Politics, Palin and My Path to Peace

Now that the political conventions have come to end, the confetti and balloons (well, at least the confetti) a mere Technicolor memory and the “drill baby drill” chants no longer ringing merrily in my head, I am left, like many of my fellow proud Americans, in a state of utter confusion and indecision. My capricious mind vacillates between choosing “Hope” (oh so soothing to my inner dirty hippie) and wanting a “Maverick” (with the obvious appeal to my inner renegade).

Both parties have left me with reservations abound.
The Democrats can’t seem to keep their people in line, with a disconcerting pattern of high ranking members jumping ship and showing up at the opposing side’s convention!
And the Republicans, the “keeping us safe,” tough on national security issues Republicans, can’t even manage to keep their convention safe from those pesky Code Pink protesters!

Night after sleepless night I have considered the future of our great nation and the importance of my vote. The magnitude of this decision weighs heavily on my heart and in my mind.
And then, last night as I opened my rusty mailbox, all that was cloudy was made clear.

Amidst the coupons and bills, some addressed to me and some for Yolanda Perkins (the previous tenant, I presume) was the October issue of “Today’s Christian Woman.” I stared at the glossy cover and at the words that hinted of all the treasures inside, "Politics: 4 women on what really matters." Within the magazine was an insightful and riveting round table discussion among my fellow God-fearing sisters. It was like, dare I say it, all my prayers were answered!

I scanned the table of contents for the article that contained what I knew would undoubtedly be the logical, thoughtful opinions of my intelligent and shrewd peers. "Red, Right and Blue," it was titled. An interesting choice, I thought as I attempted to reserve judgement.
Cindy, a stay at home mom, first captured my attention when she right away brought out the big guns, whipping out a quote from the Good Book, “According to Romans 13:3-4, the government’s job is to punish evil and reward good.” To think that the role and purpose of government has been discussed in philosophical and political debates since the beginning of civilization and the answer was right there the whole time, staring us in the face! I was thinking something more along the lines of public order, basic security and services, but as in any debate, political or otherwise I tend to defer to anyone citing “sacred” text.

I kept on reading, assiduously searching for more answers to my many questions. I was looking to Cindy, Amy, Ellie and Katelyn, so full of wisdom and resolve, for guidance. Distracted from the task at hand, I wondered to myself whether, Katelyn, a 21 year old mega church staff member, so young yet so discerning, was christened Katelyn or if she cleverly switched an “i” for a “y” sometime during a teenage assertion of independence phase. I always thought about doing that, but I could never decide between Patricya and Patrycia. All this indecision, I may in fact be the ultimate flip flopper.

After this minor digression, I read on, eager to satisfy my voracious appetite for the truth. While continuing to contemplate my duties as a citizen, both of this country and this planet, Katelyn brought to my attention something I had never even considered, “Our duty is to love people and to mentor that 13 year old boy who’s confused about his sexuality. I feel like we let ourselves off the hook by thinking our vote is enough,” she proclaimed. I felt downright foolish, being so caught up in concern for the poor and hungry, the elderly, the underemployed, the environment, the uninsured, the future generation, the war ravaged, the oppressed, the under-educated, the tortured, the thousands of children in this country suffering with cancer…
But now set straight, I wondered, what can I do? How can I use my vote to speak for me, to send a message about what is really truly important? And as I sat there considering my duties, my choices, and my values, the good people of the Wasilla Bible Church, Sarah Palin’s church, were busily preparing for the “Love Won Out’ conference; a conference whose goal is to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals through the power of prayer. “Pray the gay away” they say. It’s just so easy, I thought. And it rhymes! Who doesn't love a philosophical, moral or otherwise life guiding declaration wrapped up neatly in a cute little rhyme! And with that, I contentedly closed this month’s issue and drifted off into a peaceful sleep, free from the anxiety that had been plaguing my lost soul.

And so in closing I would like to thank my good friend, Tracy, for giving me a gift that keeps on giving, month after month, the greatest gift I never knew I needed. Thank you Tracy, for seeing me for who I am. I am Today’s Christian Woman.