Apparently CNN is hosting the first debate between possible 2012 Republican Presidential candidates tonight.
It seems like we just went through this grueling process where our country calls each other stupid and/or immoral. I don’t think I have the stomach for it. I don’t think I care anymore. Even if I had cable I wouldn’t tune in to this fiasco-in-the making.
I won’t do it for the Democrats either.
It seems that if you’ve seen one American politician you’ve seen them all.
It’s tiresome. I’m still worn out from the last round in 2008. I think I’m going to sit this one out.
Maybe I’ll care again in 2016.
the archives near Emmaus 
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I feel the same way.
The debate process, and even the selection of one primary candidate to represent the party is ridiculous. I’d love to have a ballot with multiple candidates from each party. Why do they not do it that way? Probably because of money, with money being spread out so the GOP and DNC do not make as much money collectively as a party?
I have voted in two elections and have invested my time, energy, and thoughts into each one. I did not want to be one of those “careless” voters who simply voted with their party; I wanted to be an informed voter with a knowledge of who I voted for and why I voted for that person. Ironically, every time I vote I become more disgusted and disinterested in politics and the way it is. I am convinced that unless some radical is put in office and truly shakes things up, nothing will change. Even if America were to elect some radical, the government is so far gone that the radical would not even be able to make any significant changes without upheaval. I have lost hope in politics. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was right: “Politics are not the task of a Christian.”
All that to say: I’ll still probably watch the debates during the intermissions of the Canucks/Bruins game. Haha!
not caring gets addicting. I’ve stopped listening in on the political-idiocy since 2004, and much like giving up facebook, it just gets easier and easier to not even think about it at all.
@Christian: Eight years of Bush and then the verbal slaughter of one American toward another (myself included, especially toward those who thought highly of Palin) was wearisome. I don’t think that Christians should pull out of politics altogether. I simply don’t know to engage politics in this cultural climate.
@Ryan: I tend to agree with Bonhoeffer, but then I wonder what our world would look like if all Christians did…at least all American Christians. I’m not sure that I am against Christian involvement in politics as much as I am unsure of how to move forward.
@Steve: I fear I may become addicted as well.
I have a friend who makes a legitimate argument that we should care more about local politics than national politics. We’re more closely involved in the process, they directly impact us, and they have a “trickle up” effect on the national scene. It makes sense, but it’s still hard to care about who gets elected to run the sewer system.
@Marc: I imagine that it would have a greater impact and that it could change things faster than trying to go for the grand slam by pushing for a certain congress or president. But yes, like you, I can’t always muster up interest in local politics. I think if I lived somewhere that I considered “home”, like back in San Francisco, I may care more.
@Marc,
Out of curiosity does your “friend” have any affiliation with Multnomah? If so, I have a friend just like that 😉 .
@Brian,
Have you read “Defending Constantine” by Leithart yet? While it’s not directly to do with the debate tonight, it does provide a helpful gloss on Theopolitical concerns and Christians in general (historically). It seems the spectrum of Christians and political involvement (or lack) has been part and parcel of Christianity from the very beginning (post-Pentecost).
So it is the first intermission in the Bruins/Canucks game, and I was able to watch (stomach) about five minutes of the debate. It is the same thing every election year: canned answers that avoid the question and leave it unanswered.
The only real person with real answers is Ron Paul, but he is often labeled as radical and crazy…maybe someone we need?
@Bobby: I have not read it, though it is on my very long agenda of books to read. I think it I do read it I will have some Hauerwaus and Yoder as well just to make an internal dialog of it.
@Ryan: We may need someone like Ron Paul, but I don’t know enough about his policies and I have heard the racist charge thrown his way enough times to cause me a bit of trepidation.
@Brian,
I watched the debate (1/4 of it), thanks to you. I didn’t even know about it until this post. 🙂 Yeah, on Leithart; he doesn’t really get into Yoder (and hardly any Hauerwas) until the last few chapters; the majority and preceding chapters is the historical reconstruction of Constantine and the Roman/Graeco situation at that point. But reading Yoder alongside would be good. In the end, Leithart doesn’t necessarily disagree with Yoder theologically; really it’s just the sketchiness of Yoders own historical situation and interpretation that Leithart undercuts quite persuasively to my mind.
Anyway, as far as politics I think its become a joke too (the debates etc); but I still pay attention to a level.
Why is this happening before the middle of the year prior to the election?
And we’ve been hearing about some of these clowns since before Christmas. That never, never, never, used to happen in American politics, for good reason.
This is a network sideshow of blow-hearts. Nobody who is presuming to throw his/her hat ‘into the ring’ this early should be considered a serious contender. They’re looking for some kind of media-generated momentum.
Beneath contempt, in my opinion (which is to say, not worth watching).
@Bobby: I apologize for putting that temptation before you!
@John: It does seem like a bit of a circus. I agree, anyone who participated last night ought to be ignored from here on out.
@Brian,
Yes, you caused me to stumble . . . thanks 😉 .
@Bobby: I hope this doesn’t harm your faith in Christ. 🙂
@Brian,
I’ve already repented . . . thank you for holding me accountable 😉 though 🙂 .
@Bobby: Anytime!