Who's Responsible For What?!?

Please bear with me for one last political comment on the eve of Election Day 2004. I had intended to cease commentary on the issue here because of the harsh spirit to which these things tend. My most recent post regarding the presidential election was more than generous toward those with whom I disagree. But I refuse to hold back after reading a blog entry today which was nothing short of disgusting, yet produced by a Christian blogger to whom I usually and rightly grant much respect and charity.

Some who argue in support of a particular candidate use the "a vote for a third party is equal to a vote for the worst candidate" tripe. This is disappointing but I can see the (mistaken) attempt at logic in that assertion. The point at which disgust creeps in is when it is said that a Christian has the responsibility to support the worst candidate's most viable opponent. These people would have us to believe that God actually endorses a particular candidate, the WCMVO (worst candidate's most viable opponent). For instance, this year's WCMVO is quite clear, so Christians have a "responsibility" [read: obedience to God] to vote for the WCMVO. I wish someone would explain to me what it is about an election season that causes thinking Christians to lose the part of their brain that might prevent this sort of silliness.

I will not vote for any candidate who supports the murder of babies.

I'm not saying that a vote for this year's WCMVO is disobedience to God, but I am saying that anyone whose prayerful reasoning directs them toward a vote for WCMVO must overcome the fact that the WCMVO for this year SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED federal funding to an organization responsible for the murder of millions of babies.

And for the record, this year's WCMVO did not "lose" my vote; he never had it to begin with; he was never owed my vote; it was not his to lose. If I were not voting for the Constitution Party's Michael A. Peroutka, I would either stay home or vote for another "third party" candidate or write-in. I AM NOT SAYING THAT THE CANDIDATE THAT I SUPPORT IS ENDORSED BY GOD AND THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE FOR HIM!!! This is a usual criticism of Peroutka supporters and may be true of some, but certainly not all. But one does not need to look far to find such silliness being employed by some faithful Christians within the WCMVO's camp. Disappointing, indeed.

Happy Election Day Eve!