Below is an email forward of a very interesting debate between a friend and a conservative:

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The following is an email debate I've been having with some guy in Texas:

ME:

These days, voting Democratic is seen as the "un-Christian" thing to do. But I have to wonder, just how Christian is it to vote Republican?

Economic Policy
There is a misperception in this country that the platforms and policies of the Republicans are aligned with Christian principles. Some of the fundamental ideals that the party was founded on contradict what God teaches us about what our priorities should be. A prime example is the Republican economic philosophy which is, in a nutshell, let the rich get richer without any government interference – then maybe if we're lucky some of that prosperity will trickle down to the masses. But what does the Bible teach us about what our economic priorities should be? Over 3,000 verses talk about poverty and social injustice. This recurring theme is mentioned in the Bible more than any other topic by a mile. Think about what Jesus said…. "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me….whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me." From Ezekiel - "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." During the last presidential debate, I was appalled to hear John McCain criticize Obama by saying, "he wants to spread the wealth!" Doesn't God's word teach us to "spread the wealth"? Heaven forbid the McCains might own only 6 houses instead of 7.

Another key component of the Republican economic platform is tax cuts for corporations instead of the working class (again, in hopes of trickle down prosperity). McCain defends this position by saying that the U.S. has the highest business tax in the world. This is true on paper. Our business tax code is one of the highest in the world. However the reality is that with all the loop holes, the taxes that corporations actually pay is among the LOWEST in the world. So really what the Republicans are proposing is more tax cuts on top of the loop holes.

Foreign Policy
It is disheartening to hear John McCain sing (with a microphone, in front of an audience) "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran". He has aggressively criticized Obama for his willingness to talk to hostile foreign leaders. Scripture teaches us to sit down with our enemies, and to avoid war. Psalms 33 says "The warhorse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save." Isaiah 2:4 – "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." I believe another verse goes, "blessed are the peacemakers", not "blessed are those with the biggest guns".

The "Celebrity"
Regarding the notion that Obama shouldn't be elected because of his "celebrity" or "rock-star" image… Its true, no other politician in recent years has sparked such popularity and enthusiasm through his speeches. But why is this seen as such a bad thing? Think about Ronald Reagan or Abraham Lincoln, two of the greatest orators in our nation's history – both with a legacy of inspiring and bringing people together with their words. Should they have been dismissed for being too inspiring? Is there such a thing? With the country more divided than its been in decades, we could use a healthy dose of inspiration. And just for argument sake, let's recall the "celebrities" the Republicans have elected to public office – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fred Thompson, Clint Eastwood…and let's not forget Ronald Reagan.

I strongly encourage every Christian to read the book "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis, and lets get our priorities straight! And if you really want to know about Obama's faith, read/listen to his keynote address to Call To Renewal (a faith based organization). Click here. I believe that Obama's priorities are far more aligned with the Bible's principles than any other candidate in my lifetime.

Many of the arguments made against Obama are simply not true. Check out these impartial and unbiased sites to check the facts for yourself:www.factcheck.orgwww.politifact.com

TEXAS GUY:

You're argument is good……..but flawed. Flawed in that with the Democrat plan of re-distribution to give to the poor does not lend itself to GIVING. GIVING of your money and time as charity is the right thing to do. For a government entity to come and take your money and then inefficiently distribute but a portion of what they take to those who "need" it, is socialism. Clear your conscience and GIVE. GIVE sacrificially to your church and to those around you that have a need and you will cancel out the requirement of your government to do it. It is "Christian" to make a choice to give. It is Communism to be forced to do it.

ME:
Point taken, but I think this argument directly contradicts the Right's opposition to separation of church and state. Bush has dismissed the notion of separation of church and state, and conservatives have always applauded Bush for allowing his faith to lead his policies. But when Obama proposes policies rooted in his faith, he is vilified. Even if you take faith out of the equation - one of the fundamental building blocks of a stable, civilized society is looking out for the common good of all members of that society.

Separation of church and state, and faith aside... the idea of raising taxes for the big guy and cutting them for the middle class is not a new idea. This has been proposed by countless politicians over the years, but I don't ever remember a time when these platforms have been labeled as communism. We must be careful not to be sucked into panic. In the 60's, Republicans vehemently opposed the enactment of Medicare, arguing that it would propel us on a path toward communism and the end of freedom. No doubt Medicare has its flaws, but it certainly hasn't led us into communism or the downfall of our democracy. I don't know of any Republican today fighting to abolish Medicare because of its socialist characteristics. If they're going to oppose the redistribution of wealth, why not fight to abolish Medicare too? The answer...because Medicare serves the common good of the people.

From an objective standpoint, the trickle-down philosophy simply hasn't worked. Over the past 30 years, the rich have gotten richer and the middle class and poor have gotten poorer. I guess this is the Republican version of "distribution of wealth".

TEXAS GUY:

-What policies has Obama proposed that are “rooted in his faith?”

-Point taken on the Republican’s in the 60’s

-You are not paying attention to the middle class! We are better than ever. We spend less on subsistence items than ever, have more junk than ever, and more of our kids are going to college than ever. The middle class has a spending problem not and earning problem. The American middle class has pushed their credit to the limit (forgive the pun) and now we are getting the unfortunate collaborate beating we deserve. The middle class in aggregate overloaded themselves with cheap credit put forth by the regulations of FNMA. FNMA regulations were torn apart recently with the help of Democrats like Barney Frank. The Democrat party had a notion that all Americans had the “right” to buy a home. I don’t remember anything in the Constitution about that but only the right to “pursue” it. Anyway, the middle class goes out and takes advantage of cheap money and buys beyond their income level. The middle class did this to themselves along with the help of government funded insurance and banking organizations. The economic mess we drudge through today was caused by Democrat party’s failed attempt to put everyone in a home.

-From an objective standpoint, the trickle down philosophy simply does work. Our biggest problem is that the average person didn’t listen to their grandparents when they told them not to buy stuff they didn’t have the money for. Most Americans have the money to buy medical insurance but choose to spend it on other stuff. Its simple math.

ME:

During his time as a state legislator and senator, he has sponsored over 800 bills (which disproves McCain's attack that he has no accomplishments to speak of). Of those, about 200 of them were aimed at combating poverty, and protecting civil rights. In addition, his convictions are evident in his career choices. As the head of the Harvard law review, he could have gotten a high paying job at the firm of his choice. Instead he took on the less glamorous role of community organizer and advocate for the poor and underrepresented (for which he was openly mocked at the RNC).

Regarding the mortgage crisis - sure there are examples of things the Republican did to prevent this, and there are things the Democrats did as well. I won't try to defend the democrats and slam the republicans here. This is a complex issue with many contributing factors and I think there is plenty of blame to go around to both republicans and democrats.

On our spending habits... its true the mortgage crisis isn't totally the work of greedy banks, part of the blame lies squarely on buyers who never bothered to educate themselves on the kind of mortgage they were getting themselves into. And I completely agree that people in this country spend too much money on crap they don't need. But to suggest this is the cause of all our problems is too simplistic and narrow. Trust me, I'm a firm believer in living within your means (my friends even joke about how much of a penny pincher I am!), but even I'm feeling the squeeze. The costs of gas, groceries, utilities, etc, have increased dramatically. The other day I was buying groceries and it occurred to me that a few food items I buy are almost double the price they were less than a year ago. There are thousands of families who don't spend frivolously, but are struggling.

I suspect I haven't changed your vote, but at the very least I hope to give a different perspective. I thank you for your time and consideration. I believe that thoughtful and rational debate is what drives our democracy, not shouting and name calling.