How close is the election???

If the election were today, the electoral college projections are: Obama wins by: 12 votes!

Obama: 238
McCain: 227

http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/whos-ahead/key-states/map.html

The Revealing Stage of Politics

In response to a recent article about how Sara Palin, republican running mate of John McCain drew over 6000 people in a recent political event in Florida - my response is...
Good for Palin! I’m sure this feels like a wild ride, and one she never expected. On one hand, it’s great to see so many citizens get energized and being involved. So many people seem to resonate with her hometown values and outdoors activities – I just hope she uses the stage carefully. I hope she illustrates those values with a dialogue that is bold, but also humble and uplifting to America – not divisive. I agree with her on faith, life, stewardship of resources, and other issues – but I’m also looking to see if that faith perspective translates into moving people together or just typical – "We’re republicans and democrats are stupid" talk. Some of the ads have been a bit slimy recently and that is not the direction we need to go. Case in point… at the convention – Palin as well as the 3 guys who spoke before her were making the point that Obama’s resume is short and all made a point to mock Obama for community service in the poorest section of Chicago. Here was a chance to play much smarter politics, while also maintaining Christian virtue. They could/should have said… We applaud Obama’s story because it represents an unlikely story that can only happen in America! We applaud Obama’s choices in life as a young man – because community service represents the best of American generosity and we encourage the youth of America to follow that example… However, community service does not qualify a person to be President of the US! Do you see what I mean?

If McCain-Palin and Obama-Biden are confident in their character, message, their record, and their vision – they should run on that. If they want to promote their Christian faith in God – then it should not come out in mockery. So, I hope this is the largest turn out ever – and people stop allowing government to be something they just passively pay taxes to – and try to ignore. Someone once said that every bill out of DC is a moral document… it reflects who we are and what we believe to be important. It can also be said of every political commercial, speech, and debate. I think the next few weeks will show either strength of character and Christian virtues – or lack thereof. Certainly, the issues before us (with the unbelievable financial bailouts and extremist terrorism) call for a careful choice here. So, while it’s great to see so many people excited (about Palin on one side and Obama on the other), I care less about the excitement factor – and more about how that leader is using that stage of opportunity – to play off our existing divides and cynicism OR to remind us of a higher calling and that which unites us around these all important issues.

Not very funny

If you don't at least occasionally discuss what goes on in your head with a therapist, I'd recommend it. I was talking with mine recently, and I recalled how, as a child, my father would often position himself at the top of the stairs and keep yelling "Who do you think I am?", "I am your FATHER!" and other booming shock and awe type declarations to intimidated his children and demand respect. I remember laughing a little inside, thinking what a poor memory he must have to have to keep asking us such an obvious question. But this was my father's way of demanding his form of police-state control. He was a former cop, and I think it never left him. To this day, I am unnerved when I think a police car may be about to pull me over. I never think of cops as public "servants" - I control my nervousness and remember to only say "yes sir". My childhood was an unsafe playground. It was promoted as a Disney movie to the outside world, but all too often playing out like a Hitchcock gotcha! or Steven King horror. Like most kids, we rode bikes and built snow forts, and ate ice cream. We were also locked outside the house many Saturdays, missed out on the love of a father, witnessed the abuse of our mother, and felt deeply afraid. I hated the pain my family lived in, so I learned to find humor in life. I learned to make humor in life and became the family comedian and peace maker. I lightened the mood and pulled tricks out of my hat all in hopes to distract us from our reality and pass the time till we could escape. I specifically remembered one time when dad stood at the top of the stairs after he was in a rage. He yelled at me "You think everything is a big joke! Everything is NOT a big joke!" Those words stung this little boy. He created the pain that demanded a way to cope. He forced me to cling to humor - and now he mocked me for clinging to all I had. Once he realize that hurt me, he said it many times again. Now, as an adult, I still cling to humor as a way to dilute the pain and disappointments of life. I wonder if growing more healthy means being less funny? At this point, I just see things differently - and naturally see the humor. But I may need to sit in some of these moments and let the humor pass by - and just say that I am hurt when I am hurt. And Dad, if you are listening... You were right, and now I am not smiling. I am not joking. I am hurt. I see myself standing at the top of the stairs and I see you, a little boy still wanting someone to tell you who you are - but I can't fix that for you. All I can do is suggest that you too find a good shrink.