Confessions from a Former Right Wing Republican - Part 2

After college, I took a good look at the uncomfortable ideas Jesus talked about. He had this troubling way of challenging the cultural, religious, and political lines and reminding us that we’re all equal – equally wrong and he wasn't impressed. Furthermore, he had a thing for siding with the poor, powerless, the ugly and outcasts. To make matters worse, I read much of the New Testament recently, and oddly enough, never heard him tout the American dream, capitalism or even challenge gay marriage or pro choice (not that He did not care about these single issue voter “hot buttons”). He said he did not come to judge the world, as we had already judged ourselves as lost and needy, rather he came to heal the sick, stand up for the prostitutes, and invite all of us into his redeeming love – and then called us to pass on that love. Oh, and not just to other white conservative Americans, but to the terrorist – and even our neighbors who migrated here from Mexico and don’t speak English very well yet (but remember, "English Only" is something we should really fight for!). The scriptures went on teach us to actively make peace and to go directly to people where there are a problems(which is now being cast as a risky approach if a president did this). Most of Jesus' kingdom of God ideas are pretty risky, you know. Jesus did not spend any time at political cocktail parties; rather he seemed to move in the direction of people like us – people who come from every-day disappointment and disorder. He associated with the crooks from Wall Street and the strippers from Las Vegas and ate dinner at the pubs with the blue collar drunks. He seemed to have a broad definition of "pro life"... while, in contrast, many in my former party hate abortion and defend the rights of unborn babies (as do I), but also speak as though they hate immigrants, hispanics, blacks, and the poor, and certainly sinners and the French. Is that really "pro-life" or just pro-life, if the baby is a white, conservative American baby? It strikes me that Jesus lingered with the crack addicts at the homeless shelters... and I think he only went to church one time - and he got mad at them. So, he took the time to get to know you and me - and saw the unpredictable dad who alternated abuse and pizza-nights in lieu of an apology. He saw the hunger and embarrassment of poverty, or a cruel sibling that carelessly wounded with lasting insults. He saw the school-yard bully who stole your lunch or a thin-crazy-culture that told you that you were not beautiful – while persistent boys that told you otherwise - only to steal some of that beauty. For many of us, childhood insecurities blossomed in to high school pressures, which were confronted by loneliness or broken-hearted-ness or both. Next, college yielded thought-formation and freedom but also financial debts and a new identity crisis. By the time we reached 30, we were either single, trying to be content with a condo and a cat, or married with two kids and a stuck in the corporate rat race. Along the way, we may have stayed in church, leaving behind some of what we were told to believe while finding some of it as our own. But still, the inner voice is restless because we’re still not totally sure who we are, if we are beautiful, if we are loved, if we are more than just our resumes and reputations. And since we are not sure, we either do the best we can to stay on this road less traveled and do the hard work of figuring out these questions later in life or… we just try to forget all the questions and trade them in for membership to a club where we cling to a set of rigid ideologies that bring a sense of order an identity. Essentially, we join an “us” – so we belong. Unfortunately, this often involves a harsh definition of a “them” – and we end up being more against something then for something. And the only sanity - the only alternative is the stuff Jesus talked about and the invitation for us to find belonging with him.

I did. And it did not let me stay so blindly attached to a political site, so, I left the Rebuplican party. If you were overly loyal to the Democrat party, you may find yourself needing to leave as well. And ironically, while I am now somewhat of a problem to my friends... in leaving the "right" club that promised belonging, I have actually found a place where I really belong.

Confessions from a Former Right-Wing Republican - Part 1

I started thinking about how good it used to be some years ago when I was a clear-cut, die-hard Rush Limbaugh republican. I belonged. I knew I was right and I knew the other side was dead wrong. There was a clear bold line to not cross, and both God and... Ronald Regan himself were on my side. Even at a young age, that was comforting to me. It was also intellectually stimulating, as I was learning a logic and language and I could argue a lot of points, and where my arguments broke down, I could rely on the obvious attacks of “liberal”, “socialist”, “left-wing”, and “godless”. To make it feel even more "right", I was was taught these things by the people who taught me about God and church. But, even as a little boy – it did not sit right in my soul... and I think that was when my loyalty to the republican party felt its first crack.

I grew up being told that Catholics don’t go to heaven. My father had his reasons, but seemed to hate gospel choirs, Martin Luther King and all black people. I have been told countless times that the King James Version is the only “real” Bible. I’ve heard immigrants labeled as worthless, the poor disregarded as lazy people who deserve what they get and anyone of Middle Eastern dissent as terrorists. Do you see what was offered to me? I was young and needed to belong - and both belonging and being right were mine and all I had to do was just agree with everyone around me. But, it still did not seem to square with most of what I heard about in church. I was just a kid, but it did not seem like Jesus hated so much. Still, I observed that belonging seemed to requrie that we carve out a homogeneous high ground where we feel superior and right – and then systematically use a blade to cut out, and cut off literally millions of people, or worse yet, our next door neighbors, with disdain. And somehow, we do this with a warped gratification like we did God a favor by ridding the world of parts of his created image he mistakenly loved. I know what it's like to grow up in an unsafe storm, but are we so loved deprived that we are willing to have so much hate? Is this part of why America is so divided, where now, as adults, In the midst of living life, we have some 300 million people who are constantly being courted by two polarizing sides – who offer belonging and identity and the satisfaction of being on the right side. This is true in politics, but it’s also with religion… and, according to Jesus, it’s a false choice and a counterproductive allegiance. So, I am no longer a right-wing republican – but I am also not a democrat. It’s not a third party thing, and it’s bigger than populism.

David Dark reminded me in his book The Gospel According To America that “…our desire for a quick fix, a to-do list, or an easy explanation of whom we’re supposed to love and who’s most deserving of our wrath is born of a natural need for meaning and order. We want answers and resolution, and we’ll pledge allegiance to whatever personality or principality can give it to us the quickest.”

"Soccer Dads" for... ???

For the last 10 weeks, my wife and I have been enjoying watching our 5 year old son, Jamieson play soccer with his new 4-5 year old friends: Leo, Daniel, Sam, Ellory, and Tate and coach Brett.  Today, was the last game, and Jamieson had moments of glory (scoring 3, count em, 3 goals!) as well as moments of distraction (look at that red balloon) and mindlessly going the wrong way! As the game finished, I glanced down the fields (we were one of 8 games) and noticed an overwhelming majority of... Dads!  What about the "soccer mom" norm?  Granted, there were still a host of minivans, but it appears that Dad's have stepped up to the plate (sorry, wrong sports analogy) and are taking over as sideline cheerleaders!  This got me thinking about politics again.  We've all heard a lot of talk about "Soccer Moms" and "Hockey Moms" representing the middle class, hard working, family values voters - who are destined to support Palin and the Republican ticket. So, is it fair to conclude that if Soccer Moms are for Palin/McCain, then this new revolution of progressive, involved "Soccer Dads" are for Obama? 

As for me... this "Soccer Dad" is mostly just for... my 5 year old son - and the spontaneous joy he (and I) felt this morning, oblivious of the high price of gas or the decreased value of my 403b, when he kicked the ball into the goal and threw his hands up into the clear blue sky to celebrate a moment even bigger than Nov 4th.!  

Politics aside...how do I elect the right wine?

Did you know that only 12% of all wine consumers are considered "enthusiasts"? That leaves 88% of us who buy wine in a wine store in the less celebrated categories that include "overwhelmed"! I was thinking about the last time I walked into a wine store: I started by looking around for clues to get my bearings (Is this set up by country? by grape? by bottle size? by some color coded system?), and then see the store clerk heading my way. To fair... I know they are really really smart people who drink lots of wine (herein lies the fine line between being an expert and an alcoholic) and know how to read all the funny labels and pronounce all the grapes, and I know they are trying to be helpful, but I am feeling the a building sense of pressure to think of something fast to avoid this conversation. I just know they are going to ask me questions I don't know the answers to. I quickly try to decide on red or white. I consider calling my wife to see what we're having for dinner or if she has a preference, but then remember someone telling me that the pairing rule has changed and everything goes with everything now. Scrap that idea. I like big reds, but am trying to branch out and try more white. I get distracted by an interesting label with a purple frog, and then realize the clerk is even closer now. Hurry up, Dan! I run through the list of the wines I've enjoyed recently (Kline Cab, Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc, La Crema Chardonnay, and what was the name of that Malbec Jimmy suggested?). I nod at the clerk and pivot towards the blends, trying to illustrate my decisiveness, but he follows me and asks if he can recommend anything. Pause. What if wine store clerks found a way to help me figure out what I like rather than just pushing what they like? Wouldn't that be a better way to create an experience and keep me as a loyal (and now educated) customer. Imagine if you went into Starbucks and stood in line for your chance to have the kid behind the counter suggest his favorite latte... and then you agreed to buy it thinking "I'll give it a try". We do that in a wine store all the time, except the price is $10 instead of $3. There must be a better way. In fact, a friend of mine (Reb) and I are trying to crack this nut and figure out how to use pictures to illustrate what each wine tastes like and make these available in wine stores and through hand-held mobile devices so you can be empowered to make your own enlightened decisions. Meanwhile, don't be alarmed if you find me wandering aimlessly around in your local wine store trying to avoid an awkward conversation while looking for the perfect wine to go with dinner and ease the pain of this never-ending political season. For more information: go to http://www.vintagegraphs.com/index.html

Does it matter how experienced you are if you are wrong and out of touch?

Now that Sunday afternoon football is behind us (with the Titans winning a punishing brawl only paralled by modern partisan politics... and all thanks to the the arm and experience of the second-string journeyman QB, Collins who replaced Vince Young, the superstar with potential but undeveloped leadership), I am starting to shift my thoughts to Tuesday's presidential debate - where unlike the NFL, experience does not seem to be winning out. As Nashville's own Belmont University is navigating it's recent controversial departure from it's conservative Baptist roots, it is preparring to host Senators McCain and Obama as they too offer a contrast of republican traditionalism and democratic relevance, and the risks of each. For all the critique of both Obama and Palin as too inexperienced, how can it be that they are the ones who have captured the hearts and minds of voters on their respective sides? Is it due to thier shared "out-sider" perspective? Is it Palin's folksy approach and Obama's new language and vision for this country? It's telling that while America may find valid comfort in experience, we are now even more motivated by the opportunity to see real change, and we are seeing it in the persons of Sara and Barack... the only challenge is that you really don't want the draw of your ticket to be the VP... so Obama has a decided edge. Obama's inexperience was challenged early on as a liability (and his presidency is certainly a calculated risk), but if the choice is between experienced, but wrong or inexperienced, and right... then maybe experience does not matter.

If I were debating McCain

As I watched the first presidential debate, I couldn't help but offer my minor league swing at a few softball comments that deserved much better answers. Remember, Senator Obama was the underdog, but showed presidential composure, knowledge of the complicated issues, concise 1-2-3 proposals… all while providing a window into how he has, and will engage members of both parties, and foreign leaders – with intellectual generosity, warm but strong diplomacy, and the confidence to look the "other guy" in the eye. Still, if I was advising Obama, I'd suggest...

1. When Sen. McCain rants about what he sees when he looks Putin in the eye… I'd love to see Sen. Obama challenge him by saying… "How can you look dangerous world leaders in the eye – when you can't even look me in the eye?"

2. When Sen. McCain mocks the idea of Sen. Obama meeting with world leaders America has issues with – saying what will that look like… when Iran says they are going to destroy Israel, and you're going to say, "No you wont"…. I'd love to see Sen. Obama say… "As the American people have seen tonight, I take the approach of strong diplomacy, just like I have tonight with you John. When there is common ground, I readily embrace it am not afraid to state it. When you are wrong, I tell you are wrong. It has been said… Stay close to your friends, and even closer to your enemies."

3. When discussing lessons from the war in Iraq, and whether the surge was the right strategy… I'd love to hear Sen. Obama say… "The lessons are 2-fold. It was the wrong war, AND the wrong strategy. So, while I agree with Sen. McCain that we finally fixed the 2nd problem… the right strategy for the wrong war – is still the wrong war!" - What Sen McCain is saying is like… the means justify the end.

4. When talking about values, I'd love to hear Obama say... "As a Christian, I believe in the over-arching responsibility of STEWARDSHIP – which applies to everything I will do as President… From stewardship of the earth and this country's resources... Stewardship of our economy – ensuring Wall Street is responsible for monies Main Street has entrusted to it...
Stewardship of government – and the power to work not only for one's constituents, but for the common good... Stewardship of our family responsibilities – for dads to be fathers, and children to be safe and hopeful for a better future... Stewardship of our neighbors and communities – helping those are trying to climb out of being poor and uninsured – knowing that we are only as strong as our weakest link.