Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Apolitical Politics

I don't even know where to begin on this one... healthcare.  Blah.  But don't worry, I'm so totally NOT going to have a gripe session on the new bill.  Not me.  I have read SO many negative comments on facebook, and it's really getting old to me.  Now, don't get me wrong.  If you have some genuinely wise words (negative OR positive) to say on the matter, that's fantastic.  But most of what I have seen is complaining for, what seems like, the sake of making a ruckus.  And it makes me wonder if these people have any in-depth knowledge of the actual bill itself.  What is it that's in there that's making you so mad?  Or is it that you are so conservative that anything like this just must be "wrong?"  I will be completely honest and say that I have had absolutely no time to research anything about this new bill.  I haven't watched the news in weeks, and I really haven't a clue.  So I'm not saying at all that I agree with anything or that I disagree with anything in it.  But I'm also not joining groups like "I bet we can find 1,000,000+ people who disapprove of the Health Care Bill" just because I want to jump on the bandwagon.  Do you really know why you disagree with it?  Is there anything good in it that you might actually agree with?  If we (both parties) could stop making harsh accusations and put that energy toward working together, wouldn't that make a better difference?  Ahh, but that just sounds too good to be true, and I guess it's just wishful thinking when I say, "Can't we all just get along?"  Disclaimer - if you joined that group and you know exactly why you disagree with the bill, then I'm not talking about you.

And that brings me to another group that I've seen a lot of this week: "I hate it when I wake up in the morning and Barack Obama is President."  While I appreciate the comedic tone of the name, it really irks me.  Barack Obama is our President.  The President of the United States of America.  Whether you voted for him or not, God has known all along that he would be our leader right now.  And absolutely nothing that is done while he is in office is a surprise to God.  I think we lose sight of that sometimes.  Now, I don't think that means we just accept and agree with everything he (or anyone else) does as our leader, but there are proper channels for disputing issues.  However, I do believe that God has instructed us (if you are a believer) to give respect to those He has placed in authority.  And from what I read and understand in His Word, that doesn't change whether there's a Democrat or a Republican in the White House.  It looks pretty ignorant (on both sides of the coin) when people disagree with something the other party is doing, just because it's the other party doing it... and I'm not just talking about the latest bill here.  I believe you lose credibility when you argue your political ideology, rather than discussing the facts of whatever matter it may be.  When I see disrespectful comments regarding our President (not just comments, but disrespectful ones), it irks me, and honestly, I think it has the potential to ruin your credibility with someone who otherwise would look to you as a Christ-like example.  Again, I am not saying at all that we should agree with everything just because.  I believe there are many ways to respectfully disagree - I do it with my husband all the time! :)

5 comments:

  1. For one the bill calls for tax-payer funded abortion. Yes, Obama wrote an executive order against that. But an executive order is a suggestion. We have 3 separate and equal branches of government. An executive order cannot trump legislation!

    All the people who have not had health care think they are going to finally get good health care. And they are mistaken. Massachusetts has already had centralized health care coverage for a while now and it has been horrible. The cost is almost 3 times that of states with private health care. The wait period in Mass is about 50 days to see a dr while in most states it is about 11 days. There is no country that has proven that centralized health care is successful.

    The government making a decision about health care is taking the responsibility out of the individual states which is unconstitutional. That's the reason at least 10 states so far (including TX) are filing lawsuits against the health care bill.

    When you forcefully take from the efforts of one mans labor to give a new and invented right to someone who hasn't earned it (whether or not they need it) you cannot do so without infringing the first man's fundamental rights of his life, liberty and pursuit of happiness!

    If Obama, Pelosi, and Reed had to use bribery (which they did) to get votes for the health care bill, that tells me they know its no good too!

    I cannot understand why anyone would be for a centralized health care plan. It goes against our fundamental rights.

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  2. Well said Amelia!!! I am also very frustrated with people who constantly say terrible things about anyone in leadership. David was the perfect role model on how you should respect authority. Saul was a complete and total jerk and David could have done a few things about it, but he choose not to because he was in authority over him. Just like you said, you don't have to agree with them, but you MUST respect them. Wow!!! If only we could all do that.....

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  3. I have to agree. I have had the same thoughts rolling around in my head this week. I absolutely believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but intelligent, respectful disagreement is the only way to go. It would be a shame for your opinion to go unheard simply because of the way you choose to share it.

    My dad has a large family that undoubtedly runs the gamut when it comes to political views. His oldest brother has been involved in politics for decades now, in a position that gave him access to several presidents, some of whom he came to know very well. In a family with 5 brothers, 5 significant others, 2 parents, and a slew of grandchildren, all of whom range from left to right in their politics, I can’t remember a single word of political disrespect in my grandparents house. Ever. Discussion? Yes. Disrespect? No. What a great life lesson that has been for me.

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  4. I agree with you Amelia! and here is a pretty easy to understand breakdown of the bill with a slightly positive tilt....b/c we get of the negative here http://www.sarahcunningham.org/change-is-cheap/the-mystery-of-health-care-the-new-plan-wrapped-in-ordinary-language

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  5. kazia - what a great example to bring up! michelle - thanks for the info - good stuff! mary - love that about your family. what a cool lesson.

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