The Election 2008 Post

The election is two days away, and I have been silent on this blog about political issues for awhile. This is partly because the whole political debate is really frustrating this time around, since Obama is not competent and McCain is not a real Republican; but mostly I just haven't had time to give any political issue the attention I would like. I've found some good stuff to share, though, put much better than I ever could.

First, I'd like everyone to go to this post on my friend's blog, and at least watch the video about Barack Obama from a Christian perspective. If you want just the video, here it is, but I recommend reading her entire post whether you're LDS or not. My favorite quote from the video there is one on socialism (paraphrased): "When a people depends on the State more than they depend on God, the State becomes their God."

This installment of Orson Scott Card's weekly column makes the case for McCain and against Obama from an old-school Democrat's point of view.

This one from Card makes the case for Proposition 8. While I can't vote on 8 since I don't live in California, I support it, but not entirely for the same reason as all my LDS friends. To me, I don't care what gay people do in private or what they call it, because it doesn't affect me personally and is a personal choice issue; however, the more we accept unviable relationships such as this, the closer our society is to collapsing, which is what makes this such a difficult issue to me. Do we let society implode and protect individual freedom, or do we protect society and legislate morality? Of course, if gay marriage is legal in one state, those marriages should be honored by all states, which is why I think it should be a national rather than state issue. Plus, what happens when an LDS bishop is asked to perform a gay marriage, and can't legally say no? That causes huge problems. What Card points out in his essay is what I've always considered to be the biggest issue here: Proposition 8 is not about gay marriage, it is a matter of upholding the constitution.

And this one is my favorite, totally ripping apart the media for being in the tank for Obama.

On the other side, apparently Apple is getting more political lately. I support them because they make awesome products, not for their political stance, but if Algore is on the board of directors it's to be expected that they will make a big deal about their products being environmentally friendly. But they just released this statement that made me laugh:

"Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8."

In the big scheme of things, this makes absolutely no difference. $100,000 is nothing, and Apple's statement won't swing any votes. Whatever.

I've tried several times to write something up about Obama and McCain, but I just get too frustrated every time, so I won't say anything. Instead, I'll just say I'm voting for Sarah Palin, and if Maverick (i.e. untrustworthy, not really a Republican) McCain is the baggage that comes with her, so be it. Although, this is encouraging: