Election Night Blogging- Pt 2 [Faith and Politics]

The election is nearly over. As a social studies teacher and a citizen of the United States, I love the democratic process. As a objective observer, I am frustrated by the partisanship and negativity of the campaigns.

Call me an optimist, but I believe we will be fine. Despite the economy, the war on terrorism, environmental and energy issues and the election of a new president, I don't believe the things that make us great will change. We might struggle-- gut check, as we call it in my wrestling room. But we will survive.

I hear all these doomsday scenarios where if we elect "so and so" or "this candidate" that the United States will be over or we'll be screwed. Or that our religion is at risk if we elect a certain candidate or if we don't elect a certain candidate. If that's true, then we deserve to come unraveled. If the Constitution that is the foundation of our democracy is so unsteady or our faith so small that the simple election of a man in 2008 is enough to ruin it all, then it deserves to end.

Trust me guys, have faith.


Have faith in the Constitution. If the American people elect Barack Obama (as currently it looks at 9:57pm), increases the Democratic majority in the House and secures a filibuster-proof 60 seats for the Democrats in the Senate, it is because the Constitution and the democratic process works. The people of the United States are exercising their option for change. If the Democratic party does not take the nation in the direction that is best for America, then the American people will again exercise their option for change-- just as they did in this election.
Have faith in faith. Living where I live, the common belief is that Democrats are godless and a liberal government will compromise our ability to practice our religion. If that happens, again, it's well deserved. I am reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us". I happen to believe that God is bigger than the President of the United States, even if the President is Barack Obama, the sarcastically christened Messiah.

Just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego believed their god was bigger than Nebuchnezzar, I believe that the God I believe in and worship is bigger than me and you. God was bigger than Ferdinand and Isabella during the Spanish Inquisition, Hilter in Nazi Germany, Stalin in the Soviet Union and modern China's communist regime. Is our faith that small; is our god that inadequate? The God that made the universe can take care of himself. Stop trying to save and rescue God, when you are already saved and rescued by God.

Election Night Blogging- Pt 1 [a more perfect union]

...a more perfect union...

I walked into the National Archives last weekend when I was in Washington, DC and looked up and saw this inscription from the United States Constitution. I was humbled. It made me think about our election, our economy, our nation and our future. It gave me hope. In the midst of a terribly negative campaign season, I found a glimmer of hope in 4 words written over 200 years ago.

I have read the Preamble of the Constitution hundreds of times as a student, scholar and teacher. Not until last week, however, did these words impact me so much:

A - an article used to distinguish something-- in this case, our fledging nation

More - means greater or additional. Not to be confused with most, which means greatest. The purpose was not to be the greatest, but to be better and strive to improve. When you are the most, you have reached the pinnacle. When you are simply more, you've attained something but have not accomplished everything.

Perfect - without fault; flawless. To pretend that we are flawless is a flaw in itself. But to strive for perfection is human nature. Perfect is not what we are, more perfect is what we seek to be.

Union - something that is made one. A union is differing opinions and ideas of different people that are bound together. That's America. We may not always look the same, dress the same or think the same but we are bound together by a union, or confederation, of this common goal to be more perfect.

We the people of the United States
In order to form a more perfect Union
Establish Justice
Insure Domestice Tranquilty
Provide for the Common Defence
Promote the General Welfare
and Secure the Blessings of Libery
for ourselves and our prosterity
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.