“Loving Our Neighbors” by Rev. Rachel Frey

Rev. Rachel Frey

Watching the U.S. Presidential race from another country is proving to be an enlightening experience for me. In the months since I moved from Charlottesville, Virginia to Edmonton, Alberta, I have been surprised at how closely my Canadian colleagues, neighbors, and friends are following US politics. Theses political conversations began with the Customs Agent we met as we crossed the US-Canada border and continue each and every day with our coworkers, our banker, our librarian, and the woman checking us out at the grocery store. Everyone we meet seems to have a word about the US race, and even as Canada prepares for an election of its own this fall, Canadians are aware of the dynamics of the US election and have remarkably informed opinions. When I have asked, “Why are you so interested in the US election?”, I occasionally get the joking answer that US politics are so much more entertaining than Canadian politics. But more often than not, I hear, “Because everything your country does impacts us.”

That’s right. Everything the US does impacts Canada. Actually, everything the US does impacts the whole world. As Americans, we may think we live in an isolated bubble, and we may be oblivious to the world around us. But the world isn’t oblivious to us. We are the richest, most powerful nation in the world. We know it, and the world knows it. But what we seem to forget is that with our wealth and with our power come great responsibility. I feel, as do most Canadians and most of the world, that Barack Obama is the candidate who gets that. He gets that the United States, with its wealth and power and might, can lead in the world. Yet the model of leadership he proclaims (and embodies) is not the model of domination we have seen over the past eight years, but rather, a model of diplomacy. Obama doesn’t approach foreign policy with arrogance and a sense of US superiority, but with a desire for understanding and negotiation. He gets that we live in a global community, and that the only way to accomplish anything in such a community is with respect, compassion, and cooperation. In other words, Obama wants us to be a good neighbor to the world.

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” This is a core tenant of the faith I profess, the Christian faith I share with Senator Barack Obama. Obama’s commitment to this value of loving neighbor while loving self is evidenced in his diplomatic approach to foreign policy, an approach that is appreciated and favored by our global neighbors. And why should we care that Obama’s way of relations to the rest of the world is one that meets the approval of foreigners? Because, just as everything our country does impacts the rest of the world, how we are perceived abroad impacts us. It impacts our trade relations. It impacts our security. It impacts our ability to negotiate and influence world affairs. In terms of foreign relations, loving our neighbors is a way in which we can love and care for ourselves. Being a good neighbor helps us to have good neighbors.

Over the past eight years (and too many other times in our nation’s past), we have failed to be a good neighbor to the world. We have approached the world with arrogance. And this has exacerbated tensions – in the Middle East and around the globe. We need a Chief Executive who will help the United States to lead in the world with compassion and humility. We need a Commander in Chief who will help us restore relationships within our global community. We need a President who will help our nation be a good neighbor to the world. We need a leader like Barack Obama.

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to glimpse the US political landscape through the eyes of a neighbor, for this has affirmed my commitment and support of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. Throughout the remainder of the campaign, I encouage you to listen to the candidates and ask yourself, “Who is going to help us to be a better neighbor to the world?” I know the answer to be Barack Obama. And that is one of the myriad reasons why I am casting my faithful vote (from abroad) for him this fall.

Rev. Rachel Frey
U.S. Citizen
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada