A Lot on My Mind - Politics and Keeping It Real

I was watching an interview with Bill Clinton. He had a very realistic view on voting. He said some people are one issue voters-like pro-lifers for example, some would vote for McCain because he had a female running mate-regardless of their politics. Some people vote along party lines. Some people would vote for Obama because he was black. Some would vote McCain because he was a veteran. Some people would vote for the best of the two. Voting is an emotional issue. It is not a rational issue. It is not black and white (no pun intended). That is why it is so hard to understand.

That is where politics come in. I was thinking about something a friend said. She said it was hard to be happy when a minority candidate was not supportive enough for gay rights. I heard that both our liberal and conservative candidates said they did not believe in gay marriage. Obama more inclusive, but not going there all the way. I also think about the last election when gay marriage was a key issue and some pundits believe the "family values" crowd AKA those against gay marriage came out in herds just to keep gay marriage off the ballot. What is the answer? How does one reconcile extreme happiness and disappointment?

I feel Roe V. Wade won't get flipped. I feel ecstatic. I feel peace will have more of a chance and my brothers and sisters in uniform will be safer, but not pulled home because it is too complicated. That gives me mixed emotions. I feel an extreme connection to Obama and his life story. I feel hope for minorities in this country--especially the young who can see something different-something attainable. I still feel like we have such a mess to handle, it will be a very difficult job. So when I put my full support behind our president am I short changing gays and non-Christians and selling out or rather being exclusive in a group that promotes its all inclusiveness? I am not sure what the answer is. I feel like it will take me a while to wrap my brain around it all.

I feel optimistic, and then I feel guilty. I feel that my soul has a chance and I feel I have some soul searching to do. Does the good outweigh the bad? I say yes. Is it enough? I hope so. Can I do more? I can. Will I? I will. Will that be enough? I don't know. I feel alienating the non-christian or gay people in our country is not as inclusive as I feel it should be. I will keep thinking...and listening...and loving the fact that I have people in my life that keep me thinking and exploring.