Ignorant Historian

What do I write today? Of course I’ll write about the elections, we’re all thinking about it anyway. But what do I say? I thought I might just write what I wrote in my journal last night, but I don’t feel like today is a day for being divisive. I believe that God has His sovereign hand over the elections, so I fill work with these elected officials, even if they weren’t the ones for whom I voted (and let’s face it, I don’t think I’ve ever voted for such a losing ballot).

I’m more determined than ever to be involved in politics. Sure it’s a mess, but there are things I can do. I can commit to pray for elected officials more than I have. Let’s face it, praying for the president every couple of weeks isn’t praying on “behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

I also can write to my elected officials, encouraging them to do the right thing on important issues. I actually got this idea from a book I was reading yesterday for school, but I’m going to write congratulations letters to each of the major elected officials yesterday (president, senator, governor, and representative). These won’t be you’re-my-elected-official-now-do-what-I-say type of letters, but a genuine congratulations and a commitment to pray for them. Why should I only write to them when I think they’ve messed up?

So no, this isn’t the outcome that I would like, but it’s what our sovereign, holy, and just Lord has ordained. And in Him I hope.

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Oh, sorry about forgetting this. Though it is implied in this post, I’m thankful that I have an all-knowing, all-powerful God. When things seem to be falling apart, I know that the Rock is always standing firm.

Well, I voted. I went first thing this morning and had to wait about 40 minutes in this battleground state. This was the 2nd presidential election I’ve voted in; I was 6 weeks shy of 18 in 2000 (hey, I guess that means that my birthday is coming up, yay!).

This was the first election that I carried a cheat sheet in with me so I knew who I wanted to vote for (and who I didn’t want to vote for). I don’t know why that’s never occurred to me before. I completed my ballot as quickly as I could fill in those little bubbles.

There were no surprises this time, either. This was my second time with paper ballots so I was more comfortable with them (in Kansas it was always machines). I was at a different polling place this time which was much bigger, so they had tables you could fill out your ballot on, not just the booths. This means that the pens weren’t tied down which was a huge help to this lefty.

I really didn’t want to vote straight Republican. But when I got all done, every partisan office I had chosen a Republican for on the issues, not the party. There was only one where I was on the fence about, but I realized it would be as stupid to vote for the Democrat just because I could say I didn’t vote all Republican as it would to be to vote for the Republican just because he was a Republican. So I voted for the one that I was slightly more in favor of, who happened to be the Republican. There was one other partisan office where I didn’t vote for anybody as both candidates were running on a pro-big government platform, and I didn’t vote for many of the judges. If they don’t reveal their judicial philosophy, I’m not voting for them!

If you voted today, what was the experience like?

And yes, I ate my donuts this morning.

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I’m thankful to live in a country where I can vote. Representative government sure has it’s faults, but I think I prefer it.

You may be suffering from election craziness syndrome if:

• The various campaigns are resorting to buying advertising during football. This weekend was the first time that I really felt like the political commercials put a damper on my football-watching relaxation. I have found it interesting that there is a much higher percentage of political advertisements during shows such as Jeopardy than in sports programming. Hmm.
• You receive 10 messages on your work phone, and 6 of them are messages from various political campaigns. Hey, it’s great to be remembered, right? (Since I don’t have a home phone I no longer receive these types of incessant phone calls that I received during the primaries.)
• You finally get tired of ignoring the election coverage and start paying attention again.
• You have almost completely determined your ballot. You can no longer wait until the last minute, because it IS the last minute.
• You start craving donuts. (I’m SO going out for donuts after I vote tomorrow morning, just like we always did growing up.)

No known cure. Symptoms are anticipated to be relieved come November 5th.

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I’m thankful to live in a country where I can voice my opinions on public policy.

I tried to post this while I was at Panera this afternoon, but apparently this is “not authorized for viewing.” I haven’t a clue why. Maybe they think I look ornery and will post something about their food tastes like two-day-old socks. Believe me; I won’t since I come here almost every week!

One year from today is the election for the president of the United States. Of course, if it is anything like the last two elections, we won’t know who won the first day, but that is certainly the day that America will choose where our country should be going.

I have already mentioned my choice of presidential candidates here. While I believe that he is the best for the job, I’m perfectly aware that he may not be elected. As a Christian, I can rest assured that God can work in our government regardless of who is in office (even if it’s Hillary!). The Lord knows much better than me, anyway!

Ronnica
NaBloPoMo, Day 4

Vote! Vote as a good citizen and according to your beliefs.

Tony Blair (and the UK) doesn’t think that Saddam should die for his horrible crimes, but Iran backs the death penalty for the cruel ex-dictator. Interesting.