For me, as a conservative Mormon guy living in Washington state, the 2012 elections were rough in a number of ways, starting from the top down:
- Romney lost the election. I had spent a year volunteering for his campaign and truly thought he had a good chance of winning. He nearly pulled it off, but him losing was like me watching the Seahawks lose in Super Bowl 40. Not fun.
- Washington State legalized marijuana. Not only for medicinal purposes, but also for daily use.
- Gay marriage was passed in our state as well.
All of these things hit me like a tidal wave on election night and I had a hard time sleeping as I considered my children and the hearts of people around me in society. I wondered where we are as a society in putting God first. Obviously, we’re not where we need to be and it scared me.
As I saw what my friends and family members where writing about on Facebook the next day, I saw quite often comments such as “I’m moving to a different country” or “I like the idea of living like the Amish do” and “Let’s move away from society and have a compound”. These were written out of frustration and not in complete seriousness (I hope), but it caused me to think.
Do I want to raise kids in this environment? If not, where and why would we run?
How can I support my new leaders of the country, even though I do not hold the same political views?
What do we do Now?
Other concerned citizens provided great examples of how we should unite as a nation and make the best of the situation. Also, the scriptures have excellent recommendations too.
2 Examples
My first example is Mitt Romney. In his concession speech, he set a very good example of being a gracious person. He discussed his love for country and the people who had supported him. He gave some advice and most importantly, he told Obama that he would pray for him.
When he said this, I was very impressed. This man (Obama) had slandered his (Romney) name up and down and painted him as a beast to the American people for most of 2012. Obama had attacked Romney as a person, not his policies. Romney showed what we as citizens should always remember to do and that is pray for our leaders of the country.
The next example I have is a less-known citizen in my state who was running for Congress. His name is John Koster. I had supported him in the elections as well. I’ll quote some of what he said in an email I received from him today:
Like many Americans, I am stunned at the tough night so many on the conservative side had around the country on Tuesday, and that Barack Obama was re-elected as President. Sean Hannity remarked yesterday that he wondered if the “allure and appeal of socialism and redistribution of wealth has taken hold.”
I hope he is wrong.
I am equally stunned that we have legalized marijuana right here in our home state of Washington; and if the slim margin favoring the pro Referendum-74 vote holds up, we will have legalized same-sex marriages as well.
It seems obvious to me that we have swung wildly in the wrong political direction and that we are now at a point where our society WILL suffer the consequences inherent with bad law and liberal representation.
Ben Franklin challenged future generations of Americans when he said “we have given you a Republic if you can keep it”. To heed Franklin’s wise words, it will be important in the coming days that each and every one of us continues to do our part in defending the Republic – as we are likely in for some difficult times!
We must, however, keep the faith and keep our chins up. We must dig down deep and continue the battle for truth wherever possible, working to defend our values and way of life through our community involvement, church outreach, clubs and social gatherings. We must remain in the battle if we intend to win the war.
Hard as it may be at this moment, we must also pray for our leaders at all levels of government as we are commanded in the Holy Scriptures. Pray that they would govern with honesty and integrity; that they would understand and implement justice through constitutional law as endowed by our Creator.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” -1 Timothy 2:1-3
Again, I humbly thank you for your loyal support as well as your continued friendship. It has been an honor to have run for the United States Congress intent on representing people such as you. May God continue to bless this great nation and may we as a people remain worthy of those blessings for many generations to come.
Both of these men are excellent examples of how we as concerned citizens should support our leaders. I intend to heed their advice and pray for our leaders, even if I do not support all of their views politically.
The Scriptures
As I pondered things on election night, my thoughts were turned to the scriptures.
Although society is not even close to the events that happen in the Book of Mormon, during the prophet Mormon’s life, I thought about him. His whole society was collapsing and his people were being wiped out. He was tempted to leave them, but he chose to fight with them and pray for them and he even gave his life along side them, never giving up hope that they would repent and turn towards God.
I also looked up scriptures in the Bible and there are numerous scriptures that talk about our role as citizens is to support our leaders of the nation, yet continue to lead moral lives and be a “light on the hill” as Jesus says.
Conclusion
While it is tempting to through up our hands when we see our society choosing paths that are not consistent to what we believe to be true, the scriptures and others around us give us good examples of what our roles truly are. I believe that we should do all we can to raise our children up in truth and we need to do all we can to keep ourselves in line with the Lord. At that point, we can then be used as an instrument in God’s hand to provide light and guidance to those around us.
32 comments
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November 9, 2012 at 9:43 pm
ezra
Well written, ama. Great Scriptures.
The election was very narrow. (And frankly, since Pres Obama had appointed a company in Spain, recently purchased by a company owned by Geo Soros, to tabulate the vote, don’t discount the possibility that Romney actually won.) The fact that so many Americans went to the poll for Romney shows that there is still a great groundswell for conservative ideals.
Folks, don’t get disheartened. Prepare for tough times. Guard your money sources and stock up on commodities. Make no mistake that Obama will make good on his promise to diminish our natural energy supply (fossil fuels), which will cause expensive gas and exorbitant electric bills. Now that he has a lock on the insurance companies, we will find insurance companies having to raise their rates until consumers flee to the govt subsidized insurance agencies and the goal of “one payer” insurance will be realized. As promised, he will then focus on retirement and will promise govt based retirement funds to replace regular 401Ks; in the same way he manipulated the health insurance sector, so other benefits, like 401Ks, will be taken from those who have and thrown into the pool to fund all who have not. (Except for politicians, of course, who will keep their wealth and benefits.) Small businesses will fold as their resources cannot withstand the taxes, fees, and obligations mandated by government. Unemployment will continue to rise–surprise, folks, it remains in double-digits when you strip away the underemployed and those who no longer are able to file for unemployment benefits. The larger companies which are favored by the regime will be given breaks that smaller companies will not have. The brotherhood of big government and big business will make serfs of most citizens.
Obama’s goal of socialism is to strip us of anything private and to make us all people dependent on the public payroll. Then, like China, he can tell you what you are worth–which is nothing.
Be advised that Obama will look for every way to leverage against anything small business and independent citizens undertake. Expect your taxes to go incredibly high and for inflation to devalue your wealth. The more you are impoverished, the safer tyrants feel. Remain independent in every way, taking the source of their envy (money, wealth) away from their sight. Establish bartering systems based on a handshake and leave little or no record of a transaction.
In every way, resist public assistance–and that means “public schools.” Make it your goal to be private and to establish private business, private clubs, private associations, private this and private that. Private does not mean ‘exclusive,’ it means independence–which is the essence of freedom.
At the same time, look after one another, defend the cause of the powerless and the disadvantaged.
I will support and pray for those in authority, but I will pray more fervently for authority figures that are good and will also pray for the defeat and destruction of evil men–as we are called to do. I will pray for Obama, just as I was also called to love and pray for my enemies. It is sad when they fall in the same category.
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November 9, 2012 at 10:07 pm
ezra
As proof of what I wrote above, consider what Obama’s victory rally shouted. We are not one America anymore.
http://www.teaparty.org/chants-for-karl-marx-socialism-at-dem-victory-rally-15595/
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November 10, 2012 at 2:40 am
Ken
I appreciate your thoughtful analysis of Tuesday’s results. Without getting into an argument, I saw Tuesday’s results exactly the opposite.
First, I for one am thrilled with the direction President Obama is leading the country. The charges you level against him are largely vacuous and border on bearing false witness, still one of the big 10 commandments.
Second, until science figures out why some of us are drawn to members of the opposite sex while others are drawn to members of their own gender, I believe gays and lesbians should enjoy the same rights to express their love as we heterosexuals enjoy.
Finally, while I have never smoked anything let alone marijuana, legalizing weed allows our country to end the expensive, failed, decades long war on drugs.
Just for the record, President, and now President-elect, Obama is your political opponent, not your enemy. There is a difference.
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November 11, 2012 at 10:22 am
graceforgrace
Hi Ken,
Thanks for stopping by. I have some other Mormon friends who are Democrats as well and it’s funny how we can agree on many things from a religious perspective, but see things so differently politically and also tie it into our religious beliefs.
Looks like we disagree on pretty much all the points and I won’t go down that path of arguing because I’ve found that when I do that it isn’t productive.
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November 11, 2012 at 11:07 am
Jason Campbell
Ken some men are attracted to other women while they are married. Do we condone and support adultery because they were born with those tendencies? Or do we do as Jesus taught and deny ourselves of these things and take up our cross and follow him. Having homosexual tendencies is not a sin but acting on those urges is. They have their agency already. When it comes to marriage we advocate that children’s needs come before adults and so the institution of marriage is viewed as sacred and by divine design it is the union of a man and a woman who can then raise children in righteousness. It is sad to see members of the church who are so blinded by tolerance and acceptance that they will not stand up and support truth and righteousness as taught by living prophets.
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November 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Jason,
While I have relatives who are gay, I tend to think along the same lines as you outlined. We all have weaknesses and struggles and “demons” so to speak, to deal with. I do not believe we should legalize things so people can succumb to their temptations (i.e. smoking weed, immoral behavior including homosexuality, etc.).
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November 10, 2012 at 4:38 am
wonderdog
Individual states Secretary of State are tasked with tabulating the votes. Not some Soros or Romney front group. Stop the conspiracy theories.
The morning after the election, I read the First Presidency’s statement and gave the students the homework assignment to pray for President Obama.
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November 12, 2012 at 1:25 pm
ezra
SO, NO ONE CONSPIRED TO COOK 100 COUNTIES IN OHIO???
Dumb or just ignorant?
Fair election?
http://www.rightsidenews.com/2012111217379/us/politics-and-economics/election-fraud-obama-won-more-than-99-percent-of-the-vote-in-more-than-100-ohio-precincts.html
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November 13, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Ken
Ezra, it was precincts not counties, big difference.
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November 10, 2012 at 5:49 am
Ken
Wonderdog, to your point, under each state’s Secretary of States are county organizations who run elections and tally votes. My county’s organization in suburban Philadelphia is controlled by Republicans, the county’s majority party. Over the last 20 years I have interacted with Voter Services, as the group is called, many times both as a Democratic candidate and as my borough’s current judge of election. Not once have I questioned the integrity or professionalism of anyone in Voter Services. To a person they are hard working, intelligent, decent and honest people. It is because of them, and thousands of others like them across the country, we still have fair and free elections across this country.
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November 10, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Jettboy
Ken, Obama and Democrats are my enemy no matter what you think they are. There is a cold Civil War going on so you can drop your lets be friends act.
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November 12, 2012 at 1:48 am
Ken
Jettboy, ironic I think you for you to declare war on my perspective and beliefs on a blog titled Grace for Grace. I can only hope no one shows up to participate in your declared war.
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November 12, 2012 at 6:38 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Jettboy,
I will agree with you that there has been a big division between parties and it is tearing our country apart fiscally, culturally, and socially. Obama leans to the far left and the new House is very much towards the right. Seems like no one is willing to “meet in the middle” so to speak on policies, which is one reason why I was disappointed to see a Romney loss as he has history with working across party lines.
Hence my post. We need to pray for all of our leaders….not just ones we agree with in all parties. If we just support and pray for those we line up with on all fronts, that is a very small amount of people. For example, there are plenty of Republicans I do not agree with (i.e. the rape and abortion comments that have been coming out lately).
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November 11, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Dave
Dallin H. Oaks (LDS apostle and former Utah State Supreme Court Justice) said this supporting government leaders drawing upon his experience in serving as law clerk for United States Chief Justice Earl Warren. Apparently, he didn’t always agree with Chief Warren’s legal decisions or political views, but always respected the government office Chief Warren occupied (especially because he was appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the senate…proxies for the will of the majority of people of the United States).
“We should separate respect for a person’s position from our personal affection for that person and from agreement or disagreement with his or her policies. We have much to learn, even from our adversaries, and we under the command of the Master to love one another” (Life’s Lessons Learned, 2011).
I think this quote is perfectly relevant in today’s political and legal times (notwithstanding which side of the political aisle you preference).
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November 11, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Dave
Dallin H. Oaks (LDS apostle and former Utah State Supreme Court Justice) said this supporting government leaders drawing upon his experience in serving as law clerk for United States Chief Justice Earl Warren. Apparently, he didn’t always agree with Chief Warren’s legal decisions or political views, but always respected the government office Chief Warren occupied (especially because he was appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the senate…proxies for the will of the majority of people of the United States).
“We should separate respect for a person’s position from our personal affection for that person and from agreement or disagreement with his or her policies. We have much to learn, even from our adversaries, and we under the command of the Master to love one another” (Life’s Lessons Learned, 2011).
I think this quote is perfectly relevant in today’s political and legal times (notwithstanding which side of the political aisle you preference).
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November 12, 2012 at 3:38 pm
graceforgrace
Very nicely put, Dave.
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November 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm
ezra
Obama is the opposition, not the enemy….
Respectfully, isn’t that semantics? Jesus had enemies–they were the opposition. He loved his enemies, who happened to be his opposition.
I’m glad some got the “thrill up the leg” for Obama’s victory, to put it in Chris Matthews’ terms. However, the Fiscal Cliff that looms ahead is pretty good evidence Obama and Liberals have taken our country to the brink of a very bad situation.
WHO could have confidence in the election process. Have you even heard of Geo Soros? Have you heard of the “SOS Project,” whereby he gathered all Secretary of States into a corner to discuss how his billions of dollars would be put to a more efficient fund for high-jacking the “Franchise” of voting.
PROOF = REASON for not trusting the electoral process:
HOW DOES CUYAHOGA COUNTY (ohio) HAVE 100 precincts voting 100% for Obama? No precinct is that stupid. But we have people whose palms and very lives are greased by Obama’s give-away programs. The ONLY reason a person would be pleased with the direction Ø is taking the country is if
1) They are receiving benefits
2) They are Union-made-Union-Paid who hates independent contractors
3) They are Big-Govt types who love the direction of B-Govt!
4) Dyed in the wool Democrats who are blind to fact.
http://forum.grasscity.com/politics/1135065-obama-won-more-than-99-percent-vote-more-than-100-ohio-precincts.html
Glad to Oppose Tyranny,
Ezra.
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November 12, 2012 at 12:03 pm
ezra
Fair election?
http://www.rightsidenews.com/2012111217379/us/politics-and-economics/election-fraud-obama-won-more-than-99-percent-of-the-vote-in-more-than-100-ohio-precincts.html
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November 12, 2012 at 1:19 pm
ezra
Jason, What Bible are you reading when you declare that “homosexuality is not a sin”?
Clearly, you either don’t read Scripture or don’t believe it. Jesus himself said that among the persistent and unrepentant adulterers and greedy and perverse and drunkards there will be homosexuals who will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Call me a bigot if you want, but don’t call me wrong about what Scripture says.
How we deal with one another is a different issue. We deal civilly. I’m not being harmful for pointing out sin. The real harm is when people claim that there is no sin for homosexuality–that is calling God a liar. There is no remedy for someone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit.
Speaking the truth in love,
Ezra
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November 13, 2012 at 7:47 am
Jettboy
I would respect the leaders if I thought they had good intentions. Obama and the Democrats are so far to the left of what I believe the founders of this nation and the Declaration of Independence stands for that they are traitors and turncoats. If the Democrats were more along the lines of what can be called “RINOS” then I would at least be in a position of disagreeing with them as an opposition. I see a President Hugo Chavez of the U.S.A. in our near future and consider 2012 the death of this once great experiment. My only distant hope is for once a successful seceding state like Texas who will return to the values that are so long gone.
Oh, and everything Ezra said. Grace doesn’t rob justice.
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November 13, 2012 at 9:27 am
Ken
I don’t suppose Jettboy in all your certitude about the future there is even an ounce of a possibility you could be wrong on any one of your positions.
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November 13, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Doug
I have been pretty upset about the election (as ama49 knows!)-we really liked Romney. My son summed it up this way-“He was too good for us-we got what we deserved.”
I will continue to pray for President Obama as I have for the past almost 4 years. I am praying for his true conversion to Jesus Christ-while I don’t believe he is a Muslim-I also don’t believe that he is a true follower of Christ.. May God help us all to get through what I believe will be a very difficult time for America. I hold on to the Lord and his promises and pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 will come to pass for our nation. I do not share Ken’s-shall I say it?-delusional optimism for the future.
.. .
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November 14, 2012 at 6:46 am
Ken
Been thinking about this exchange all week and thougt of this excerpt from a wonderful conference talk President Uchtdorf gave just two years ago in the 2010 October Priesthood session.
“Perhaps there is no better laboratory to observe the sin of pride than the world of sports. I have always loved participating in and attending sporting events. But I confess there are times when the lack of civility in sports is embarrassing. How is it that normally kind and compassionate human beings can be so intolerant and filled with hatred toward an opposing team and its fans?
I have watched sports fans vilify and demonize their rivals. They look for any flaw and magnify it. They justify their hatred with broad generalizations and apply them to everyone associated with the other team. When ill fortune afflicts their rival, they rejoice.
Brethren, unfortunately we see today too often the same kind of attitude and behavior spill over into the public discourse of politics, ethnicity, and religion.
My dear brethren of the priesthood, my beloved fellow disciples of the gentle Christ, should we not hold ourselves to a higher standard? As priesthood bearers, we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.
Ezra, Jettboy, Doug, all of us, were on the same team. That team is called the brotherhood of man and the promises we’ve made to each other obligate us to the higher standard of conduct Pres. Uchtdorf is urging us to uphold.
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November 14, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Doug
Ken-I appreciate what you are saying. I believe it is wrong to look at someone (or even a group of people) as simply the enemy-for when you do they loose their person-hood and you demonize them.I know you support the President-I do not consider you the enemy because you do and I do not hate President Obama.. I do not support him because I do not agree with many of the things he has done and will do. We should be civil-but that does not mean we must agree. I am convinced that the President holds to socialist principles-I do not. I am right to life and I oppose same sex marriage. I believe in small government. I am a Christian Zionist He believes in the opposite of where I stand on all these issues. I will do everything in my power and with the strength that God gives me to insure we do not have another president like Obama in 2016. .
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November 14, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Ken
Doug, I find your response above perfectly rational and reasonable. Democracy depends on a constant flow of new ideas and tension between opposing ideas to flourish. The Gospel, among other things, offers an environment of civility where competing ideas can be expressed and debated, sometimes hotly, all while keeping the ‘we’re all on the same team’ perspective, expressed so beautifully by President Uchtdorf, in mind. This sentiment is driven home in an 2009 essay titled “Mormon Ethic of Civility” published on the church’s Newsroom page here: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/the-mormon-ethic-of-civility
I think you’ll find the church’s position a far cry from the “cold civil war” advocated by some.
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November 14, 2012 at 1:57 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Ken,
Very good article. I think the quote I like the best from the article is this one:
Speaking of civility on a personal level, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught Latter-day Saints how to respond to criticism: “Some people mistakenly think responses such as silence, meekness, forgiveness, and bearing humble testimony are passive or weak. But, to ‘love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]’ (Matthew 5:44) takes faith, strength, and, most of all, Christian courage.”
It is apparent that many people here feel Obama and his gang are the enemy. This scripture is perfect for those who feel this way. If you feel Obama is the enemy, that is fine. However, as Christians, it is now up to those of us who feel Obama is an enemy to pray for him and pray that we as a people can unite in love and unity as well.
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November 16, 2012 at 10:46 am
JR
Romney was recorded accusing Obama of buying votes. Where is the proof? If he has such good character then he should know better than to spread lies like that. It stared with Rove on Fox News and has continued. Some of you are so far right you have become paranoid and unreasonable and are spreading doom and gloom. There was no guarantee Romney would have made a good President. If you are so worried about a socialistic country then fight to privatize: police, firefighting, libraries, public health clinics, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid (and don’t use or collect on these programs), building roads and bridges and other infrastructure, public schools, and disaster relief/aid.
How many people would be able to afford to pay for private fire fighters to save their home? How many people would be able to afford private elementary/middle/high school for their children? How many would be able to pay to recover from a natural disaster? States would go broke paying just for what state government would have to have repaired like state buildings and replacing equipment. How much would a private police force charge you to come investigate a crime at your home?
All the stupid rumors about Obama when he first ran for President did not come true: he will take away our guns! he will force us to watch state run television! he will get rid of our constitution (that is still out there). How can he take away the constitution? He can’t!
It is time to stop believing and spreading conspiracy theories and lies. Yes, lies. Fox News reported the hurricane did not do any destruction and so why were people out of jobs because of a simple storm. They blamed Obama for the loss of jobs and not the hurricane. Conspiracy theories.
The Church leaders have warned us of being fanatics and zealots not only in our religious beliefs but in all aspects of our lives and beliefs.
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November 16, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Ken
You said a lot in a couple of paragraphs JR and agree with you 100%. As a people we keep the law of chastity to the letter yet think nothing of bearing false witness of another man’s deeds, character and family. How ironic is it we’ve become the people who draw near to God with our lips but our hearts are far from God’s message and messenger. Where is our Samuel the Lamanite. Of course he wouldn’t be called Samuel the Lamanite today. Instead it would be Samuel the Liberal, Samuel the Democrat or Samuel the Muslim, my favorite.
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November 17, 2012 at 9:37 am
graceforgrace
Ken, JR,
You are right that in politics there isn’t much truth happening on either side of the aisle. As we can see from comments here and that you’ve probably encountered elsewhere, people tend to be more forgiving towards those who are members of their own party rather than forgiving them as people.
If we were to vote for a completely honest politician, I think we’d all stay home because there aren’t any!
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November 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm
JR
graceforgrace,Ken:
Thank you. You both made good points about civility and being on the same team. We are LDS first. I am troubled by members who claim that a member is not a good member/Christian and not temple worthy if they are Democrat or vote for Democrats.
There are a few General Authorities who are Democrats.
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November 28, 2012 at 9:27 am
graceforgrace
Hey Everyone,
I was thinking about writing a blog about this, but thought making a comment here was more appropriate because of it’s theme.
After the election, it appears that Obama is doing a lot of the right things. He’s reaching across the aisle and working with leaders of congress, he is meeting today with top business leaders on how to fix the economy, and what I was most impressed with was that he invited Mitt Romney in for lunch because he thinks Romney has a lot of qualities that he wants to learn from such as how to turn things around (like the Olympics). Obama also stated he likes much of Romney’s ideas during the election. (see article here: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-welcome-romney-thursday-lunch-151220976–politics.html)
Those of us who wanted a Romney victory for many of the reasons that Obama himself has just mentioned can have hope that Obama will learn from someone with experience and perhaps do some things to get the economy turned around. I think it is a good move on Obama’s part and also on Romney’s to agree to meet with him. That takes humility on both men’s parts.
So, this is a great example of civility. If the top leaders of the political parties can do it, we can do it as well!
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December 6, 2012 at 11:19 am
Ken
Well said GfG. It couldn’t have been easy for once-candidate Romney to accept President Obama’s invitation, but accept it, with grace, he did. Kudos to Romney.
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