Clowns To The Left Of Me, Jokers To The Right...

The first thing you should know is that I absolutely believe that one should never completely agree with anything... Well, ok, you should agree with God.

But, one should never buy all of any, any, any thing. Not a book, not a sermon, not an agenda, not a speech, not a nothin'.

Why?

Because if you find that you believe all of something, you either are victim of brainwashing or you were asleep.

That said, you now know that I don't accept either the right or the left completely. And that is a good thing to know, if we're going to talk politics.

The first thing is this. I want stronger local governments and a weaker national government (with the exceptions of the obvious international dealings, etc). You could say I'm a fan of Ayn Rand at this point. I want more power invested in local governments because I believe it would be more effective and more compassionate and more accountable. For example, welfare handled on a local would be more effective. It's not a check in the mail. It's the money YOU earned that YOU are giving to ME to help me out. Is this also somewhat dangerous? Sure. But I wouldn't blow it all on crack - at least not more than once or twice. And thus, you wouldn't be perpetuating my poverty and addiction.

Furthermore, it could be more compassionate. We can hate all the gays and pass a bunch of Constitutional amendments when it's the federal (or even state) government issue. But when it's YOU doing it to YOUR NEIGHBOR'S SON, then it's just a little more personal.

Ok, so that's what I would prefer, but I would never suggest that it is GOD'S WAY. It is A WAY. It is a way that has some possibilities. ANOTHER WAY that has possibilities is to have a strong national government and to try to figure out a way to stop the abuses that we currently have.

And both systems - all systems - will always have abuses - at least as we see the world now.

BUT, for that reason, I would tend ON THIS ISSUE to lean Republican. They say they're the party of smaller government...yes, I know what you're thinking.

Which is another issue...

A Brief Intermission

Both parties want power. That is their goal. That's just how they're designed. And both parties will try to grow - themselves and the government - in order to obtain more power. So, as far as I'm concerned that makes neither of the "Christian" or the "Party of Smaller Government."

Act II

I'm pro-life. But I really mean that. Like...abortion is not ok, but neither is the death penalty and neither are stupid wars or military excursions.

Pro-life Abortion? Republicans
Pro-life Death Penalty? Democrats
Pro-life Stupid Wars? Good question...
Pro-life Stupid Military Excursions? Good question...

So, I'm neither...and both.

I oppose the Marriage Amendment. Why?

1) Homosexuals already know Christians hate them. Why write down in the Constitution?
2) Marriage ISN'T' between "a man and a woman" - it's between a man and a woman and God and their community. So, I'd be cool with the church taking back the idea of "Holy Matrimony" and I'd be cool with pastors deciding not to do weddings that weren't Holy Matrimony. And I'd be cool with talking about certain living arrangements getting certain benefits with the IRS and insurance companies. But as it is, I see Christians supporting a cultural belief, not a godly belief.
3) I want to federal government to STAY OUT OF IT! Remember? I'm for smaller government - and I MEAN that. Two words - TENTH AMENDMENT - and yes I know some states are voting for man/woman marriage amendments and some states are voting for gay marriages. My hope is that whatever metaphorical blood (and God, I hope that's all it is) is shed, that the blood would be highly visible and highly personal and that the Church would be full of fear and trembling as we work out salvation.

BUT...

The Bush team has made the point that they are trying to avoid allowing judges/justices to MAKE law - which is NOT the job of a judge. Good point, Team Bush. I'd say, let's pass an amendment to fix THAT, and skip the marriage stuff.

So, at the end of this issue, I'm a Democrat.

And then there's the War On Terror...

And that's another post.

posted by Headless-in-GR @ 10/19/2004 10:33:00 PM