On Monday my dad was in the paper. On Tuesday, my step-mother - Lisa Blosser - was in the paper with a glowing review of her career as a politician and some conjecture on what she will do next (which I don't even know - so don't ask).
Lisa is a fantastic politician. She streamlined the court system when she was the Clerk - something I witnessed personally. In 2003, she became the auditor and helped Allen county achieve it's first ever AAA-Bond rating. She helped secure a rainy-day fund. She got rebate checks out before Christmas in 2007 - only county in Indiana to do so. And most recently she and her staff saved Allen county taxpayers $6 million dollars by catching a State error.
Needless to say, as stories drop of Illinois Governors taking bribes, and Alaskan Senators taking gifts, and San Diego Congressman committing tax evasion, and Detroit Mayors having sex parties, it is people like my step-mother who give me hope in politics and government. We are very proud of you Lisa.
But because I am self-centered, upon reading the vast openings of political offices in Allen County, my mind drifts to my own political ambitions and wonder if 2010 is when I should start?
I know I would focus my campaign on two things: streamlined efficiency and wise financial policy. It's how I live my life and it is how I would govern.
I'd tell the heart-warming story of how, even at 18, in the summer of 2000, Lisa brought me in to help with tax warrants - something they were swamped with - and how I streamlined the process 4x faster than before.
I'd also share how I have traveled the world - lived in Los Angeles and Jerusalem and Atlanta - and there is still no better place to live and raise a family than Fort Wayne, IN - which I truly believe.
But with all the pros that would probably make me a good politician, here are the cons.
I am not a good ass kisser (ask Allen) - thus fundraising would be difficult.
I have no tact what-so-ever - and take an opinion on everything - even if it does not pertain to my elected position
I live an incredibly open life - which means the media would love me but sooner or later I'd do something the public wouldn't like
I'd have no base. I'd piss off Social Liberals because I am pro-life. I'd piss off Social Conservatives because despite being pro-life I support Planned Parenthood and I support gay marriage (Actually I support the government getting the hell out of marriage altogether). I'd piss off Fiscal Conservatives because I support programs for the alleviation of poverty. But I'd piss off Fiscal Liberals because I do think low taxes (and therefore government cuts) are essential. You see - no base!
I'd probably do alright on the local level, but not sure how I would transition that into the State and National level. But then again, one day you might be calling me President Borgmann - and I'll give you a ride on AirForce One.
There is little in this world that makes me angrier than this mindset. People are so lost to the idea that a.) God is an pro-American, and b.) God is a pro-Republican that I am sure the mindset above rings all too true in millions of homes around the country.
It makes me want to vote Democrat for no other reason than to send the message to the Church that God is bigger than their political ideologies.
(Although I am sure this rings true in Democrat homes as well, so if that is the case, then vote Republican).
Be sure to visit Post Secret for more interesting looks into the human condition.
That changed in March when I realized how stingy of a giver he is, thus indicating he thinks it is the governments job to take care of the poor.
Also in March, I started to get the idea of voting for Colin Powell.
In August, because of the Saddleback Civil Forum, I really started to lean towards McCain. After the financial collapse of September, I really had decided to vote for McCain (more on this later).
Then in October, Colin Powell came out and backed Barack Obama. Given that Colin Powell is who I really want to be President, out of respect to him, I stepped back and reconsidered Obama.
But it was a video on September 7th and a conversation on October 28th that finally helped make my decision: and both were because of Europeans.
In early September I watch a video of the MTV Music Video Awards with host Russell Brand. In there he makes the plea, "As a representative of the global community...could I please ask of you people of America to please elect Barack Obama. Please, on behalf of the world..."
It was at that moment when I realized two things.
Problem #1: Barack Obama is essentially a European leader. Now don't get me wrong, I love Europe. I have traveled there many a times. I love Europeans. But there is a reason I do not live in Europe; and it isn't because my family and friends are here. I believe America is the greatest country in the world, even though it has its faults.
Problem #2: I could take his socialist-leaning (Barack is not a socialist) before the September crash because I figured the American people would pull his administration closer to a moderate capitalist. But since the collapse of the financial markets, it is almost like America is looking for a socialist-leaning representation.
And just as Bush's extreme removal of civil liberties in the name of security after 9/11, I fear Barack Obama will take the removal of capitalism to the extreme after the September market crash of 2008.
Cue my conversation with Andreas. Andreas is a man who listens to the Allen Hunt Show from Finland. He is also a man I have grown to have a nice internet friendship with over the years, and a man I respect.
To save you 2,500 words of reading (which is below if you want), I have over-summarized and over-simplified Andreas and I's conversation. Conclusion: I really did want to vote for Obama, but I just feel that the States will better serve the world by not becoming Europe. We will be able to continue giving more money for poverty alleviation and generating more wealth for everyone remaining with the same economic philosophy that the States has had for years.
And ultimately the world will be a better place with Europe being Europe, and the States being the States.
So my vote for the 2008 Presidential Election is..........Colin Powell. He's the one who I want to be President.
If I were in a swing state, I would probably vote for Obama. But since I am not, I wanted to at least use my vote to send the message that yes, I think Obama will be a good President, but that no, you don't have so much the freedom to do anything you want.
I also decided I am voting out my Senator and Congressmen, but that is a blog for another time. I'll just say this. Almost everyone in Congress needs to voted out. And even though I like Chambliss and Price, I am voting them out. The only current person in the Congress I would vote for is Senator Richard Lugar - him and Powell are about the only two people in Washington DC I respect.
Well that's it. It took 2.5 years to make that decision.
Andreas & I's Conversation About the Election
Andreas Elfving
I am no democrat - but I agree with the Fonz and Ron Howard on this one. I will hate the judges Obama puts on the Supreme Court but there is more to life than abortion :)
There, I am out of the closet. I support OBAMA!!
:)
/Andreas
Andrew Borgmann
I was all ready to vote for Obama in August. I really was. The abortion thing didn't really bother me because as you put it, there is more to life than abortion, as well as the fact that the President won't really make that big of a difference in the issue anyway.
The only real thing that concerns me about Obama is the extreme left economic policy. Now in August, I didn't care that much because I figure Congress and the American people would be a nice counter balance. But with the collapse of Wall Street and banking in September, it is almost like Americans are looking for that extreme left economic policy. And while I don't think extreme right, no holds bar, no-regulation free market capitalism is the way to go, going to its exact opposite won't work very well either. And once you give Government power, it is hard to take it back from them.
So now I am really torn. I am seriously considering writing in Colin Powell.
Andreas Elfving
With all due respect to the left wingers of the United States Congress, and senor Obama - the term "left economic policy" is quite laughable, actually. We have a "center-right" government here, and my gosh are they in American terms faaaaaaar left. So I wouldn't worry too much :) Whatever version of economic policy Obama puts in place with the help of an all democratic congress will be nothing like "left" anyway. And people do get rich even in Sweden (which is even more left than Finland) - two quick examples would be IKEA guy (Ingvar Kamprad) and the H&M guy (Stefan Persson) are both billionaires, and trust me their tax burden has been higher :) There is a few rich Nokia folks in Finland too, trust me on that :)
One reason to vote for Obama is the pathetic campaign that McCain has allowed the republicans to wage. Find a narrative and stick to it please. And not Joe the plumber... Have you seen the whole conversation between Obama and this figure? It's about 5 minutes long, and "spreading the weath around" is not the theme of the conversation. And "Joe" is completely sold :) And the policy Obama is laying out is faaaaar more right wing than any place else on planet earth besides the US. What's the tax rate for 250,000 USD income anyway? 32%? And with your charitable deductions you can get rid of most taxes anyway :)
I usually dislike the democrats because of their pathetic white guilt - America is lame - Europe is heaven crap that they communicate with their beings, but reading Obamas books and listening to his speeches - this guy is different! Palin has it wrong - Obama does not thing America is so bad so that he wants to blow it up, or whatever the implication of this pathetic Heirs line of thought is. Obama is a new kind of politician, a thoughtful, and smart one, and boy would it be a good signal to the world if you guys put him in office.
As for your vote it will not matter one way or the other as Georgia will go for McCain :) which will render your vote meaningless, except for a footnote in the history books that record the popular vote.
Sorry for the ranting here - I had such high hopes for McCain, but he is not doing it for me...
/Andreas
ps. the President does have influence over the Supreme court, and there the roe vs wade balance is getting closer. One vote to go with the 2 pro-life judges that Bush got in there. Bush also prevented federal funding for human embryo destruction, while also helping to maintain ban on federal funding for abortions domestic or international. And he’s appointed pro-life judges, including 2 to the Supreme Court. Additionally, he appointed people to government agencies who were pro-life. That's the only case for McCain I think :) but with an all democratic congress he would have to be very slick to get any good judges in there :)
Andrew Borgmann
Andrea -
I loved your insight. And before I continue I want to make two disclaimers: #1 I love Europe and you know that and #2 I am not saying that material wealth is per se a better thing.
But now that is said, I think your message above is a primary difference between the States and Europe.
You are right there are great companies that come out of Scandanavia (I LOVE Ikea) - but the question is should or could there be more if it weren't for your tax code? Would there be greater wealth for everyone in your country if it wasn't for the tax code? That's an answer that I am not sure I know.
When I was in studying abroad in the Middle East I did a report on how pathetic the American government's aid to foreign developing countries was in comparison to their GDP. So, of course, I write this bombastic essay on how America needs to be more generous, etc..etc...
But what I failed to take into account is that all I was doing was pulling data from what the government gives out of their budget. I didn't take into consideration what private families and businesses give. When that was taken into consideration, America gave more money in percentage of their GDP than other nations.
I think that speaks to the fundamental difference between America and Europe. Europe pays higher taxes because they expect their government to handle things that in America we expect private citizens to take care of.
Which is better, I am not sure either is. But I like the balance in the world. And this is where i get into disagreements with Americans. I am fine with American Capitalism, European Capitalism, European Socialism, Communist Socialism - because I think the balance is important. As long as human rights aren't being violated, I don't care what the economic model.
Now back to the election. I like keeping America what makes America unique. And you are right that Obama's left is still more moderate than Europe, it still makes me a little concerned we are blending the two.
I'll tell you this, I have decided to vote for Colin Powell - because he is who I really want to be President, and as you said, my vote in Georgia doesn't matter.
WOW that was long!
--
Andy
P.S. About those judges. Sure, even if the President changes the court balance of power and they reverse Roe v. Wade - all it does then is return it to the individual states and I guarantee that states like NY or Cali or Illinois will always allow abortion. Thus, if I needed on and GA didn't allow for it, all I would do is drive to another state. Thus no real problem is solved.
Andreas Elfving
Andy!!
Great message! You have it figured out. That is exactly how it is. We here think that government will and should take care of everything, and we have no moral obligation to be generous or help the poor. We pay taxes after all :) As we "active Christians" (I don't know how to put it - most people consider themselves Christian over here, but it has absolutely no meaning to them - so "active Christian" may be a fairly pc way to call folks who actually believe in God :)) are talking about tithing and how generosity is a good virtue, some folks think we are crazy. We pay taxes after all, and that takes care of that.
As I went to high school in 89-90 in Thornton (of technically Brighton:)) Colorado I was amazed at how dynamic the economy was. In a market roughly the size of metro Helsinki, the Denver area had soooo much more businesses, malls, restaurants etc. and stores were opening and closing and things were moving. (Since then things have changed greatly and Scandinavia has become much more consumerism oriented and business driven, so now the difference is not as great, even though it is still there). The American economy is very dynamic, and the driving force of the world. One reason I am sure is the lower tax-burden.
But honestly - how much is a good health insurance policy in the US? What is the cost of a decent college? Here we pay income tax on average maybe 30% (goes up to almost 50 when you make 6 figures) and we get free healthcare for life, almost free dental care, kindergarden care for very little extra money for the kids, the best schools (up to high school anyway) in the world
(http://www.pisa.oecd.org/document/2/0,3343,en_32252351_32236191_39718850_1_1_1_1,00.html)
free university education, child-allowance, un-employment benefits, pensions etc. etc.
So our deal is pretty good :) Our system is by US standards "socialist" (why I don't know, since we have a free market and the government does not seize control over banks here:)) but I think we get pretty good bang for our buck. I don't mind paying the taxes I do. I don't have this hatred for taxes in me, that is so evident in the US political rhetoric especially around presidential elections :) I don't know why :) I guess I trust the government. I see what they do (well, in my job and position I see more than I'd like to actually:) but overall I trust them.
Having said that, I still love the US, and would love to spend more time over there (so give me a decent job and I'll come over for a few years :)). For people like you and me that are educated, smart and understand things, there is no better place to thrive and be successful than the US. Your system values success and intelligence, ours makes sure no-one is left on the street to rot. And we probably do pay with holding back more IKEAS and Nokias. So I still think you should vote for Obama, his version of socialism is nowhere near ours. He's not for a Canadian type health care system (would that really be so bad??), he's not for socializing Texaco, he may be for a tad more government programs helping the poor (and they don't seem to work very well in the US:)), and his proposed tax plan lowers taxes for more people than McCains does.
Some things I don't get. How Obamas proposed agenda is socialist is one of those :)
This was long too :) Sorry :)
/Andreas
ps. on abortion - our law says that "Abortion is by law forbidden - exept in the following circumstances" and then it lists just about everything, but the notion that abortion is not ok I like. Row vs. Wade says that the US constitution somehow would say that abortions are ok is just absurd. That's one of the reasons it has to go :) Our abortion rates are far lower than in the US, and I think one of the reasons it the perception. We will never get rid of them completely, but we have to make them as rare as possible!! Well, all this is probably just my own bs - sorry 'bout that :)
Andrew Borgmann
Andreas -
Can I just say that I loved this back and forth. It was probably the most pleasant discussion I have had about the election since the election began (which by my recollection was about three years ago).
I am going to be blogging about both abortion and then followed up on who I am voting for in the next couple of days and I almost wish I could just post our conversation. But alas, it is too long so I'll figure out a way to summarize it.
Even though we've never met, I am glad you are in my life.
Take care
--
Andy
Andreas Elfving
we need to get together :) I am a US political junkie as you may have figured out - as well as a Finnish poltical operative:)
Feel free to use whatever you want of my rantings:)
Allen and I got into a heated email debate this past week. This time it wasn't about Nancy Grace, but rather abortion. With 4 days left until Election Day, I want to clarify something for all the Christians. Despite a long winded diatribe by the likes of Randy Alcorn and others out there, you can vote for a candidate that is pro-choice, even if you are pro-life.
This might get long. I apologize. But I promise to keep it shorter than Randy's article.
I should explain from the beginning that I am pro-life. The following argument isn't a pro-choice argument, but rather an argument that those who are pro-life can still vote for pro-choice candidates.
The President Doesn't Matter
Ever since Roe v. Wade, the abortion issue is no longer a legislative or executive decision. It is a Judicial decision - meaning it is up to the Supreme Court, not the President to change. Now it is true that the President can appoint pro-life justices, but even if they do overturn it, the situation only returns back to the states. There is no way California or New York or others will ever reliquish this. So if someone in a "pro-life" state wants an abortion, they just drive to a "pro-choice" state. So we aren't any better off.
God's Not That Pro-Life
My atheist friends always say that God is only pro-life if you don't read the Bible. I have to admit, they are sort of right. On numerous occasions in the Bible, God commands his people to kill people - including women and children. Not to mention God killed his own son Jesus as part of His plan of salvation.
Not only biblically speaking, but historically speaking. Think of all the people - including children - who were martyred because of their faith.
Why? Because God isn't afraid of death. If death is just a transition to eternity, why are we so afraid of it - God isn't.
God Himself Makes A Distinction Between A Fetus And Birth
Have you ever read Exodus 21?
Exodus: 21:22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Why does God make the distinction between a fetus and the rest of us? Becuase he isn't as pro-life as we have presented Him to be all these years.
Ridiculous Double Standard
But I am not the only one who can take scripture out of context. So can Alcorn and the like. For example, Alcorn uses Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood...
Ohh wait, but that isn't the whole scripture now is it? The whole thing goes like this:
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
If we voted under that premise we couldn't elect anyone, including ourselves. The problem is we hold the innocent blood clause as more important than the others, but we shouldn't, because God doesn't.
And take for example the death penalty. Allen for one holds that the death penalty is morally wrong (which I am starting to agree). So if being pro-life is the trump card, how can you vote for someone who supports the death penalty (i.e. John McCain and George W. Bush).
Simple, because pro-life isn't the trump card.
Born and Unborn
At the Allen Hunt Show we have a cheesily worded, but extremely important cornerstone. The Allen Hunt Show will "care for all God' s children, born and unborn." But here is the dilemma. What if you believe that McCain is better for the unborn and Obama is better for the born?
I am not saying Obama is better for the born, but if you believe he is, you shouldn't feel less of a Christian just because you choose the plethora of issues wrapped in the "born" category versus the one issue of the unborn.
Conclusion
Abortion isn't the trump card. It is an important issue, but not the important issue. It is an issue among many. So feel free to vote for a pro-choice candidate for President if you desire. Alcorn may judge you, but God probably won't.
P.S. Check back soon for who I decided to vote for. I'll give you two hints: he's black and I finally figured out who it was because of two Europeans. Think you know. Don't count on it.
Tonight is the final Presidential Debate and I am not watching. In chief due to the fact that neither candidate either a.) knows what the current economic problem is, or b.) won't say it.
Everyone is saying that greed is the problem. Sure. But greed is nothing new. Blaming greed is like blaming boobs for affairs. Or, more generally blaming sin or evil. Sure, it might be the root of the problem, but it doesn't really say anything. So what is the real problem? Immigration and an unstable market since the tech boom.
The History. Because of the economic policy of the mid to late 80s, there was a lot of generated wealth in the early 90s. But wealth can only go so far before even the extremely wealthy don't know what to do with it - so they become venture capitalist and invest in other companies. Thus generating more wealth.
Now in the mid 90s, the digital revolution was ramping up, so all the 80s generated wealth got pumped into tech companies. This created a bubble that ultimately burst on March 10, 2000. But just because an industry burst, doesn't mean there is less money out there per se.
So the hot new thing out there was real estate. Since everyone was making hand over fist in the tech growth, real estate values sky rocketed. Hold on to that thought for a moment.
Also due to the economic growth during the mid-90s, immigration from Mexico grew exponentially. This new "cheap" labor meant that building new houses was incredibly cheaper to do so.1
The Perfect Storm So the perfect storm for developers and lenders which allowed greed to succeed was a large influx in cash to the real estate markets and an equally large decrease in the cost of developing. Thus profit margins were widening by the day, thus spurring more growth and greed.
But the problem is that housing isn't a commodity for the most part and there is only so much demand. Thus, a builder can develop property very cheap, but sooner or later their isn't the demand for said property. Thus, we have the housing burst of lets say 2007.
The Future So what's the next "burst?" Well, where is all money being driven to because of speculation in this unstable market: energy. Sure, we will have some advances in the next 10 years in the energy sector because of the influx of cash and the increased technology. But that sector currently is driven widely by speculation and thoughtless investing. This will lower oil and energy prices (*cough* like the mid-90s2) and thus potentially repeat the cycle.
The Presidential Race
So what does this have to do with the Presidential Debate. Neither McCain or Obama seem to understand economic policy. And this is where if McCain would wake up, he might be able to come back.
Economics 101 - practically on day 1 of class - will teach that economic policy takes anywhere from 8-12 years to mature. What does this mean?
The good economic times of the 1950s were largely due to the economic policy FDR set in the 40s.
The poor economic times of the 1980s were largely due to the economic policy of Nixon, Ford, and Carter.
The good economic times of the 1990s were largely due to the economic policy of Reagan.
The poor economic times of the 2000s were largely due to the economic policy of Clinton - (and not really helped by Bush - lets be honest).
I will say this. As a legitimately undecided voter, I will vote for the candidate who has the balls to recognize the above and actually put a plan together to address the situation.
One of my newest favorite websites is PostSecret.com. I thank my brother for passing it along to me. The idea is that people artistically and anonymously send in their confessions. The only rules are that it has to be true and that you can't have told anyone else.
Then every Sunday the dude posts 20 - but there is no archive - I think to signify that the confession will stay secret and that you are freed from the confession.
I came across this and laughed...but then I also sort realized I sympathized.
Back in March I blogged about that for a man who was supposed to be about those in need, Barack Obama gave a pathetic amount of his money to charity. Pointing out that in 2002, while Obama made $252,531 more than I did (I only made $6,863), he only gave $227 more to charity than I did.
Ready for the newest pathetic statistic. Sarah Palin just released her taxes, thus completing the 4 candidates financial picture. In 2007 - while only making $49,900 - I gave more to charity than both the vice-presidential candidates combined. If you want all the stats you can get the updated sheet here.
I don't say this as a point of pride, there are literally millions of Americans that give at least 10% of their income to charity. Rather, I make this point to stress how disappointed I am in political leadership. It makes me want to drive to DC and punch all these suckers in the face.
It isn't just giving. It goes beyond. Public service has become private betterment. And with an election hanging in the balance, I am a month out and legitmatley still undecided.
I sincerely don't like McCain because I think he essentially represents what I hate about the Republican party. There is little compassion for the average American and he is only socially-conservative to get elected. And don't even get me started on picking Sarah Palin. I was excited as anyone when he first did it, but sheesh dude, she is not ready to be President and you are one heartbeat away from dying.
I don't like Obama because I think he is essentially a European-socialist and I don't really want to live in Europe. Love traveling there, but then again there is a reason I don't move. I also think he has an attitude that the government is the solution to all things and frankly that is a scary political philosophy.
I don't know what I am going to do but both these videos make me think. Colbert is funnier. But I'll probably end up doing what Ryan Parker suggests. Enjoy!
Peer Pressure Voting Abstinence Commercial
The Lesser Evil
P.S. To all my friends out there who took the Indiana Bar Exam - I saw that the results were posted and congratulations. You all should be very, very proud of yourselves. Now all you have to worry about in life is billable hours ;)
We all know the effects of being an only-child. It isn't to say there aren't good, well adjusted only-children out there - especially by adulthood. But let's be honest. Only-children are usually in a world all there own. They are used to lots of attention.
For the past 2-years of this campaign, Barack Obama has been an only child. But uh-ohhh his parents just had another baby and out popped Sarah Palin...
It is interesting visiting sites like Newsvine & Topix because for the past two years, the articles have been dominated by Obama. Every move: detailed to the last degree. Every statement: analyzed beyond belief. Even those who were against Obama were still talking about Obama (just negatively). I am calling you out Sean Hannity and your "Stop Obama Express."
But then popped out Sarah Palin...
Now all the critics are saying she was just a strategic choice.
They think they can pull Hillary supporters because she is a woman.
They think she can pull religious conservatives because McCain doesn't have a great record with them.
They think she can pull younger voters because she is energetic and attractive.
They think they can even steel the "historic" vote because some were only voting for Obama to be "apart" of something historic.
The critics can say this all they want...because they are correct.
But since when are we surprised by that? Aren't all decisions in a campaign - from where to hold the convention to which media reporters to talk to - based on key strategic outcomes?
Now one might argue that this distracts from the real issues. But I say nay! The problem has been that up until this point this campaign hasn't been about the issues. Why? Because Obama was so enamoring for the average American that it was about his rockstar/historic status more than anything else. It was the only-child syndrome if you will. But now he has been equalized by the Palin pick. We finally have the freedom to truly vote on issues, not hype.
I don't mind her low-ball attacks because I am always for more honesty. I like watching people duke it out. McCain and Obama have played "nice guy" too long. The low-ball attacks are essentially what everyone is thinking, but no one wants to say. Let's just put our balls on the table and say what we are thinking.
As far as her lack of Washington experience goes, who gives a crap. I say this not because I take the job or the vote lightly but because it is precisely the experience she has that I find intriguing. Plus, I want the VP role to return a bit more to the Al Gore / Dan Quayle days when they really didn't do much anyways. Dick Cheney has had too much of his hand in this administration, and I don't think that has helped the office.
I also have no problem they are limiting her exposure to the press. Who in the hell decided the press get to decide our elections? The press have become this organization that thinks candidates and politicians owe them information. No. The press have a responsibility to get the information, and a freedom to speak on their findings, but their entitled attitudes towards public figures (and celebrities for that matter) is sickening.
I am still legitimately undecided on who I am voting for. But I am very excited to know that come November, one way or another, this election will be historic and that change is in the air.
It's a surprisingly cold March evening in a city much further north than Atlanta. Two teenagers find themselves in a cheap, Pontiac Grand Am - that is at least a decade old - after a high school sporting event. She had been there to cheer the team on to victory; he was suppose to take her home afterward. But neither of them really wanted to go home and - since there was no school the next day - they went for a drive. The two had been dating for sometime, and as teenagers often to do, they thought they were in love.
It was one of those drives that as they get older they will have less and less. Drives that really have no purpose - just an excuse for spending more time together until curfew. A drive that always ends too soon, but a drive that lasts forever in the memories reserved for the "good times."
On this particular drive, one thing lead to another on the starless night, and the two made love. It was the kind of love that those older and more experienced wouldn't call great, but it was all that they knew, and it was great for them. And just because the greatness might have been lacking, the mechanics worked the same, and against all odds, one of the million sperm released found its way to its destiny. It was a sperm that would change everything. And the only witness to this unexpected world changing moment was a moose...
Admit it, until you got to the moose part, you thought I was writing about my own experience? But there are no moose in Indiana and this isn't my story. It is the story of Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston - with some creative liberties I am sure.
Bristol Palin is the 17-year old daughter of Sarah Palin - John McCain's running mate. And in a move that caused everyone to rollover in their grave, Bristol Palin is 5-months pregnant, and John McCain knew this and still selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
My first thought is if you would have told those teens whenever/wherever they were doing it that this event would have national implications, I bet they would think you are crazy. But then I realized what I really should be thinking about is how glad I am the mistakes I made in high school (and beyond) weren't under the national spotlight.
But here is where I am going to make everybody, no matter where you stand on this story, angry. This story both highlights the hypocrisy of Republicans/Christians, as well as the illogic of the Democrats/Secularists.
I am not for politicians, pastors, and leaders stepping down in their roles when they make stupid personal morality decisions. I have been saying so for years. Whether we want to admit it or not, the mindset behind those who think leaders need to be perfect come from those who subconsciously think they are perfect...and that there families are perfect.
But Republicans & Christians a like (not saying they are the same) need to recognize that most of us are hypocrites, but that is ok. That's the point of grace. Life is messy. Families are messier. And we all do stupid things from time to time. The idea that "Sarah Palin can't run her household" or that "Bill Clinton shouldn't have been leading a country" is absolutely ridiculous. Some of the greatest leaders of all time have had huge moral failures in their life, but with out them, this world would be drastically different.
Two Examples (I could list more): The Apostle Peter & Martin Luther King, Jr.
Liberals on the other hand need to stop using this as an example of a woman's and/or family's "right-to-choice." Just because a family chose to keep the baby, does not change the moral question of when life begins, and therefore, the value of not taking that life, one bit.
Those who read this know that I am open to the discussion on when life begins. But the idea that Bristol's situation indicates that we shouldn't defend life is absurd at best, and deplorable at worst.
I will say one more thing that will infuriate everyone even more. Levi & Bristol should not be getting married. A shotgun wedding is taking a bad situation and making it a permanent, worse situation. If the kids are in love and would have gotten married anyways, then fine. But a baby is never a reason to marry. It doesn't make the conception anymore "holy," and it shouldn't make everyone else feel better with the situation.
My sympathies go out to Bristol and Levi. To use a hockey term: who knew two teens slipping one past the goalie would have such large implications on the election of the most powerful man in the world.
On a side note, I have been asked by a few to comment on my feelings about Sarah Palin as VP. I will do so in a blog that will be release on Monday. Enjoy the weekend.
One of the greatest moments in a Presidntial Campaign happened last night and I am pretty sure we all missed it because we were watching Phelps get his 8th gold medal.
I am not really sure who "won" this discussion; Obama, McCain, and Warren for that matter all represented themselves beautifully. But I know with out a doubt, hands down who the losers were: James Dobson, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, Bill Maher, and countless others.
Warren showed us what it truly means to be a patriotic American and to ask the tough questions that we aren't all going to agree on, but deserve to be discussed in a civil, mature, and respectful manner.
There was no "Stop Obama Expresses" allowed at Saddleback. There were no "Evil Neocon Bush Administrations." Simply tough, fair, and introspective questions for two people running for a very tough job.
In the opening segment Warren made the comment
I have to tell you upfront but both these guys are my friends. I don't happen to agree with everything either teach or believe, but they both care deeply about America. They're both Patriots and they have very different views on how America can be strengthened in America. We've got to learn to disagree with out demonizing each other and we need to restore civility. We need to restore civility in our civil discourse and that's the goal of the Saddleback Civil Forum.
Great job Rick! I am very proud of you. Great job!
A Good Recap If You Don't Have 2 Hours
What You Should Watch, Even If You Have to Take Breaks
I have not had a physical in five years. This is not something I am proud of. It is just the truth. I don't get sick very often. Which is good. But the downside is that I haven't been able to find a good general physician.
I think it is because I was spoiled living Fort Wayne, IN. I had the greatest doctor from the moment I was born. Dr. Muhler was awesome. Graduated from Notre Dame. Very knowledgeable. Voted by doctors in his community as the doctor they would most like to be treated by. Heck, his father invented fluoride toothpaste for Proctor & Gamble.
Realizing I was coming to Fort Wayne at the end of this month, I figured I would try to schedule a physical with Dr. Muhler, but alas, the next physical appointment available is in November. Ohh well.
But this got me thinking, it wasn't just Dr. Muhler. Fort Wayne, as a whole, has an awesome healthcare community. It is a community that no where else I have lived or been to has been able to compete with.
If my gallbladder needs to say goodbye to my kidney, I want Dr. Justice yanking that sucker out.
If I inadvertently knock somebody up, the first face I want my first child to see is Dr. Alexander.
If I get cancer, the person making my body feel on fire due to the chemo had better be Dr. Rhinehart.
But this post isn't about all the doctors I psuedo-know. It's about Universal Healthcare. Because it hit me how important having a doctor who is knowledgeable and trustworthy is to your overall health.
When we don't feel comfortable with a situation, we are inclined to neglect it. Be it a relationship, or a job, or our healthcare. This would be Universal Healthcare's impact on the American medical community.
People are given less options. They feel less in control. And they ultimately become distrustful of the whole process.
We then would seek out medical care where we can get control. Just like how I was attempting to get a physical close to 600 miles from my home, so will millions Americans if Universal Healthcare becomes a reality. But instead of 600 miles, it will be 6,000 miles as we leave the country to find our best options.
It's called medical tourism, and it would be an inevitable consequence of Universal Healthcare.1
Andy's blog aims to be like a Scrubs episode, mixed with a Chuck Klosterman column, centered around the topic of faith. It is open, honest, raw, and a little embarrassing. It is a place to discuss religion, politics, ministry, pop culture, and well, just life - especially focused on the time of life we call our 20s!
Andy is the Executive Producer of The Allen Hunt Show; a progressive (in the literal sense), talk radio show based in Atlanta, GA aimed at bringing faith back into the public discussion. Andy enjoys travel, aviation, web design, politics, friends, and faith. He holds that the secret to a full life is loving God and loving people - which he fails at constantly.
Andy grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. He now lives in Alpharetta, GA.
Andy's Blog
On Monday my dad was in the paper. On Tuesday, my step-mother - Lisa Blosser - was in the paper with a glowing review of her career as a politician and some conjecture on what she will do next (which I don't even know - so don't ask).
Most of my readers know that I have really wrestled with my election decision - even though living in Georgia it doesn't really matter.
So my vote for the 2008 Presidential Election is..........Colin Powell. He's the one who I want to be President. 
Allen and I got into a heated email debate this past week. This time it wasn't about 
Tonight is the final Presidential Debate and I am not watching. In chief due to the fact that neither candidate either a.) knows what the current economic problem is, or b.) won't say it.
Because of the economic policy of the mid to late 80s, there was a lot of generated wealth in the early 90s. But wealth can only go so far before even the extremely wealthy don't know what to do with it - so they become venture capitalist and invest in other companies. Thus generating more wealth.
So the perfect storm for developers and lenders which allowed greed to succeed was a large influx in cash to the real estate markets and an equally large decrease in the cost of developing. Thus profit margins were widening by the day, thus spurring more growth and greed.
So what's the next "burst?" Well, where is all money being driven to because of speculation in this unstable market: energy. Sure, we will have some advances in the next 10 years in the energy sector because of the influx of cash and the increased technology. But that sector currently is driven widely by speculation and thoughtless investing. This will lower oil and energy prices (*cough* like the mid-90s
We all know the effects of being an only-child. It isn't to say there aren't good, well adjusted only-children out there - especially by adulthood. But let's be honest. Only-children are usually in a world all there own. They are used to lots of attention. 
I have not had a physical in five years. This is not something I am proud of. It is just the truth. I don't get sick very often. Which is good. But the downside is that I haven't been able to find a good general physician.
