Election Year

Election year

I am amazed at how little truth we hear in our world, especially in a campaign year. We have been inundated with campaign claims and promises in every town where we stop and can watch TV. Everyone from the presidential candidates on down to the local council candidates have promised to stop the war, end unemployment, improve schools, increase medical benefits for seniors, and protect social security. Yet it is obvious that no one, not even the president, can accomplish these feats alone. Of course each of them has promised to do these things without raising taxes, except on the wealthy. We listen to the various speeches and then wonder if the TV reporters heard the same speeches because their reports are so distorted. I can assure you this problem is not isolated. It happens everywhere.

So what can we do as those who want to make well-informed decisions, and as we exercise our right to vote? We have to search for the truth, and that means work. Unfortunately, we are not safe in simply deciding to support those who claim to be Christians. Christian politicians can tend to be single-minded on one issue. So we know how they will vote regarding abortion or homosexuality, or gay marriage. However, can we trust them to vote wisely on other issues such as social security, economy, and the war in Iraq? Should we put them in office because they will vote right on certain issues? I can't answer that for you. You must make that decision for yourself. All I can tell you is having the opportunity to vote at all is a privilege and I believe it is a God-given blessing. Have you researched the issues? Have you listened to any of the campaign speeches? Do you know your chosen candidate's record as an employee, an employer, a politician, a spouse, and a parent?

I would end this by saying "See you at the polls," but Glen and I will be using absentee ballots this year. Be faithful. "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one" (Ezekiel 22:30, TLB)."When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability" (Proverbs 28:2, TLB). Marilyn Heavilin is counselor-in-residence during our summer season, as well as an author and speaker