tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63535302771376344.post6949190482876884550..comments2023-06-25T06:07:14.706-05:00Comments on O-L-I [Opinionated Layman's Input]: When Politics Are Black and WhiteTim Laitinenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07659772910035894952noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63535302771376344.post-38918937379259596482012-06-01T13:35:22.887-05:002012-06-01T13:35:22.887-05:00What is most important?
I'd say that "do...What is most important?<br /><br />I'd say that "doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God" ranks pretty high on the importance list.<br /><br />To the extent that the flaws in our economic system tend to be blamed on the opposing party, I think that's why abortion stands out as a pivotal issue. So might it be in the best interest of conservatives to work harder on justice & mercy for all, so that the options liberals provide black evangelicals (who'd probably prefer voting for a pro-lifer) pale in comparison? <br /><br />In other words, if white Christians stopped stereotyping and listened better when it comes to socioeconomic inequities that can be addressed through public policy, we'd have stronger credibility on other issues?<br /><br />Thanks for the feedback!Tim Laitinenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659772910035894952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63535302771376344.post-54056555995650700982012-06-01T12:18:29.447-05:002012-06-01T12:18:29.447-05:00What's interesting about this discussion is th...What's interesting about this discussion is the amount of people who do not vote, and yet have strong opinions on political issues. The U.S. Elections Project reported that only 60% of Americans voted in the 2008 presidential elections (http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html). Texas had about 55% voter turnout, one of the lowest in the country. In terms of the black vote, I read a report that said over 8 million African Americans are not even registered to vote. This translates into at least 32% of the African American population that doesn't vote at all (http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_5168.shtml). <br /><br />So what's my point? Many black and white Americans who argue with one another over the abortion issue haven't even voted. Blacks who vote Democrat think about issues of poverty, economics, and education. Whites who vote republican think about cultural and social issues first and then issues of economics, poverty, education etc. And so it seems to me a matter of priorities. But what's puzzling is that Republicans are stereotyped as richer and better educated than Democrats. And Democrats are stereotyped as culturally liberal and fiscally irresponsible. Why is it that Republicans typically hold more tightly to abortion and not care as strongly about other cultural issues such as poverty, racism, crime, etc. What is most important?Drewhttp://wwwnextgenreformers.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com