10/26/2008

Filling in the boxes

Posted by Andrew | Labels:

I voted today. I filled out my mail-in absentee ballot, stuck it in the envelope, licked the seal, and signed my name. This is the second presidential election I have had the chance to vote in since turning 18 seven years ago.

I checked the Obama box under the Presidential Candidates section... it took me awhile to do so. It was a mix of excitement, disappointment, and resignment to the structure of the American political system, where, although I agree with Obama on many issues, I also disagree with him on many others. And yet, I voted for him, as regardless of his positions, they are closer to my own beliefs than are John McCain's.

Despite my opinion being one small vote, I did feel a sense of empowerment. Proud that I was indeed able to vote in a system that actually counted my vote, that my vote actually does matter.

There were a number of referendums on the Colorado ballot as well. A few for raising taxes for education, transportation, and libraries - I voted yes for all of them. There was also Referendum __ (I forgot the number) asking whether the state of Colorado should define a fetus or a newly conceived blob as a person from the moment of conception. The implications of this statement are fairly strong - morning after pill? - murder, health-related abortion? - murder, car accident where the fetus dies - unintentional manslaughter, etc. I understand the impetus behind the referendum - those who are firmly against abortion in all circumstances (Pro-life is such an inaccurate term) are continually trying to find ways to punish abortion in the United States. For me as a Christian, it is an odd place for me to be. I am generally "pro-life" - against unnecessary wars, against capital punishment, against systems which exploit and humiliate the less fortunate allegedly providing "equal opportunity" but not equal results to all Americans, but I am also "pro-choice" when it comes to specific elements of the abortion debate. In fact I am against the discourse of the entire debate more than anything - pro-life vs. pro-choice is so misleading and unfair, and categorically stereotypes each side.

Most of the other ballot measures were rather boring.

Two great articles from the NYT this week, one on Obama and one on McCain. Both are well-written and fairly objective.

Obama

McCain

2 comments:

Cissa said...

[Obama and McCain] has been the favorite subject of my english classes! here, in Brazil, it seems Obama is the favorite. and there?

6:12 PM  
Bruce Kratky said...

Andrew, I am proud of you for voting and even more for you thought filled approach. Though I will be voting for Mr. McCain you and I do have much in common as it pertains to policy. I think much of the abortion debate gets muddied because we find ourselves blending spiritual and policy matters. It is not enough for me to call myself pro-life if the only expression of that is voting. Too many folks think they are noble warriors on this issue simply because they vote. This is not enough. Pro-life, if we accept that term, must be lived at all levels. My conflict comes when I feel that the pro-choice movement attempts by fiat or law to silence debate on the subject. Without the debate the spiritual challenges for the mother are too easily brushed aside. We had a lengthy discussion in Bible small group tonight and we tried hard to "see" things from another view and in doing so conceive that another Christ follower may have a different perspective and still be fully devoted to Christ. I was very proud of my guys. They are thinking deeply for their age. I challenged them hard, played the counter argument strongly and they did well in seeing the gray areas. We must love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbors more than ourselves especially within political contexts.

I have my absentee ballot on the dresser and will be sending in in either tomorrow or Tuesday. I can't wait for the end of this election cycle. It has been depressing and there is no one satisfying candidate. This has been, as I have said before, the most difficult election that I have experienced. I am quite disappointed with the process and the candidates in general, even the ones that lost in the primaries. There was no one who turned my crank so to speak. We shall pray and then contribute positively to whatever outcome.

Off to Florida one week from this coming Tuesday. Can not wait.

5:23 AM  

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