Talking consistent with our walking!

It is Monday, September 21, 2009 and I have to tell you these are some scary times we are living in at the moment. Our nation's politics are charged with acrimony, division, and over the top insults forth and back. I know what it means to be a part of a racially insensitive world. I grew up in that world where folks were accepted or rejected based on the color of their skin. That way of life should be a thing of the past as we learned it was not only morally wrong but certainly inconsistent with the principles of freedom and equality which are pillars of our American foundation. Indoctrinated in the womb with this view of people and then living with it as a daily practice made it a systemic part of the soul of our nation. Many of us have labored long and hard to rid ourselves of this inbred proclivity but obviously one would have to be insane to believe it has been eradicated from our land. I know people who continue to operate as if nothing has happened with regard to the racial situation since before the Civil War. Their view of the world cannot help but be distorted through this lens of racial superiority. Is this dangerous? It's always dangerous when people live on a steady diet of hate.

On the other hand it is sad to see this issue become a trump card used every time people disagree with President Obama's plans and policies. The current climate says that anyone who speaks against a proposed policy put forth by our nation's first black President must be a racist. On the surface this would be laughable but because the stakes are high, I can assure you it is no laughing matter. I do not want a socialist form of life for our country. I am passionate about not wanting this type of government controlled existence for our nation. I am against any and all things that move us in that direction. I exercise my right to state my objections to any and all policies that I believe has this as its goal or consequence. Does my opposition to this President's vision for America make me a racist? Does my exercise of my freedom to speak out on these issues make me a racist? Absolutely not! Are there racists who also speak against his policies? I am certain there are, however, in a free country you can never paint people with a broad brush. I would hate to see this charge of racism silence the voices of those who legitimately disagree with the direction of our nation.

I personally believe in God. I believe our nation has prospered because of its belief in God. I believe that our nation should continue to acknowledge God. Does my opposition to any and all policies that seeks to remove any recognition of God make me a racist? This charge would be ludicrous but I fear that it is the exact thing that is happening. To me the even sadder thing is how it may be this black President's administration who is making this the issue that it is to cover up their missteps and camouflage their real intentions. President Obama said yesterday that he lamented how that race has been focused on instead of the issues. I agree with him but he may need to call off his own spin doctors who may be the very source of instigating this distraction. I know this is not my normal happy go lucky daily blog. It is after all, my view from here, and we don't always live in a happy go lucky world, and what happens in Washington not only impacts me today but it sets the direction for the world our offspring and their offspring will have to deal with for generations to come. I also want to encourage us all to do our very best to not allow our unhappiness with the policies of this administration to lead us into a type of denigration that does cross the line. Parents, you should be careful because your children may not catch the nuance of your expressed opposition and we must always respect the office and the elected leader who occupies that office. We are commanded by God to obey the laws and pray for those in authority. Being angry about changes that will bring harm to our way of life is a good thing. But remember the Bible tells us to be angry but without sinning. May God help us to live out the truths we desire to see in the life of our nation. Amen. …..More later.