Local elections

Last week and next Sunday half of France is voting in local elections ; not Town Hall municipal elections, but "les cantonales" - local regional ones. As a European, I can vote in Municipal elections and in the European ones, but not the Cantonales or National ones. (Just a reminder that I have British and Australian nationalities).

I must admit I'm glad not to have to choose and vote - call me indecisive or slack ! But it brings home to me each election time how much we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes, how much our understanding of things can be clouded by our perspective and our preconceived notions. And who to believe these days ?

I actually know 3 of the different candidates : 3 women with whom I have spent time. One was on the High School Council with me, is in the Greens Party and practises Reiki. Another is the mother of my daughter's friend at school and on the Socialist ticket. The third does folk dancing with us, attends and teaches Sunday School at the Reformed Church (French equivalent of Uniting Church in many ways) and is standing with the United Left group which is predominantly Communist ! The outgoing candidate is standing for re-election, is on the political right, wins the majority of votes because he is a local whose parents worked for the Resistance during the war, and happens to be gay. None of the other candidates have any really defined projects, but there has been a distinct lack of debate of ideas since in the previous election the vote was such a majority that there was no real opposition. So what do you base your choice on ? Words, words, words ...Appearances ? Impression of the person's lifestyle and social class ? Past record ? Manner of treating people ? Which values do you admire in someone if religion is not allowed to be discussed or used ? How would you choose ??

In talking to others around town I hear contradictory opinions and feedback.

It is SO important to keep perspective and to pray for discernment. I know we all have to make choices and be responsibly involved, but sometimes, when I'm just a bit tired, I would really like Jesus to return and to take over control.