I completely respect this piece and viewpoint because it is uniquely your own and most likely very personal.  But I have to say, from an independent perspective, this line of reasoning is illogical in a lot of ways and promotes so much undo fear in people- which promotes only discord and strife.  It's illogical arguments because they are slippery slopes that you tread, along with many 'fear addicted conservatives'.  I have had threats in my face while not even disagreeing, just simply not agreeing with someone who believes like you that if I support Obama I’m heading towards socialism and have been duped by overly hopeful rhetoric that holds no weight. 

I will say, extreme conservative beliefs are just as scary of a precipice and close-minded to the core. Extremism and narrow-mindedness on either side is a scary precipice.  And if you want to discuss a religious side, what about the fact that Jesus of the Bible wouldn't have been courting all the evangelicals and sweeping through mega churches appealing to people's pocketbooks through judgment, fear and manipulation; he would have been helping those you are so quick to judge as the poor who don't supposedly work or are the derelicts to society. 

The point is, without the many different faces and opinions and styles of leadership, we wouldn't have our freedom.  The country is NOT going to hell in a hand basket unless we judge and criticize each other to death and spread fear like you talk about spreading the gospel.  Think long and hard, listen instead of jump to conclusions about those who don't directly align with your style of thinking.  Try not to be so close-minded and rely so heavily on your intellectual strengths.  Go meet some people who might vote differently than you and try to have a real, respectful conversation.  We have lost the ability for healthy debate in our culture, and that is terribly sad.  We can learn from one another- including Obama OR McCain- but also our neighbors, friends and strangers.  Try open-mindedness. 

Try to be like Jesus and listen more than speak, love more than judge, feel and empathize more than control.  And try to trust that this is all a process; why not think the best of a man if in office, than the worst. Why not ask what you can do to help the state of discord and 'lawlessness' as you speak of where you are and encourage others to do the same without threats of 'what could be's' and 'he might be or do this or that'.  Try gratitude that we live in such a blessed country full of freedom and young with hope.  Think of how we CAN change if we look to what we can do in our own world and sphere of influence.  Think of the good it could do everyone to be so glad for our governmental system full of checks and balances and that we the people have a voice no matter what.  Think of how much we still need to do to help the helpless and how much it benefits us intrinsically who ‘have’ help and be aware of those who 'have not'.   Don’t limit your own livelihood and humanity by spending vast amounts of life afraid of something or someone you don’t understand or happen to disagree with. Try peace before leading many people down a slippery slope that ends in a puddle of fear and judgment.  No wonder the hurting, broken and lost don't respect people of faith anymore.

I was hurting, broken and lost. I was faithless and on government assistance to feed my kids at one point when the world seemed against someone like me.  I felt the glances at the grocery store and I had to work for and fight for health care that covered my kids and me.  And the last place I found love and hope was with ‘believing’ people.  I only found judgment there, along with an unrealistic expectation to suddenly be like ‘them’ and everything would change.  I received hope and faith in the unlikeliest place- in a hospital when I was very sick.  I had hit the bottom and found a way out when I received the help that was offered me by other’s who were sick like me.  I have gone back to school, work, and take care of my kids with very little help because childcare is still too expensive.  I’m going back to school to help those who are like me and need a hand to help them up.  I have a deeply real and personal faith in my God now and feel gratitude every day to be able to live, breathe, work, love being a mom.  I overcame many adversities but know exactly what being at the bottom feels like. I don't judge people anymore that I don't know or haven't heard their story. No one should assume to know anyone's motives or core beliefs, opinions, etc. without asking to hear their story, listening and finding similarities instead of differences.  

We never know each other’s stories unless we ask and listen.  We don’t fully know Obama’s or McCain’s.  I know this race is one big game of sorts to the finish line but it doesn’t have to create such irreverence and disdain for one another in our communities or country while they are so busy ‘running to the finish line’.  Let’s not get caught up in extremes, lets try to stay in today, not get ahead of ourselves and see where tomorrow takes us- no matter who wins the race…

It will all be OK.  And that is a choice we can decide to believe every day.