1) I am amazed that I am not required to show any form of ID to vote. Every election there are accusations of massive fraud and yet we still allow people to vote without the simple requirement that I demonstrate that I am David Miller from 4330 Old Lakeport Road and I am duly registered and qualified to vote.
Is there any legitimate reason NOT to require people to show proof of their identity before voting other than the desire to keep open the option to engage in electoral fraud?
2) Has there ever been an election with as many moral and spiritual quandaries as this one? The evangelical vote is lining up squarely behind a Mormon. Should we vote for a liberal, non-orthodox Christian or a Mormon? How much should we as Christians engage the political world? What about third parties and fringe candidates (Like that Ron Paul fella). We have seen everything from the “preach the gospel and ignore politics” position to the “Take Back America” advocates, and many positions in between, all citing scripture to buttress their views.
This has been anything but an easy election for Bible-believing, values-voting Christians.
3) It is clear to me that on all points in the continuum there are Christians who seem willing to subvert their theological convictions on the altar of political expedience.
4) Politics can really make people obnoxious.
5) A question: do political ads and calls and such really make a difference. I decided long ago for whom I would cast my ballot. I have found ads and calls and such annoying and invasive. Do they really have an impact on people?
There was a local state house election that has one of the stupidest ads I’ve ever seen. The democratic candidate ran ads saying that he was in favor of more and better jobs in Sioux City, but that his opponent was against more and better jobs in Sioux City. Really? Is anyone going to believe that a candidate is running for office to make sure that Sioux City has fewer jobs and that those jobs we do have pay less? Is anyone dumb enough to buy into an ad like that?
6) Another question: if political ads – as blatantly deceptive, petty and ridiculous as they are – impact peoples’ votes, is this a sign of the apocalypse?
7) I am voting in my tenth presidential election (I think that is right – my first one was 1976 Ford/Carter). Everyone one of those has been “the most important election in our nation’s history” and if we didn’t win it, the other candidate would do such irreparable damage to the Republic that it would not survive. I admit to thinking that four more years of Obama would be disastrous both morally and economically in America. But our Republic has survived four years of Barack Obama. Maybe it can survive four more? Not sure.
8) One of the things this election will demonstrate is the efficacy of polling done in America. The bulk of polls would indicate that Obama is going to win a narrow electoral victory (though the popular vote seems to be up in the air still). But others have said that pollsters have skewed the polls by weighting them using the model of the 2008 turnout, which heavily skewed Democrat. We will see tonight whose polls were correct.
9) If my candidate wins tonight, I will be happy. If he loses, I will be a little depressed. But at least tomorrow there will be no political commercials on TV!
10) Elections dwell in that land of mystery between the sovereignty of God (who “sets up one and puts down another”) and the responsibility of people.
11) It is interesting to live in a battleground state. Iowa has a unique place in American politics. Our first-in-the-nation caucuses and our “purple” status (equal parts red and blue) mean that for a small state, we get an inordinate amount of attention from candidates. More ads. In recent weeks, Romney, Ryan, Obama, Michelle Obama and former President Clinton have all been in Sioux City – a town of about 80,000 people.
12) What a privilege to have a voice in electing our next president. Use it well. And vote for my guy.