The presidential election campaign that has just come to a close was the most emotionally and spiritually painful to me ever, such that I strongly suspect some of my friends and family relationships will bear the scars for many years. The level of rancor in the give-and-take between those closest to me—and often their reactions to me—roughly equaled the harsh public rhetoric that seems to have wounded the very heart of the American democratic process. I tend to dislike wounds to my psyche, so I will have to think long and hard about how or when I will ever again make political pronouncements in any sort of public forum.
But, just for the record, I want to make it clear that I approach civic life from a considered Christian perspective, and my politics reflect my faith in a Judeo-Christian ethic which presumes God’s preferential option for the poor. That is the core message of my preaching, and I am disappointed in those who would cast my convictions as some sort of affirmation of a massive welfare state that seeks only to give to those who do not deserve and only works to enlarge itself in the process.
It seems only fair that I be given the benefit of the doubt—as I have given that benefit to others—and I am genuinely nonplussed by the frequent suggestion that I am ignorant or uninformed. I am a lot of things, but ignorant is not one of them. Those on the right of the political spectrum are often mean-spirited, or so it seems in my experience. Perhaps I should refrain from offering my opinion if I expect any sort of respect for my opinions.
The discourse in this recent campaign has been anything but civil, and I must say that I continue to be alarmed by the visceral reaction to President Obama and his supporters. And while we are on the record, I note that there has been very little gloating from the victorious political left, but a great deal of outrage from the right. The suggestions that states should secede from the Union is preposterous on its face.
So, I will probably limit what I say and how I say it in order to protect my delicate ego. I am one of those starry-eyed Jesus freaks who just isn’t sophisticated enough to hold his own against the emphatic declarations of Fox News, and God knows I don’t shout loudly enough to be heard above the din.
To my friends and family, let me say that I regret having tried to engage you in a fruitful political discussion. You already know that we lefties just “want stuff.” I’ll just go back to sitting at the feet of Jesus and trying hard to understand what he is saying.
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Raising Basileia 