Simplistic Thoughts

Voting? Hey it's my right, right?

Posted by simplisticthoughts , Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:33 PM

Okay so I guess I'll start this blog off right and talk about politics. Now I am one of the last people to really have a stance on politics because frankly I have not put in the energy to listen to the ranting and ravings of political leaders. And I do take responsibility for my lack of attention to the news and "the issues". I do, however feel as if I have come to a conclusion with this years presidential election. Now before I get the back lash from political guru's, you must know that I have put a lot of thought into this and it would take a literal act of God to change my opinion on this issue. Yes, I know I am stubborn and probably a bit ignorant, nonetheless, my mind has been made up.

For this next election, my vote is going towards neither of the candidates because I am choosing not to place my opinion on a ballot form this year. Let me first say, that I am not against voting, this is not a rebellious, anarchist stand that I am taking. If you really have a passion for one of the candidates, then by all means, vote for the one whom you believe will impact this country the best way possible. I have found that I don't really agree with either candidate and due to my partial lack with keeping updated on all their political stances- I do not know everything they stand for. For one, I refuse to vote simply because one is republican and I have voted that in the past. I refuse to vote for someone simply because a majority of people I hang out with are voting for a particular person. I refuse to vote on the basis of them supporting or not supporting gay marriage or abortion. (Note: I am against both of these issues, but I also am aware that these topics make up nearly 1% of the issues discussed in Congress. And most of those issues are up to each state to decide, so I say let's be a little more proactive in our state government. And yes, I am pointing the finger at myself as well.) To put it simply I have a hard time supporting either candidate- both of them seem shady to me and no I am not going to vote for the lesser of two evils- which I was informed to do!! ;)

Since voicing my choice not to vote I have received several comments regarding the issue. One comment was, "well you don' t have the right to complain if you don't vote, because you never voiced your opinion." And you know what, you are right, I don't have the right to complain, because since when did I ever have the right to complain? God never said for His people to complain when things didn't go their way or when they had a leader who was bad- no! He has called us to fast and pray for our leaders. It is my responsibility for who ever gets into office to pray and fast for them, because I know that if God can get a hold of their heart, He can get a hold of their politics and their morality. I have been told that it's my right as an American citizen to be able to vote. Yes, it is my right and I am very thankful and privileged to be able to utilize that right. As I stated previously I am not opposed to voting, but considering that it is a right, I have the option to take up that right. I have the right to bear arms, but I don't own a gun. Not that I am opposed to guns, but I personally don't have the need for one. Maybe we will talk if the government tries to take over.

I realize that I could go back and forth with people about why I should or shouldn't vote. I am sure you could give me Scripture references and the whole ten point sermon about the issue. And I find it ironic that I go to the church I go to, although I do care about the leadership of this nation. I guess, the more and more I think about it, I could honestly care less about the next President and about all of our rights, because as a Christian, living in the end times, it really isn't going to matter who is in office because the Bible promises persecution. Christians are going to have their rights taken from them left and right, but it's the church that is going to have to work together to make the difference and bring souls into the Kingdom. My heart and focus is more concerned towards the people, of all nations, not just the U.S of A. I mean, what right do we have to bomb people who bomb us? Are our lives more valuable than theirs? Are our people more valuable to God than those in Iraq? I know it's a tough line to walk because we can't allow them to keep coming over here and killing all of us, but when we retaliate, are we any better? Has it really solved anything?

I read this book called "The Irresistible Revolution" and although I don't agree with all of his theologies and ideologies I did agree with several really profound thoughts of his. One statement he made was in regards to 9/11. He said instead of the church offering refuge to those in pain and in need, we instead banded together in patriotism. When the country really needed God to be their refuge, we just waved our red, white and blue. He worded it a whole lot better than I did, but you get the point. Sometimes our allegiance to the flag outshines our most important allegiance and that is to God. Okay so I am realizing that I am getting off on a whole different tangent, so I am going to conclude. A lot of you may think I am naive, ignorant, maybe brilliant (only from those who may be equally minded, lol) but this is just my stance on the issue. So when everyone is out this November punching their holes into their ballots, I will be doing God knows what, hopefully praying.