Moral Voting?

We have all been inundated by the claim that moral issues are at the center of our public and political brokenness. We witness atrocities and blame the culture of our nation, and now since globalization, the world. We blame a lack of Faith and piety for all that ails our country and the world. We are electing leaders that promote themselves as the "saviors" of America's "moral high ground". These leaders have focused on issues like choice, same sex marriage, and stem cell research and carried them into the battles of election season. Many people have voted for them in the name of ethics and moral righteousness. I must, also, admit that my beliefs make some of the views I held as a college student hard to justify. But, I must ask what are the real issues that are being voted for and, more importantly, what moral issues are being left out of the discussion? As a follower of Christ and a student of other traditions, I am unfortunately angered by the contentions of some that our morality depends on very narrow issues. These issues are important. No matter how one feels, they help define us as a people; they are a part of our culture. My anger comes from the idea that most of these moral issues are issues of comfort. In other words, same sex marriage, and other "moral issues" make some in our population uncomfortable. If these issues were truly moral, why would we not be addressing the issue that deals with the millions of children without health insurance? Why would we not be addressing poverty in this country, unfair trade practices within the third world perpetrated by American Corporations. Why are we neglecting Darfur? Can a normal person afford to run for public office or have we created a pseudo republic? Will our children be able to simply breathe and survive on our planet?When thinking about the upcoming choices we will make as Americans, I know that I will have some compromises to make. Hopefully the reconciling and compassionate nature of my faith and all of our different traditions will shine forth. I hope morality will become more than an issue of comfort to us all.