Interesting Links Representing a Change in Politics

During his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention, Barack Obama noted that “all across America something is stirring.”  I would like to share with you two forms that this stirring has taken, and that I feel very positively about:

Republicans for Obama (also, their official site on BarackObama.com): This site is self-explanatory….it’s a group of Republicans supporting Barack Obama.  The group has some heavy hitters such as former U.S. Senator from Rhode Island Lincoln Chaffee and Douglas W. Kmiec, Head of the Office of Legal Counsel to Presidents Reagan and Bush (41).  Most of the site members are ordinary folks.  Many of them are disaffected Republicans who abhor the values (or lack thereof) of the neoconservative movement that has hijacked their party.

While reading member blogs, I noticed that these folks seem to have the same values that I do: the humanist ones that care about ordinary working folks and their prosperity.  Values of honesty and integrity.  Shockingly, values of (get this, Religious Right!) religious beliefs not dominating our politics.

The members of this site wish for the new kind of politics that Obama stands for, and they are voting for him for the same reasons that I am, the ones that cross party lines: honesty, integrity, equal opportunity for all, and rising to meet the immense challenges of the 21st Century.

Perusing this site has reinforced my stubborn refusal to hate Republicans.  It seems that traditional conservatism consists of slightly different ways (and some similar ones as well) of accomplishing the same mission: doing what’s best for the American people.

Now, for my second example of the stirring across America:

Matthew 25 Network: Now this completely blew me away, speaking as a Jew who has only heard the Christian voice of the Religious Right in politics.  Here are just a few quotes from this Political Action Committee:

“We believe that people of faith should actively participate in the political process as an important avenue for social change.”

“We are building hospitals and clinics, feeding the hungry, conserving energy, caring for AIDS orphans, working to free sex slaves, mentoring children, encouraging racial reconciliation, and so much more.

But again and again people on the front lines realize that one bad policy can undo a hundred good initiatives.

That is why it is so important to pay attention to our nation’s policies and priorities, and to get involved in the political process to elect the leaders whose decisions affect our nation and our world.”

Again, I am terribly impressed. The second quote not only constitutes rational thinking about the relationship between social service activities and government, but it also answers the age old question: what would Jesus do? Well, according to the Jesus I know, even though my knowledge is limited, I think he would feed the hungry, care for AIDS orphans, and free sex slaves.

Oh, and get this: the Matthew 25 Network is endorsing Barack Obama for President of the United States.  They also have a smear-fighting website called Put Away Falsehood.

I think Matthew 25 can tell that Obama not only represents what’s best in America, but also the best in Christian values. Not only is he a man of faith, but he also displays the kindness, fairness, and justice for all, including those that have the least, that espouse Christian values.

Those Christian values are identical to the Jewish values that I grew up with. After all, Jesus was Jewish, and because of the values that he represents, I respect his character and thank him for his contributions to a solid moral compass.

So, there you have it….two products of the stirring that’s going on in America.  I can only hope that the Republicans for Obama and Matthew 25 members, both of whom I proudly stand next to in the good fight, outnumber those who will vote this November to keep things the way they are and send our country even further downward.