Thursday, September 04, 2008

Election Junkie

Here it comes folks. Old Sethie is about to get obsessed. I can't help it. I love election season. It is probably the most patriotic that I ever get. The democratic election process is uniquely American. We are a democratic republic. Genius. As Jefferson put it, we are a republic "bound by fixed laws, which the people have a voice in making, and a right to defend."

The election is a time where character is tested, and great men rise or fall. It is a grueling process but one that has been tested by fire. It exemplifies much of the freedom that we hold dearly in this nation. Yes it is flawed, yes it gets nasty, but by golly, it works.

But before you go bashing our political process of election, (which is popular among young, emergent Christians these days,) remember that things used to be a lot nastier. In 1804 Aaron Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel and shot him dead. Thankfully, none of that goes on today.

So, bring it on. Bring on all the smut and mud-slinging and biased and unbiased opinions. Because like it or not, the freedom for anyone to be able run for office is flat-out amazing. The freedom for anyone to be able to stand outside the stadium and protest a candidates views is amazing. But freedom is something you have to fight for, and the election is a part of that fight and it is a part of the beauty of this country. The good and the bad.

My favorite thing that Bill Clinton ever said was in response to a particular time where a speech from a member of his cabinet was met with hostile jeering and taunting from the audience.

Afterwards Clinton was asked what he thought of the rude crowd. Clinton responded, "Hey, just sounds like a good old-fashioned American town hall meeting to me."

You got to love it.

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