Who I Voted For

I am a political junkie, but earlier this year Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw (authors of Jesus for President: politics for ordinary radicals) ruined me—in a good way. "It’s easy to have political views—that’s what politicians do. But it’s much harder to embody a political alternative—that’s what saints do".

So I’ve been wrestling for some months with how to vote. I thought about not voting, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I thought of voting for a third party candidate in order to "send a message". I wanted to vote “none of the above”. I wanted to vote against war... and the taking of innocent life, whether it's justified by calling it "collateral damage” or "choice".

I wanted to vote against a political system that wastes millions of dollars on too-long campaigns while citizens go hungry and homeless. I wanted to vote against a system of greed, pride, power and consumption. In short, I wanted to do something radical with my vote.

So I gave it away. I gave up my vote. I gave it to someone who is not allowed to have a voice in such matters. I voted for Rodger, or I should say I voted on Rodger's behalf.

He's a friend of mine who “lives in a large gated community out in the country” who is not allowed to vote. So I gave him my vote. I was his proxy. I asked him how he would vote if he could, and I honored his wishes.

I won’t tell you who we voted for. I voted for giving a felon a voice. Does that make me a criminal…or crazy? Just a simple act of rebellion…and hopefully grace. I wanted to be counted among the "ordinary radicals".

Joseph, Samson, Jeremiah the prophet, John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter and John – just a few people in the Bible who served jail time. God has a special place in his heart for the prisoners.

Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die. (Psalms 79:11)

Lord, when did we see you in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:39-40)

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

So now I'll sit back and watch the election returns and see if we won. Regardless of the outcome of the election, I feel like we already have.

Election Eve

I am a political junkie, but Shane Claiborne has ruined me—in a good way. Earlier this year I read Chris Haw and Shane’s book, Jesus for President, and have been in a quandary over how to vote—or whether to vote—ever since.

Here’s a bit about what the book’s about:

“The church has fallen in love with the state and this love affair is killing the church’s imagination. Too often the patriotic values of pride and strength triumph over the spiritual virtues of humility, gentleness and sacrificial love. It’s easy to have political views—that’s what politicians do. But it’s much harder to embody a political alternative—that’s what saints do.”

Jesus for President encourages a new kind of campaign, a different kind of party, and a different kind of commander in chief, casting a vision for what the Christian Church could look like if it placed its faith in Jesus, instead of American institutions.

“One thing that’s clear in the Scriptures is that the nations do not lead people to peace; rather, people lead nations to peace…The end of war begins with people who believe that another world is possible and that another empire has already interrupted time and space and is taking over this earth with the dreams of God.”

So I’ve been wrestling for some months with how to vote. I can't wait until tomorrow.

The Circus is Coming to Town

I am a political junkie. I'm addicted, and this primary season has kept me transfixed on the 24 hour news channels almost every waking hour I'm at home. I was glued to the tube Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, watching the voting results of Super Tuesday with the same intensity that New York Giants fans watched the Super Bowl Sunday night. Well, not quite, but close.

Tuesday is my state's day to have its voice heard. As far as Red State vs. Blue State, we are considered a Purple State. So Wednesday morning it began--the TV ads, the robotic recorded phone calls, etc.

Tomorrow, one of the Republican candidates will be in town, about 5 miles from my house. It's getting crazy around here. Now I have a better idea of what the good citizens of Iowa had to put up with a few weeks ago when all this began, only for us it is on a smaller scale since the field of candidates in both parties has narrowed and at least on the Republican side the nominee seems inevitable at this point.

It is interesting here, because citizens can vote in either party's primary, but not both, regardless of official party affiliation. When one goes into the polling place they are asked which party's primary they want to participate in, and are given the appropriate ballot. So you could have Republicans voting in the Democratic Primary in order to influence the outcome in their preferred direction.

The Democrats have the same option, but with the Republican race outcome pretty well determined at this point, and the Democratic race still neck and neck, no Democrat would want to waste their vote in the GOP primary when their vote is so important in their own party's race.

Anyway, no real point to this post, no life lesson or "sermon illustration". Just wanted my online friends to know that I AM STOKED that it's finally my turn.

Also to give you the opportunity to tell me who you think I should vote for and why.

Can't wait to hear your opinions.