Some Thoughts on the Recent US Elections

Currently I am busy settling down in Cupar, Scotland, for a
twelve-month ministerial placement with the Church of Scot-
land. It has been difficult getting access to the internet, but
over the past several days I have found it easier to get on-
line. I have much to share with you about my transition
from St Andrews to the wee town of Cupar, just fifteen
miles away from St Andrews. But I have plenty of time to
do that in the coming days and weeks. I wanted to take this
opportunity to share some of my thoughts about the re-
cent US elections.

I was not able to get an absentee ballot for this election. If I
had voted for the president I would not have voted for Pres-
ident-elect Obama. I disagree with him on the issues of
Iraq, national security, taxes, entitlements, abortion, the
sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, ed-
ucation, the support of the military, interpretation of the
US Constitution, the role of judicial bodies on all levels, the
ability to carry out domestic drilling for oil, and the way
that the poor and neglected of our society are cared for. I
am alarmed by the people that he has chosen to relate to
over the years and that he is the product of the corrupt
Chicago political machine. I believe that he and his fellow
democrats are wrong on so many issues. But having said
that, I will never stoop to hating him, demeaning him, or
considering him evil. Even though I think he is wrong on
the important issues of this age, Senator Obama will be
my president, our president, come January 20th and I
will grant him respect and honor that goes with that great
office.

I am very concerned about the degree of hatred and ridi-
cule expressed concerning President Bush and Govenor
Palin. I have never experienced anything as ugly. My ques-
tion is what this does to the souls of those who express such
sentiments. I can only conclude that it results in self-inflicted
wounds of those who do such actions. I have heard some peo-
ple say that Senator Obama's victory will finally lay to rest
the evils of racism in the US. My fear is that many Americans
voted for Senator Obama because of the color of his skin. It
is still racism. We will experience racism laid to rest when
electoral decisions are based primarily on a man or woman's
political agenda, not on the color of his or her skin.

I have more to write, but my time online at the Cupar Public
Library is quickly running out. I have church work that I
need to work on. I am disappointed in the results of the elec-
tion. I do not feel secure with President Obama and the Dem-
ocrats in control of Congress. But life will go on in the country
I love and cherish.

Blessings and all the best,