Presidential Elections

This past weekend marked the run-off election between Yulia Tymoshenko (Western Leaning, Ukrainian Nationalist, she looks like princess lea), and the previous president from 4yrs ago, Viktor Yanukovych (Kremlin kroney who allegedly poisoned his former competition and current President).  The orange revolution from 4yrs ago proved to produce very little but apathy and disillusionment among the voters in this new ‘democracy’.  Widespread corruption and bureaucratic undermining prevented much of the progression.  Ukraine is divided geographically down the middle.  The west of Ukraine is almost entirely pro European, the east and south primarily Russian heritage and influence.  The general feeling among Ukrainians that I’ve talked to was much like those in the US, ‘their both poor choices’.  It’s amazing to me that the democratic system rarely produces a candidate that people are proud of these days.  I read this quote the other day on www.christianquotes.org :

“Politics—the art of obtaining money from the rich and votes from the poor on the pretext of protecting each other from the other.” Oscar Ameringer

And this one from Thomas Jefferson:

“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on [political] offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

In any case, I couldn’t vote, but like most of my Ukrainian friends, it’s hard to be excited about two candidates with a track record of corruption.  This nation needs more than a moral president anyway, it needs an awakening.  People are oblivious to a moral law giver who not only sees, but will render justice to each man according to their deeds.  I’ve been thinking of the scripture, “every knee will bow, and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”  Whether by voluntary surrender and recognition here in this life, or by sheer force in the presence of His divine holiness, every knee WILL bow.  It is my, and I would suggest yours too, joyful duty to remind our neighbor of this truth.  Now is the time for repentance and turning to the giver of life, He alone can change the wicked heart, and in turn, a nation.

Here’s a clip from today to give you an idea of the political climate. Starts with a throwback from 4 yrs ago.  There are planned protests once again as the election was very close, and each side had prepared examples of voter fraud.