Elections

The American system of democracy has long received a benevolent, though seldom scrutinized affirmation by those of us who enjoy its capacity to allow for representative government and personal freedoms enabling free enterprise and extending the opportunity for liberty and justice for all. We value democracy for its strengths and we assume its inevitable capacity to stand as a model of government. Likewise, we presume upon the intelligence of people to embrace it and exercise it as a means of governance of the people, by the people, and for the people.

I love the democratic ideals that such a system of government embraces. What I question at present is the willingness of the people to understand the necessity of their participation in the process of governance and likewise the importance of their encouraging and supporting and participating in the processes of public dialogue, political debate, and personal integrity toward a system of government that requires such a participation in order for it to be effective.
Today, our politics are characterized by character assassination whenever political expedience seems to find it helpful. The 30 second name recognition blurb of media “blitzes” may put someone’s name into the picture, but seldom adequately represents their views or principles regarding political decision-making or public issues.

On the other hand, we have some candidates who run their entire campaigns as single issue politicians whose agenda is not to govern, but to “get their way” in regard to some single matter. When representative government falls into that limited sphere of concern, we too often lose the capacity to find balance or justice in our legislative bodies.

In a time when crisis looms daily on the world scene, it seems to me that there is a reasoned argument that we discover once again a “rebirth of freedom.” Where are those men and women who will stand upon principles of truth and justice to represent the critical interests of mankind on a much broader field than that of single issue policy? Where are those who will not be bought or sold on the marketplace of injustice and persuasion by the ill-gotten gains taken to become special interest peddlers? And when we will see the end of the justice of government being sold to the highest bidder?

A new birth of freedom will demand that the American public rejuvenate their demand for better, in the halls of government and in the quality and character of those who gain political office. In does not take genius to recognize that without a willingness of the greater public to regain an interest and willingness to participate in the political process that the health and future of our system of government stands in jeopardy.

It is not too much to ask that the people of our nation respect their privilege to vote, to ask questions, to seek justice, to instigate and participate in public dialogue for the improvement of their lives and for the benefit of the world in which we exercise such influence.
I love America, but as a Christian, with a citizenship also in heaven, I discern the time for more salt and light if we are to see the United States of America continue to be a respected model of freedom for the world. The world is watching what we will do to preserve our freedoms. These battles for liberty begin in the hearts and minds of those who respect their personal responsibility to ask, seek, and find those who will lead with integrity and truthfulness, with respect for their fellow man and with a view to responsible leadership that aims to build for a future generation and a world of greater justice and righteousness before God.

As the words from the prophet Micah remind us: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” [Micah 6:8 NRSV]