I am voting for ..............!!!!!!!

Now this seems like a contradiction to my last post on Politics in the church. Let me explain a few things before I give my personal opinion here. I have been wrestling with this post for several weeks. If I am going to be true to my conscience and who I am, I have to speak out and give my personal opinion on the candidates running for President of the United States. My blog's name is "What were you thinking?" The sub title is "Guy Melton's Personal Thoughts on Life, Family, Church, and Ministry". If I held back my personal thoughts on life, then I would not be truthful or honest with the ones who read my blog and trust my word. Every one of you who read my blog on a regular basis, disagree with something I say...sometimes often. That's OK. This is just my opinion.

I pay for this Typepad Blog from my own money. I am writing this on my own time...it is now 10:39 p.m. This does not represent my church or my role as Pastor. While I comment on all of it, it is my life. This post is strictly my own opinion.

So, my take on this year's election for President. I have voted since I was 18 years old in 1974. The first person I voted for was Democratic Congressman, Larry McDonald from my Georgia district. I have NEVER missed a year to vote, from local to presidential races. I have made no bones about the responsibility of every citizen to vote, especially if you're a Christian. I believe it's our duty. I have told our church each year in elections, that you should vote your CONVICTIONS, YOUR MORALS, NOT A PARTY!!!  In the end, for a Christian, we have to always vote not our pocketbook or party affiliation, not looks, color, or gender. Every man is created equal. This is God's idea!!!! Long before Civil Rights!! In every election I have prayed and sought to be at peace with my conscience and convictions. Sometimes, I have to admit, I have voted holding my nose. Sometimes I've said the lessor of two evils. But I have voted in  every election. Now, let me offer some personal thoughts about this year.

How can a country of 300 million people end up with the 3 candidates we now have? Is this great country, really, this weak? Are these 3 really the best leaders we have??? God have mercy on us!!  

• I have always looked forward to voting for a candidate who was a female, a black man, or a war hero!!!! All three standing fit this bill. 

I hope before I die I get to see a black President, a woman, a war hero!!

But none of these candidates fit the bill for me!!!!!

Why??? I don't think one of them has the qualities or experience to be the President of the only Super Power in the World. Why? Not one has ever run a business! How do you run a government of millions of employees, trillions of dollars, and a country of 300 million people? They have no experience in managing outside their political careers. None of the 3.

Most presidents are governors, business people!!! Why, they have executive experience.

All three of these are legislators, law makers!!! Senators!!! Why? They legislate, but they don't know how to manage, or have any executive experience.  They make laws!!!! Who needs more laws?

The only example of a senator winning the presidency in my lifetime was JF Kennedy!!!! But let's be honest, while we revere him, since he was assassinated, he was only in office for two years. Hardly enough time to show if he would have been a decent President. Now for the record. I think he would have been a Great President!!! But we will never know.

Why won't I be voting for any one of the 3 of these candidates?  Simply, since I always vote my conscience and convictions as stated, none of them for me fulfills even close to my moral conscience or convictions. How can I violate my conscience, then preach integrity??!!!

My dilemma!!! I've always told my sons, you better vote or don't complain. You deserve what you get if you don't vote. This year two of my 3 sons have already made it clear who they're voting for. I'm proud of them, that they are engaged...and while different views from each other, they are voting. This has created much discomfort for me. I've had to say, "I don't think I can vote this year", (for the reasons above). One son has now preached the voting sermon to me!!!!! ugh!!!!!

I have never been more proud of being an independent!!!!! Both parties have sold out!!!! Now I know some of you are ready to clobber me with your comments. That is OK. I understand most reading this will vote for one of these 3 candidates. That's OK, if you're voting your conscience. I wish I could!!! Please don't be so blinded by your party loyalty or loyalty to your candidate to not be tolerant enough of me to at least allow me to share my heart. I really don't want to offend anyone. I have hundreds of friends and family who read this blog. I'm sorry If I have offended any one of you. I really don't mean to. I just had to be honest. That is what my Blog is all about. Isn't that what freedom of speech is?  It's what I believe and think. I am not trying to get you to agree with me. I just have to go on the record of why I can't vote for any of these candidates.

I am embarrassed at our country and the primary process that has shown the dirty side of prejudice!!! I actually thought our country had moved beyond the black and white division I grew up with as a kid. I guess since our church of 70 nations and many colors is so loving and so united that I mistakenly thought our country had risen above the prejudice I am seeing on both sides. It's sad. We must pray that God will heal the hearts of our countrymen who are still so prejudiced and who still harbor such hatred and anger toward each other. Even some won't vote for a woman because she is a woman!!!! How sad!!!

Before you judge me, thinking I won't vote for a man since he is black, or a woman, or a man who is old enough to be on Social Security and retired for 5 years prior to even being elected, I would love to vote for a black man. I think it would be a tribute to our country and our color-blindness. I think we have a number of black politicians I could vote for right now. I could vote for any number of women who are excellent politicians and I have voted for several presidents old enough to be on social security. So, it's not about that with me. I can't vote for these 3, because none of them represent the American values and convictions I have. If they represent who you are and what you want for America, then I encourage you to vote for them, and proclaim it from the house top. (Just not in our church, see my previous post)

Now!! What do I do???? I've preached voting. OK!!!! This is what I am doing!!!! I'm voting for ME!!!!! Can't I write my name in on the Ballot??? Maybe I'll run as a Green Candidate, since our Church is Going Green soon!!!!!!! Do they need a candidate????? Maybe I'll run on the socialist party ticket!!!! No, the 3 running are carrying their water!!!! Oops!!! just kidding...come on Democrats and Republicans, lighten up, can't you take a joke!!!!!! Maybe I'll start my own party!!!!  HMMMMMM!!!!

OK, I will need some campaign staff!!!!!!!! Who's volunteering to be my treasurer? If your name is Judas, you need not apply!!! Need a campaign chairperson (p.c.). V.P., lets see, what else? Any volunteers!!!!!

So, now you know who I'm voting for!!!!!!!

 

Comments

[Anne (Goodwin) Gallipoli]

Guy: Welcome to my dilema - You have now given me a candidate to vote for, thank you. I'll write you in too. I wasn't going to vote this year for the first time in 18 years. It's been hard to sit back and watch all the nonsense, makes me want to move to god-aweful France, anything is better than here, with the choices we have. It's shameful. I always appreciate your honesty.

[Jen]

So, now I'm confused. Are you "not voting", or still not saying who your voting for? Or voting for an independent?

[jenn]

yeah i'm confused too. you said you aren't voting for any of the candidates but then said you wouldn't tell us who you're voting for...?

[Corey]

duuuuuh! He's voting for me.

[chris hughes]

I got to line 5 and I blacked out. Does your blog offer cliff's notes?

[nathan]

#1. I already thought you have a Judas

#2. Only one of your sons will be voting...Jim is selling out cause his vote didn't count in the primary and Corey doesn't even know how to fill out a ballot.

[JonJon]

I wanted to add to your voting blog. I remember a number of years ago a pastor was preaching (at another church) about George W. Bush was against abortion and we should vote for him. Well now that his term is about over the people that were for him seem to have changed their views. I told a friend to show me a child that he saved from abortion and I'll vote for him second term. Abortion is still going on strong as ever. I believe that candidates hop onto hot topic issues for the sole purpose of getting votes, and don't actually intend to do much or anything about the issues that got them the votes to win the office. In the end though it doesn't matter who we vote for or who wins the elections because every day we get closer and closer to the rapture/end times.

[Jim]

I'm voting for the guy who is winning me a steak dinner that's gonna cost you 200 bucks!
And I'm voting, regardless of what Nate says!

[Joanne]

This is the first time I can ever remember an election that has received so much press. The political commentators are having a field day at the expense of the American people, and the amount of bias that has been revealed is such a turn-off. It seems that no one really cares about the issues that really matter, it's more of a back and forth of He-say, She-say Politics that turns my stomach every time I watch CNN, FOX, OR MSNBC. Have they all forgotten that that this is "one nation under God?" Thanks for your honesty Pastor Guy. You cut to the heart of the matter and I too am thankful that I hold no party affiliation except that of the party of christian believers.