Politics and Impressions

I normally stay away from politics on my blog, but I watched most of the opening of the Democratic National Convention, as well as the forum at Saddleback a couple weeks ago. From what I've studied and read about the candidates, here are my impressions.

1. Politics are more about painting the candidates (and their wives/husbands and children) in a certain light than it is about substance.

The reason I say that is because so often the politicians are polling people so they know what to think. I understand that they are to represent their constituents, but we all hope to nominate someone with backbone and a strong character that we can trust. Most of the time it seems that when they do speak their own mind, then they have to clarify, follow-up, or salvage something from the inevitable media backlash (see McCain's comment on how many homes he owns, or Michelle Obama's comment on her finally being proud of her country).

And sometimes it just seems like it's a big production designed to evoke a response. At times tonight I felt so awkward watching the DNC, not because I don't like them, but because it was such a forced show. Almost everything seemed to be staged-it was like watching a play put on by middle schoolers where they were trying to say their lines, but it wasn't believable. *Sigh*

2. People on both sides of the partisan split are hypocrites.

The Moral Majority/Religious Right spent countless thousands of dollars making sure everyone knew of Bill Clinton's womanizing. But you don't hear hardly a peep from them when it comes to John McCain cheating on his first wife with his present-wife. One month after their divorce, he married Cindy.

And the Democrats for years have stayed away from religion, preferring not to mix faith and politics. Now they are recruiting every young and popular evangelical to take part in their party-and for what purpose? From Shane Claiborne to Cameron Strang, Donald Miller and more, what used to be labeled by the media as extremism (standing up for your religious faith and beliefs) in the Republican party is now acceptable in the Democratic party. As for me, I'm glad that there are Christians in the Democratic party in prominent positions-I just wish they were invited for reasons other than political purposes (they need more votes).

3. I think most people who don't look into the backgrounds of each candidate will end up voting for the person that they would like to be their friend.

I truly believe the general public will tend to pull for the one who they would like to have coffee or play a round of golf with. For them, the election will be based on how winsome the candidate's personality is, instead of the substance of their character. This is just a sad truth of the world we live in. People will spend more time on their email, Myspace, Facebook or Youtube entertaining themselves instead of using this massive wealth of information available to better themselves and their country. Or maybe posting blogs like me....

In all honesty, every government is less than ideal. This is another reason why we long for change, and we long for a leader we can place hope in. Ours is a system where we have to choose between flawed sinful candidates to lead all of us sinful citizens. This is why we all secretly long for another kingdom on this earth. A kingdom where our leader will be trustworthy, loving, just, fair, and true. (Note: this won't happen at the Republican Convention either). It's the Kingdom of God, and all creation groans in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the day it arrives. And the leader will be our King, Jesus Christ.