Political Convention watching

I've never been too much of a fan of politics, although I do realize that it is important that we have good leaders who have good values, so I try to keep informed. I am always bothered by the impression that many people give that they actually believe that this man or woman can actually solve all these problems that seem perpetual. Yet we do need leaders who can look to the long term good of both the country and the world. Maybe the best leaders are the ones that have some charisma and vision. These people can call others to do more together than they would do on their own. These leaders can inspire us to help others rather than ignore the problems around us.

Using the term "good values" begs the question of what values? Well, "Christian values, " of course! [Tongue pointed toward cheek.] Then we need to ask, "Whose Christian values?" Do we want the values of those who preach the prosperity gospel? Or those who preach the gospel of exclusion? Or those that preach the gospel of me-me-me? Or those who preach that we need to give ALL away? Or those who see Christ in every needy person?

I've watched much of the last two evenings of the Democratic Convention in Denver. The main reason I watched was to see Michelle Obama on Monday and Hillary Clinton on Tuesday. PBS carries more of the other speakers than do the other stations, so I saw some of them as well. Those were the speeches that were the most interesting to me. On the one hand, there were the speakers who delivered cliches, promising that Barak Obama would do THIS and THAT. I couldn't help but wonder if Obama himself would start to wonder if he could deliver all that others were promising on his behalf.

Twice my husband walked into the room to hear only the last paragraph of a speech. Twice his impression was, "What a political hack!" My impression of the speakers and the speeches was much more positive, but yes, then both ended up with the usual trite exhortations.

The one cliche ending to political speeches that I just can't be comfortable with is, "God Bless America." And this is always said in the same political-speech-positive-yell as the other statements of the speech. Come on! Are they commanding God? Do they think we "deserve" blessings? Are they trying to prove that God is on their side or they are on God's side? Is it not possible to state this as a humble petition before the Lord? Do they remember to publicly thank God when there are blessings?