Person or Plank

Politics is another degree nastier than mud wrestling with a pig.

Mudslinging is synonymous with political entertainment. But this political season, the despise and attributions of degradation slung upon candidates are making this election a referendum on a candidate’s morality.

Do I vote for the man my liberal friends call “the grabber in chief” or the man my conservative friends label a pedophile?

Tough choice—if morality is the standard by which you vote.

Should morality govern who governs? If so, by what standard?

Nixon, Buchanan, Jackson, Harding, and Johnson were corrupt. Several chiefs of state were unfaithful while in office, including Harding, Ike, JFK, LBJ, and Clinton. Many were noted for their proclivity to turn the air of the White House blue with profanity: Jackson, Lincoln, Truman, Ike, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, H.W., Clinton, W., Obama, and the sitting President, Mr. Trump.

Don’t read me condoning immorality, but in November we are not voting for our next pastor. We are voting for a person who can accomplish the business of the land.

A vote based upon morality is a fickle standard. We are all flawed and judgment regarding whose flaw is more flawed is a tricky business.

If you go to the polls in November intent on casting a moral judgment, good luck.

For Christians, this is especially dicey. For better or worse, a number of Christian leaders are taking public stands for their preferred candidate—thus implying that one or the other passes a Christian standard and should be endorsed upon that basis.

What’s the alternative?

Consider the goals (planks) of each candidate and party. These are the guidelines by which they will operate if elected. Vote for the person and party who say they will pursue the political and societal goals that you value. Dispense with the moralizing.

You can get overwhelmed in a hurry listening to politicians make promises.

I suggest you focus on a few major issues as you contemplate who to vote for, e.g. funding, taxation, foreign affairs, and on the societal side of things, immigration policy, abortion, and the rule of law. Search online with your question, e.g. “What does Joe Biden believe about abortion?” “What is President Trump’s foreign policy?”

It isn’t necessary that you like the person you vote for. Instead, you vote for the planks in the platform, not the morality or likeability of the person pledging to nail the planks in place.