I always vote agianst third term Governments as it is to easy for sin to permeate in governments after that time.

I don’t as a rule vote for chrisitians as I always find those people to easily comproopmising their beliefs because of the party.

This is easily seen in the present government at present. Unfortunately the ALP have cast aside their origins which had a christian base.

I did not vote for the labor member because I was sick of getting shiney pamphlets every second day outlining how I would get more money from a labor government.
I read in the paper that Mark Latham has written a few books that outline his ideas and passions, but I haven’t read them. I didn’t hear much about Labor policies. Maybe next time.

I did put as my last preference the unknown independent that every other group put last on their how to vote card.

In the absense of any real information, just what the mail drops and the T.V. tells me, and I don’t trust those sources, I guess I just went with what I know. I also hear from my childhood the voice of my mother saying every time there was an election, “Vote Liberal.”

I voted for Family First in the senate, ‘cos I didn’t know what else to do. I thought I should support the Christians. I like some of what the Greens said but not everything in their printed on recycled paper pamphlet. Having looked up the FF website and read some of their policies, I think they really have little idea of politics at this stage and their policies have a lot of big gaping holes.

Watching the election coverage I did notice that a number of Christians have been elected from different parties. I think it’s fantastic to be a positive Godly influence in parliament with whatever party you’re in.

I’ve lived in households from both extremes, first with Republicans and now with some Kerry supporters for almost two months. The contrast between the two has been eye opening.

After living with a Republican for eight months I was convinced Kerry could not possibly lead this nation as it continued it’s war on terror and for the general well being of everyone I should support Bush.

This train of thought continued right up until the first Presidential debate and then my view shifted. For the first time I actually heard Kerry give his two cents and was impressed. He wasn’t the ‘flip-flopper’ the Bush campaign had lead people to believe.

Kerry showed better control and knowledge over Bush, obviously a much smarter individual. Over the next couple of weeks up until the third debate Kerry had my vote. I already knew he we would be the best candidate for future world relations, and now I thought he would be good for America too.

The third debate changed things for me again when the debate turned to softer issues on faith and moral values. I’m probably best described as a ‘Creationist’ christian and fervently believe in the authority of the Bible.

Bush showed clear values and ideologies that I believe in also, such as banning abortion and keeping marriage between heterosexual couples. Kerry on the otherhand, while agreeing with Bush, didn’t want to change the Constitution over it, letting the states decide.

I’m now having difficulty in deciding who would receive my vote. I think Kerry has good plans for health and education, but Bush’s strong conviction is something I believe makes him worthy of staying in command.

I’m currently tending towards Kerry, I think he would be better from a global view. If I were an American, I think Bush would have my vote.

Jan

We have a liberal Labour government. We are detaining an Algerian refugee without charge, a gross breach of human rights. We have “hate crime legislation” in the making, which is a breach of freedome of expression from the liberal perspective, We are Maori-bashing with foreshore and seabed legislation.
Would this have happened under a National government? perhaps.

Our MPs lie too. If Labour got in in Aussie, you`d soon spot the liars there as well.

Christians do not have to support the agendas you oppose. But if you oppose an agenda, what are you actually doing about it except moaning (and I dont mean to be critical in saying that)

As christians in both NZ and Australia, we need to be proactive lobbyists rather than reactive complainers.

I dont see much of the proactibve stuff on this side of the ditch. Do you on your side?

PS I would probably have voted for Howard rather than Latham. Happy to explain via email.

The health of the economy isn’t alays an indicator of the health of the people.
I see the gospel as having a very socialist flavour. The idea of giving to the needy, the early churches concept of communal sharing, caring for the poor, the widows the orphins, having indignation at social justice issues etc. Medicare Gold for example, a great ‘people caring’ policy. So politically I can’t vote liberal. Privatisation, and an approach to the economy that benefits the rich over the poor I see as wrong. Personal welath I read last week was at an all time high, and had increased dramatically in the last 10 years. This increase in wealth is concentrating in fewer hands, and the gap between rich and poor is getting even larger under right wing politics. Was Jesus a socialist?