Day Three Hundred and Eight
The following is Mandi’s Election Day rant.
On Voting:
Voting is nothing more or less than civic responsibility. It is a relatively mild incident that has less impact on our society than say, volunteering at the local homeless shelter but more than remembering to sort your recycling properly. Our government is structured in such a way that any kind of change is a very slow process. Change happens but over the course of decades not the course of months. One election is not the beginning or the end of the world. So if you are stressed out over the outcome of today’s events then you are not taking a long enough view. If you are stressed out over the direction things have been going for the last 100 years then you are putting your faith in a secular government. Our country will only change as the people in it change. If you don’t like the way things are going, vote by all means, but talking, teaching and above all worshiping will do far more good, far faster.
On Abortion:
If you get this one wrong. There is not much sense in talking further. If you cannot protect the children then I won’t trust you with anything. Not with my retirement savings, not with my handicapped cousin, not with my grandmother.
On Barack Obama:
It is so nice to hear someone speak that doesn’t sound like a complete idiot that it is easy to forget that he is promising what he cannot deliver. Just like a snake oil salesman. Just like pretty much every other politician, ever.
On Socialism:
The Church has long taught that if one suffers involuntarily but accepts it with grace and rejoicing then it is as virtuous and beneficial as suffering voluntarily undertaken. So if you miss a meal because the airplane is stuck on the runway but you rejoice and use the opportunity to pray then it is just as good as having chosen to fast. Likewise, if the government takes your money away from you to “give to the poor” and you accept with rejoicing this chance to relinquish your wealth then it is as though you tithed it. Look for opportunities to apply this principle no matter the political regime. When the stock market crashes works too. I’m not advocating Socialism or any other ism for that matter. But, if you are, like many of my readers, a Christian then it is simply irrational to be afraid. Bad economy? Good opportunity to be charitable. Praise the Lord and pass the beans.
On Campaign Rallies:
Looks just like an Evangelical worship service doesn’t it? Wonder why.
On the Whole Political Process in America:
Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden. They are all packaged. You think a $150,000 wardrobe is shocking? You ain’t seen nuthin’. Consultants. Focus groups. The works.
That is all…maybe…
November 5th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I loved every word. I am married to you and we have talked about all these things but I still loved reading them on the screen. I think you need to follow this up with say “Mandi on Food”, “Mandi on Business”, or “Mandi on the Value of a Classical Education”.
I realize that I am always asking to to do more, rather than just complementing the work you have already done. Good job my love.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I’m not advocating socialism. Or complacency. Let us always oppose a political ideology that we, well, oppose but not in fear or in a belief that we or society or anyone else will be “saved” by our so doing.