Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is really something, isn’t she? I like her. I like her a lot. I always knew that eventually we would have a woman in the White House, but it never occurred to me that she might be one of us.
By one of us I mean a conservative Christian, pro-life, mom of five who shows an immense amount of respect for her husband. At first I was a bit uncertain about whether or not I thought a mom with young kids should really take on such a role. After all, I get so distracted by my kids that I’m lucky if I get a shower every day, let alone try to help run an entire country. Of course I don’t suppose showering is necessarily a requirement for being vice president. I’m sure if she needs it she will have tons of help with the kids, and her hygiene routine.
It is exciting to think that someone from outside of Washington D.C. might actually get a chance to shake things up a bit. She seems pretty spirited and gutsy, and like she really did get into politics because she wanted to make a difference. I find that refreshing. And because she was just a regular mom a few short years ago, it renews my belief that the average person can achieve anything here in the good ol’ USA.
I think Obama seems like a nice guy, but some of his core values are so vastly different than mine. I wasn’t very excited about McCain either, for the same reasons. But now I’m one of those energized Republicans you keep hearing about. I can’t believe we actually got someone this conservative on the ballot.
There is a lot of discussion among stay-at-home moms about whether or not it is Biblically acceptable for a mother of young children to take on this role. There are also comparisons being made between Sarah Palin, Esther, and Deborah. I’ve enjoyed reading others’ thoughts on this issue, but here’s a link to a blog entry that I particularly enjoyed: Elizabeth Foss on Sarah Palin I also thought she did a great job addressing Bristol’s pregnancy. Regarding Bristol
The other night Nathan and I were at a party that I would say consisted largely of Democrats. In fact, we might have been the only Republicans in the crowd, so I decided it was best to lay low. We enjoyed ourselves, as always, but just like four years ago, it was interesting to be with this particular crowd during an election year. I don’t discuss politics because I’m just not that good at it. My beliefs in what should and should not be acceptable in this country stem from my faith and I keep going back to the Bible. To a lot of people that seems ignorant and uninformed, so I prefer to be a fly on the wall during political discussions unless I am asked a direct question. The exception is on a message board I’ve joined recently. I’m using it as a learning tool in discussing politics with folks who aren’t likeminded.
So, at this party I eavesdropped on a man who was talking about Sarah Palin. He made a lot of remarks and observations that I’d already read online. I listened to his opinion on some of the “dirt” that has been dug up about her, and I was a little amused and a little saddened. No matter which side of the fence you are on, you should be able to admit that Sarah Palin seems like a decent person. If she espoused democratic viewpoints, I think they’d love her regardless of her experience. I mean, I don’t like Barack Obama’s politics, but I would certainly enjoy having him over for dinner and invigorating conversation.
Unfortunately, she’s not getting that basic respect. They are trying so hard to find something, anything, incriminating about her, but I don’t think they’ll find anything significant. I don’t care about “Troopergate.” Sounds to me like both parties should have been fired. Hubby had to fire our brother-in-law once. It made for an awkward Thanksgiving dinner, but it had to be done. We’ve got another one we’d like to fire, but unfortunately, he doesn’t work for us.
And as for her daughter’s pregnancy, well, in this day and age it’s not exactly a scandal. I think the Juno/Juneau connection is pretty funny (because I loved the movie!) even though I feel very sorry for Bristol. It is unfortunate that she has to be in the public eye and the butt of so many jokes. I agree with Sarah Palin that abstinence should be taught in schools. I don’t think anyone expects all kids to follow it, but at least it should be presented as an option. It was over 20 years ago that I saw my first condom in health class. The teacher handed out a questionnaire wanting to know about our sexual experience. There was not a single question on there that had any significance for a virgin. Every question assumed you were already sexually active. I turned in a blank questionnaire and the teacher would not believe that I’d never had sex. At that point, I HAD NEVER EVEN BEEN KISSED!! I was so angry and embarrassed because she held me up as an example of someone who would end up with an STD or pregnant because I couldn’t be honest about my sexual activity. I was seventeen at the time. Teens need to know that there truly is only one way to guarantee NOT getting pregnant. Not having sex. Or I suppose we could also teach them about hysterectomies.
As far as creationism being taught in schools, obviously I believe that the world was created by God in six days so I would love it if that was what they taught. I don’t really believe that is going to happen, and I don’t think Palin does either. But I don’t see why it can’t be presented alongside evolution as another possibility. Evolution is just a theory anyway, so why not present the two most popular theories out there?
Now, just for my sex-ed teacher, I’m going to be completely honest here about my sexual activity. I have sex. I have it a lot. And even though I’m completely honest about it, I still keep getting pregnant. Go figure!
McCain/Palin ‘08
I’m also a fan of what I have heard of Palin’s conservative values.
I’ve also wondered about how that is compatible with the woman’s primary duty of caring for the home (Titus 2:5).
Obviously a woman can work outside of the home (Proverbs 31:10ff) but the home must remain her first priority (Titus 2). If the care of the home or a job must be compromised (for at some point, there will be a time when both demand devoted attention)– which gives? The home or the job?
The Bible is clear which must have the priority, so is it possible for a “woman of faith” to do a work of this nature? Thinking aloud here.
Good “plug” for creation being taught in schools.
I have thought about this too. There is so much discussion out there on both sides of the issue, and both sides make very good points. What I keep going back to is this: I don’t think Sarah Palin is doing anything that goes against Titus 2:4-5. She can be vice president and still love her husband, love her children, be discreet, chaste, good, and obedient to her husband. The question is, can she still be a keeper at home? That would be difficult. However, I am assuming that her husband is encouraging her to take this position. He knows what it will entail and if he is willing for her to do this, then I don’t believe she is wrong to pursue it. Perhaps he is going to be a stay at home dad for this season. I don’t know of any scriptures that prohibit that.
The other thing I keep thinking about is maybe they are going to hire help for the house and for the baby. I guess she reminds me more the of Proverbs 31 woman who worked hard and had servants in her household.
Lastly, as another blogger said, it is not my place to offer opinions on another woman’s conversations with God. And then she included this snippet from Palin’s Time magazine article:
“I knew early on that the smartest thing for me to do was to work hard, do the best that I can, make wise decisions based on good information in front of me. And then put my life, get myself on a path that could be dedicated to God and ask Him what I should next. That will be the position I will be in as long as I’m on earth — that is, seeking the right path that God would have laid out for me.”
Thank you for you comments, David!
I’m with you girlfriend all the way down to the part about getting pregnant all the time and I don’t do that regularly anymore.
While I’ve had concerns about Sarah Palin’s family being neglected, as I’ve learned more about her I realize that she has way more energy than the average woman and she specifically stated in one interview that her large extended family helps a lot with the kids. As one myself who God has clearly led to do things I never thought I’d do outside my home while I was still raising kids, I can appreciate that sometimes His ways are not our ways. When someone has been called to fulfill a role, whether they be Esther or Deborah or Sarah, God will equip that person and provide whatever else she needs in life and that includes whatever her family needs. But she still has to walk a delicate balance and will need to stay closely in tune with God.
What I want to know is why no one ever questions first ladies about being able to do their jobs while they have kids. Every president’s wife has a demanding political role, yet was Hillary or Jackie O. or any other first lady questioned about her ability to parent as the first lady?
All I can say is that I’ve prayed for 8 years for the next president/vp and I had just about lost hope and wasn’t even sure I’d vote. Enter Sarah Palin. Breath of fresh air.