By Lloyd Streeter
Not long ago, it was my plan to “hold my nose†and vote for John McCain for President. It would be a vote against Barack Obama more than a vote for McCain. But since McCain has named Sarah Palin as his VP choice, I am no longer holding my nose. Sarah, the very conservative and sensible governor of Alaska, is the hope of some sanity coming back to government.
Voting for Senator Barack Obama was never an option for me. As an Independent, I have voted for some Democrats in the past. In fact, two years ago, my ballot was split right down the middle, half for Republicans and half for Democrats. Many of the city, county, and state offices had Democrat incumbents who were good public servants, were doing a fine job, and deserved to be returned to office. I have never been prejudiced for or against any particular political party. So, why do I say that voting for Obama was never a possibility for me? The reasons are all based on principles of morality and ethics. As the most liberal senator in the US Senate, Mr. Obama is a supporter of abortion on demand, even very late term abortions known as “partial birth abortions.†Babies are persons, both before and after birth, and to kill them is contrary to both God’s law and natural law. Abortion is a heartless, cruel, immoral thing. NO Christian should be involved in it in any way; and no Christian should vote for any pro-abortion candidate for any office if there is any alternative.
Voting for Obama was also not an option for me because he favors raising taxes on all incomes over $200,000. This would include both personal and business incomes. Of course, raising taxes on businesses means that all Americans will pay for these increases. Businesses must pass along to consumers the cost of doing business. Americans have already been hit during the last year with the biggest increases in prices in the memory of man. If Obama has his way, all of us will be paying even more for food, gasoline, clothing, insurance, and all other goods and services. Many small businesses will not be able to survive with the increase in taxes, and this will mean the loss of many jobs.
Still another reason that Obama is not right for America is his commitment to Black Liberation Theology. Liberation Theology is a Marxist philosophy for the redistribution of the wealth of the world. This philosophy kept Obama in Rev Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years. According to Black Liberation Theology, white people are the enemy, the oppressors of the black race, and the wealth of white people should be taken away and given to the black race. This, of course, is a racist philosophy which tends to cause strife and racial hatred. This is the philosophy behind Michelle Obama’s very bitter comments about America. To Michelle, America is a mean-spirited, stingy, wasteland of a country of which she finds it difficult to be proud. Barack has tried to hide his own adherence to Liberation Theology. However, a person’s theology will always be expressed in his decisions, policies, and positions, because it is basic and at the core of who he is. So he will favor more and more taxes from the “haves†so that money can be given for the medical, educational, and housing care of the “have nots.†All Liberation Theology is anti-scriptural, immoral, and contrary to all that is true about God.
John McCain has taken some positions about which I have long disagreed. He has taken a soft stand on illegal immigration, looking for ways to allow law breaking border crossers to stay in America. He was critical of the US military’s handling of prisoners of war, calling it “torture,†even though there was no torture taking place. He sponsored and pushed through Congress “campaign reform†that put a limit on our freedom of speech. He praised John Kerry during the 2004 campaign, action that nearly cost George Bush the election. And, he has been slow to come to any support of policies that would provide America with more energy: oil, coal, or nuclear. He still opposes drilling in Anwar.
In John’s favor, it should be said that he is a true American hero, a man of true integrity and patriotic dignity, deserving of our respect. Furthermore, McCain has always been pro-life. And, he has been opposed to “earmarks†and other wasteful spending.
So, McCain is a “mixed bag,†and until recently, I planned to “hold my nose†and vote for him. But, when he chose Sarah as his running mate, I let go of my nose. I am now more enthusiastic about voting for John. Why? Because I am looking to the future.
Sarah will be an influence during the next four years—an influence for good in a place where a voice of sanity is much needed.
I do not expect McCain to be running for President in 2012, if he becomes President this year. He will be 76 in 2012. He would be 80 years old at the end of a second term—too old.
But, if Sarah Palin is Vice President for the next four years, the presidential nomination will be hers for the taking in 2012. I believe she will make a better leader for our country than anyone else in sight today.
Palin is a genuine conservative, pro-life, lower taxes, “keep-government-off-our-backs†real person from the working class. She does not just “talk the talk,†she “walks the walk.†She is true grit, Ronald Reagan in a skirt.
She has been abused and mistreated by the liberal media, liberal politicians, and the old feminists. Her family has been attacked. The meanest things ever heard have been said about Sarah and her family. “Let the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing.†The more she is attacked, the more the common people get into her corner.
The liberals were ready for a coronation. Obama, they thought, has already won. NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN have been campaigning for Obama every day for the past two years. Those liberals helped Obama win against Hillary Clinton, and they think to do the same thing against McCain. “And, the very idea of the first woman Vice President being a conservative! Unthinkable!â€
Our prayer for America is that voters will be wise and have enough courage to do the right thing. Our future, the future of our children and grandchildren is on the line.