It's a Long Way from Richwood to the White House
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008
by James P Krehbiel
Krehbiel Counseling
Several weeks before her death on July 26 th of this year, my mother made an interesting discovery. Here was a 93 year old woman from Richwood , West Virginia , who clung tightly to her conservative Republican beliefs. But on this particular day, she smiled intently at me and proclaimed, "Barack Obama seems like such a nice young man." It was the first moment in my lifetime that my mother and I politically connected.
We are in need of a new direction. Although John McCain stands out as a war hero, he has waged a campaign that is without substance. He has spent more time bashing his opponent than laying out clear plans to get the country moving again.
Barack Obama has the vision, intelligence and judgment to lead our country down a more positive path. His campaign has been steady, and his campaign organization has been stellar. He has been maligned by many, some on this site, who ironically use their Christian faith as the basis for divisive comments. Accordingly, he is the "Muslim," "the enlightened one," "the anti-Christ," "the radical," "the terrorist," and "a Hitler." He was also deemed guilty by association, as if John McCain didn't have enough affiliations with troubled individuals himself.
Barack Obama's concepts and ideology mirror many valuable Judeo/Christian principles. He is not interested in continuing to feed the pocket-books of the wealthy. He personally identifies and has compassion for those of our comrades in need. He has one wife, one house and tattered shoes. He understands the needs of the middle class and the poor. By focusing on this country's crumbling infrastructure, he will get our people working again. His administration will create new jobs that will spur the economy. He understands that a "trickle down" economic policy does not work because the wealthy are tainted by their greed. He will work toward providing healthcare plans for all Americans. He will prioritize the budget and will eliminate wasteful governmental spending.
His foreign policy will be founded on the principles of diplomacy, not power and control. He will fight the right war in the proper place, on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan . We will regain our respectful standing in the world through promoting understanding rather than division. His vice presidential selection, Joe Biden, is ready to step in on the international stage. We will regain our credibility at home and abroad as Obama seeks to call out and prosecute those in our government who have shredded the Constitution, needlessly tortured prisoners, demonstrated political collusion, and overstepped executive privilege.
Those Christians who would try to reduce this election to a referendum on abortion are mistaken. Most reasonable Americans do not "believe" in abortion. Rather, they embrace the sanctity of life, and believe that such a concept is much broader than any narrowly focused discussion regarding this complex moral dilemma.
This is the most exciting election I've ever witnessed. For the first time in history, an African-American candidate is positioned to become President of the United States . The first 16 presidents of this country could have owned Senator Obama as a slave! How far we have come as we look forward to a new day in American history. I pray for him and his family as he seeks to lead this country out of turmoil.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)A-Men!! And It's been a terrifying enlightenment along the way. If Obama wins, I will break down into tears of joy. If McCain wins I will break down into tears of sorrow, disappointment, and fear. I will no longer have any hope for the humanity of Americans.Jennifer,Thanks for your comment. Yes, there is alot riding on the outcome of this election. My wife is as anxious as you! Be well.
I am praying with you James! I too believe that most Americans do not believe in abortion. I think it bothers me more though, that most people don't look at the gift of life as a blessing, no matter what age. If we outlaw abortion, we could be looking at another era of abortions done illegally and harmfully. Lord forbid and forgive us! And what about the lives lost in a war that has gone on for too long for the purpose of greed and power. I hear you loud and clear! Excellent article.God bless you always,Michelle,Yes, when we argue for the santity of life, many conveniently forget to mention the thousands of needless lives lost in a war that was preemptive and wasteful. Thanks for your comments. God bless.
I just got back from the polls, I voted for Obama. "good article James"David,I am glad to hear that you voted. Thanks for your comments and I have enjoyed your articles.
James, we will never solve the varied opinions people hold. However, it is how they arrive at them that is intriguing. I myself, although wrong at times try to use facts, reality, truth, works to form my opinions or perceptions. It is not only the external signs and symbols but in actuality what the fruits of ones labor is. Now I know you realize I am against both parties. Yet your statement "He is not interested in continuing to feed the pocket-books of the wealthy. " kind of captured my eye. It just about sums it all up for me. Why, well his record speaks to what he really has as an ideology. He is by his own words and fact a Globalist and Free Trader and most of his votes have allowed, fostered and funded exactly what you say he is against. That is the total dismantling of America. need one describe how? Does not the recent bailout he endorsed enthusiastically mean anything? Oh, I know that was the right thing to do, right? Well sadly why bother. Is Comprehensive Immigration really immigration? The truth no, by any test, but does that really matter? I could mention legalized Usury which he does ignore and did nothing about but then I'd be writing another wasted article. As for the "Sanctity of Life" if that isn't enough for a professed Christian not to vote for him what is? Strange, even one who says he is staunchly against abortion and couldn't vote for him on those grounds voted for him? By his own words. What can one say? Yes very strange values, principals, faith, integrity, conscience, convictions evidently only mere words these days that can be used or discarded as required to fit the situation? Hey I respect everyones right and opinion but I do feel as I have said over and over it is all about perception and the marketing. The Easter Bunny effect. No argument on intelligence, none on seems, none on family, speech, presentation, just deeds. The fruit of his hands.Robert,As expected, you are the eternal pessimist when it comes to politics. LOL I am not as much interested in the ideology of the candidates than their pragmatic policies and programs. I believe that "economic globalism involves long-distance flows of goods, services and capital and the information and perceptions that accompany market exchange." I see noting contradictory here. Obama has called for more jobs, businesses and goods to say right here in the good ole USA. He is also cognizant of how the corporate giants have used their greed to benefit themselves at middle class American's expense. Share the wealth? - in many ways, you betcha! Thanks for your comments.
James, a nice tribute to your mother. I agree with something you said. Just as there is more than 1 Commandment and 1 Fruit of the Spirit, this election is about more than 1 issue, abortion. Sadly, it has magnified and amplified many negative issues in this country. Yet, I still love America and everyone in it. My confidence isn't in a political party and the shenanigans that will ensue after this is all over. I admit to having had some great laughs at the reaction of others. I have peace in the midst of the storm around me. I like where I am best of all. My soul is properly anchored and for that I'm grateful.Avis,You know what I think of you? I think you have a heart of gold! You have a wonderful spirit about you and you stayed out of the political fray (for the most part) LOL. Be well.James, what a beautiful compliment, thank you! To steal Avis' tagline, "I try harder." but give Love the glory. I LOL at "for the most part." Whew! Be well and blessings to you. And James? Tell your Mother, Congratulations! LOL
James, well... the American people have spoken and so has God! Your mother must be smiling from above... beautiful picture to think about!I don’t understand the obsession with abortion as I do not believe anyone gets pregnant so they can have an abortion. If we parents taught our children about the sanctity of “sex” then we would not have to worry about abortion in the first place. The same people who talk about the abortion issue are the same people who do not approve of sex education. Dont' make sense??!!And while some people scream the abortion issue, they forget that Obama opposed the war in Iraq which killed thousands of pregnant women, born alive children and grown up children (adults!) What is pro-life about preemptive war? Is it because they are not Americans or Christians therefore their lives don’t count? If one is pro-life, then for God's sake be pro-life! You can't have it both ways. And that means concern for life that is already born not just fuss over lives that haven't even been conceived yet.May be we have different perception of what constitutes “intelligence.” Obama’s intelligence in my opinion is superior. The head/book crap in the name of “facts” without heart and spirit is just that -- crap that no one’s buying. If we want to talk about Obama “packaging and marketing”, let’s also talk about who put the package together and who did the marketing not just to the American people but to the whole world...George W., two wars, a biracial candidate (not to mention damn good looking, intelligent, educated and great orator), a generation of post-racial youth, a consciously evolving spirituality, YouTube and the internet, the economic crisis, Toots' passing on etc. No political party can put together that kind of stuff ... :-). Only God/the universe could have!Let’s give credit where it’s due. Thank you America, and thank you God!Christine,Eloquently stated. Thanks.
Great article. Well done
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