Why I Voted for Obama

I have registered as "unaffiliated" for many years. Not since my zealous first year as a voter, when I registered as a Republican and worked at the polls as a volunteer, and Nixon was elected President, have I not had a cynical attitude about politics.

I am a Christian and my faith factors strongly into my voting decisions. Christ taught us that we were to love one another and be tolerant of one another's mistakes. He did not teach of intolerance and war. That comes from someplace else.

Back to Obama. I was watching the Democratic Convention out of boredom and my need for "white noise" more than anything four years ago. But this young black man was giving a speech and suddenly I was interested. He was talking about things I believed in - hope, faith, and love. I don't remember his words, but I do remember how he made me feel.

Time went by, Bush was still in the White House, which I found somewhat annoying and embarrassing. Then one day I happened to be home and turned on Oprah. Sometimes I switch back and forth between her and a soap opera. But there was that man who'd given the inspiring speech years before. He'd written a book - The Audacity of Hope. And he sat right there on Opera and gave his "testimony" for his faith in Christ. Not the generic "god" so many politicians and celebrities mention on talk shows. I wrote down his name and the title of his book. There was mention on the show that he might run for President.

I read the book. I was educated and moved by his words.

When he entered the primary race the negative emails were sent to me by my Republican friends. I ignored them. Then some of the forums I frequent began to buzz with the accusations that he was a terrorist, a Muslin, and the antichrist all rolled into one. I stayed out of those conversations, deeming them foolish and silly. A couple of times I emailed my friends and asked had they read his books? I suggested on a few forums that they READ THE BOOK. Both friends and forumites ignored my comment, and I have the feeling none of them ran out to buy and read the book. They just kept on circulating the stupid messages. I deleted the emails without reading them and stayed out of the political forums for the most part. Okay, my curiosity sometimes took over and I'd peek in to see if anyone had changed his or her minds. It didn't appear they had.

To be honest I began to have some shadowy doubts. What if I was wrong, just believing what I want to believe - like those friends of mine who were Republicans? "No, I have to listen to my gut feelings," I answered myself. But the doubt hovered all the same.

Then one day not long ago I came home to a voice mail from a volunteer in the county asking me to join the Obama campaign as a volunteer. She wanted me to come down to headquarters that Saturday. But, she added if I didn't want to volunteer to let her know and she would not call again. Well, that was nice, all I had to do to keep her from bugging me was let her know.

But before I could call her back I felt I had to decide once and for all - was Obama for real? Or was he also using the Christian tag to win votes? I knew right then I had to ask my good Spiritual friend - a lady who has served God her whole life as a missionary, woman of the church, and as a human being. I knew, also, she was one of the most politically aware persons I knew.

I received her email reply to my questions the same day. "Concerning Obama, I think he is a sincere Christian, a remarkable young man and I am planning to vote for him. We desperately need a change from this awful administration. He is consulting with the best folks, which will help get us on the right track. He needs our prayers in all his decisions."

I called the volunteer and said, "Yes." I also changed my "unaffiliated" to "Democrat," realizing I'd voted democrat for the most part for fifteen years. If I was going to be working as a volunteer I might as well be a card carrier. So, I am excited to be voting for Barack Obama. In fact I voted early. I believe he is going to win, too.

My convictions didn’t change this time around. I voted for Obama again for all the same reasons I did the first time.

Many times during the campaign I have been asked, “Are you better off now that you were four years ago?” My answer is, “Yes.” Four years ago I was on the brink of homelessness with barely any income. I’d given up my riding lesson program because I was not making enough to feed my horses. Since then my prayers have been answered and I have a job and can pay my bills. After saying, “Yes, I am better off now,” I was asked, “Do you give Obama credit for that?” My answer is, “I give my Lord Jesus credit for answering my prayers.”

I don’t argue politics. It is pointless and breeds bad humor. Besides, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t understand politics for the most part. I do understand pure meanness when I see it, as well as poor sportsmanship. Facebook has been the main vehicle for the expression of a great deal of hateful talk. I guess its easy to post comments you got from another post and things you’d probably not say to someone face to face. The sad part is most of these folks know as little about politics as I do. I’ve been tempted to un-friend some folks, but haven’t yet. I hope things will die down and people will get back to being what Jesus hoped we’d be – kind and gentle spoken, working at carrying one another’s burdens and leaving the judging up to God.