those things are true, but somehow I still feel an urge to complain and feel justified.

Both have flawed economic plans. I was looking on Obama’s website just a few minutes ago. I didn’t want to assume he bad just because everyone else said so. I wanted to see his own words. What does he support? He basically wants a plan for anything that might be a problem – a government plan. Since we have children with disabilities and we’re caring Americans, we need a government program to help them, so says Obama. Since the temperature of the earth may be a little higher than it was a few hundred years ago, we need government intervention to cool it down and “control” our environment, or so Obama tells us. We need more government funds into our education system because it is the backbone to America, according to Obama that is. But I don’t want the government to control or attempt to control children with disabilities, the environment, or education. It’s my job to help those adapt to the disabilities the Lord graciously created them with. It’s my job to be a good steward of what the Lord has given me so that I may play my part in keeping a good environment (not that I or any man can control its weather!). It’s my job to get a good education! And its your job on the issues as well. It is not the government’s job! If Obama and other liberals are so against the government bordering with religion or morality, then why force charity on us by taking our money in the name of the poor and disabled?

McCain isn’t quite as bad as Obama on these issues, but he has his ways. He’s a big believer of the “global crises” and wants government to help it. He talks about his “plans” and when I hear politicians talk about their plans I get scared. Here is my plan: get the government out of the economy. Maybe I sound too libertarian but the philosophy holds true with economic principles. I don’t think Obama or McCain either one really understands much about government altogether – about how we have government to protect our Rights given to us by God, namely which are life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It is not the government’s job to create utopia. It is the government’s job to secure the peace and protect our life. McCain and Obama both seem to think that the Constitution gives us our Rights. Our Rights come from God not Constitutions. This is just part of their flawed philosophy. If man gives us Rights, then man perhaps also can take away rights, legislate morality, and promote a utopian society. This sounds like Socialism or Communism! Meanwhile, they utterly ignore what the Constitution really says. To many politicians, it tells us what rights we have and if they are not mentioned, then it must mean we don’t have the rights and the government must stop us from the act. The Constitution was actually written for the opposite purpose: to list out where our Federal government should go, assuming that what is not listed is for them not to go. There may be slightly different interpretations to the Constitution, and some may interpret it very strictly while others interpret it broadly, but nonetheless it is a very important work for our leaders to follow, abide by, and defend to the best of their ability. I'm not sure if McCain or Obama care much about it. And when they take their oath of office, whomever it is, they will swear with their hand on the Word of God to defend it.

I don't think either of these candidates is real wise on foreign policy. They each have different views it seems, so it would make since I'd chose one of their views and side with one candidate on the issue. But both are interventionists. McCain may be a strong supporter of the military, and I admire his service to his nation and his patriotism, but that doesn't necesarilly make him wise in foreign affairs. I think McCain may be a little tougher on our enemies that Obama, but I also think he would drive us into war with almost the entire Middle East, making more enemies. However we do it, we need to start returning to the humble foreign policy our Founders promoted and Bush ran on in 2000. Obama may say he'll give us that some, but I'm not sure. I think in his four or eight years (if he's elected), he would bring us into some war or perhaps make enemies with another nation and set us up for war sometime in the future. Maybe that’s just speculation, but I wouldn’t really doubt any of that.

So since I don't like either candidate and I don't support or endorse either one, what do I do? I am kind of stuck between the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr and the Constitutionalist candidate Chuck Baldwin. Barr is one of the better Libertarians in my opnion. He was actually an ex Republican Congressman from Georgia. Chuck Baldwin is a Baptist Minister and a frequent candidate of the Constitutionalist Party. I don't know a great amount about either one, but both are pro-life and they have both been big supporters of Republican candidate Ron Paul, who I voted for in Februrary. I think both are good men with good values, who would bring lower taxes, lower spending, promote a sensible foreign policy, and at least to some degree restore the value of the Constitution.

Before leaving, let me briefly defend my decision to possibly vote for a third-party candidate with little hope of winning. Our two parties have become sort of a one party with two branches. They are both, for the most part, wrong on many areas. I look at voting like this: out of those running, you pick who you like the best. If it happens to be a third-party candidate then so be it! Vote your conscience! I know there may always be some strategy in voting. If out of the two mainline candidates, one I liked almost as much as a third-party candidate and needed my vote to win, then I may cast my vote for him. But McCain and I are out of line a bit, and Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are both similar to my ideal candidates. And McCain is probably going to win Alabama anyway, so I might as well use my vote to promote a third-party candidate – especially if I like them anyway. I know that the third-party candidates may seem too “radical,” but maybe that’s what we need. We keep justifying our votes for the “lesser” of the two evil candidates. Maybe it’s time we vote for someone worth voting for or just not vote at all! Until we do that, we can expect to see our nation go downhill as both parties get worse. I won't tell you who to vote for, but I would encourage you to at least look into some third-party candidates. Just at thought.

What do you think?

God bless America

Pray for our Troops

June 16, 2008

Ryan Hampton