Every day I grow increasingly excited about the upcoming election. No it is not that I can’t wait to vote or that I’m excited about future prospects – I’m just ready for the campaign to be over! I get so tired of the rhetoric. The promises, which cannot possibly be kept; the incessant name-calling and mudslinging; and the constant blaming of everything on the other guy are just wearisome. As a public speaking major in college I remember studying the presidential election of 1876. The Democrats had the election won until Robert Green Ingersoll hit the campaign trail on behalf of Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes was a master of “bloody oratory.” He knew how to whip a crowd into a frenzy and exploit their emotion. In his campaign speeches he blamed everything on the Democratic Party from burning asylums in the north to killing orphans and even the smallpox epidemic. Hayes won the election in one of the closest races in American history. Truth did not matter. Reason was not important. All that mattered was get our guy in office.
I guess it is true, “the more things change the more they stay the same.” Watching and listening to the adds over the last few weeks it seems that both local and national leaders like to portray themselves as saviors. Both Republicans and Democrats single-handedly save the day. With everyone standing alone and accomplishing so much it’s no wonder so little actually gets done. And amazingly everyone saves the day and no one is to blame! My grandfather used to say, “If it sounds too good to be true…you can be sure it isn’t true.” My advice for the upcoming election? Pray and seek God’s guidance in how you ought to vote. Be informed and vote your convictions and your values. But remember there is only one Savior…and He’s not up for reelection. It’s just 3 weeks until Election Day – THANK GOD. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
Well in a few days it will be over. On Tuesday, November 4 we vote. That means we can put aside all the partisanship, the rancor, and the mudslinging and get on with life…NOT! Unfortunately the above has become a way of life. It use to be that we had a presidential election every 4 years. It seems now we have a presidential election all the time. People are already predicting who will be running and who is the frontrunner for 2012. Sound bites and photo-ops are far more important than substance and positions. If you don’t believe that just listen to people talk about why they are going to vote as they are. Democrats and Republicans will continue to “dig in” and “hunker down.” Independents and Libertarians will continue the call for a viable 3rd party. And so it will ever be as long as we put our trust in “kings and horses.”
Don’t misunderstand me I have strong opinions. I’m not indifferent as to who is elected. I believe there are right and wrong choices. I think there are wise and foolish choices. I know that the decisions we make on Tuesday will profoundly affect our lives in the years to come for good or evil. Therefore we ought to pray and allow our faith to inform our vote. It is our right as citizens and our God-given responsibility as the people of God to let our voice be heard. And it is our duty beginning Wednesday morning to pray for those who have been put in authority over us. At the end of the day my peace comes from the fact that the hearts of the kings are in the hand of our God. All I know is after listening to endless promises from candidates and the dire prophecies of pundits I still sleep well when I lay may head down on the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.
That’s what was on my mind this morning. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
Trunk ‘R Treat will be held Friday, Oct. 31, from 6:00- 8:00 pm. We need at least one participant from each class. We also need volunteers to donate lots, lots and lots of good candy!
