Little RunOn

Thoughts on Inauguration

On Tuesday, I sat in my classroom with 20 seniors and several other teachers as we silently listened to Barack Obama deliver his Inaugural Address after being sworn in as our 44th president. In a school known for its diversity, it was an amazing and meaningful moment. It was wonderful to sit with my students of such varied backgrounds and think about what it could mean for them, for how they view the world and view themselves. Perhaps, they could find in that moment a glimpse beyond the lie that they often hear (even when it is never explicitly spoken) that they are not good enough, that this world holds nothing for them. For that new hope extended to my students and so many others in our nation and world, I am very grateful.

As a teacher in a very blue state and as a Christian (and pastor's wife), I rarely openly discuss my personal political perspective. However, I feel the need and desire to be open about my thoughts connected to this particular election. Honestly, I did not know who I was going to vote for until the moment I hit "submit" on the screen of the computer in the voting booth on Election Day. Actually, I changed my vote at least 7 times as I stood there, praying and thinking and praying some more. I have never spent so much time journaling and praying and researching candidates as I did for this election. I had asked God time and again to make it clear to me who I should vote for, and I felt frustrated that even in that final moment I did not have a clear sense of who God was leading me to vote for.

The truth was that I wanted Obama to be president. I was so excited about the passion and hope that he inspired in people all over the world. In a generation so characterized by bitterness, cynicism, and apathy, I began to see a glimmer of something different. And perhaps that was something worth supporting. As I looked at the stances of both candidates, there were things I agreed with and disagreed with for both of them. I did not want to be a single issue voter because I have seen the reality that voting for someone based on a single issue did not mean that issue would necessarily be addressed during the official's term.

So...who did I vote for? As I stood in the election booth, knowing I wanted Obama to win, I voted for John McCain.

Here's why... As an educated citizen, I know how the electoral college works, and I knew that Maryland would be blue no matter how I voted. Obama campaigned on a promise to reach across the aisle and listen and work with people of varying viewpoints. I knew as a state, we would support Obama, but as an individual I wanted to send a message that not everyone in America agrees with him 100%.

When it came down to clicking "submit," I could not ignore the fact that Obama claims to support the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), an extreme bill that would take away state ability to limit abortions in any way (requiring counseling, ultrasounds, or parent notification and permission). It is unclear whether or not it will also invalidate protections that keep pubic assistance from being made available using tax payer money to provide abortions for underprivileged women. That particularly frightens me because I do not want to have a crisis of conscience each time I pay my taxes.

I, like many others, have been inspired by Obama's words over the past week as he makes a much needed call for personal responsibility and community service. It is time that people start to "be the change" they wish to see in the world. We cannot sit back and expect things to happen unless we are willing to be a part of making that happen. And that applies to those of us who believe in the right to life as much as it does to everyone else.

As I watch President Obama sign executive orders in his first days of office, I have many conflicting feelings. I am excited that he is a man of action, and it is refreshing to see that he is following through on his campaign promises. I am also excited as he calls our nation to new standards of human rights and personal accountbility. However, he promised during his campaign, to sign FOCA into law. Will he follow through on that promise? What about the human rights of the unborn?

The good news is that he cannot single-handedly bring FOCA into law. It will have to pass the House and Senate first.

I am still excited about what President Obama can do for our nation and our world. And as my president, I will support him and pray for him. Furthermore, I will heed his call (and a Higher Calling) to serve others. However, that will also extend to those who cannot speak for themselves. Hopefully, I can follow-through with my plan to get more involved in writing legislators and supporting the Pro-Life cause.

President Obama promised to listen and work with those of varying viewpoints, he has also spoken of preserving human rights and protecting our world for future generations. We must hold him accountable to that promise and pray for him as a believer to see that the unborn are our future generations. They are image-bearers of God who deserve the same human rights that he seeks to protect for so many others.

Thursday, August 11, 2005