Here we are again in an election cycle. In November, we go to the polls. It is starting to feel like it is a never-ending cycle instead of an event, but nonetheless, we have weighed the pros and cons, and based on what we have seen and heard we are confident we have the right person to lead our country. We have listened to the debates and attack dogs on both sides of the aisle and have searched the internet splattered with ads. We have recognized that some ads are true and some are blatant lies. We have waded through the campaign speeches and the commentaries and have made our own decision as to who won the debates, who is the most camera-worthy, the coolest celebrity and who draws the most crowds.
Some have chatted with neighbors and families to find out how they are voting because we have not had time to watch the news. We simply say, “That is how my dad is voting, and I will vote with him.” Or we say, “I am a Democrat, and my father was a Democrat and his father before him. I will vote Democrat.” On the other hand, some say, “My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were Republicans, and Lincoln and Reagan were Republicans. I will vote Republican.”
Some of us have looked at the posters and slogans along the street and decided based on looks and camera appeal or which name sounds like an American president or an honest man. Some have even resorted to coin toss and the eeny-meeny-miny-moe approach. Some don’t even vote.
I am confident that this election is not an eeny-meeny-miny-moe proposition. We need to know the heart of the candidate and we need to be sure that his or her philosophy is in line with our core beliefs and the founding documents. We cannot afford to allow someone to destroy what took generations and precious American blood to build. Following are principles that should be considered when voting both in the state and general elections.
1. Who are their friends and who are their enemies?
My parents always told me, “You will know a man by the company he keeps.” If he chooses friends who are upright and righteous people, he will be upright and good. If he is not a good man, he will feel very uncomfortable with people who desire righteousness and eventually will seek his own kind. People do not generally stay where they are uncomfortable. Water seeks its own level. Looking at a person’s enemies is also enlightening. Are their enemies the ones we would consider our enemies or are they our allies who have stood by America in the past? Are their enemies the candidate of the opposing party? Campaigns are messy, but if both parties love America neither should go for blood. If they do, it is telling. Do we want someone to govern our precious country who won by destroying their opponent? There can be winners and losers without proverbial dead bodies.
2. What are the fruits of their labor?
Christ said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20 KJV). When choosing a candidate, it is vital to know what they have accomplished in their life. What kind of family life do they have? Where have they spent time and energy? What kind of books do they read or write? Do they have a good work ethic or are they a leisure seeker? Have they had a chance to vote on issues that we value? How did they vote? How do they spend money? Are they frugal or a spendthrift? We have to live with the results. The debts the government incurs will belong to the American people and their posterity, not the governor or the president.
3. Do they value others' lives and property?
What value do they place on human life? Are they pro-abortion or pro-life? Do equal rights mean equal opportunity or spread the wealth around? Do they focus on someone else’s mistakes or on the issues that will solve America’s economic problems? Do they exhibit compassion for the jobless and focus on job creation, rather than looking for more reasons to blame others for the problem? Do they pay tribute to lawlessness and respect violence as a means to solve problems? Are they in touch with mainstream America? Do they understand what is at stake?
4. Do they respect the law of the land?
Do they understand and value the Constitution as the supreme law of the land? Are they willing to abide by its principles no matter how long it may take to make changes? Are they willing to subject themselves to the will of the people no matter how it conflicts with their agenda? Is the executive order a first resort or a last resort? Do they respect and honor each branch of government equally and reverence the power of checks and balances? Do they use their office to make deals to further personal agendas?
5. Do they make and keep promises?
On the campaign trail, candidates make promises. They speak in flowery terms of what they will do on the first day in office. If they have held an office, did they keep the first-day promise and every promise after that? Did they honor the oath of office or systematically try to change the rules? Does the candidate show fidelity to his wife and family?
6. Can they collaborate with other people?
What has the candidate done in the past to show they can collaborate with other people? Have they served in jobs that deal with all kinds of people? Have they been on a town council or a school board? Have they held public office or owned a business? What were the results of the service?
7. Do they demand respect or command respect?
Are they a leader who lives by the principle, “It is amazing how successful you can be if you don’t care who gets the credit”? Leaders find ways to bring people to their level rather than tear them down.
8. Do they respect and honor the traditions of the nation?
In private and in public, do they speak highly of America? Do they promote America’s greatness in every situation, or is there a hint of disrespect for America and her people? Do they in word and action promote the breadwinners of America? Do they honor and respect our Christian heritage? Do they honor and promote Christian holidays as they were set up by our founders and subsequent leaders? Do they honor our traditional allies in Europe and other parts of the world? If they do not respect America’s time-worn traditions, why not? Get the answer before you vote. After the election, it is too late.
9. Do they cherish the Constitution as the supreme law of the land?
Does the candidate believe in a hand up or a handout? Do they want to make America into a nanny state in a European model or do they want to make American independent of government intervention, where every man and woman prospers because of hard work and self-management?
10. Is the candidate a man of God?
The other nine principles of voting could be cast aside if you are sure the candidate is a man or woman of God. Do they have a habit of prayer? Will they, in a moment of crisis, turn to God before they turn to their advisers? Do they exhibit signs of being a true Christian or do they quote the Bible with the intent to further an agenda?
It is difficult in these days of mass media and differing opinions about honesty and integrity to decide about the candidate. But we do not need to depend solely on the media. Prayer is still available. If we watch campaign ads, we can say a silent prayer, “Father in Heaven, is this ad true?” If we stop and listen with our hearts, the answer will come into our minds. God has never let His people wander without guidance unless we do not ask. We do not need to do the eeny-meeny-miny-moe or coin toss. God will direct us if we are willing to follow Him. He has promised, “Ask and ye shall receive and knock and it shall be opened ...” (Matthew 7:7 KJV). We need His direction more than ever before in the history of America.
