A response I wrote to a thread on a forum I belong to:

A few thoughts I have:

• The Constitution is a great document.
• The original premise of the democratic system which seems to get overlooked today in all the debates from both sides: Government FOR the People BY the people. It is not Government for the 1% or the 99% it is for everyone. It is also not Government by an elite few who have a few million in the bank, or have social standing, or who run lobby groups etc... We would actually be better of in a Monarchist society in that case. So, if it is FOR the people what is wrong with the Government providing services for the people?
• Under The Constitution we all have the “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. I don’t think we can argue that under the current situation many don’t have a chance to even get that right. For example using health care as an issue...if one can’t afford it or have access to it then none of these three statements can be true.
• All Men (and woman) are created equally. I think sums up the last points perfectly.
• I agree with Steve that States “should” have the rights, but, that would create major inequality and some guidelines should be set.
• I makes me sick that all this money is spent on a Presidential Campaign. Imagine what good could that be put to. I mean the President has only a third of the power if that in this Country and is many ways a figurehead. If only people would pay as much attention to Congress, The House, and State elections. They have a much greater affect on our lives. The British PM has a lot more poor than the President.
• Now on to a pet peeve. I am SICK of the ignorant, uneducated comments about European Socialism and the fear mongering. Yes, they are definitely are more left leaning and shock horror, take care of the populace. Not perfect by any stretch. It is not that long ago that the UK had the most Conservative, right wing PM in the Western World since WWII. I could spend a lot more on this, but, won’t. I’ve lived in both worlds so have experienced both sides.
• My final thought is how do we as Christ following Christians act? My take is we have the responsibility to shed Christ’s light and teaching in all aspects that we come into contact with. That should also be in politics. In every issue I try to think what would He would want to do and how would He have reacted? Not any easy thing to do in a fallen world. What I do know is that He cared for the poor, the sick, the homeless, the fallen, the prostitutes, peace etc.. etc.. so yes that does colour my political views. 

-Richard