I'm usually hesitant to comment on politics, but I just wanted to point something out. The Republican Party, for all it gets wrong, gets a few things right. The fairly consistent stance, for instance, against abortion. I am one who believes that abortion is the greatest moral evil of our day. There are many other massive problems. To highlight and prioritize one over the others does not mean that I do not care about the others. I hate war and poverty and social injustice. However, the abortion issue for me is an epidemic crisis.
So, as I face a voting decision, I quickly become a so-called "single-issue voter." I choose the presidential candidate that I believe will be more likely to appoint judges who are more likely to turn around the legislation that I think is the greatest evil. This means that in the last two presidential elections I have voted for George Bush, and I will likely vote for John McCain. This does not make me a war-monger. I'm a Dad that thinks babies should be protected with constitutional rights. So is President Bush:
In the debate about the rights of the unborn, we are asked to broaden the circle of our moral concern. We're asked to live out our calling as Americans. We're asked to honor our own standards, announced on the day of our founding in the Declaration of Independence. We're asked by our convictions and tradition and compassion to build a culture of life, and make this a more just and welcoming society.
For the times I have felt embarrassed not only of President Bush, but of the current Republican ticket, I've felt proud twice (at least). Once, was when President Bush vetoed legislation for stem cell research on embryos. He gave his veto speech with a crowd of kiddos behind him-- "snowflake babies" who were adopted by parents who believed they were human. The second time was just last week when I saw Governor Palin embracing and shaking the hands of people with Down's Syndrome. The outcasts of our society, who are aborted at an alarming rate, were in the national spotlight for a beautiful moment of love and acceptance by a high-profile government official. She believes that we need a "culture of life." Of her son (who has Down's Syndrome) she said:
Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.
Let's protect our kids.
