Therefore, I am biased in favor of McCain, but why? Here is a list of a few issues I care about, where the candidates stand and where I stand. In fact, I am not so much biased toward McCain, as I am biased toward anyone who shares my values and convictions. So if Obama wants to convert to what I hold dear and near, I'd gladly endorse him. As you can see, he's not very close to center and as McCain says; "it's hard to reach that far across the aisle."
Abortion: McCain against (considers life to begin at conception). Obama for (in an extreme way). I am against abortion (see previous post). In my opinion abortion is at best an extreme, violent act that reveals a person's worldview and permeates his thinking and perspective. Therefore, I have trouble trusting or voting for a person who supports abortion.
Here are a few more related issues with which I happen to side 100% with McCain (Also see this previous post). From Value Voters USA:
Gay Marriage: McCain against. Obama for. I don't believe the age-old definition of "marriage" should be tampered with. Gays already have legal rights that are equivalent to marriage - just call it something else. I don't believe gays really want to get married anyway since only about 2% have gotten married in countries that have made it legal; instead they desire their choices and beliefs to become mainstream.
Commander in Chief: McCain is experienced and I do not believe he is war/trigger happy but instead has a proper understanding of the costs of freedom and the role of government versus the individual when applied to protecting a people. Obama is not seasoned, experienced or mature in foreign policy and I believe will be tested, and the cause of the testing, as JFK was with the Cuban Missile Crisis. I believe Obama has a wrong perspective on America's place and responsibility in this world (another post to come). I don't care if the rest of the world and the U.N. disagree with America's choices, because doing what's right is not about being popular. Obama can be a citizen of the world if he wants to, but I do not believe the world has America's best interests in mind and our next president should not be swayed by world opinion. I think it's a shame that the intent of America's founding fathers is so often rejected when that solid foundation is the reason America has been so great. If you want to experiment with what doesn't work, move to Europe.
Unions: I don't know where McCain stands, but I'm not a big fan, especially when they give a percentage of my dues to charities I don't approve of such as Planned Parenthood. I do however strongly disagree with the power Obama wants to give unions.
There are issues that I'm not as opinionated on and which aren't as big a factor in deciding who I would vote for. Some issues where I'm not as decided on or as educated on are immigration, health, social security, trade, housing, economy and certain bailout plan details, although I always lean toward smaller government if possible and against socialist policies. There is a place for taxes and "giving unto Caesar" and there is a need for welfare and infrastructure and military. However, in our current economic downturn, why raise anybody's taxes until the recession turns around? Let's get rid of the corruption and waste first. Let's get rid of some of those deadbeat government employees that are so hard to fire. Let's enforce existing tax laws.
One issue where I'm against both candidates is stem cell research. I approve of research with stem cells. I disapprove of research with embrionic stem cells. I'm bugged when the two aren't differentiated. Again, this is my value of supporting a "culture of life." There is great hope for non-embrionic stem cells and it is unjustifiable and unnecessary to create a life to destroy it.
I disagree with both candidates on Global Warming, but that's another post coming as well.
Here's a good source on the platforms of the candidates.; from The Boston Globe.
Ian
1 comment:
On Bias:
I personally believe no one could lay claim to pure objectivity. But I do believe there are varying degrees of bias. Regardless, I applaud you for being honest about your bias and having convictions, and not being afraid to say so.
On Worldviews:
Philosophers and thinkers have defined worldviews as presuppositions we hold about the basic makeup of the world, and comprise of questions like "what should we do" and "how should we attain our goals." Based on those definitions, I must be an odd specimen. As a Bible believing Christian, I believe that life is created by God and not to be tampered with by man. I believe that God designed marriage as between a man and a woman. I see very clearly that to think and do otherwise is sin. That clarity comes from the transforming and illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, through the revelation from His inspired Word. As a Christian living in America, I am very aware that not all people hold my beliefs, and the ones who hold opposite views could only cross over to my beliefs if they are given that transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore to change America, we must go after inner transformation, a task that is not possible at the voting booth.
If we had administration after administration of leaders who uphold our values in all branches of government, we would have only succeeded in making America look Christian in two areas: abortion and gay marriage – and only in our laws. Abortion would still take place in back alleys, or overseas for those who could afford it. Gays would still be just as vocal and visible, and we would have to cocoon ourselves and our children from “those people” to protect ourselves from the knowledge that sin is alive and well in our culture. But we would be more comfortable.
I’ve often wondered why Jesus couldn’t have just come down to earth and accomplish His redemptive work by going straight to the cross. I believe he went through all the stages in life to show us how to live. He was terribly controversial among the religious leaders of His day, because he chose to dine with sinners and hang out with prostitutes. He touched the lepers and healed various diseases. He was full of compassion for human suffering. He chose to reach out to the “have-nots.” In my own personal life, I don’t measure up. God has blessed me with “financial security.” Though I don’t live in a gated community, I know what neighborhoods to stay away from. I gripe about taxes. I give to charities, but I keep “them” at a safe distance.
When I look at the candidates in this election, it’s true that I don’t see Obama holding up our values in the areas of abortion and gay marriage. I don’t know about the candidates’ personal relationship with the Savior, but I do see their policies reflecting their worldview, one that is wider than the abortion debate and gay marriage. That’s where I become that odd specimen. True, unions might defend Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU might defend those who are for reproductive choice, but they also defend a lot of our rights in other areas. I have a dear Christian friend who won a grueling battle against a very oppressive work environment with, yes, the help of the union. I have another Christian friend who is very anti-union, but she gladly receives the benefits and raises that the union fought hard for her.
What’s the bottom line? I’m not a single issues voter. Though I don’t judge those who are. I happen to agree with many of Obama/Biden’s policies in areas of healthcare, economics, taxes, guns, etc. I don’t believe we can legislate fully those two areas that are dear to us Christians. Otherwise, we’d we legislating divorce, fornication, adultery, lust. Those things are spoken of as sins that our Lord hates as well. The Bible is not our voters’ guide, but it speaks of the need for workers in the harvest. The gospel should be the focus of the church. When Jesus returns to be King, He will show us what government should look like. And He will answer the questions “what should we do and how should we attain our goals.”
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