Looking out over the American political landscape one is able to see a myriad of platforms, positions, ideas, and role of religion, civics, and economics that will all shape the 2008 Presidential Election. Yet, why is this election so important?
First, let us start on a positive note and acknowledge that if there were any truth to that old American saying, "anybody can run for President," we are witnessing it in action now. In many ways, all of the debates, 24/7 coverage, and length of election time is a very good thing. How many times does the Electorate get an opportunity to truly examine the candidates? Furthermore, how many times have we heard the saying, "had I only known," when referencing a given official and how a voter would not have cast their vote for that official had they a little more time to find them out. Well, you have it now.
Second, an American Presidential Election is always a referendum on the incumbent and their policies and most of all a referendum on what the registered voters who vote believe the course of action should be for the American federal government. It is not an election for anything else and it is important to keep that in mind when it comes time to cast your vote.
Third, who are the Social Conservatives? Religious people of different faith's is who they are and while they may be united on say abortion, they are not on say, terrorism. In truth, the Social Conservative vote is first, those who are opposed to abortion. Second, those who are opposed to gay marriage and finally, those against euthansia. The economic position of Social Conservative's range from "old money" to "progressive populist," and as such they often conflict on issues outside of Abortion/Gay Marriage/Euthansia.
Fourth, why is it important to vote in 2008? This next statement will elicit several replies but unless the Electorate of this nation understand that terrorism is going to be the death of us all, then we are in big trouble. The Islamic jihadist threat is different from any threat that the USA or world has ever faced, period. Furthermore, the role that Islam plays in the formation of jihadist ideology is central to its core. There are no Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, or even pagan violent threat's on the level of jihadism but there is a singular Islamic jihadist threat to civilization. One has to wonder if Islam is not the Herald of the Apocalypse, and I say that with great hesitation but its animosity to Christianity (contrary to world popular opinion or what Al Jazeera says) as well as every other religion puts it in a distinct and separate corner of existence. When those of us who are registered voters go to the polls, we better ask ourself who willl take the action needed to fulfill the singular Constitutional mandate of the American Presidency: that of Commander-in-Chief.
There are no easy answers for Christian believers to say when asked about the 2008 Election. I know who I am for and who I will vote for but that is not to take away from any other candidate. The US federal government should not be subsidizing abortion as so many want to do today. Also, the support that homosexuality gets from the American federal government is horrendous. Yet, there is no one candidate who will be a "slam dunk" on those issues and get the threat facing America in that of Islamic jihadism. Thus, why it is important for every Christian to pray daily for God's Providence in this matter and I mean pray it!
Joseph Bailey
