Bone pickin'...Conquering political indecision

Thanks to those of you who read, thought about, and/or commented on my last post about this election. I don't think I made it clear last time that even though I want to stick my head in a paper bag whenever someone starts talking politics, I would rather be informed. I truly admire those of you with a passion for political issues.

I think the same part of the brain that engages in politics must also be connected to spatial relations. I can't wrap my mind around either. Yet I know that it's important that, despite my tendency to avoid things I don't understand, I must find a way to make the most of my right to vote in the same way I must make myself read a map if I ever hope to get from Point A to Point B. (Even that's not the best comparison. Usually I just make Justin read the map! But I can't ask him to vote for me.) So, here I am writing about politics once again. I really do value and want to learn from your insight.

However, I feel like there are a few things that hinder me from forming political opinions, and this is where I have a bone to pick. First of all, I won't be put in a box. I hate to hear anyone say that "real" Christians have to vote Republican or, on the flip side, that all Christians do vote Republican--or that Christians who do vote Republican do so because they are narrow minded. Frankly, although I'm a registered independent, I do have Republican tendencies, but I'm afraid to admit that to myself because I don't want to start selectively listening to arguments. I see a lot of that happening on both sides, to the detriment of both parties.

Please...help me clear up any misconceptions, fill in the blanks, and connect the dots. I know you won't form an opinion for me, but I'd still love to hear what you have to say.

Civic duty

This morning Justin came home from work at 10a.m., asking if I was ready to go vote. Thinking surely not many people would be lined up to vote a full week before election day, we headed off to the library and discovered we were wrong. There was a line wrapped around the building. We left. I told Justin we had done our civic duty. We had tried.

Okay, so that's not all we did. We went back at noon, this time actually casting our votes. I have to admit, I was a little moved to see so many people turning out, and it's not even election day! I sat next to a man with gray hair as I filled out my voter registration, and I heard him say that he was there to vote for the first time in his life. As much as I'm ready for this election, the never-ending attack ads, and the often less than stellar media coverage to be over, I still admire the significance of this election and how it is making more people than ever feel like they have a voice. I am not one of those people, but I am also not a "political person." I feel like I've taken a real stab this year at trying to sort out some semblance of political beliefs, and I feel like I've learned a little, but mostly, I still have no clue how politics can or should ease our country's problems. I may have voted, but I'm still clueless.

I haven't had many comments lately, but maybe the subject of politics will stir some up. I'm curious, what issue(s) are getting you to the polls this year?