The sun will come up

As we approach the end of this presidential campaign the overriding thought I have is that the sun will rise on Wednesday morning and the United States of America will still be the greatest country on the earth. This entire campaign has been about change, with both camps promising a new direction for the 80 percent of Americans who are unhappy with our country’s current course. However, the constant drumbeat of change has been accompanied by another chorus of voices……”Be Afraid!” Most of the fear is directed at Barack Obama. Instead of offering a competing vision of the future, the Republican party has chosen to focus instead on making the electorate afraid and questioning their opponent's values, faith and loyalty to American ideals. He’s a socialist, he’s a communist, he “pals around with terrorists.” He’s a Muslim! Their campaign has been about separating our country in the “pro-American” parts and others. It’s become about the “real Virginia” and communist Northern Virginia. Fear has always been the dark part of American politics. It replaces the need to talk specifically about tax plans, plans for economic recovery, help for the middle class and other issues of grave importance.Some of the very worst of the fear mongering has come from the religious conservatives. As a Christian, that saddens me most of all. "Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:10-15) Regardless of who you support, the direction of our politics should be a concern to all. Our politicians can appeal to our hopeful side or our fearful side. Ronald Reagan did this when he appealed to us to choose hope, not fear. He made us proud to be American and helped us to realize our potential to do good. John Kennedy did the same thing from a different political base. He made us believe in service and in goodness. Both parties can appeal to hope or fear, to our better instincts and to our baser instincts. There are people of faith on both sides who will vote for John McCain and Barack Obama. My hope is that when you cast your vote, it is based on who you think is the best agent of change and not based on a tyranny of fear. The sun will rise on Wednesday morning and we will continue to be the United States of America.

Ed Lovell