1. the election is almost here.
2. that my talk is over.
3. that I heard from EN3 today.
4. that it's beautiful Fall weather.
5. that the next president is OBVIOUS. To me anyway.
So, a week ago, I was asked to give a talk at the Institute for devotional Tuesday. It was on citizenship, being involved in the community, and voting. Ugh! A hard talk to give without losing people. I found a great resource to help young and old alike in making a decision. I included these in my talk today. Here they are.
How do you know which
candidate to vote for? We know the church does not support particular
candidates even if one of the Presidential candidates is a member of our faith.
The church is strictly non partisan on this point. Where the church will speak
out is on moral issues of doctrinal importance. Whether you think members of
the same gender should be able to marry, it is a moral issue the church has
addressed, and they ask us to support that issue. In the end, we each have the
choice to support it or go with our own opinion. The church has taken stands on
other similar issues.
Here are some suggestions for
weighing the differences with candidates.
1-Use REASON instead of
emotion. Especially be aware of fear tactics to sway you.
2-Use KNOWLEDGE. Go to the
candidates websites and read their plans, stands on issues, etc. Use several
sources of news. Its very easy in our day to fact check. But I’ve found even
with fact checking, the truth can be hard to identify.
3-Study the ISSUES. Are they
real or contrived? Some may be running around screaming the sky is falling.
Maybe it’s not. Maybe it is. But find out why they are making the claims they
are and whether they have merit.
4-Look at the candidates IMAGE.
Write a list of your most important character traits or characteristics. If
honesty, ability, experience, patience, determination are important to you,
look for evidence of those traits in your candidate.
5-Look at their STRENGTHS real
and perceived, and their weaknesses. Is their any validity to claims by their
opponent?
6-Pay attention to PROMISES. A few presidents back, “read my lips, no new
taxes,” came back to haunt that President. Ask what power the office that is
being sought has, and whether the candidate will be able to carry through with
promises being made.
7-STANDING on principle or
POSTURING for ego? Can you trust this person to do what he/she says, or is it
all for the bigger show?
8-ACCOUNTING vs ATTACKING. It’s
expected that there will be an accounting of experience and the course each
candidate claims they will take. If the majority of a campaign is spent
attacking the other candidates, see if you can figure out why. Ask yourself: Is
the charge a legitimate call for accounting or a personal attack? If personal
deficiencies are claimed, would they in actuality hinder the execution of duties,
or are they immaterial to the office sought?
9-ACTION or REACTION. Be
independent in your thinking and choosing. Base it on what YOU have researched
and found and believe. Ask those you respect their opinion. Use their
information to draw your own conclusions on candidates and issues.
10-A or B. Make your choice and
then find someone who feels opposite and ask them why. Have a good discussion
NOT argument. Determine if you still feel the same or has your opinion changed.
These came from an article in my church magazine from 1972 and I thought some of them were excellent. Particularly 1, 5, 7, 8. I think those are critical. Pray, vote, trust.
