Post-Election Reflection

In my younger days, I might have stayed up later to see all of the results of yesterday's mid-term elections. Christa and I voted after breakfast, and as the day went by I periodically checked the exit poll results and also saw the results up until we went to bed.

Checking the news and some social media sites, I was taken aback by the over-the-top reactions that people have to the results of this election. Allow me to show just a few of the things that I read on people's Facebook pages:

• "Run for your lives! The idiots have taken back power! So begins a hundred years of darkness!"
• "Doomsday in Wisconsin."
• "Canada's looking better by the minute."
• 'Why are Americans so short-sighted?"

Hmm...should we really be shocked by the results of last night's election? When Bill Clinton was in office, the legislature eventually became majority Republican. When George W. Bush was in office, the legislature became majority Democrat. With Barack Obama as president, the legislature has now become more Republican.

This seems pretty normal to see. To me, it is the natural cycle of politics. As with all of these changes, I wait with curiosity to see if the changes made in this election will provide what voters were looking for. As in all elections, there are winners and losers. There are people that are excited, and people that are frustrated. But, let's not jump quickly to doom and gloom. Let us also not overstep, and overstate, the gains that have been made. What this does present is a time in which a president's agenda and ideas will face a greater opposition. Again, this is not unique. Many presidents have faced this as some voters are not happy with what the president is doing.

Instead of declaring the country dead and tossing out names at one another, let us pray for those who return to, or begin new, elected positions in our local, state and federal government. Let us pray that they will work together to form a better future for each one of us. Placing blame, getting angry, and name calling will not help. Playing an active, positive, participatory role in our government will.

Can It Be November 2nd Already?

We have the opportunity to vote on November 2nd. There are a lot of important elections coming up. We are electing a new governor. One of our US Senate seats will be decided. There are many Wisconsin seats in the US House of Representatives that are hotly contested. The political environment in Wisconsin, and the United States is intense. With this being a mid-term election during the Obama administration, many are using the results as a barometer for his performance as president. There's a lot of money being spent and a lot of ads are out there. It would be hard to not realize that there is an election!

My hope is that you vote! You are welcome to vote for whoever you see as most qualified. I look forward to that day when we can fulfill our civic right and duty to vote. By then we won't have to listen to these political ads any more. Each year, candidates seem to outdo themselves with the vitriol and hate that they put into ads that bash their opponent. This year seems especially bad. Given our ability to fact check through the internet and others sources, some of these attack are being revealed as being partially or completely untrue.

Why would people resort to attack?

Why wouldn't their advertisements focus on what makes them qualified for the position?

Is the political environment simply built for us to be about as un-Christian as we can be?

What makes me sad is that many of these very politicians consider themselves to be Christians. Sad. They should act like it.

Health Care Reform

Back in March, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America passed a law that significantly changed our health care system. Leading up to this vote and leading up to President Barack Obama's signing of the bill, there was a great deal of controversy and debate on both sides. I realize that a lot of the changes outlined in the bill will not be taking place for awhile. I will admit that I have not really been thinking about the legislation recently.

I was reading an article in the Good News magazine that brought this topic back to my mind. Specifically it dealt with the issue of whether or not the United Methodist Church supported this piece of legislation. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the following upon the passing of this legislation, "[M]ore than 350 organizations, representing Americans of every age, every background, every part of the country, who have endorsed this legislation. Our coalition ranges from the AARP...to the United Methodist Church."

Really? I realize that not everyone is familiar with our Book of Discipline. As far as I know, no one is allowed to speak on behalf of the United Methodist Church. The General Conference of the United Methodist Church did vote to say health reform was necessary. It did not advocate for any particular piece of legislation. The General Board of Church and Society seemed to phrasing things in a way that promoted the passing of this legislation. As a result this was interpreted by own own Speaker that we endorsed this legislation. Yikes.

It appears a lot of folks were angered by this result. I wish to keep to myself my own views on health care reform. Regardless of those views, I am disappointed that there is an appearance that our denomination took a stand on this issue. You risk alienating a part of your membership when you appear to be taking a stand on such a controversial issue. I hope the committees and agencies of the United Methodist Church are more careful in the future.

Edward Kennedy

Regardless of where you stand politically, I encourage you to remember the family and friends of Edward Kennedy, who has passed away. He had been battling cancer for over 15 months, and while the death was not necessarily a surprise, it is still significant.

He was involved in politics for over 40 years and was a true figurehead for the Democratic Party. I can't say I agreed with a lot of his stances, but I recognize his influence and his strong desire to mentor those in his chosen field.

Town Hall Meeting - Sunday's Service.

I had every intention of attending the Oakfield Town Council meeting last night, but I was not able to go. I hope to be able to attend in September. I want to make an effort to be knowledgeable and aware of the affairs of this village. In Oshkosh trying to do that was intimidating...I think it will be more manageable on this level. I did notice earlier this week that Tom Petri would be visiting Oakfield for a Town Hall Meeting.

With all the hub bub over health care and some of the interesting occurrences that have happened at these meetings around the country, I wanted to check it out. I was curious to see how many people would show up. Walking down Main Street, I noticed a lot of cars parked. I could tell this one was going to be packed. That was the case. It was a standing room only crowd.

With one hour for the meeting, Petri fielded a variety of questions and allowed for people to comment. Much of the discussion revolved around concerns regarding health care. Other topics included illegal immigration, off-shore drilling, media bias, and the taking of God out of America.

It was neat to see democracy inaction and it was neat to see a Congressman talking to the people about the issues that concern them. But...I sensed a great deal of fear among the crowd. They were fearful of socialism creeping into America. They were fearful of losing benefits to illegal aliens. They were fearful for a secular United States that lost its religious roots. One man said he was mad at the state of the country, but he didn't know what to do.

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I wish I had an easy answer for that man. Politics aside, there are lots of issues that we are wrestling with. This Sunday, the theme of the worship services at Tabor and Oakfield is about wisdom.Specifically, we will be looking at Solomon's desire for wisdom above everything when God asks him what he wanted. Hopefully, we can learn more about how to proceed in times when we are uncertain, scared and overwhelmed. God bless.