Julie and I voted yesterday. We delivered our Absentee Ballots to the drop box at the courthouse. Voting is part of our stewardship of the country God has given us. We are heirs of democracy.
We both voted straight Democrat tickets. We voted for a presidential candidate we believe is much more likely to tell the truth. The current occupant of the oval office has difficulty with the truth.
We voted against the Republican party for the same reason. Because we care for our Republican friends, we ask you to read It Was All a Lie by Steward Stevens. Please research Stevens. He is a reliable witness to Republican behavior.
We know that Democrats and Independent politicians also lie. For us the question is, “Who is lying less?” Truth is foundational. The great irony of our time is that we have to fight for truth. But our election is about more than lies.
It is about policy. Our friends whose ancestors did not come here by free choice, but as slaves, now deserve governmental policies that assure not only their right to vote, but also allow them to be healthy and educated in pursuit of the American dream without fear of violent death.
We raised our children and practiced our careers in an ideal climate supported by a powerful infrastructure. Capitalism gave us the opportunity to succeed. Now, after years and years of congressional gridlock that has advantaged the very wealthy, these three pillars of our prosperity are in desperate need of repair.
We have welcomed our great grandchild. If he is to enjoy what we have enjoyed, our government has a lot of rebuilding to do. The next ten years are too important to be left to the people we elect on November 3rd. From November 4th, they will need to be called to account by “Practicing Citizens” – People who are “informed and alert” as Eisenhower said. – People able to speak of money, religion and politics. All three institutions are being distorted in the conflicts of today.
We are more divided today than in the late ’60s when we began our careers. Then people chanted, “My Country, Right or Wrong.” This felt like the idolatry against which the prophets warned. The 1872 toast attributed to Carl Schurz, “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right” is more preferable. This seems to be a good slogan for “Practicing Citizens.”
We are trying to be “Practicing Citizens.” Julie has been making Get Out the Vote calls. This week I am launching www.VoiceForTheCommonGood.com, a place for “Practicing Citizens” to alert and inform one another. For now please plan your vote and vote. Join us in encouraging turnout in this election.
