www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Vote for next U.S. President

I won't be happy to vote for McCain. I want to see who his VP will be before deciding to vote for him. My vote will be against Obama if I can vote for McCain.

Terry

MrsMW, the points you make are well noted. This is the main reason I find it difficult to possibly vote for Obama. Still, I don't think that in either case (McCain or Obama) there will be significant changes in abortion policy. But I could be wrong.

Joe

MrsMW,

Please do not think that we do not care about abortion. I have been actively involved in pro-life work for over 15 years. My wife prays a rosary with my children every week at our local abortion clinic, and we both run a non-profit that helps Catholic families to adopt "unwanted" children. I do not think there is a greater issue today than legalized abortion. Which is why I would never, ever, ever vote for someone as pro-abortion as Mr. Obama.

However, does that mean that I am required to vote for Mr. McCain? Just because he's not as bad, and he is part of a party that is "officially" pro-life? I'm sorry, but I've fallen for that for years now, and I'm tired of being duped. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Well, I've been fooled about 100 times by the Republicans, so what does that say about me?

The only way that the unborn will be protected in this country is when the majority of citizens really and truly want them to be protected. And as long as we want to continue to live selfish, materialistic lives, we will want the easy out of abortion. Just look at President Bush's challenge to us after 9/11 - go shopping! Is that really the sign of a country ready and willing to welcome every life, regardless of the consequences? And a President McCain does nothing to change that equation. So, as I said before, I will work on the conversion of hearts - starting with mine - and not worry about who is President.

Of course, there is "little" real differenece between the two. The question, however, is whether that "little" counts for anything. The status quo with regard to the abortion issue is not good at all, but at least McCain can more-or-less be expected to maintain it, while Obama is clearly committed to making it worse. I see that as a difference.

Let us not forget that in a democracy, elected officials are supposed to do what the people want. The ones I really fault here are the so-called "religious right," who elected Bush and then did nothing during his term except praise him, essentially giving him carte blanche to do whatever he wanted. If they had put pressure on him, he would have had to listen, since they were the ones that elected him.

FWIW, No president, congressman, governor or legislator is supposed to go crusading for a cause unless he has a mandate from the people to do so. (Note that he can go and try to "drum up" support among the people, but this usually doesn't work unless there's a strong base to begin with.)

Haven't you ever noticed? ALL candidates do that! (Except perhaps the ones that get less than 10% of the vote.) Notice how Obama is now working hard to appear more "centerist" in order to court the mainstream voters ...

Perhaps, but if he gets elected he WILL be the President.

Note to all who are thinking of not voting in the Fall election: while we shouldn't be so naive as to think any candidate (or any piece of legislation, court decision, etc.) will be the solution to our social ills, that doesn't mean we can't contribute in some small way.


Peace,
Deacon Richard

I cannot imagine any justification for voting for Mr. Obama. My question isn't which one of these two should receive a Catholic's vote. My question is should this process be supported at all by a Catholic?

CDL

[quote=francis]

Note to all who are thinking of not voting in the Fall election: while we shouldn't be so naive as to think any candidate (or any piece of legislation, court decision, etc.) will be the solution to our social ills, that doesn't mean we can't contribute in some small way.


Dear Deacon Richard:

I understand what you are saying but for me as an individual that I would be voting for one devil over the other.

Obama=the genocide of our weakest

Mc Cain=the current policy of bomb the hell out of them if they don't toe the line or if it is in our best interest to do so. ie oil.

If you want a good reason for the current state of affairs in the whole of Middle East we only need to look to our selves and our policy. At the risk of throwing a bomb into this forum we are reaping what we have sowed. I am not an arm chair hack, I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, my dad having worked their for 34 years.

I am running down a bunny trail here but the point I am trying to make is there is no such thing as a good politician in my book. Thanks but no thanks I am sitting this one out. To be blunt I don't know how anyone can call themselves Catholic and vote for either of the above.

Viking

I plan to vote by secret ballot.

Fr. Serge

Frankly, I do not know how anyone can call themselves an Orthodox Christian, and vote for either Obama or McCain.

Carson,

I think Our Lord covered that one under "Render unto Caesar ..."


Peace,
Deacon Richard

Sorry Elizabeth. You are absolutely right. This applies to anyone who is a Christian not just Catholics.

Converted Viking

In theory, we have no Caesar. Still, I suppose, that since we are told to vote by our Government then I suppose we should. The level of corruption of the system should not eliminate our responsibility to vote even if it seems an exercise in futility.

This is more than about corruption. Try mass murder and genocide sponsored by government.

Viking

Exactly, Viking.

Francis,

I challenge this claim. Pres Bush has:

Put a limit on federal funding for fetal stem cell research
Signed the Partial Birth Abortion ban
Appointed two pro-life Supreme Court judges
Prohibited abortion on military installations

The Democrat's proposed nominee will reverse as much of the above as possible and will act to make abortion as widely available as possible at taxpayer expense. You can be assured that he won't allow a taxpayer option to opt out!

No President will make abortion disappear because it is perceived as a "necessity" by American voters and non-voters(that includes you and me). Only changing the hearts and minds of the American people will abolish abortion.

Now I ask you, would you rather have pro-abortion propaganda coming from the President of the USA OR would you rather have a imperfect President who doesn't preach abortion, birth control and homosexuality as a normal lifestyle?

Anyone who can vote, but doesn't is freely accepting the next President without reservation.

Fr. Deacon Paul

If a Catholic Monarchy is the only real Christian form of government at what point do we stop supporting a secular form of government?

CDL