i do not have faith in humanity. i have even less faith in politicians.

this isn't about who i think people should or should not vote for. this is about what i think our perspective needs to be when looking at politics. [this is not about my view of obama. this is about how i have seen people view obama (esp. in chicago)].

watch this video

i am ready for this election to be over. i realize that this video was not made by obama or his campaign. but i think it is very telling of the perspective of the masses in america.

first of all:
i get the impression that people are feeling oppressed.
they want change.
they want a "savior" from something.

so what is it that they are looking for salvation from?
yes. there are of course areas where the government and the way that it is run can be changed. there are major flaws. corruption. waste. i have spent time in the urban poor and rural poor communities. i am not saying everything is as it should be. far from it.

but i have also spent time in places where there is no water.
no electricity. no educational opportunities at all. i have sat in an understaffed orphanage, pulled a rusty thumbtack out of a little girl's mouth, and wondered if i was the only person to hold her...really hold her...that day.
there are other places i have not been, where children are brainwashed to be soldiers to survive.
there are places where women are forced by their families into prostitution to appease the gods.
where there is no food.
where governments kill those who do not hold to a certain religion.
where children scrounge in the garbage dump every day, not just some of the children, but all of the children in the entire community.
places where candidates do not care one bit to serve their people...and they don't even try or pretend to care.

i am tired of americans acting as if we have no rights, as if we have no opportunities, as if we are "hopeless."

why can't we just have a normal election?

secondly:

i believe that we are constantly aching for eternity. for that ideal world. for perfection. and that will not be achieved by any politician, nor by any government.
we want to ascribe hope to the tangible. to that which is immediate.
but this world is tainted. it is fallen. humanity cannot fully redeem it.
and while we struggle and work to "make this world a better place" let us not get caught up in the lie that we will be fulfilled this side of eternity.
i voted. i have my opinions. but i am not afraid if "the other guy" wins. to be honest, i won't even be that upset. because my hope is not in the person that i cast my ballot for.

perspective.