Local Politics

Former House Speaker Tip O'Neil once said "all politics are local politics".  The truth of this saying is recognition of the fact that everything our government does affects us, whether we realize it or not. The Florida Legislature is in session and Gainesville city elections are coming March 16. Our Congress seems bent on passing a health care bill that most American's don't want. There's plenty for Christians to be concerned about. Not that we should believe that government will solve all the world's problems - only Jesus Christ can do that. What we do want is a government that will keep the peace and provide an environment where the gospel can be advanced. We don't want government that passes laws that contradict our beliefs and promote sinful behavior. 

Charles Van Zant, a former member of Westside, is now a state representative from Keystone Heights. He is planning to introduce legislation that will severely restrict the availability of abortion in Florida. This is a clear example of an attempt to correct a law that violates our Christian beliefs, and he deserves our support. His website is - www.charlesvanzant.com.   Go there, offer your encouragement to him, and see what you can do to support this cause.

Gainesville's city elections are just around the corner and the office of mayor is on the ballot, along with the District 4 commission seat. If politics as usual prevails, 2 term commissioner Craig Lowe will be elected mayor. He was the driving force behind the Gender Identity Ordinance in 2009, which protects those with an "inner sense" of being a different gender, by allowing them to use whichever public restroom they feel more comfortable in. 

If you are a Gainesville voter who would like to see a change in city leadership please attend a Candidate Forum at Parkview Baptist Church on Sunday, March 7 at 5pm.  Parkview is located at 3403 NW 13th St.  See and hear the candidates for yourself.

Don Marsh, candidate for mayor: www.donaldmarsh.com,  and Mason Alley in District 4:  www.masonalley.com,  have been recommended by Gainesville Watchman as professing Christians who are pro-business and socially conservative. Gainesville Watchman is a conservative Christian group that emerged in the aftermath of the attempt to overturn the Gender Identity Ordinance. Gainesville's reputation as an ultra-liberal city is based on historically low voter turnout during the spring election cycle, which allows the commission to remain in the grip of a minority of voters. If we, as Christians, don't get out and vote in support of good candidates, we have only ourselves to blame for the consequences.