So you think Santa Claus stole the election?

Soon after Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 US Presidential race, I began to hear things like "You can't beat Santa Claus", referring of course to President Obama as the proverbial "Santa". We don't have to spend a lot of time on this, let's just cut to the chase. This statement insinuates that it was those "without" who, hoping to be given what they do not have, were the deciding factor in the election.

But as I looked at the map of "red" states and "blue" states, something really struck me. Man, it sure doesn't look like the poor were the ones going for Obama.

 

Lisa at Catholic Bandita has done some extensive research on this, and has a very interesting post. Even in the big swing state of Ohio which did go Obama, 74% of the counties living in poverty went Romney.

The other thing that really bugs me is how so many people began saying that the Republican Party should revisit its position on faith and morals. As I have posted over and over, this just goes to show that it's about winning elections and not true conviction. And, yes that speaks to both sides for the most part.

Anyway, the point of my post is stop blaming the poor for the results of this election.

More important than this election?

What could possibly be more important than this election?

And he hath on his garment, and on his thigh written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that did fly through the midst of heaven: Come, gather yourselves together to the great supper of God: That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of tribunes, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all freemen and bondmen, and of little and of great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war with him that sat upon the horse, and with his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet, who wrought signs before him, wherewith he seduced them who received the character of the beast, and who adored his image. These two were cast alive into the pool of fire, burning with brimstone. And the rest were slain by the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which proceedeth out of his mouth; and all the birds were filled with their flesh. - (Revelation 19: 16-21)

Can I Just Stay Home on Election Day?

Disclaimer: Not an endorsement of the website noted

Back in August, I entered several posts about the need to prayerfully weigh the choices we have in electing public officials and the need to enter the voting booth with a properly formed conscience. I also entered several posts indicating that we have some particularly poor choices this year for those of us who believe that it is important for our elected officials to promote Christian morals and principles.

While I stand firmly behind all that I have written, as we draw closer to the presidential election, I feel compelled to make a few things clear, and I'll tell you why.

When I entered those posts, I had three very close friends contact me offline, or rather, in the "real world". Each of them had different concerns, but I was actually very happy to think that my friends were challenged by what I wrote.

Well, can't I just avoid evil by not voting?

Two of the questions hinged on the actual choice of candidates, and I will lightly touch on that a bit later in this post. But the other question was about whether we should just stay home, not vote, and avoid voting for any less-than-desirable choices. Those of you who know me well, know that I try to avoid giving absolute advice unless I am absolute in my understanding and conviction.

Quick disclaimer: Opinion and absolute voice are far from the same.

So here, you go, and I say this with love: No, you cannot avoid evil by staying home.

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." -- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (USCCB)

Ugggg!!! So what now?

Well, you will still need to do your own homework. Whether you are Catholic or not, I believe that the resources provided by the Catholic bishops are quite good and should aid in responsible discerning.

Here is a link to the full version of the bishops' Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship.

Here is a link to their flyer The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

So what's a donkey to do?

Even though I did not intend to ever publicly state how I am going to vote, I will do so if for no other reason than to avoid confusion. We had enough of that in 2008. However, as I said earlier, I will only lightly touch on this. I've done my homework and discernment, you should too.

I am going to cast my vote for Romney. Although I do not believe that he is a Christian in the sense of what I believe to be a Christian, I do believe that he espouses to the values and morality that are much more in line with Christianity than does President Obama. Romney is the only viable choice of candidates with a legitimate chance of defeating Obama.
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Are you a pawn for politicians and parties?

I have to admit.  It's been a pretty rotten day.  First, there's the trouble for friends and family with Hurricane Isaac.  There's national media and others who call New Orleans area (NOLA) residents crazy or demean them in other ways without taking into account all of the facts.

Then, I find myself in a bit of a spitting match with Steve Ertelt of LifeNews.com who I've much respected for his prolife work.

Where I have been calling on Christians and especially Catholics to take a real serious look at the choices we are being presented with in this election, and challenging them to keep the issues of life, faith, morals, and family values alive, well Steve drew the line in the sand for me.

I was absolutely shocked that his response to my position (I can be against abortion without supporting Romney, can't I? I can support SOME of his policy/position without sounding 100% for.) with "No, the choice is Romney or Obama, pick a side."  See it here.

My response to that (and I did respond such) can only be

WOW! I am for GOD before man. I WILL support action before words. I support Romney's stance against abortion BUT not his exceptions. - Me, George Vogt, IV

This whole "I am a robot with blinders on my eyes and fingers in my ears" thing was really getting to me.

Then I saw Lorraine Keeley on facebook post a video by Michael Voris of ChurchMilitant.TV that made my day get much better.  Mr. Voris has a much larger audience than I, and the message sounds familiar.


Thanks Lorraine!