To vote or not vote? That was the question
Back in the 1980s, when we managed campaigns for conservative candidates, we were appalled to discover some Pastors of Christian churches were telling their congregations not to vote for anyone. Some Pastors felt politics was a dirty business, not fit for Christians. Other Pastors feared any kind of political involvement might cost their church its 501 C-3 tax-exempt status. A fear based on the Left’s flawed interpretation of Thomas Jefferson’s private letter to the Baptists about the "Separation of Church and State." Jefferson told the Baptists that the State should not interfere with the practice of religion; however, People of Faith were free to make sure the State did not interfere with the free practice of religion.
By the way, "Separation of Church and State" cannot be found in the Declaration of Independence or in the U.S. Constitution. Moreover, the Old Testament is replete with Scripture urging God’s Chosen People to overthrow ungodly rulers. And who better to clean up a dirty business than People of Faith, we reasoned.
And so, for several years, Wonder Wife and I headed Christian Voice of Nebraska, a tax-exempt organization devoted to non-partisan citizenship education. We spoke at so many Church-night Suppers across Nebraska we could have compiled a cookbook based on green-bean casseroles, Cornbread, Coleslaw, Chicken a la King, and Carrot Cake.
Nebraska’s fine system of General Aviation airports allowed us to land where we needed to land. And, when you arrive by air rather than by car or bus, you seem much more authoritative.
We met hundreds of wonderful Christians who were the ""salt and light" of the Earth. Really decent people who were mislead by the Left’s interpretation of Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Baptists. Nevertheless, we were careful to explain America’s political process in a non-partisan way. While, at the same time, urging our listeners to make manifest their Christian values by voting for candidates whose values where most like their own values.
We said, unless Jesus was on the ballot, no candidate would be perfect. And, to use their voting power to tell the truly imperfect candidates to shape up or ship out. That line usually drew a chuckle or two.
Fast forward to now when voters are faced with two imperfect candidates for President. Orange Man is who he is. Cackling Hen is who she is. We cannot change them, albeit many would like to do so.
But we can look at their policies and where they want to lead us over the next four years that face a rampaging Russia in Ukraine and Syria, an aggressive Red China posed to invade Taiwan, a possibly nuclear Iran,, Hezbollah and Hamas trying to exterminate Israel, the only Democracy in the Middle East. a staggering national debt, and the breakdown of law and order in our major cities, and millions of illegal migrants who were allowed to flood over our borders, children who cannot read or do math, high school graduates who are not prepared for college... The list goes on and on.
Voters must decide which candidate offers the better chance of engaging the many challenges we face and resolving them to the benefit of the United States. We report. You decide.
©2024. William Hamilton
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