Who to vote for?

Palin - a feisty VP choice

Who to vote for?

The Democrats made a point of giving Americans hope for change.

The Republicans are emphasizing experience and proven ability to work across the aisle (in the Senate – being able to work with the opposition to get laws passed).

In a different context a friend told me the other day of a business colleague who had been promoted to a major management position. However, this person came with no management experience. He was, she said, making a lot of disastrous “beginner mistakes.”

There are so many unanswered questions. How can we tell who will make the best decisions in such an uncertain and interrelated world?

Well, history can be helpful. New Testament Bible history, specifically. Jesus didn’t get involved in politics. When his life hung in the balance, and he was asked if he was indeed a king, Jesus replied that his kingdom wasn’t of this world.

While Jesus paid taxes, his concern was that people find a new and loving relationship with their God that in turn leads to greater caring, more honesty, less selfishness. He taught people to lean on that God – Spirit, Truth, Love – for their needs.

Not bad advice today.

We can pray that this one infinitely wise Mind governs this and all other nations as they co-elbow for equality and respect among the countries of the world. That no matter who is elected, that person and his administration be controlled by one infinite intelligence that unites rather than divides, that brings the spiritual qualities needed for good leadership.

We can all pray to support a righteous government.

History in the making

Respected news host Jim Lehrer

in Denver

I wasn’t planning to watch much of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I turned it on mostly so I could say, Yes, I watched some of it.

Yet as Jessie Jackson, Jr. gave his speech, it dawned on me. This is history! Perhaps more than any other convention in America’s short life.

Tuesday evening featured the first woman in our country who has had a clear shot at the White House. While she didn’t get the nomination, she came close. Really close.

Simultaneously we have the first African-American with a clear shot at the White House with the nomination of the Democratic party. Whether he is elected to the presidency remains to be seen. But someone who is not traditionally white stands at the threshold.

That these two people are where they are represents the best of democracy in action.

I’m not happy about opposition bashing – from either party. It should be obvious that you don’t make yourself bigger by pounding the other guy down. Even though the bashing has so far been light-weight, I’m more interested in specific proposals and carefully thought-out plans for progress.

Still this convention speaks of long-awaited maturity for the American people. As Hillary said of her run as a woman, “We didn’t break the glass ceiling, but there are 18 million cracks in it!”