Election time is finally upon us.
Measured in sunrises and sunsets, 2020 has been like any other year. Measured in mental stress, it has been a lifetime.
First and foremost, you should cast a well-informed ballot. I do not believe in the random vote that doesn’t consider the consequences. Neither do I support the contrary: votes that simply vote against whatever power may be.
If you have no logical reason to vote – or no idea what may come if your vote helps lead to an election – then I say don’t vote. However, I think that it would be a great service to your country, community and family to take the next couple of weeks to inform yourself on the candidates.
I will share my defense of casting votes for Republicans:
* A notable pastor I follow has recently written that your vote is not sacramental. When I partake of Communion with my church, I am receiving the grace of God in a reminder of his sacrifice, and I am submitting myself to Jesus’ as the absolute authority and savior of my life. When I vote, this is not what I am doing. My vote says nothing of the soul of Donald Trump. It does not mean total alignment or agreement with all of his ideas. My vote is a strategic move. I am voting towards something by voting for someone, but I am not voting for a savior.
* I will most likely be voting a single-party ticket. I doubt that is shocking. I won’t be voting this way because I know that Donald Trump is a strong man of God, or that Dan Forest will solve our problems for us. I will be voting this way because Republican policies and foundational premises will allow us to continue to freely worship God, who bestows our rights in life. Their policies will allow us to continue to be proud Americans, instead of rewriting our history to bring shame upon our nation. They will allow us to rest assured that no judge or governor can strip us of our natural rights that are recognized in the Constitution, when they decide what is an emergency for us. Trump’s policies will let people keep more of their own money – instead of the Biden/Harris plan, which consists of giving it to Planned Parenthood, healthcare for illegal immigrants, or the Green New Deal that robs Americans of jobs and energy.
* The Republican party has flaws. I will concede that. Remember though: my vote is strategic, not sacramental. While many Republicans will commit errors, sins, or push an occasional bad policy, they also believe the foundational premise that Americans have inalienable rights. They recognize the authority of the individual and the family to provide for themselves and to give to the things that are meaningful to them. They are genuinely pro-life. By this, I mean that from the womb to the tomb, they recognize your right to live as God has created you to live. They reserve no power to say the state or doctors can take your life without just cause. Continuing in the logic of the pro-life stance, they recognize that law and order is required in order to protect your right to live a good life.
* Perhaps the most important part of a vote for Trump is the continuing work of appointing good federal judges across our land, that will fairly administer justice to the citizens of our nation. Dan Forest won’t regulate your business out of existence based on “science,” or attempt to shut down your church.
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The DNC preaches compassion, respectability, etc.
Meanwhile, they promote abortion, racism, ignore violent rioting in our nation and try to take guns from the citizens. They advocate taking your money to be distributed by un-elected people in the administrative state. They march alongside the people who erase our history, all the while shutting down your businesses in the name of safety. They preach fear of a virus, fear of the climate, and fear of your neighbor.
The DNC has placed a billboard in town, saying “Vote like your family depends on it.” I reject that. I will provide for my family by the sweat of my brow and the providence of God.
My vote will be for those that respect that.
Jeremy Wiggins is a columnist for The Graham Star.