The biblical saying, "you reap what you sow" is ringing loud and clear in our nation as people wake up to the news that the Democrats have won control of the House and possibly the Senate. I think Republicans got too comfortable over the last few years and failed to convince voters that their style of leadership was working.
I also think that people have separated the war in Iraq from the war on terror. While I believe there are direct ties, I think our leaders became overconfident there, as well. The people have spoken and their displeasure is unmistakeable.
My friend Phil Burress was quoted in the Wall Street Journal last weekend as he talked about being disappointed in Republicans, even in the President. But his good advice was to go to the polls, hold your nose and vote Republican anyway. I took his advice because I agreed that it was the right thing to do overall, not because of the people that we were having to vote for.
I do think the Foley scandal, Ted Haggard's fall and other moral issues had an effect on the elections, but I believe the war was the prevailing factor.
Once again, however, people came out and voted for marriage. 7 out of the 8 states with marriage amendments on the ballots voted for their passage sending a loud message to our newly elected Democrats and the others they will join in Congress come January.
Being the minority party again will re-energize the leaders within the GOP and those that work to keep them in power. I think this is good for the Church---we need to realize that politics won't save us and that the people need more attention than our elected officials.
