Why I Am A Conservative

 

Our nation, well some of our nation, voted for a new President on Tuesday the 6^th of November. Some of our nation did not. After witnessing and listening to a twenty three year Army veteran at my son’s middle school yesterday, the 7^th of November, I find it not only irresponsible but reprehensible that some refuse to vote. Because it will not make a difference? Are those men and women fighting for your right to vote making a difference? Is that family who does not have their daughter, son, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, mother, father at their table this Thanksgiving making a difference? Am I stepping on your toes? I mean to wake you up, not hurt you. There is no reason why anyone would choose not to vote.

And yes, I said new President. Perhaps the President who gained an additional four years in our White House will do a better job. My family and I, particularly my eight year old, is praying for this President. Equality does not mean exclusion. And fifty percent of the voters (I do not know if this is the country because many people did not vote) made it clear they do not care for the present administration, perhaps he will be more inclusive. We can hope. And we can pray.

Here are my personal reasons for voting for the opposing team, Romney/Ryan. First let’s address this talk of his firing people and liking it. He came into failing corporations, turned the ship around, and made the corporations viable, and prosperous. He liked firing the ones that destroyed 401Ks, that destroyed your future, that took advantage and who did not do an appropriate job running a corporation. Unless running it into the ground is considered appropriate. Funny how America’s been run into the ground, been taken advantage of, and the boss is less than what people hoped to see – it would have been nice to see Romney/Ryan do the same with our country as he has done with corporations. But, people like the sound bites, the rude behavior, the inappropriate use of the middle finger, and the less than honorable government of old. Welcome in the Jersey Shore. People want action? Ha!! Sure, Mr. President. We would like action, instead of the same old, same old.

Secondly, I believe that it is a woman’s choice to do with her body as she wishes, however, that does not include government sticking their noses into private religious insurance coverage. Here’s a fair exchange: If indeed the government can tell the religious establishments what they need to do, under the law, then the religious establishment must have a say in government. The Ten Commandments will be displayed at each and every government building in America, and in every Embassy overseas. Prayer will be mandatory before and after each and every government meeting. Bibles will be displayed in each and every room of the White House, and in every Embassy, available to all. That sounds like a fair exchange, don’t you think? Yes, it is. Because if church is not allowed into government, then there should be no government involvement in any religious organization, church, or school. Period. One Nation Under God.

Third, same sex marriage. Have at it! Make it a federal mandate that same sex marriage is absolutely legal. Again, do not force it on a religious organization, or a private citizen. If a religious institution is forced to perform same sex marriage, fine. Then you must attend church, you must tithe, and you must be in counseling prior to marriage. (None of which we very well know cannot be forced upon a citizen. So why force same sex marriage on those of us that believe the bible is God's breathed word?) Yes, that is a mandatory function under a right to marry within the religious institution. It is not the same sex marriage issue that is the problem; it is the rude push-your-way-in-until-they-give-up attitude that is causing people to dig their heels in. Hire a representative that speaks clearly, concisely, does not finger point (particularly with the middle finger), and acts in a civil responsible manner. More bees with honey my friends. More bees with honey than with vinegar. The bottom line of this argument is the bible supports a marriage between a man and a woman. You will not receive support, marriage wise, from a religious institution. You can, however, change the federal laws.

Fourth: Obamacare. The big one. The ultimate argument. Everyone should have insurance. Yes, they should. Here’s where the argument becomes sticky, because it is a right to be taken care of, medically, correct? We all agree, right? Who will be paying for those that cannot pay, but still have “free” insurance? You do realize that nothing is free, don’t you? You do realize, that though the argument goes, “I paid into this, I should get something out of it” doesn’t apply here because, though you may have ‘paid into it, ‘that does not make the hand up become a lifetime hand out. You understand the principal? Welfare was started as a hand up, to get people back on their feet until they were viable citizens to then contribute once more to the country. But that hand up became a hand out that people made a lifestyle. And it became such an ugly, uncontrolled animal so quickly no one is able to verify if the recipient is in need of the hand up, let alone worthy of it – did they indeed pay into the system long enough to receive a hand out for X amount of time? And that is where the ugly words come into play. People of a different mindset start to overuse the word racism. This isn’t racism folks. It is common sense. And that is lacking in our society. So – who is going to pay for Obamacare? Oprah Winfrey? Bill Gates? George Clooney? Do you have their telephone numbers, because you may need to call them. The last I heard two of the three are giving a mass majority of their money (tax break!!) to Africa, and the third lives most of his time in Italy.

Those are the big arguments of this election. The other issues, such as his “catching” Osama Bin Laden – Seal Team Six caught Osama Bin Laden – not Obama. Seal Team Six, who is now dead. Seal Team Six, the members of which were named by the administration. Libya. Egypt. The list goes on.

For me, as a conservative (I do not consider myself a Republican until I hear the person speak), it was pretty clear cut who I wanted as my President. I believe that, because the House is not run by Democrats that there are people left to hold the President’s feet to the fire, to hold him accountable. This is good. I do wish the Senate was Republican run as well. The most prosperous times in history have been when our President is Democrat and the House and Senate were Republican majority. But a dangled carrot of free this, free that, do what you like as long as you do it my way government won out. As Rome goes there goes America. With prayer, particularly prayer with thanksgiving, America will be fine. But we’ve all got to pray. We’ve ALL got to pay our taxes. Every. Last. One. Of. Us. Has got to pay our taxes.

Let me end with a bible verse and a hope: I hope Mr. Obama proves me wrong. I hope he does a fabulous job. I hope that he prays for guidance, steadfastness, honesty, and clarity while doing his job. I pray he proves me wrong.

Romans 13, the message translation. I like to reference an entire passage rather than one verse, because so many take verses from the bible out of context, they take the writer as being intrinsically against, or meaning harm to, someone or someone’s. I never want that to be the case. I am human, therefore I will have judgment. I pray constantly for discernment, grace to myself and others, and that whatever I have to say is said in love and with the best of intensions. I mean no harm to anyone at all, merely a voice that is heard in the din. God’s Blessings on your day!

“To Be a Responsible Citizen

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.

Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.

That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don’t sleep with another person’s spouse, don’t take someone’s life, don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t always be wanting what you don’t have, and any other “don’t” you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.

But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”