The Election and the Economy - Result Ramblings and Biblical Thoughts

Before the election, I was unsure about the credibility of either candidate as President. I wasn't a die-hard McCain fan, but I wrote more skeptically about Barack Obama. So most of the people who claim to be "tolerant" labeled me a fear-monger, a coward, a hater, a liar, a manipulator and a stupid conservative.

That's OK - I am willing to let bygones be bygones - maybe those folks don't realize the double standard of politically correct "diversity" - how they see all information other than their own as false, hateful and of no value.

I'm willing to give President-elect Obama a chance for a couple of reasons. One, I'm eager to see how he does, and whether I will be able to say "told ya" or the many Obama fans out there can prove me wrong. If he and the Democrats get everything they want, this would include the rebirth of the unfair Fairness Doctrine, which will pretty much do away with public speech that is from the "wrong" diversity group. Which is why I need to keep speaking up now. Already, there's talk that some media outlets are ordering their conservative writers and broadcasters not to say anything bad about Obama. Gee. Nobody gave President Bush that break.

But some people question whether Obama will accomplish everything he's promised (or threatened - depending how you look at it). Doing some of the things he's listed would offend the 49% of citizens who voted against him while pleasing the 51% and others who contributed to his campaign. This may further divide the country.

As my Associated Content (AC) peer Anne Bryant pointed out in a discussion (restated with her permission), "Some things never change. People that work and produce will continue to work and produce and those that want something for nothing will continue to want something for nothing"..."So they got their man elected. Now maybe he can figure out how he is going to keep all of the promises he made..."

We wondered if Obama's proposal for "higher taxes on the rich" will happen. The majority of people in Congress are considerably wealthier than their constituents. Is Congress really going to pass laws that won't work in their own favor? And if they do, taxes on "big" business will surely end up affecting workers' jobs and consumers' pocketbooks. Already, companies can't afford to "wait and see" until after the inauguration. For example, Circuit City has just announced bankruptcy and a large employee layoff. Our 401K's will be invaded. And stocks are still going down. He has a huge challenge ahead of him.

My second reason for giving him a chance is, whatever happens, I'm not afraid because I believe in God. I'm often told, "If you want to influence me about God, or about why our country's in this condition, talk to me without bringing up scriptures." Yes, I can talk to people with some startling, credible facts and statistics that come to the same conclusion as the Bible about what is going on right now. But, as seen during the bitterness of this election campaign, facts and statistics are generally refuted by those who don't wish to believe them.

Besides - while it lasts in America - there is nothing wrong with verbally sharing our faith. There is everything wrong with not being willing to listen to someone. I listen. I do a lot of listening. And then I figure it's my turn. Verbally, non-threateningly and non-violently - what's wrong with that?

Bible believers are called to be "salt" and "light" in their society. Jesus said when the salt loses its flavor, it's good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot (Matthew 5:13). And the light is supposed to be a shining beacon on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16). I can't turn off my faith any more than others can turn off who they are. All I can do is try to lovingly express it.

I believe God knew who would be elected. He always puts our government in place for a reason ("...there is no authority except that which God has established." Romans 13:1).

But He wanted to see what 'his people' - those who say they believe in Him - would do in the voting booth, because those who believe in him aren't puppets.

At various points in time, the condition of our country has been affected by people on both sides voting a straight party ticket "just because their families always have" without regarding the issues of their day. This has affected the election of both Democratic and Republican Presidents in many eras. It's not about abortion or gay marriage or the economy or the war. More than any single issue voted on during any election, what disturbs God most is the fact that people vote in ignorance ("My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6).

Everything happens for a reason. Everything happening right now is largely predicted in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament:

"Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One." (Psalm 2:1-2 Old; Acts 4:25-26 New)

This may not be the first or last time that happens, but we can't deny how many leaders and people just don't want to believe in the possibility that God exists today. And the nations are certainly raging. Has religion caused all the wars of the world? No, but many of the world's and our nation's problems are because of the misguided attempts by man to turn religion into what he wants it to be. God didn't intend for different denominations. Man did that. That's not true faith in God or His word. Real faith has nothing to do with the requirements and traditions of organized religion, but is based in the heart and our worship of God.

Speaking of the heart's motives, those who believe in God may be in for a hard spiritual time if they trust their wallets more than they trust Him. I'm not worried. Because my pocketbook and my well-being are held open for what He has in mind for me:

"Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10 (Old Testament)

"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27(New Testament).

If you want historical facts, consider this: Every democracy has lasted at its highest power for about 200-250 years. Then it gets to the point that the leadership and citizenry collectively grow a big ego. It's "the Titanic can't sink" philosophy. Everyone starts doing whatever they want. Then the cracks in the foundation start showing. The masses either get too comfortable or too unsatisfied and start depending on the government for everything. The people who become dependent also become apathetic. Apathy leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to being easily taken over.

Will Obama be able to salvage the Titanic through change? What will happen in the next 4 years - or 8 - remains to be seen. All I know is, bring it on. It doesn't scare me.

Sources:

See my article detailing the dangers of the Fairness Doctrine here. See AC Producer Randy Inman's article about what may happen to our 401K's here.

Bible verses are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, 1973, 1978, 1984, Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.