I was driving to school this week listening to some post-primary coverage on XM for about an hour straight they were jumping around to speeches that the different candidates were giving in light of how well they had done on "Super Tuesday." Not much of what they were saying was out of the ordinary, but one candidate did give a speech that night that I think helped me really get a good idea of what is making me feel a bit uneasy about some of the things that have been said during this election so far. It was Mitt Romney, and he was essentially doing the same thing as everyone else, making it clear what his priorities would be if he were elected. This was what he said:
"We face extraordinary challenges. I'm convinced -- and I mean this very sincerely -- I'm convinced that if Washington continues on its same course, America will emerge not as the great nation of the 21st century by the end, but as a second-tier power. It will passed by someone else. I can't tell you who it will be, but it would be passed by someone else. That will not happen."
I have been doing a lot of reading in the gospels recently and trying to figure out how Jesus' message and expectations would have applied to someone living in America today. All I have ever known is the safety and peace of mind that come with knowing that I live in the greatest superpower in the world. My country is the best. I know this and I love it. I would be stupid to want it any other way. We are prosperous, free, and safe. Whenever I actually get around to having kids (if anyone has a pop-up book on the topic I would love to borrow it, we aren't really sure how the whole process works) I take such great comfort and joy in knowing that my kids will be raised in such a great place. But to be honest I am so dependent on the benefits I enjoy from living in the world's greatest superpower, I often find more of my identity in that than I do in Christ. Simply put, I am an American first, and a Christian second. That might sound crazy to you, but that's what I hear in what Mitt Romney is saying here. He is one of the most devout candidates in the race, and his position is clear. And I don't think this is limited to the GOP. I hear the same things from the other side of the race as well.
If it's wrong to say that I am going to to whatever it takes to be the most powerful and the most prosperous person in the world, why is it ok to say that we should do whatever it takes to be the most powerful and prosperous country in the world? How does every other nation feel as they watch us proclaim that our first priority is to be better than them?
I was with some people a few weeks ago and the subject of the election and specifically illegal immigration came up. People were talking very passionately about how some of the candidates were not willing to do what it takes to secure our borders. People were talking about the best way to keep Mexicans out and at one point someone jokingly said we should just put snipers out to provide a "real" deterrent. Almost immediately after that, the subject turned to the Mexico missions trip I was in the process of planning for our church. Everyone was excited about the good things we would be doing for the poor and needy of Mexico. I see a pretty big disconnect here. We are allowed to be selfish and protective of our country, but as a church and as individuals we are supposed to be different. We are supposed to put the needs of others before our own. I don't see how we can pursue two goals: being the best and strongest country in the world, and showing the rest of the world a Christlike humility and a desire to place the needs of others above our own. This might sound a little radical but I can't help but feel uneasy about being led by anyone who wants first and foremost to be the best, the richest and the most powerful. I think Jesus would have preferred that we be known as the most generous, loving and (dare I say it) mediocre.
