Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Whatever your decision, if you are eligible, please vote. Too many have given too much for too many years to give us that right, for us to treat it lightly.
I'm a Christian. I trust in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, not in politicians. God is on the throne. However, as a U.S. citizen, I have the right and duty to vote. I make my voting decisions based on my understanding of God's love and purpose for us. I try to research and understand the issues, and study the positions and records of the candidates.
It's important to think carefully, and not be swayed by skillful speaking, empty but inspiring platitudes, or style or appearances. (For example, a candidate may speak of "change," but we need to know: change to what? in what way? from what? I can think of lots of changes that I would not support.) I encourage you to consider the following issues as you select the candidates you'll support, contribute to, and vote for:
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV)
Does the candidate affirm and protect innocent life...or does he or she support such pro-death positions as abortion and euthanasia?
From the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (Mark 10:6-7)
Does the candidate defend marriage and the family the way God created them...or does he or she seek to damage them, by supporting giving the privileges of marriage to those relationships that are outside of God's plan?
"...I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...So help me God."
(from my Oath of Office as an officer in the United States Air Force)
"There can be no free speech, no freedom of press, no freedom to protest, no freedom to worship your God, no freedom to speak your mind, no freedom from fear, no freedom for your children and for theirs, for anybody, anywhere, without the Second Amendment freedom to fight for it."
- Charleton Heston, President, National Rifle Association
Does the candidate support freedom of religious expression, as guaranteed in Amendment I of the Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"? Or does the candidate support unconstitutional restrictions on honest religious expression?
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
- Thomas Paine
Does the candidate support the ownership, carrying, and use of firearms by law-abiding citizens, as guaranteed in Amendment II of the Constitution: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."? Is the candidate even aware of the current preponderance of data showing that MORE private, law-abiding carrying of firearms results in LESS crime? Or, would the candidate unconstitutionally infringe even further on our rights, endangering even more people through "gun-free" zones that just encourage illegal shooters?
Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:3-4)
Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (Matthew 24:11)
Does the candidate support victory in the war against Islamic jihadist terrorism? How does he/she plan to achieve it? Look closely at his/her specifics...just saying things like "we'll negotiate" or "we'll withdraw" is not a plan. Our nation's security and future hang in the balance. Retreat, surrender, or appeasement will not protect us. The Islamic jihadists have shown us repeatedly they'll bring their war to us if they can. We must defeat them, and protect our nation. I want the war to end...in victory. Will the candidate do what it takes to win?
The LORD had said to Abram..."I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3)
Does the candidate support our allies, especially Israel (the people of Abram in the verse above), or is the candidate sympathetic to violent terrorists, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Fatah, and regimes that support them?
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
(Preamble to the Constitution. Have you read the Constitution lately? It's at the National Archives website.)
Remember, the true function of government is to keep the peace, defend the nation, and execute justice on wrongdoers; government is not ordained to meet our every need, or to take our resources for their own ends.
Does the candidate support securing our borders and upholding our existing laws to protect against illegal entry and residence, while affirming the right of legal immigrants to become part of the United States? Or does he or she favor special, unearned "rights" for those who break our laws to come here?
Does the candidate honor those who dedicate their lives to the high calling of defending and protecting? Military, police, fire, medical...does the candidate affirm that those who have given so much to protect us are honest and honorable? Or does he or she dishonor dedicated American patriots, and their leaders and commanders?
Does the candidate support the rule of law in our country? Would he or she seek to enforce the laws as written? Or would the candidate be in favor of the lawlessness exhibited by our current administration? (to read much more than I can type about the current administration's abuses of power, please see this document by Senator Ted Cruz.)
Does the candidate support personal responsibility...or dependence on government? Reduced government intrusion and regulation...or greater? Protection of property rights...or government usurpation of property rights? Reduced taxation, so we can spend, invest, and give as we think best?...or greater taxation, so government leaders can take and redistribute our hard-won resources in ways we may not approve of? Liberty means the freedom to make choices for ourselves and our families, and to enjoy (or endure) the results of those choices.
Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, NIV)
Does the candidate, and the candidate's party, have a good track record in these areas? Do they face the reality of the world, and sinful human nature, as it is, rather than as they wish they were? Try to look past the campaign promises to see if they can be trusted with these important issues.
My honest opinion is that, in this election, ANY vote for ANY member of the Democratic Party is a vote AGAINST the best interests of our country and our fellow American citizens.
Look at the record to see what your candidates have already done: What have they done to make the U.S. more secure? What have they done to protect and defend the Constitution? What have they done to show they are willing to do what's right, even when it's difficult and politically painful? Pray, do your research, and choose wisely.
"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." (Samuel Adams)
One Nation
Under God
Indivisible
With Liberty, and Justice, for All.
Let Freedom Ring.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)