Political Rambling

I watched Barak Obama accept the Democratic nomination last night. It was a good speech. I'm learning about his past and his beliefs. I listened to him talk about "the world as it is" and "the world as it should be". He's an idealist. A dreamer. He believes that even if we disagree, we should still be able to get along and accomplish the things that really matter.

I realize that most politicians enter office hoping to make a difference. Obviously, some succeed. Like William Wilberforce. Or Washington. Or Lincoln. So I don't want to discount the value of dreaming big and working hard to make the world a better place.

But I think we Americans have a skewed view of the world. We believe that somehow, some way, if we just find the right leader, the right policies, or the right platform it will solve all of our problems. Obama appeals to this hope inside of us. Don't we want to believe it?

But there is something deeper wrong with the world. The problem isn't with the policies, it is inside of us. The whole world is sick with sin. We could have a perfect education system, but we're still going to have kids who struggle to keep up in school because their parents (if they have them) don't care whether they do their homework or play video games. We could offer Welfare to Work programs, but there will still be people who don't WANT to work. They just want to cheat the system.

Yes, we need to improve education and provide opportunities for people to get back on their feet. But Obama can't make America what he wants it to be. It is an impossible dream. The world is messed up. We can make some things better, but we can't fix the real problem - sin. It's we, the people that prevent the American Dream.

That deep down longing in all of us -- that wants the world to be a good place -- I think that is the desire for heaven. God put the desire there, but we're not going to find it here. There isn't a political party that can make everything right. It's kind of a relief to realize that.

That doesn't mean I don't care who gets into office. But when I think about it from that perspective, it lessens the power in Obama's speech. All of the things that he pledged to do (financial reform, education reform, tax breaks, green energy) have been promised by other political candidates. The only difference with Obama is that he is a fresh face with a convincing delivery. Does he really have any new ideas? I didn't hear them last night.

So this will be an interesting election season. Especially in view of McCain's VP pick this afternoon. What happens now that Sarah Palin is part of the picture? I'm getting a little hooked on this stuff...