Post-Election Response, Part I

Abu tulip writes:

I guess after a week now I feel I can begin to comment on Election 2008, so here goes.

1). Election 2008, Decision 2008, America Decides, Super Tuesday, etc.... The way the networks portray this is less like informed, rational debate of the issues and candidates and more like a sporting event. Maybe in 2012 it will be Super Election MMXII

2). Again, the media... It was hard for me to stomach the election and post-election hype and talk about our freedoms, right to choose our representatives, etc. After seeing how some candidates in the primaries were treated (like Ron Paul) and how third-parties are excluded from debates and ballots, and yet in Texas both Republicans and Democrats can miss the deadline and still be on the ballot, I really wonder, how much choice do we really have? Most of our non-American expat friends (Europe, Australia, etc.) find it very odd and somewhat pitiable that there are only two parties, and understand that it is often difficult for us to support either one whole-heartedly

3). I want to be supportive of our new president-elect even though we have our differences. It seems most feel that way too. After seeing a president maligned and dishonored so much in recent years, I hope it will stay that way. There are some reasons to think he will do well, and I hope for the sake of America that he does.

4). The first hope I have for President-elect Obama: That he would break his promises to Planned Parenthood, NARAL, NOW etc., and decline to enact the Freedom of Choice Act as his first action as President. Politicians are highly skilled in breaking promises, and this one is worth breaking. If you're still not sure what is his position on abortion, you can read it here for his personal views, and see a response to the legislation here.
Personally I agree with Franklin Graham, who said,
"(Billy Graham's) son (Franklin) expressed concern about Obama's views on abortion and gay marriage — an issue Franklin Graham raised in a meeting with the Illinois senator — saying that he and his father are conservatives who believe the Bible speaks clearly on those issues: 'President-elect Obama heard our position. And I told him that this was very difficult for us and hard for us. It's a moral issue that we just can't back down on. But he's our president-elect, and those positions that he holds that are contrary to Biblical teaching, I hope that God will change his heart.'"

Don't forget - Billy Graham is a registered Democrat and has had relationships with every president since Eisenhower, and he was one of the few Christian ministers in the south to take a principled stand against segregation.

5.) Another hope I have is that President Obama will at some point soon consider his religious journey and the fact that he was born into one religion (a religion which says clearly that the son must follow the religion of his father) and that he chose to follow a different religion. He took advantage of a wonderful freedom he had as an American. I will hope he considers all that that means, and that he is in a unique position to bring freedom of conscience to many who were born into a religion, but because they are not Americans, are not able to follow their own hearts and the religion of their choice.

So, what do you hope to see from the Obama administration?