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He That Has Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear
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Matthew 11:15-30
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Challenging both secular wisdom and religious doctrines. - Will our descendants know moral virtue?
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See also: Electoral college vs. National Popular Vote
"Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues." --George Will
We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. --Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author (1743-1826)
"A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user." --Theodore Roosevelt
If you are planning to vote for a Democrat, please see first: "What defines a 'liberal' Democrat."
The government you get is the government you vote for. If you don't vote you lose permission to complain. If you want your vote to mean something - if you want to become a working member of a movement to change your government - read, think and vote. Get rid of those who violate sound principles; vote for those who will reflect sound values. Robert Kelly of Peabody is a regular contributor to the opinion pages of The Salem News. This and more at: https://www.cltg.org/cltg/clt2006/06-10-07.htm)
When we vote, we vote for the principles of that candidate's platform. We vote for candidates who will govern in the direction that will preserve the Constitutional Republic for our children and future generations. If we only voted according for a candidate's morality, or lack thereof, we would never vote for anyone, including our own self.
Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of God and not running for political office. Therefore, since the only One Who is perfect is not running, than someone who is imperfect or flawed must be. Plus, how many candidates will satisfy all voters?
How Can You Follow Jesus and Support Donald Trump? A Must Read For All Americans. - By Shane Idleman ...An analogy that I often use will bring this point home. The head of a neighborhood watch program, who took the late-night watches, had previously had an affair. He was occasionally gruff and impulsive, and sometimes his words were crass and offensive, but he watched over the neighborhood diligently each night. Each week he invited church leaders into his home to pray for him and his family and to seek their advice. He often stood against others on the committee who wanted to enact policies harmful to the neighborhood and to the children, such as advocating an open-door policy where residents were required to allow anyone into their homes at all hours of the day for handouts. Is this not the kind of person you would want leading your neighborhood watch? Does his past or his demeanor matter more than the results he is accomplishing? If you are intellectually honest, the answer is not difficult. In the same way, the answer is simple for America. Again, we are not voting for people based on how godly they are; we are voting for the future direction of America: the right to life, the elevation of God’s Word back to its proper place, the appointment of conservative judges, securing America and her borders, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life for all Americans.
Voters must decide, in this present day
climate of prevalent tyrannical "progressive" left-wing Marxist/Socialist
culture which candidates are likely to do less harm to the Constitutional
Republic. Our focus, with our descendants in mind, is to prevent the
"fundamental transformation of America" into a Socialist/Marxist state and
preserve/restore our Constitutional Republic, founded upon Biblical precepts.
“Now, more than ever before, 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 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 Garfield 20th President
"There are no perfect candidates or perfect parties, and so voters weigh their priorities and cast their ballots accordingly. ...We will sell our souls to no one. The Lord alone owns us, and our allegiance belongs to Him. Fact. As for our vote, it's a pragmatic choice made in the midst of a flawed world with flawed candidates and flawed parties." --Michael Brown
Yes it is disturbing when we have to choose between a Marxist and a RINO. Christians in Massachusetts consistently have to choose between Marxists or RINOs, as we did when both Romney and Baker ran for Governor. However, it took decades to denigrate into this moral decline and America will not be restored overnight as Christians sit on the sidelines refusing to confront “politics and religion,” as the Marxist media continues to deceive complacent uninformed indoctrinated American voters. As long as preachers only preach John 3:16 and not what Jesus said in the same breath through verse 21, or preaching only 1 Timothy 2 without 2 Timothy 4 as well, America will continue to decline.
It's Time to End the Liberal Leftist Movement - By Bert
Farias ...The leftists heap disdain on the sacrifice of heroes. They rail
against every iota of the American patriotism. Most of all, they lie
about our history, our Founding Fathers, and they deny
the role of
Christianity in the founding of our nation. They've reached the
point of desperation and will do anything for votes in 2020.
...When you vote for any politician, be it senator, governor, mayor, congressman or representative who is a baby killer, a God hater, an enemy of Israel and pervert-promoter—among many other evils, you are one giant-sized hypocrite. You are serving the devil and not the living God. When you're ruled by materialism, you don't have a moral compass. When you believe the lying media, your judgment is blinded. When you're a slave to man, God is not your master. When you don't fear God, you have no discernment. Then the lines become blurred between the holy and the profane, the clean and unclean, and the good and evil.
...So what can the American church start doing now in this season of reprieve and opportunity? Start preaching a biblical gospel that actually delivers people from ignorance and evil and strengthens their foundation of truth and righteousness. ...Let the uncompromisingly righteous band together and bond together as never before. Be strengthened and be emboldened. Act like it's now or never to save the Titanic. Brace yourselves. The Democrats will go crazy, and all hell will break loose if Trump wins a second term. ...But understand that if we finally preach the real gospel and Christians still vote Democrat, then they didn't really repent. ...It is now that the nation's "useful idiots" may finally awaken when they realize that the Democratic party and the RINOS (Republicans In Name Only) are the ones who are putting holes in the mighty Titanic in their attempts to sink it. Onward, Christian soldiers.
God Will Ask You Why You Didn't Vote - By Jason Yates/My Faith Votes ...While the percentage changes from election to election, in general about 60% of eligible voters participate in presidential elections and even fewer, roughly 40%, participate in midterm elections. How sad! Even worse, notice those numbers are only based on eligible voters, not the entire population. Politics in America has gotten so nasty, so discordant and so partisan—the speaker of the House just told her members she hopes to see the president in prison!—it's not hard to understand why some would choose to stay as far away from the mess as possible. Yet for people of faith who don't vote, Prager had a quick and stark message: "Shame on them!" America, he exclaimed, is the most God-centered, free country in the history of the world, founded by people who believed in God. Our motto is even "In God We Trust." This is why, Prager said, "God will ask you, 'Why didn't you vote to sustain it?'"
Voting is not a right, it is a duty!
Vote to elect the leaders you want – or stop complaining - By Mike Huckabee ...When I was governor of Arkansas and would speak to high school students, I began by asking those interested in politics and government to raise a hand. It was rare to see more than a couple of hands in the air. I then surprised them by telling them how glad I was they didn’t have an interest because – spoiler alert – politicians don’t care about what “the people” think. They care about what the voters think. Only voters can hire politicians and only voters can fire them. If people don’t vote, they make it easy for politicians to get away with anything. ...I then announced we were thinking about raising the age of dating to 30 unless accompanied by a parent. By this time, the crowd would be wide awake and on the brink of outright revolt. To stop the impending riot I then reminded them that, by their own admission, they didn’t care about politics and government, so we politicians could do whatever we want. The one thing that would make us reconsider is if they became voters, because voters are the ones who hire us and the only ones with the power to fire us. My intention was to drive home for these kids this fundamental principle of democracy: If you decide you aren’t going to engage in the process, you get what you deserve – and you might not like it. But you’ve forfeited the right to complain. Not voting is essentially saying you are fine with whatever the politicians do to you. It didn’t take long for high school students to get it. But do you?
Should Christians Vote for Imperfect Candidates? - By Walker Wildmon -
...Since Donald Trump ran for president in 2016 there has been a
debate among Christians as to whether we can vote for an imperfect candidate.
However, the entire discussion is based on a false premise: that voting for a
person is an absolute endorsement of every action the candidate has taken and
every decision they have made in their life. This kind of thinking leads to
frivolous debates among ourselves as to whether our witness is damaged by voting
for a less than perfect individual. To state the obvious…there is no perfect
candidate.
...I would argue that in the 2016 Republican primary, there were
several candidates that I viewed as Christ followers with a very biblical
worldview and high level of integrity. You might ask, what about Democrats?
Well, there are some “deal breaking” issues for me. Abortion is at the top of
the list.
...Another deal breaker is a candidate who advocates for sexual
deviancy. Such a candidate would likely push a transgender and homosexual
“rights” agenda. Those who promote such are often in favor of the demonization
of Christians because of our biblical view of human sexuality. The Democrat
party platform is full of deal breakers.
...When it comes to the “lesser of two evils” argument, I don’t
agree with that premise either. I believe that each election we have to ask
ourselves, “Which candidate’s worldview most closely aligns with the Bible?”
...If there isn’t a great candidate, then why don’t Christians just
stop voting? Well, this might sound like the purest approach but it is one that
would be regretted. Can you imagine if all Christians stayed at home in 2016?
We’d have a president who approves of abortion and homosexuality. We’d have a
president who would appoint judges who completely disregard the Constitution.
Lastly, we’d have a president who would likely still be using her private
foundation to funnel money from foreign governments in exchange for diplomatic
favors.
A Lame Duck Country? - By Thomas
Sowell - The Constitution cannot protect our rights if we do not protect the
Constitution. Freedom is not free, and the Constitution is just some words on
paper if we do not do anything to those who violate it. What can ordinary
citizens do? Everything! Theirs is the ultimate power of the ballot that can
bring down even the most powerful elected official. ... When someone who has
violated the Constitution repeatedly gets re-elected, then the voters are
accomplices in the erosion of protection for their own freedom. Laws without
penalties are just suggestions -- and suggestions are a pitiful defense against
power. ... If Republicans do not win control of the Senate in this fall's
elections, a Senate controlled by Majority Leader Harry Reid can confirm judges
who will have the power to extend Barack Obama's agenda and complete the
dismantling of Constitutional government. Barack Obama can, as he said before
taking office, fundamentally 'change the United States of America.' Far from
being a lame duck president, Obama can make this a lame duck democracy.
James Madison, Federalist No. 44, 1788 -
"What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part
[the necessary and proper clause] of the Constitution and exercise powers not
warranted by its true meaning, I answer the same as if they should misconstrue
or enlarge any other power vested in them ... the success of the usurpation will
depend on the executive and judiciary departments, which are to expound and give
effect to the legislative acts; and in a last resort a remedy must be obtained
from the people, who can by the elections of more faithful representatives,
annul the acts of the usurpers." James Madison, Federalist No. 44, 1788
(Separation of Powers)
Apathy
"If ever a time should come,
when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our
country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."
Samuel Adams
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon
loses both." President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
"The reason this country continues its drift
toward socialism and big nanny government is because too many people vote in
the expectation of getting something for nothing, not because they have a
concern for what is good for the country... If children were forced to learn
about the Constitution, about how government works, about how this nation came
into being, about taxes and about how government forever threatens the cause of
liberty perhaps we wouldn't see so many foolish ideas coming out of the mouths
of silly old men." Lyn Nofziger
"Is there no virtue among us? If
there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of
government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will
secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical
idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will
be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their
virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose
them." --James Madison
"When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of
known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest,
but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country." --Noah
Webster
"Woe unto them that call evil good,
and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put
bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" --Isaiah
5:20
If the people fail to vote, a government will
be developed which is not their government...
The whole system of American
Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there,
such a system of government is doomed to failure.
--Calvin
Coolidge
“Let each citizen remember at the moment
he is offering his vote
that he is not making a present or a compliment to
please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but 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
Mythbusting Christian Excuses for Not Voting - By
Dr. Jeff Myers - Here’s
a poll number about presidential politics that may shock you: About half of
self-identified Christians of voting age did not cast a ballot in the election
of 2012, according to the Barna Group. That’s 40 to 50 million men and women who
probably say they love America but still failed to exercise the simplest and
most basic form of citizenship. Pundits and pollsters are predicting similar
electoral apathy on Nov. 8 – perhaps in even greater numbers.
Personally, I’ve never seen such apathy among Christians for the
two major party presidential candidates. Christians who stay on the sidelines
usually fall for one of four myths, and as a result, have a smaller and smaller
influence with each election cycle:
(See article for coverage on each myth.)
Myth #1: God doesn’t care about politics
Myth #2: It’s not my problem
Myth #3: Choosing between the lesser of two evils is evil
Myth #4: Politics doesn’t matter We urgently need to shake
ourselves out of believing these myths.
Good people can’t sit this one out. We must never forget that punching that chad
or pulling that lever or filling in that circle on Election Day is an
indispensable part of our responsibility as Christians.
"I never vote" "My vote doesn't matter" "I hate politics" "They're
all the same so why bother"
Will YOUR descendants enjoy what you have enjoyed?
""[I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the
government will soon be corrupted." --Noah Webster
"Statesmen my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. ... The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty." John Adams
More quotes at: The Importance of Voting and Christian Involvement in the Political Arena
MegaVote Sign Up Track your Senators' and Representative's votes by e-mail
True the Vote - As the nation’s largest nonpartisan, voters’ rights and election integrity organization, True the Vote exists to inspire and equip volunteers for involvement at every stage of America’s electoral process. We provide training, technology, and support to fellow citizens so that they can ensure election integrity in their own communities.
Open Secrets - Campaign Contributions: Who's Contributing how much to whom
“If the next century does not find us a great nation... it will be because those who represent the... morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” James Garfield
“We cannot afford to differ on the question of honesty if we expect our republic permanently to endure. Honesty is not so much a credit as an absolute prerequisite to efficient service to the public. Unless a man is honest, we have no right to keep him in public life; it matters not how brilliant his capacity.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Every voter ought not merely to vote, but to vote under the inspiration of a high purpose to serve the nation. It has been calculated that in most elections only about half of them entitled to vote actually exercise their franchise. What is worse, a considerable part of those who neglect to vote do it because of a curious assumption of superiority to this elementary duty of the citizen. They presume to be rather too good, too exclusive, to soil their hands with the work of politics... Popular government is facing one of the difficult phases of the perpetual trial to which it always has been and always will be subjected. It needs the support of every element of patriotism, intelligence and capacity that can be summoned.” Calvin Coolidge
“The beauty of our system isn’t that we have the right to vote. No, the nice thing is that people who are too dumb or lazy or uninformed to bother casting a ballot aren’t compelled to vote.” Burt Prelutsky
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." Franklin D. Roosevelt
"If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security." Samuel Adams
"The reason this country continues its drift toward socialism and big nanny government is because too many people vote in the expectation of getting something for nothing, not because they have a concern for what is good for the country... If children were forced to learn about the Constitution, about how government works, about how this nation came into being, about taxes and about how government forever threatens the cause of liberty perhaps we wouldn't see so many foolish ideas coming out of the mouths of silly old men." - Lyn Nofziger
"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them." - James Madison
"Statesmen my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. ... The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty." - John Adams
"If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused
among the People, they will
never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security." --Samuel Adams
"Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." --George Jean Nathan
If you don't think your vote matters, think again
... ONE VOTE kept Aaron Burr from becoming president; that ONE VOTE elected Thomas Jefferson in 1800. California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington became states by ONE VOTE. In 1941, ONE VOTE saved Selective Service just weeks before Pearl Harbor. In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson (our 36th president), became Senator by ONE VOTE.
Too many people think their vote doesn't matter. In the last national election, only half of eligible voters were registered, and only half of those registered actually voted! Estimates indicate that 24 million evangelicals are NOT registered to vote. The fact that so many Christians did not exercise their right to vote is something that has to change.
We face critical issues in our nation today, and we must all do our part in choosing our leader. The future of your children and grandchildren is at stake. Remember the Scripture and vote: "....select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders" (Exodus 18:21 NASB). --A note from American Center For Law & Justice (ACLJ).
Importance of Voting
Compiled by David Barton
We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands: we have a check upon two branches of the legislature, as each branch has upon the other two; the power I mean of electing at stated periods, one branch, which branch has the power of electing another. It becomes necessary to every subject then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself of the tendencies of political principles and measures. John Adams, The Papers of John Adams, Robert J. Taylor, ed. (Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1977), Vol. 1, p. 81, from "'U' to the Boston Gazette" written on August 29, 1763.
Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual--or at least that he ought not so to do; but 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, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. IV, p. 256, in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781.
Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable characters. The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men. Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. III, p. 236-237, to James Warren on November 4, 1775.
Look well to the characters and qualifications of those you elect and raise to office and places of trust.
Matthias Burnett, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Norwalk, An Election Sermon, Preached at Hartford, on the Day of the Anniversary Election, May 12, 1803 (Hartford: Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, 1803), p. 27.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 Garfield, "A Century of Congress" published in Atlantic, July 1877.
A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law. Alexander Hamilton, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Harold C. Syrett, ed. (New York, Columbia University Press, 1962), Vol III, pp. 544-545.
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. IV, p. 365.
The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. I, p. 161.
When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Supreme Court Justice William Paterson reminding his fellow justices of Proverbs 29:2. United States Oracle (Portsmouth, NH), May 24, 1800
Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights. Thomas Jefferson, The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia, John P. Foley, ed. (New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1900), p. 842.
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, The Works of Daniel Webster (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1853), Vol. II, p. 108, from remarks made at a public reception by the ladies of Richmond, Virginia, on October 5, 1840.
In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate--look to his character. Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to Which is Subjoined a Brief History of the United States (New Haven: S. Converse, 1823), p. 18.
When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country. Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to which is subjoined a Brief History of the United States (New Haven: S. Converse, 1823), p. 19.
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 sqandered 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, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, ¦49.
