I've been a Republican all my life. I've voted straight Republican in almost every single election in which I've cast a ballot (except for two times when I knew for sure the Democrat was a good guy and the Republican was a sleeze ball). This is probably due to three basic reasons:
1. My parents are Republicans.
2. Conservative Christians in America widely (some would say blindly) support the Republican party. Republicans tend to jive with conservative Christians on hot-topic ethical issues like: abortion, gambling, and homosexuality.
3. I'm an upper-middle class white boy. Stereotypically, that aligns me with the Republican party.
But those reasons don't mean very much to me any more.
Here are the reasons, I recently registered myself as a Democrat and plan to vote (almost) straight Democrat in the next elections.
1. The Democratic party is more concerned about helping the poor. The Republican Party's emphasis on decreasing taxes and decreasing government spending (while cutting out some waste) also cuts out a great deal of assistance for the poor. When my wife worked in the social service sector in Johnson County, all of the old time social workers said that any time Republicans are elected to office, government social programs are slashed across the board. At that time, the wait for housing assistance was years long in some cities, and in Johnson County the program was closed - no new applicants - tough luck, hope your car is cozy. Poverty is a moral issue just as much as abortion or gambling or homosexuality.
2. The Republican Party seems more and more out of touch with the needs and desires of every day Americans.
3. Abortion is simply not the only voting issue. I think abortion is terrible, and I would like to see every kind of limitation possible imposed on this crime against humanity. However, that cannot blind me to the ongoing crimes against humanity which happen in our inner cities day and around our world day in and day out.
4. Democrats are more concerned, by in large, with contributing to global health and poverty assistance. Republicans, by in large, tend toward giving aid in the form of weapons and military training. Hmmm. Let's see, what's going to help more people, rice and books or bullets and bombs.
5. Democrats seem to understand that America is not perceived well in the global community because of our aggressive militarism and willingness to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries. Republicans seem to be willing to continue living as an American cowboy on the global range. As one US citizen who has lived outside America, I can see that this style of policy is simply not working for us.
6. I don't think the fight against rights for homosexuals is beneficial for our country, nor do I think it represents Christians (who are key players in this fight) in a positive or Christlike light. I just don't think Jesus would fight this fight.
7. I love the way Edwards and Obama (along with lesser known Democrats) are refusing to accept campaign donations from lobbyists. I think this is a small step toward reforming our grossly deformed campaign system which favors the rich and gives undo influence to large corporations.
8. Republicans tend to disregard or fight against any and all moves to care for our environment. This is actually an antiChristian stance. At the least, we are supposed be good stewards of our resources and to care for the poor. Destruction of our environment is wasting a precious, unrenewable resource (not to mention terrible long-term business). It also causes a disproportionate amount of harm to the poor who do not have the resources to avoid the negative impact of a harmed environment.
That's probably enough controversy for now. I just thought I'd put this out there to let some people know what I'm thinking on this.
3 comments:
A couple of counterpoints and affirmations to your arguments if I may. I am not necessarily in disagreement with your stances, but have a different perspective/insights in some regards.
To Point 1.
A Christian Republican may argue that the government is not the agency best suited to this task. Instead it has been forced into this role through the failures of the Church to step up and 'Own' this issue.
To Point 2.
I am 100% with you on this, in most regards. Lobbyists and special interest financiering are the new constituents. It's high time for a pull away from the corporate interest that has dominated the last decade. This is collectivist sin of our country.
To Point 3.
This is the single most identifiable point that Republicans have with a Christian base. The culture has shifted to a point in our country that a reversal of Roe v. Wade is no longer a foreseeable outcome. Often I have been off put by the intensely graphic, and utterly anti-Christian sentiment present in so many of the pro-life protests and materials. I think a more tangible ministry is to dive headfirst into the reckless loving of women teetering on the edge. However our voice must be unrelentingly truthful in equating abortion as a form of murder. All that being said, this is now a social justice issue for the church, and no longer a political fight. The political fight has been lost and it is time for Christian's to adapt to that and move forward.
To Point 4.
I have no idea, what would have happened if we would have built and funded a free hospital for Palestinians after 9/11 instead of invading Afghanistan. But I have a hunch that a radical peace in the face of terror caries much more weight than Conservatives realize.
To Point 5.
Having been outside the US as well, I am well aware of how our governments actions affect perception. However there is a split in most cultures between US the Government, and US the pop-culture. I am not sure which does more damage for our image.
To Point 6.
Homosexuality, and sexual immorally behavior were just as rampant in Christ's culture. Yet he spoke against the evils of vacuous ritualism, legalism, judgementalism, and wealth hording.
To Point 7.
Back to point 2.
To Point 8.
No contest.
Josh,
That's a pretty broad brush you're using for both political parties. Maybe you need to get rid of that 4" brush you are using to paint the wall of the garage and look for a 1" brush used for painting around windows and doors. Have you considered, e.g., the implications of following the extreme left into a socialist society? or maybe you need to consider living in the center with many of us who are known as independents. Just because we don't locate ourselves with the "Democrats" doesn't mean we are located with the extreme right (which you seem to identify as "Republican." You identify as yourself as a thinker (and I believe you are because I know you fairly well, though not intimately). Maybe you need to do more thinking about this issue before you go too far.
By the way, you are correct about many of the things you have said. I don't disagree with much of what you have written. I'm just letting you know that one does not have to be one or the other. I've been an independent thinker (and voter) for my mature life.
Josh,
As your sister, you know that I love you. I happen to agree with you on many of your points but probably for very different reasons.
As for abortion, in my opinion, it should be regulated more, but I don't know how it could be. While I don't agree with it for myself, I am not about to take the right to make that choice away from other women. Working in the field that I do, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with programs such as Plannned Parenthood. I have found that most staunch Christians (i.e. republicans) tend to view this organization as an abortion factory. That is just simply not the case. They provide healthcare to literally millions of girls and women that can not afford it otherwise. The majority of the Planned Parenthood offices do not even provid abortion as an option, however, they do provide many different types of birth control and activally help many many women obtain that on a sliding financial scale where they can afford it, many times for free. In Houston as an example, there are probably over 25 different PP offices and only 1 where they will do abortions if needed. In order to obtain that option, the person has to go through counceling,etc. before the dr will perform it. It grieves my heart everytime I see that someone or some group has picketed or bombed one of their offices. So many people are hurt by doing this when in reality, they are helping so many.
By the way of helping the poor, I tend to agree with the Democrats that America needs a nationwide health care plan. There are so many people in need of health care that just can't get it. They end up going to the ER when things get so bad for them, then not able to pay those high expenses thereby putting them in a higher poverty stricken level. This ends up costing the tax payers so much more in the long run.
As to the homesexuals, again, for me it is a wrong choice. BUT, again, I cannot make that choice for anyone other than myself. I have many many friends who are wonderful people and have chosen this lifestyle. I can't see that Jesus would fight against them like I see the church as a whole doing. I can see that He would instead reach out His arms to them in love and acceptance for who they are - people. And love them into the fold.
I know that this is probably a very liberal point of view to many. It is however, one of the reasons that I am not activally involved in any church at this point. I get so disgusted with the way that church's as a whole (I know there are those out there who don't do this) preach so hard against these things and literally outcast any who don't fall within "their ideals". I don't see how this is the way that Jesus would have acted, nor do I think that He wants the church to do so today. As you know, I have many close friends and family members who activally attend church but I have yet to find the church that activally goes out to help people that are making some of these choices for themselves without having those people feel condemed. Again, I love you and know that you are striving in your church to do what you feel Jesus would do which is why you feel the way that you do about these things.
April
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