On 2010 Elections

This year, 2010, will be a year full of straw polls, primaries and elections. This is no year to mess around with partisan political games.  Our country, states, and local jurisdictions are in a heap of trouble. We need representatives at all levels who are citizens of character, conviction, and courage, whatever their party affiliation or lack thereof.  Voters MUST get informed on issues and candidates and then vote their values, not their pocketbooks or political persuasions.  That will take time and effort, but it is time and effort that must be spent.  American voter, you must decide what you believe , where you will take your stand, and how you will get involved in the issue and/or candidate process.  This is not a time to be silent.  It is a time to let your distinct voice be heard, not only for the sake of you and your family, but also for your neighbor.  Ask questions, write letters, support candidates, inform your family and friends.  Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” In our American Republic, the two intersect, so fulfill your Christian civic duty with confidence and conviction and let your voice be heard.  Our country depends on it. Our future depends on it. Our liberty depends on it.

“Select capable men from all the people–men who fear God,
trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain
— and appoint them as officials over thousands,
hundreds, fifties, and tens.”
-Jethro to Moses (Exodus 18:21 NIV)

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote . . . that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”  -Samuel Adams, Founding Father

“The church must take right ground in regards to politics…The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men…God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground…Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to their country as a part of their duty to God…God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.” -Charles Finney, 19th Century Evangelist

“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, ‘just men who will rule in the fear of God.’ The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. ” -Noah Webster, Founding Father

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.  If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature… [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” -James A. Garfield, U.S. President

“Impress upon children the truth that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing on the interests of others as well as on his own.” -Daniel Webster,  19th Century Statesman

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” -John F. Kennedy, U.S. President