The two devils — how the right will beat Obama

without ever supporting McCain.

“There is no difference between the two devils, except family values.”

We were talking about politics over lunch. After some prodding I was able to understand that he meant that Obama and McCain were equally bad. By family values, he meant that the definition of marriage would change to include homosexual couples. In his mind, all the issues are more or less equal, both candidates are instruments of the devil, but at least McCain won’t let homosexuals get married.

I had wondered how the right wing would make people vote for McCain given his history of centrism. I’d be surprised if he even really cared about gay marriage one way or the other, but he is pandering hard, and this is his audience.

I want to take back family values. We’re not in some kind of Huxley nightmare-utopia. FAMILY VALUES means something real; you can’t distort words and use double-speak to convince Christians to make choices that don’t make any sense.

“…at the dawn of the 21st century we also have a collective responsibility to recommit ourselves to the dream; to strengthen that safety net, put the rungs back on that ladder to the middle-class, and give every family the chance that so many of our parents and grandparents had. This responsibility is one that’s been missing from Washington for far too long — a responsibility I intend to take very seriously as President.”

— Barack Obama, Spartanburg, SC, June 15, 2007

To my colleague. if you read nothing else, I hope you’ll read Obama’s plans for strengthening families. The value he places on the family shines through in each of the plans he has carefully crafted, and in the way he respects people and the work they do, even if they will never be rich or famous.

As I understand it, Jesus put you here to be human and lead by example. Living in a Christian way, with loving kindness and caring, even for people who are different than you. It seems to me that things have gotten mixed up. You are trying to be god, to judge other people, or say who is a family and who isn’t. That seems far too complicated for a human to get right, maybe it would just be best to stick to the original mission and avoid the scope creep?

I think you’ll find that the democratic candidate is a better match for Christian ideals than the Republican. Did you ever ask yourself why your church wants you to believe both men are devils? That kind of polarizing view plays into the hands of people who care more about power than they do about families.

Education and Childcare – early education programs, better preschools and schools, and improved financial access to higher education. Incentives (like better salaries) to keep good teachers teaching. Students shouldn’t need to graduate with massive debts, this is no way to start off in life, and sends the wrong message to students about making good financial choices.

“I don’t want to send another generation of American children to failing schools. I don’t want that future for my daughters. I don’t want that future for your sons. I do not want that future for America.”

— Barack Obama, Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Des Moines, Iowa, November 10, 2007

Health Care – Affordable healthcare FOR EVERYONE. No more worries like what if you get sick, or change jobs, or get laid off, or your kids need care. You will simply be covered. And your neighbor’s family will be covered too, even if they empty the waste bins rather than the cache at a high tech company. I value families; it gives me peace of mind to think that my neighbor’s family will be OK, even if someone gets sick.

“In the richest nation on Earth, it is simply not right that the skyrocketing profits of the drug and insurance industries are paid for by the skyrocketing premiums that come from the pockets of the American people.

This is not who we are. And this is not who we have to be. “

— Barack Obama, University of Iowa, May 29, 2007

Family Balance – Work-life balance should be easier to accomplish. We have serious problems in terms of how employees are treated and respected. Personally, I wish that reasonable vacations were on the list of things to improve. India and England have 5 weeks vacation per year, why do we have only two? Why is working hard considered in opposition to spending time with your family, traveling, and pursuing other interests? With more reasonable leave, we would all be more productive. Obama hasn’t to my knowledge addressed this issue, but he has talked about a lot of other work-life balance issues.


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2 responses to “The two devils — how the right will beat Obama”

  1. Marco Avatar

    I really don’t understand the whole ‘anti-sentiment’ that American Christians have against things that are different such as gay marriage. I’m not really religious myself but I do find Jesus a very inspiring person. I also know that Jesus would despise the attitude of this type of intolerant Christian. He would be disgusted by all the hate that’s going on.

    I’m a big Obama supporter but I still think it’s a shame he doesn’t think gay marriage should be made legal nationwide.

    As for McCain? I think we’re doomed if this man manages to win the election. America and the rest of the world really need change from the destructive Bush / Republicans policy that has destroyed America within and it’s credibility in the rest of the world. Hoping for some change!

  2. Be Aware 2012 Avatar
    Be Aware 2012

    We have so many more pressings things happening in the world right now. Not too mention what is happening outside our world. Our 12 planet is on it’s return orbit to the sun. We will more than likely all be in some form of disaster if you live near the coast. You will be underwater. Please research this. As for these hateful comments, i don’t care who you are, hate is still hate. The amount of hate Crimes are that committed yearly is appalling at best. It seems to me we need to focus on things that UNITE ALL OF US and bring us to a clear state of mind at peace so that we can confront more serious issues, like the very dire state that this world is actually in. GET OVER YOURSELF SHEEPLE!!! or – you risk taking us all down with you