WHEW. THEY'RE OVER.

Americans love political theatre and the conventions provide a wonderful chance to chant "USA!  USA!".

We need patriotic fervor, and so Charlotte and Tampa have provided that chance to declare our love of country.

In Charlotte, Bill Clinton worked his magic (we Arkies are familiar with that) and urged patience.  He said that with all his heart he believed that things will turn if we just keep on keeping on with his party.

In Tampa, Republicans were defined by success stories of immigrants who have risen from nothing to live the American dream (Governors Nicki Haley and Susana Martinez, Senator Marco Rubio and Mayor/Congresswoman Candidate Mia Love).  Oh, and the "make my day" made us laugh a lot.

So there it is.  Each side has passion and we're a country hugely in trouble with a $16 trillion debt.  One side wants to keep spending, based on their belief that people are entitled and spending cures the problem.  On the other side are the mean guys trying to inject reason into fiscal solvency.

When our country goes into a bankruptcy (like the California cities Stockton and San Bernadino and others)...all will be lost.  Then we may be warm-hearted, but we'll be prisoners who are at the mercy of people known for true coldness.  We may see things (like union contracts and Ms. Fluke's birth control) in a different light then.  Certainly they will not seem so essential for the public purse.

Here's the problem with coaching people to hate.  Yes, I realize Bill Clinton said he doesn't hate anyone and I would agree that he is a lover, not a hater.  But his party repeatedly characterizes the opposition as AWFUL; they pit rich/poor, black/white, Main Street/Wall Street, and purport a war against women.  The toxic blend that comes from anger and envy becomes a lady like THIS .  She can't tell you why she hates Governor Romney, she just does.

You might be thinking there are fringe folks at both conventions and of course you'd be right.  But it did seem easy to find them in Charlotte.  Jon Stewart did a good job of illustrating that HERE.

As both parties move to November, I've heard it said that there is really only one issue facing us all... FREEDOM!

ECONOMIC FREEDOM.  It will take economic good sense to be able to continue functioning as a nation, the same nation which was designed to bless the world.  Generosity can only come when money comes.  Surely Charlotte doesn't really believe what they are saying about banning PROFITS.  Wish the delegates could see all the good in Arkansas that WalMart money has done.  If we need jobs, we must be a friend to business!

FREEDOM IN GOVERNANCE.  "Checks and balances" worked until czars and mandates.  The executive branch overreach is unconstitutional and courts are repeatedly finding it illegal.  Click HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.  The repeated words from the court in these articles are "government went too far" as the rights of citizens were infringed.

Hey (as Uncle Si would say).  In America, we may feel passionate about issues and have a soapbox to convey those beliefs; hopefully that happens in a respectful way.  But after the ballots are counted, that lady from Puerto Rico may still have to live by a neighbor that could vote Republican.  What will she do with her feelings then?  Hate has a way of growing and intensifying.

Still there are strong reasons to be concerned about the 2012 election.  Many feel brooding storm clouds:

Voting THREE TIMES about putting God/Jerusalem in or out at Charlotte does not bode well.  Nor does taking the public money to spend for things that rake our conscience.  Fact checkers tell us both sides have enlarged truth.  I'm pretty sure that makes His list, too.

This election is not like other elections.  We need to be on our faces before God, begging Him for forgiveness and for insight into right leadership.

And would you also consider praying for the little lady in the big hat from Puerto Rico?  I can't imagine that she really meant what she was saying, but she DID mean that her feelings are pushing her around.  And there's an all-powerful God who can help her with that...