This is probably going to be kind of jumbled and all over the place, but I've held all of this in for a while because I was afraid of being ostracized and attacked. I know I'm taking the coward's way out by writing this now that the election is over, but here it goes.

This election season has been a rough one; the mud-slinging and insults were some of the worst I've ever seen. This may come as a surprise to some, but I've been a fan of Obama from the get-go. I do believe that he is a good Christian man with healthy values and morals. I don't agree with everything he's said, but we live in a country that doesn't hand all the power to one person. I like Sen. McCain as well, but I do think that this country needs a change regarding financial and social service policy and I don't think he would provide those changes.

Working in DHR and actually seeing the people who need help has really opened my eyes. I have seen some cases where the adults just want hand-outs, but I've also seen cases where the adults would walk through fire to provide for their children. And in the cases that fit the welfare stereotype, should we punish the children for having lousy parents? And with the lack of funding and concern for the Child Welfare system that is exactly what is happening. The people who need help are unable to receive it because this country has become convinced that social services are unneccessary and unwanted. So when you start to think that the welfare system is horrible and not working, think of all the children whose lives have been saved and improved through that very system. I am very proud to say that Alabama actually has one of the best Child Welfare systems in the country and is pretty successful in rehabilitating and reuniting families. But when I think of what we could really do with the whole hearted support of the government and our communities, I know that we could impact more people for the better and possible lessen the number of people who need our help. Financial support would help a lot, but what the welfare system really needs is some moral support; it's hard to go to work everyday knowing that it's giong to be an uphill battle. The workers here have to fight with the budget, against stereotypes, against families whose perception of them is that of baby snatchers and family destroyers, and against communities who don't appreciate anything they do.

And God has been a huge topic surrounding this election. I am a whole hearted believer in the separation of church and state because I believe that is partly what this country was founded on. People came here for reliigous freedom and to escape persecution, but now it seems that the persecution has followed. Does it matter if our president is Muslim, Christian, or Jewish if they are truly looking out for the best interest of our country? And this country is not made up of only Christians and those of us who are Christian should be an example of the love and peace that God is. In my daily walk as a Christian I want non-Christians around me to wonder why I have this peace and hope. Attacking and condeming people for being different is no way to win them over to Christ. We are fishers of men and fishermen don't run into the water with a club and start beating fish over the head; they throw out their line and wait patiently for a nibble. Loving people no matter who they are- -black, white, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim, Jew, whatever--is how I think is the best way to interest others in Christ. And I am willing to admit that my feelings about Obama might be wrong, I don't think they are, but it is a possiblilty. But what I do know is that my feelings about God are not. I know he will see His children through anything we go through; I've been through some dark times and looking back He's been there the whole way.
So those are some of my thoughts; I'd prolly write more, but it's already verging on novel length and I'm at work, lol.