three men, two candidates, one vote

As I cooked dinner Saturday night, my ears were tuned to the voices of three different men on the radio. Political candidates. Authors. Three men who are nearly household names throughout this country.

None of their published works appear on my bookshelf. Neither of the candidates has as yet received my vote. But nonetheless, I listened carefully.

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life was interviewing the top two presidential candidates: John McCain and Barack Obama. And as I listened to their responses (the word "answers" would be appropriate for only one of the two candidates' responses), I became excited. To my surprise, I was listening to a man I could and would vote for--if he chooses a pro-life running mate.

McCain did not get my vote in our state's primary election. Nor did conservative Ron Paul. I wish Dr. Dobson had gotten on the Huckabee bandwagon sooner. Maybe he could have given McCain a run for his money.

Listening to the clear, concise answers Senator McCain gave Saturday night, I realized maybe I still could get excited about the Republican ticket.

If you've been coming to ylcf.org since the last presidential election, you know how I feel about voting for third party candidates. I saw how close the third party vote came to tipping the scales in Kerry's favor in too many states four years ago.

But I can not and will not vote for a ticket with a pro-choice vice-presidential candidate. And I would not expect a Mormon to do much to protect the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, either.

It was obvious how McCain felt about marriage when he declared that his greatest moral failure in life was the failure of his first marriage. And when the question came to human life and human rights, he didn't beg some excuse about lacking the scientific training to be able to answer. McCain instantly answered that life began at conception, and that was that. He didn't have to continually quote Scripture to convince us he had a strong faith and firmly-held convictions. It was evident in his answers, without being "in your face" or sounding like he was begging for the religious vote. (And this homeschool grad was totally won over when he stated that homeschooling works. Not to mention his heroes including Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt.)

No, I don't begin to like everything about the idea of John McCain being the next President of the United States. But I really dislike the thought of our nation's foremost leader having a name so eerily similar to one of our nation's greatest enemies. And that's just the first of many reasons I would not vote for Obama.

I hope and pray McCain chooses his running mate with wisdom from above. Otherwise you might find me voting for a third-party candidate. Or else writing in my brother's name. Will Glaser for President. Now there's a ticket I could stand behind one-hundred percent. But I wouldn't wish the presidency on my brother. Besides, he's not old enough yet.

It's time to Vote!

When I opened my official ballot envelope for my first primary election in my new home state of Washington, I thought for a moment that I was in Florida, instead. A whole pamphlet of official “voting instructions” was included, giving me examples of just exactly how one is to fill in that little box. (On their sample ballot, I could vote for Abraham Lincoln, “Historical Party,” or Helen of Troy, “Ancient Party.”)

After I had ascertained that I was still able to fill in a box clearly, like I’d been doing ever since I took my first test (what do they think, that the voting citizens of this country never went to school?), I began marking my ballot. I voted for the state representative I talked to this summer about some bales of hay. I voted for the various candidates whose campaign signs line our alfalfa fields right next to the highway. I voted for the state supreme court justice I knew was pro-life. I left blank the un-opposed candidates from the other party (despite the temptation to put my husband’s name in the “write-in” blank). And a few I waited to talk to my husband about.

The beauty of mail-in ballots is that some of the most important decisions of this country are made around the family dinner table. Whether or not women should have ever been given the right to vote, I believe it is the role of a voting wife to vote with her husband, not against him. Like the Bible says, “two are better than one,” and that is especially true where voting is concerned.

It’s not a presidential election year, folks. But my new home state is electing justices who will decide many important cases for this state, and this country, in future years. And state Initiative 933, if the people get out and vote, will keep the government from taking our farmland without compensating us for it.

Just because the highest office in the land is not in question does not mean that we can neglect our duty and responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America. Sometimes the decisions on the local level have as much or more bearing on our future than the leaders elected nationally.

Look up your local Right to Life chapter and get their voting guide, find a local conservative Political Action Committee (PAC) and learn their endorsements. Prayerfully discuss the offices and candidates with your husband and family, so that you present a strong, unified voice when you go to the polls. Vote according to the dictates of your conscience. Then, remind your friends and family to go to the polls and make their voice heard—as long as they know how to fill in that little box clearly and completely. (If they don’t, they probably don’t know enough to be making the decisions that will impact future generations.)

TeenPact

An eight-year-old who has never spoken in front of anyone before. Standing at the front of a room with 50 people. Describing his bedroom in 60 seconds. Using hand motions to emphasize how huge his bed is.

A TeenPact public speaking lesson.

Government is like a baby sitter. A babysitter is instituted by Mom. Government is instituted by God.

A TeenPact civics lesson.

"For the purpose of this bill goose shall mean any bird with a long neck that goes honk and hunter shall mean any person with a long stick that goes bang."

A TeenPact bill.

"What do you believe is the role of government?"

"What is your definition of justice?"

Questions with which TeenPact students stump State Representatives.

A circle of people in the Governor's office. Half of whom are under 12 years old. Taking turns praying for the Governor and his family.

They move to the House of Representatives. Praying for the men and women who serve there.

A TeenPact prayer walk.

Changing lives to change America.

What TeenPact is all about.

www.teenpact.com

The 2006 Oregon TeenPact Staff
with my little brother and sister
All y'all were great. (But we missed you, Emily, Steph, and Luke.)

Get money back on your taxes

Does your state have a political tax credit? Mine does. As a single, I can give up to $50 to a qualified political organization each year and then receive the entire amount back when I file my tax return. This is money I can't keep or receive back otherwise, not even with a gift to a charity: it's for political donations only. And if I don't give it to a political action committee, the state will use it.

I usually choose my state's Right to Life organization. They are swimming upstream in the political world. They need all the support they can get, when dealing with big-dollar organizations like Planned Parenthood and NOW. I'd rather take a moment to write out a check than to have my tax money go to funding abortions when it becomes state money.

December 31st is almost here. Do you know if your state has a political tax credit? How will you be using it?

TeenPact

TeenPact. It's THE Civics Course for homeschoolers. And it's coming to a state capitol near you.

Classes start in January, so go to www.teenpact.com now, and sign up for you and your siblings!



TeenPact
Changing Lives to Change America

TeenPact is a national organization commited to training Christian young people to positively influence our culture.

The TeenPact Leadership School brings young people to their state capitol to learn about government from a Biblical perspective. Teens participate in a four-day class, and 8-12 year olds attend a one-day class. Students learn about the political process and the basics of state government. They analyze public policy from a Biblical worldview and get a behind-the-scenes look at how their state government works.

TeenPact's goal is to instill youth with the skills and passion necessary to impact the nation for Jesus Christ.

Once they have completed a state class, students have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of TeenPact alumni events, where they can learn more, have fun, and grow with TeenPacters from across the nation.

(compiled from a review in OCEANetwork Currents and a synopsis by Will Glaser)

"Christ to the Capitol" Class Curriculum Includes:

• The Legislative Process
• A Mock Legislature
• "How a Bill Becomes Law"
• Influence of constituents on Lawmakers
• The role of Christians in politics
• Being "salt and light" at the Capitol

Articles & Reviews on TeenPact

Preparing Your Teen to Impact the World (Focus on the Family website)

TeenPact Trains Youth for Godly Government (AFA Journal)

TeenPact: Changing Lives to Change America (by Gretchen Glaser)

TeenPact: Making a Difference in America (Crosswalk.com)

No Joking: Here are some young people who are all business (WORLD Magazine)

In short...

"TeenPact trains young people in leadership and citizenship in the context of a biblical worldview"
- Family.org

" an organization dedicated to inspiring love for citizenship and justice in today's youth"
- Lewis County Homeschool Group

"TeenPact equips teens to become leaders in politics and society"
- Veritas Homeschoolers

"...an unprecedented opportunity for young people to grow in their knowledge about government and interact with lobbyists, representatives, senators and offices around a state's capitol."
-Kyle Williams

"...a week of TeenPact in our state capitol...was quite helpful in translating the theoretical into the practical..."
- a mother

"training is hands-on and on-site"
- Kevin Swanson

"America's premier resource for teens with a desire to become leaders"
- CATALYST for Cleveland Public Schools

"The first thing [my 8-year-old son] said when he arrived home was, 'Can I go next year?'"
-a mother

"...designed to help today's youth develop a passion for citizenship and justice in government"
- AFA Journal

"The name TeenPact means 'Teens making an impact'"
-Arizona Families for Home Education

"Teaching young people how to be effective speakers, qualified leaders and eventually role models for their younger peers"
- CATALYSTt for Cleveland Public Schools

"A comprehensive leadership experience that challenges students to grow both personally and spiritually"
- OCEANetwork Currents

"TeenPact is both fun and educational for all who attend"
- Kentucky Home Education Association Newsletter

"They took oftentimes-boring subjects and turned them into interesting dialogues, humorous skits, and mind-stirring excursions"
- THINK at Home

"If ever our nation needed an organization like TeenPact it is now, and all freedom-loving Americans would do well to offer their prayers and their support to it."
- The Mustard Seed

Why my brother doesn't want to be a lawyer...

"Inevitably, this increase in lawyers, litigation, and legal work was parasitical on the economy as a whole. One 1989 study indicated that the optimum number of lawyers needed was only 60 percent of the existing total and that each additional lawyer joining the profession above this total reduced America's GDP [gross domestic product, the market value of all goods and services produced in the nation] by $2.5 million."

-Paul Johnson, A History of the American People, 1998

Always learning!

My little brother and sister (ages 7 and 10) were thrilled to meet the Oregon State Governor yesterday, after a Flag Day ceremony at the Capitol.

Though they are anxious to campaign for his opponent next election, my siblings were still very excited when Governor Ted Kulongoski came up and shook their hands. "Hi, my name is Ted. I'm the Governor!"

He thanked them kindly for coming, then asked, "Are you out of school?"

My little sister said, "We're homeschooled!"

The Governor replied, "Oh, so you're always out of school then!" and quickly walked away.

Yes, this is the same Governor that vetoed a homeschool freedom bill last legislative session, despite it passing both the House and the Senate.

But no, Mr. Governor, homeschoolers are always in school. Always learning. And when someday a homeschooler has your job, maybe you'll give us a bit more credit.

Marriage: More than just one man, one woman

My bumper sticker from the last election is still affixed to my car's rear window:
"One Man, One Woman, Yes on 36."

But when I saw the article "Contending for Marriage" by Roberto Riveray Carlo, I realized that, while we won the first round, our arguments in future battles will need to be based on more than just the moral principle that marriage is between one man and one woman. It's so much more.

"While a large majority of Americans are opposed to legalizing same-sex marriage, for the most part this opposition doesn’t grow out of their convictions, explicit or implicit, about the nature and purpose of marriage. Instead, it’s the product of a moral intuition that this is a line that should not be crossed.

"While this is a laudable intuition, its long-term viability is doubtful. If polling data are to be believed, younger Americans are more likely to favor legal recognition of same-sex marriage than Americans as a whole. I think this trend can be reversed but only if we go beyond saying that 'marriage is the union of one man and one woman' to explaining why that’s the case and more importantly, living as if we believed it."

-Roberto Riveray Carlo in "Contending for Marriage" on Boundless.org

Terri's life has become politically symbolic

Working at my state capitol, I'm hearing all sides of the Schiavo case from the political perspective. Many say it is not the government's responsibility to intervene. But if we're going to talk politics, what about Terri's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?!

Terri's life has become about far more than just Terri--it is about how future generations of handicapped and elderly will be treated by their husbands, children, and their government.

Listen to what Cal Thomas has to say:

"Terri Schiavo's life matters as symbol and substance. Her case is only the latest in a long series that forces us to choose between two philosophies of life.

"One philosophy says we are mere material and energy shaped by pure chance in a random universe, evolving from slime with no Author of life, no purpose for living beyond what gives us pleasure and no destination after we die but the grave.

"The other philosophy of life says we are created by an infinite, personal God who has a plan for every life in every situation and circumstance and that no one should take a life except under the most extreme circumstances and only through due process or in self-defense.

"...how the Schiavo case is decided will determine what many of us will face in the future."

-Cal Thomas, in his March 21 column


"The question is whether as a society we want to resolve these very difficult, doubtful cases in favor of death." -David Limbaugh

"If the tragic case of Terri Schiavo shows nothing else, it shows how easily 'the right to die' can become the right to kill."-Thomas Sowell

Fetal Pain

There is a bill soon to be presented to the House called the Abortion Pain Awareness Act. This law would require doctors to inform their patients of the reality that during an abortion their baby could experience significant pain. The doctor would then have to offer the mother an anesthesia for her baby.
Though this does not prevent abortions in any way, it still is being resisted by liberals. How can they call us extremists for wanting this bill to pass? A similar law is in place requiring that animals be given pain killer before being slaughtered--and yet there is no such law for babies? This is barbaric. The very thought of brutally murdering babies is horrific enough, but that they should undergo such dreadful pain cannot be tolerated.

Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family's radio broadcast this morning was excellent. They discussed the President's State of the Union address from last Wednesday, as well as current issues related to the courts and bills being presented that deal with abortion. To see a transcript of the broadcast or read some articles on these subjects, go to www.family.org
I really enjoyed listening because I missed the State of the Union address, being in Chicago. It made me even more thankful for our godly President!

How fast can you count?

When I was little, I used to count as quickly as I could. 12345678910! But the margin of error is greater the more quickly you count, ever notice that?

I just woke up, and after waking up my computer, checked all the news websites. Same thing as when I went to sleep! I'm anxiously waiting for the precincts across this nation to finish counting. But I'm glad they're doing it slowly. Some news stations have declared President Bush winner of some states, others are too close to call. Just give us Wisconsin and Iowa, please, Lord, so he can win even without Ohio!

For current, accurate results, visit C-Span's Election Results. If only we'd had all the third-party voters voting for Bush in each state, this election would be much closer to being decided. I keep wishing that when everything is counted in Oregon or Washington, President Bush will still win one of those states. But we just have to pray for Ohio!

Meanwhile, I'll get some more sleep...

I just had to share a picture of our victorious Bush-Cheney "team."
That's me holding the newspaper with the headlines "Strengthened Standing." My little sister has on a Bush-Cheney t-shirt, and my brother holds a Bush-Cheney sign he made all by himself. 3 Cheers for Victory! 3 Cheers for 4 More Years!

Proud of my President, my Country!

Tears came to my eyes as I listened to my President give his acceptance speech. I am so proud to be an American. I am so thankful for my President. I am so excited that my President was re-elected.

But we must not stop praying. We must pray that God would continue to give President Bush strength and wisdom equal to his task. Because our President trusts in God as his source of strength and wisdom, I can trust George W. Bush to govern wisely as our President for 4 More Years.

Watching President and Mrs. Bush together always warms my heart. He called her the love of his life. Wow! I couldn't help but compare the Bushes with the "newlywed" Kerrys. President and Laura Bush have been married for 27 years and he stilll holds her hand, kisses her, and calls her the love of his life. That is the kind of man we need leading our country--a man of commitment and character.

On October 22, Lisa Sarrach wrote in a GOP commentary:

Today, the Democrat party is on life support... When President Bush is re-elected decisively and all the Democrat lawyers poised for a recount fight are sent home - All the mainstream media, the crass Democrats and the Senators Kerry and Edwards will hear for years is the echo from the heartland of America - the echo of victory, the echo of hope and prosperity, and the echo of the ghost that was once the Democrat Party.

This election year good will prevail over evil and that means on November 3rd, 2004 we will wake up and the president will keep his job, and we can go to ours, safe in the knowledge that he'll do all he can to keep us safe, keep us prosperous, and keep us free.

The mainstream media and their Democrat friends will get up and go to work the next day, and ponder to themselves and their colleagues, 'how did we get it so wrong?' and weep in their corn flakes over what might have been if they hadn't sold their souls for only one segment of political power and ratings.

Makes no matter to us - we get to go to bed at night in the warm embrace of our family and with the knowledge that those who seek to destroy all that's special about our country have finally been beaten back for years to come.

We did. We have. And we will. May God continue to bless my President and my country!

I respect Kerry for conceding...

Did you hear Dan Rather speak of Kerry talking to Edwards like Paul did to his adopted son Timothy? Comparing Kerry to Paul is like...well, there's nothing so far from the truth!

Their concession speeches were ridiculous. They claimed they wanted unity, but they said they would keep fighting. That campaign is still flip-flopping!

I do have to say that I respect Senator Kerry for one thing: that he conceded. Al Gore made a mess of it 4 years ago. And yes, we are still recovering from those wounds. This election was a huge step forward for America. The Democrats proved they had a little honor and dignity left: they did not drag this election out with litigation. For that, I thank and respect John Kerry. But that is the last good word I'll have to say about him. As we watched Kerry and Edwards given their concession speeches, I shuddered at the thought that they could have been accepting the leadership of the nation instead. Thank You, Lord, for protecting us from such an evil administration.

This is not a political blog (can't you tell?)

Despite blogger being down, we've managed to make a record number of posts on the YLCF Heartbeat in the last 24 hours. Probably because our hearts were beating rather quickly in anticipation! I assure you that I can and do think in terms other than political, but politics is an issue that is close to my heart. And as I continue to work for the state legislature the next six months, writing about politics will become not only a passion, but my main occupation once the legislature convenes. I won't post on the blog about every issue that comes to my state, but if I think it matters to the rest of the country, I will write about it here.

I also plan to have thoughts on many other subjects besides politics, so stay tuned! And of course, my best friend will continue to blog on the issues close to her heart as well. I look forward to spending next week with her--maybe we'll even write a joint blog entry or two. Until then...may God bless America!

3 Cheers for Victory!!

3 cheers for President Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 cheers for the Definition of Marriage!!!!!!!!!

3 cheers for Representative Anderson!!!!!!!!

3 Cheers for 3 Victories!!!!!

Yesterday I said I was hoping and praying for three victories: President Bush's re-election, the passage of Oregon's Measure 36 Definition of Marriage Amendment, and the re-election of State Representative Gordon Anderson, whom I work for. I found out at 8 o'clock last night that my Representative was re-elected by 63%. Measure 36 was tight for a while, but when the conservative county results began coming in, the news stations called it: Measure 36 made the eleventh of the eleven definition of marriage amendments across the country to pass, banning gay marriage in eleven states. And after I finally went to sleep, I woke up five hours later to find the Presidential election still hanging on Ohio. Then Senator Kerry conceded. The victory is ours! President Bush for 4 More Years!!!!!!!!!!!

The only thing that would have made me happier is if my own state would have switched and actually voted for Bush for once. But at least 60% in my county voted for Bush! We didn't do very well in our state races, either. Almost all Democrats re-elected for the big races, and we don't have control of the state capitol. But there's always next election! We'll oust our Democrat governor and regain control of the state. For now, the country is in good hands--and so is the power to appoint those upcoming Supreme Court Judge seats. We have a God-fearing President for 4 More Years! Thank You, Lord!

Praise the Lord!!!! The victory is ours!!

3 Cheers for Victory!!!!!!

Thank You Lord!

God is good. Don't we serve a loving, good God? Yes he was in control no matter what happened, but I am so glad that Bush will be our president for the next four years. Thank you Lord! Thank you for hearing our prayers.

As I was going to sleep last night, with Ohio still up for grabs, I was thinking about the power of prayer. There were tens of millions of Christians praying that Bush would be reelected. I can't imagine that there were many praying Kerry would be elected. No, numbers don't direct God's will, but He is a good God and He hears the prayers of His people.

And this time He answered with a Yes. Thank You Lord!!!!!!

Victory for Marriage!

I've always been pro-marriage. But I didn't realize it would be any more than a joke until recently. Thankfully, the rest of the nation seems to be pro-marriage too. That is, marriage between one man and one woman. The way God created it. The way Webster defined it.

All 11 states that had amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman voted to pass the amendments! Even in the liberal state of Oregon, the No on 36 group admitted their defeat this evening.

The Presidential race hangs on Ohio. But thankfully, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Utah and Oregon all agreed that marriage is between one man and one woman. The Associated Press calls it, "a resounding, coast-to-coast rejection of gay marriage." What a victory for marriage! What a victory for Christians!

Thank You, Lord!!!

praying against tragedy...

What tragedy? "The tragedy that idealistic, patriotic, constitutionally minded Christian Americans very possibly will be the ones that actually turn over this nation to Kerry – a man who opposes, and is intent on destroying, every one of their most cherished values."

This tragedy is what David Kupelian addresses in his excellent "Open letter to Libertarian, Constitution Party voters".

"But when we have a clear choice between a better option and a worse option, and millions of lives will be affected by our choice, God doesn't require that we do the impossible and make a third option win out... What God does hold us responsible for is to do the right thing, to act with wisdom. If America can have a safer nation with a more decent president – or be more endangered with an unprincipled, ambitious sociopath as president – and if we, you and I, are the ones who choose that president tomorrow, then we have a responsibility to choose the better man. Not to do so will be a tragedy we will remember for the rest of our lives."

I voted against such a tragedy...and now I'm praying against it.