This is not to express my disappointment, nor is it to put on display the fact that many people share my feelings right now. There are countless articles, away messages, facebook statuses, radio broadcasts, blogs, and more to tell you that this isn't the outcome many people were hoping for. No, that's not at all the point. Rather, this is to tell another side and possibly help frame this election in perspective and context.
First, we have to remember that although we may be dissatisfied, Barack Obama is going to be our next President. He is not just the Democrats' President, just as John McCain would not have been merely the Republicans' President. No, Barack Obama is the United States' President. America made its choice. Sure, there were many voters who you could say were hoodwinked by the media, taken by the image of a young "rockstar" president, or voting for him based on color. At the same time, there were millions of people who voted for him because of his ideas. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Barack Obama, he has been elected.
Second, we need to see the many good things that this election represents. It represents freedom, for however long we fight for it. We should be very grateful that we live in a nation where everyone has a voice. We must also realize the massive number of people who were never involved before and have now taken notice and an interest in our Nation's future. Amid all of the talk about ACORN and voter registration fraud, I think it is sometimes overlooked that millions of people chose to become involved in our government in these last two years. This is not something to overlook, but something for which to be very thankful. And whether or not you agree with the candidate himself, it is something to be celebrated that our Country has progressed to the point where race does not mean a black man has any less of a chance than anyone else to fill the Nation's highest office. Sure, I would have preferred someone like Alan Keyes, Condoleeza Rice, or Michael Steele be the candidate to showcase our progress on that front, but the fact remains that our integration of all peoples and our recognition that everyone should have the equal opportunity to work hard and achieve their dreams is something to celebrate.
Third, the beauty of government by-the-people is also its weakness - it means that sometimes the minority just has to accept the decision made and move on. And now, those of us who did not support Barack Obama must do the same thing. Barack Obama will be the next President. Accept it. We would expect no less of those on the other side had John McCain won. Here are a few things that will not happen:
- There will not be an impeachment
- There will not be a violent, physical revolution
- There will not be an assassination
- There will not be some mass movement of people leaving the country to live in Switzerland
Finally, as crazy as this seems, Barack Obama just might be a good set of political cardiac paddles for conservatism. Many members of the GOP have strayed away from our conservative principles to the point where "conservative" is merely a word to put in campaign ads. I'm not saying that conservatives have all been wiped from the Republican Party, but I am saying we have a lot of work ahead of us. In recent years, "conservatives" have become so moderate that it's sometimes hard to tell them from the liberals. I think one major factor was we had power, and we were greedy. We allowed ourselves to slip into the same special-interest-driven politics that we were supposed to stop. I like the way John McCain put it:
"We were elected to change Washington - and Washington changed us."
In this primary election, we saw the Evangelical Christians finally become a sizable force in politics again. While we didn't win, the question that was asked by the media quickly became "Who will the evangelicals vote for?"
It seems as though you could call yesterday a crushing blow for Conservatives, but it wasn't. In the words of Mike Huckabee:
"Politics is not an event, but a process."
We did not lose yesterday, it was merely a turnover on downs, and it's now the Democrats' turn with the ball. It was merely another step in an endless fight for our beliefs. We've come a long way, but we can't stop. We must continue fighting and take our progress further.
So how does that translate into action?
1. We should pray for our Nation, and especially for Barack Obama.
We are instructed in Scripture to do so. And especially with so much at stake, we have to remember that God is in control above all Presidents, Governments, and other powers.
First Timothy 2:1-4: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2. Don't become your own enemy.
It's tempting to lash out at others and blame people on both sides for the results. It's also tempting to make rash statements like "I'm moving to Switzerland," or "I'm never voting again," or "We are now the United Soviet States of America." None of those are true, so you are just wasting your time and energy.
Crises are not important. What shows character and integrity is how we respond to problems when they arise. So let's show some class in our responses to not getting our way.
3. Don't become disinterested.
There is a lot of work left to do. Take a break, yes, but take the irritation and frustration you have about losing this election, and translate it in energy to be used for winning the next one. For now, that means educating people about why lower taxes, limited government, free trade, rights for the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, and strong national defense are all good policies. In the somewhat near future, I'll be posting a lot of information about specific tools to help with that effort.
It also means finding more candidates, bills, and efforts to help with. In just two years, we have an opportunity to take back the majority of Congress, but we have to work hard at it. This presidential campaign was two solid years of media, but the campaigns themselves were started in 2004-2005. Work to stay involved, and opportunities to help will present themselves.
This Presidency is designed to change often. We did not just elect a new dictator, but just the next person in line for this job. In 30,040 hours, we will know the results of the next Presidential election.
Those hours are already counting down, and every second will count. Spend that time convincing others of the Conservative Principles that Ronald Reagan espoused, so we will be ready with an army of supporters when the time comes.
One more good quote...
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Work hard. Don't give up. Politics is a process, and the day we stop fighting is the day we lose.
God Bless,
- Andy Hudson
