Obama, conservative reaction

As the token conservative Christian on a largely liberal staff, I feel both obligated and honored to chime in regarding my opinion on Barack Obama’s election as president. I do not wish to re-hash campaign politics except to make a point about the future of Obama’s administration, and I do not wish to push my values on others. What I do hope to do is express my rather strong opinion on what Obama’s administration will truly look like and how a conservative Christian should be responding to it.

First, let me say that I am still baffled at how 66 million voters could vote for someone with so much impressive rhetoric but so little substance. His lack of experience and liberal voting record are reason enough to question the President-elect, let alone the shady company he has kept in the past (Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, ACORN).

Regardless of my opinions, come Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States of America. I hope and pray that Obama will promote the positive change that he has so aggressively pushed for, and he will increase freedom in America. Unfortunately, this rosy picture will likely have more thorns attached than many wish to acknowledge.

I am particularly concerned about the Supreme Court. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg (75 years old) and John Paul Stevens (88 years old) will likely be stepping down, freeing up room for Obama to nominate two left-leaning, activist judges who will legislate from the bench instead of through the Constitution itself. This could be the first step in furthering pro-choice laws in favor of abortion, approving same-sex marriages, preventing free speech (only in regard to religious references, of course), limiting gun ownership and eliminating home and private school educational options.

Taxes will go up – they will have to, unless Obama drops or limits funding for his proposed programs (even then, I suspect they will go up). Health care will become nationalized, making it almost impossible to have a major operation in America (there is a reason that Canadians flood to the United States for these). Gas prices will skyrocket as we are caught in limbo between drilling (Obama just said last Monday that he would cut back some of Bush’s current drilling) and re-designing an infrastructure for more environmentally friendly forms of energy. Obama will be so bent on diplomacy that he will not use proper force as he attempts to balance wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran is an increasing threat, civil unrest continues in Africa, and current alliances will be weakened if Obama blocks off trade to protect American jobs. Illegal immigrants continue to press American borders. If his own VP is correct, America will face a crisis early on in Obama’s term. Obama will simply not have the money to do what he wants in all these areas (he has had almost limitless money for his impressive campaign).

Like I said earlier, I really wish I could paint a rosy picture, but Obama’s past voting record and affiliations are indicative of the gloomy picture above.

Now, how can a conservative Christian respond to all this? I know that there is a reason that Obama was elected. The Bible said in Romans 13:1-2: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (NIV)

All I can say is that I hope God does bless America (how can we expect this though if America does not bless God?). Whether God is lifting up America or judging America through Obama’s election is yet to be seen.
It is terribly hard to respect a man who I disagree so wholeheartedly with, but my belief in the Bible and respect for the office of the president is deep, and I will do my best, as I believe everyone should, at staying true to the Bible’s commands, respecting the office of the president and praying for Obama and America in this crucial era of history.

I invite both positive and negative feedback in response to this article through my e-mail: steander@mtu.edu.