Wood Street Girl here. We saw the film 'Bobby' last night, a fictional account of the assasination of Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968. It was great, fantastic ensemble cast and very informative of the hot topics in the US back then in the dark days of the Vietnam conflict. The stellar ensemble cast was a wee bit too much at times (almost every scene had a Hollywood veteran) but really it was great. Obviously it was an excellent bit of propaganda for the Democrat party, which will doubtless get all those right of centre wound up, but it really challenged me on my views of the political scene in the US and more generally.
At present the Republicans market themselves as the no-brainer vote for Christians - anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia, anti civil unions, pro Christian stuff generally etc. And the Democrats are, largely, pro this stuff . Now the Democrats on the other hand are pro more 'social programmes' covering employment/unemployment, health and the environment which is total anathema to the Republicans who belive a vote for bigger government is akin to voting for the Devil. However I find the view that a vote for the Republicans is a vote for God is abhorrent. Having spoken to some hard core Republicans I find their 'take care of your own' attitude is compassionless and unreflective of the selflessness of Christ. Here we get into lots of issues about the interpretation of Christianity in a very individualistic society, which is better left to the theologians. But I hope you see what I'm getting at.
Having studied economics I have to agree however, government intervention should be limited, broadly, to the areas where the market fails - property rights, environment issues and other negative externalities. Personally I am in favour of the state providing universal education for lots of obvious and not so obvious reasons. Universal health care?, Well I really think it could be provided more satisfactorily if those who work were to pay a stand alone health care premium of sorts and I would definitely overhaul the unemployment benefit system to make it more condusive to getting people back to work. The 'benefit mentality' of Scotland makes this a particular bug bear (also being battered with a hard core work ethic by my parents probably has contributed also). But more recently I was convicted while reading 1 and 2 Thessalonians - that we as Christians shouldn't be a burden and should work hard to support ourselves. What do others in the blogosphere think? Feel free to wade in and tell me I'm wrong, I'm just putting down my initial thoughts on the matter.
Having said all that I am a gut Democrat (social justice, overseas development, generally more compasionate), although I simply could never vote for them as they are pro-abortion etc. Although I am not eligible to vote in an American election (which makes this a bit of a hypothetical argument) this really bothers me: as Christians are we stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to politics? Are we happy to compromise our spiritual values in some way when we vote? Should we forego our democratic right to vote? I always vote (except once! aargh I didn't register in enough time in Norwich!), and I see it very much as voting for the democratic process as nailing my political colours to the mast. Men and women also died so I could vote and my vote is very much in appreciation of their sacrifice.
In short I am confused and interested in your views. Comment away!
Interesting fact about me: the reccommended purchases that Amazon suggest based on my wish list (seriously, if you don't have one, you should) tells me that I should get Richard Dawkins 'God Delusion'. Is there a subversive element to Amazon who having seen that I have Andy Hunter and Dave Crowder CDs on my list, and think I need re-educated? This surveillance society we're in may be tipping over the edge!
