Did you hear what Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Biden said this morning? According to an AP report, he said paying higher taxes is the patriotic thing to do for wealthier Americans; which means he’s basically saying that every American who has worked hard and wisely taken advantage of everything our country has to offer should pay even more in taxes than they are already paying so that the people who haven’t can benefit. And they should feel proud and patriotic for doing so.

America used to bill itself as the land of opportunity; if you put your mind to it and work hard you can succeed and make a good living. Why do you think we had so many immigrants in the 1800s? It wasn’t the land, it was the opportunity. Now are we saying that you can still succeed if you work hard, but when you do we want to take even more of your money? Does that seem fair?

The report says, “People earning more than $250,000 a year would pay more in taxes while those earning less — the vast majority of American taxpayers — would receive a tax cut.” A direct quote from Biden is, “We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people.” Now, don’t get me wrong…I am middle class. I would most likely benefit from this…but is it right that I would? Should I be ok with knowing that the people who have worked harder than me - let’s be honest…the majority of those people who are making more worked for it, they didn’t have it handed to them (I said most) – are going to have to pay even more than they already do so I can have some relief? Do I deserve it?

This is just another reason I think I’ll end up voting McCain.

Another is the arrogance of Obama.

His arrogance is starting to drive me crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I want somebody in the white house who is confident and believes they belong there. But there is a difference between (1) believing you belong there because you will do a good job and (2) believing you belong there because you are the best and brightest person in the world. I want my president to love his country, not himself. And I am starting to believe that Obama loves himself and his ideas more than he loves his country. Why else would he create his own Obama seal? Why else would he campaign across Europe and say, “People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment; this is our time,” during a speech in Berlin? Is he running for President of the world or President of the United States?

Anyways, enough rambling…there are a few other reasons I’m not that keen on Obama, but I should probably get off my little soapbox. To be honest, I’m not quite sold on McCain either. But I learned a while ago that you’ll never be completely sold on a candidate. I guess that means you vote for who bothers you less, right? Ok, maybe not…but right now that’s McCain. And right now that matters.

I received an invitation on my Facebook page the other day that said, “Come help the Republicans win the battle against the Democrats!” This made me chuckle a little bit. Is it really a battle? Is there a war going on between the Republicans and Democrats? I’ve never been into politics much, but this year, this time around, I am. And what I’ve found it is that I, as a Christian, am automatically made to feel as if I should support the Republican Party. Well, I don’t agree. I mean, why? Was Jesus a Republican?

Does this mean I am voting Democrat? No. I don’t know. Maybe. I want to vote for whomever I think will lead this country best, whether they’re Democrat or Republican shouldn’t matter. I understand the whole liberal/conservative thing, and for the most part I would consider myself a conservative, but is it more important to have a president who is against abortion or has a good foreign policy? A president who is against same-sex marriage or who has a good economic plan? I feel many Christians vote Republican because they feel it is God’s party or something. I feel they look at one or two issues, like abortion and/or same-sex marriage, and decide based on those issues. Are those issues going to make our country a better place? Are they that important?

Take abortion for example. First, let me make this clear: I am completely and wholeheartedly against abortion. I think it’s a terrible thing. But to me, when it comes to electing a President, it’s a non issue. One, I don’t feel it will ever change. Even if a President is against abortion…it’s not going to change…not in America. And two, even if it did change, would that make America a better place? It’s still going to happen. It will happen underground in more dangerous situations and more people will die or get hurt. Is that really what we want? Just because it’s illegal doesn’t mean it goes away. Drugs are illegal too and last I heard they’re still around. I am comfortable knowing that I personally am against abortion; I always will be. Whether or not it is illegal in my country won’t change that, it won’t change my personal relationship with Christ, which, to me, is more important.

Speaking of change…I also feel many Christians or Christian organizations have a “we need to change the world” attitude, and to that extent I totally agree…we do. But are we doing it the right way? Jesus changed the world more than anybody who has ever lived and He never once picked up a picket sign. He never even got angry. What if we put down our picket signs, and put away our ‘us against them’ attitude and started do what Jesus did best: love? If we learned to love everybody and accept everybody I don’t know…maybe there would be change. Maybe. Just a thought…

But anyways…I’m off the point. I wanted to discuss politics. I’m not sure who I’ll vote for. I might even end up voting Republican, but not because I am told to. I want to look at the issues, all of them, and make an informed decision based on what’s best for this country, and even more specifically, what’s best for me and my family. I think everyone should do the same. We should at least know why we’re voting a certain way. And heck, if issues like abortion and same-sex marriage are the most important issues for you…then that’s what you should vote for. Even I can’t argue with that. I just have a different set of priorities and I don’t feel that voting Democrat is such a bad thing. I don’t think God feels that way either…but what do I know?