Single-Issue Voters- Part 2

I know it might sound like I'm picking on conservatives, Republicans, or other people who vote on "moral values". But I'm not. What I'm decrying is the idea that one of those values is more important than any other.

I am also not saying that SIVs were the only ones responsible for economic meltdown. Please understand that.

I'm thinking merely in practical terms here. After all, how much comfort can there be in knowing your elected representative is pro-choice when the schools suck when and if that kid is born. How great is it to have an elected official that is rabidly pro-gun, when you might not have a house in which to store your firearms? All I'm saying is that practicality sometimes has be the deciding factor.

This brings us to an interesting subset of SIVs. Those who vote on "character". Again, I'm not saying that it's an important issue. However, to make that the single issue which will decide your vote is not a good thing for 2 reasons. First, it has been established that using any single issue as an electoral "trump card" can have dire consequences. Second, it is really impossible. Not to perpetuate a stereotype, but a good many of the "character" voters I've met, are good, Christian people. Being such, they should know better. They should know that people are imperfect and sinful. Before God, we are all of shady character (to put it mildly). But even in a purely secular context, they should know better. In a purely secular context (or in a left-hand kingdom context, as a shout out to fellow Lutherans), they should know that decent, moral, hard-working, and honorable people exist in both parties.

Third, it sets the expectant voter up for colossal failure. Here's what I mean: It could (not saying WILL) turn out that the candidate has some very bad skeletons in their closet. Like we all do. But if it it made public, that person who voted on "character" will be disappointed that their vote went to such a scumbag. For every John McCain, there's a Mark Foley feeling up pages. For every Daniel Patrick Moynihan, there's William Jefferson stacking money in a freezer. Did either of these men get elected because they made character an issue? So, there's bound to be disappointment. We know this in our own lives. Why should we not anticipate it from our elected leaders?

I hope this sheds a little light on why I believe it pays to be politically interested in more than just one issue.

Again, I must add:
Disclaimer: I am writing this as a private citizen. My views are totally my own. These views do not necessarily reflect my congregation, my church body, other clergy, etc. I am solely responsible for the content of this post.

Single-Issue Voters- Part 1

Not too long ago, Barack Obama said something (and I'm paraphrasing, hopefully correctly) along the lines of: the current economic crisis is the final verdict on the failed economic policies of George W. Bush. I offer a slightly different take. Yes, President Bush is the guy in charge. And yes, there is a Congress (albeit a spineless one) controlled by the Democratic Party. But who put those people in those positions? The American people, that's who. It may sound a bit callous, but some of the fault lies in certain segments of the voting public.

I'm writing about Single-Issue Voters (or, SIVs). There are folks who vote for certain candidates based on their stance on a particular issue. This is most often associated with the pro-life movement. But, the SIV phenomenon is not limited to them. No, it spans all political ideologies and has infiltrated both parties. Anything can be an item for a SIV: abortion, 2nd Amendment issues, the environment, gay marriage, you name it. Even general angst with a political party can work in this capacity.

This is not a good thing. It implies that that issue is the only thing that matters. Life is much more complex than many SIVs would have us believe. The current economic crisis is proof of that. The collapse happened for many reasons. However, none of the reasons include gay marriage, abortion, or guns.

This is why I say that single-issue voting is not good. True, the economic crisis could be construed as an extreme example. But, I believe it does serve as an indictment of such voting habits. Plenty of good, decent hard-working, innocent Americans are affected by this economic crisis. Why? I believe part of it is due to too many people with tunnel vision.

To be continued...

Disclaimer: I am writing this as a private citizen. My views are totally my own. These views do not necessarily reflect my congregation, my church body, other clergy, etc. I am solely responsible for the content of this post.