The election of Barack Obama is certainly historic since he is 1/2 African American. While I didn't vote for Obama and disagree with most of his positions, I am heartened that our country has seemingly moved past the color of a person's skin as some kind of litmus test for voting.
At the same time, I think it is interesting to note the map of the U.S. in 1857 showing slave (red) states and free (green) states. Then compare it to yesterday's election map.
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Interesting yes, but flawed. Kansas was a free state, Florida, North Carolina, and Missouri have not been decided. The elections of 1860 and 1864 would serve as better models then just a map of the Confederacy. Better yet do we have a map where slavery prevailed and where abortion prevails in this nation?
What's flawed? It shows Kansas as undecided because it was. Kansas became a "free" state in 1861. I say it's an interesting comparison with the election map, that's all.
It’s just I feel your post is trying to imply the old south was holding on to its guns and religion and McCain won those states only because he is white, not because he is conservative. Yes for a moment I thought the map panned out the way our nation was divided during the War Between the States, but in reality I truly think morality, boarders, language, and culture of life took a back seat in this election. We both know based on your earlier analysis why President-Elect Barrack Hussein Obama won, it was not because Obama was Black or White but Green as in his inexperience and naïveté in thinking that Keynesian economics or “trickle up poverty” by redistribution of wealth is the way to economic prosperity. The majority of America people who voted only care about the green in their pocket and the greed in their hearts. Their Sundays are spent on the golf course, brunching, or watching the Sunday morning talk shows. The faith in trust is not God, but in man’s inability to solve the problems that have plagued us since the fall of man. Time will tell if this will wake up what President Nixon called, “The Great Silent Majority”, and we know that only God will either raise this nation up or allow us to fall. Forgive me if my tone implied that the question is moot, just think My God My God why hast thou forsaken America?
Very interesting comparison Pastor Tony. I like to think that we HAVE, for the most part, moved past the race issue in this country and that the red states voted against the content of his character, and not the color of his skin.
I had the blessed opportunity to meet and talk with Eddie Kennisen last evening at a wine tasting. What an outstanding young man! I shared several personal stories of growing up in Oklahoma, back in the early 60’s, being surrounded by stark prejudice. We both agreed, “We have indeed come a long way!” For this, all of us can Praise the Lord!
We need to recall that Nixon's strategy, starting in 1968, was to draw Wallace-Democrats into the GOP. While I don't think that the strategy was racist, it was racialist, recognizing that many issues -- crime, welfare, affirmative action -- had racial overtones at the time.
But this is nothing new for the GOP. (And I should add that I've been a life-long Republican.) The reminants of the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic "Know Nothing" movement was an intergral part of Abraham Lincoln's electoral coalition as a Whig, and then as a Republican.
So the GOP has always had a "Know Nothing" element that sits uncomfortably with the traditional pro-business and small government orientation of the party.
Frankly, I don't see anything interesting about the comparison at all. These states voted against Kerry in 2004, Gore in 2000, Dukakis in 1988, and Mondale in 1984.
They are conservative states that vote for conservative candidates. Did you expect them to go blue this time?
The South once where slavery prevailed supported McCain who is prolife and the North which was against slavery voted for Obama who is solidly behind abortion. Sanctity of life and personhood as an issue in Dred Scott vs Us and hundred years later sanctity of life as an issue for the unborn.
At any rate as I digress the US is in a transition into a post-christian nation. The epicenter of Christianity in ten to twenty years will be in Africa or Asia (ie South Korea). The US will be like Europe is today - a socialistic secular society where God's name is whispered in churches.
One more point. From Andrew Jackson (seminary professor and ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church).
"Don't simply curse the darness, but constructively engage it. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdon Christians is not to curse the darkness in our world, but to act as illuminating light and preserving salt. We must share the light of God's truth and work to maintain the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil through doing good. (Matt.5:13-16)
I know this is a little late, I think that the pendulum swung and people voted for Obama BECAUSE he was "black" and not necessarily for the issues. Obama and McCain are very similar in their stands on many issues-- including finances-- remember mortgage bailout? As a white parent of black children, I am just as offended at this gross misjudgement of reverse discrimination and voting for a man only because he is black.
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