A Matter of Integrity
integrity: doing the right thing even when no one else is watching
This is Levi's working definition of integrity. He knows what the word means, and can quote the definition at will, but that doesn't mean he can always live a life of integrity. We have been working hard on the concept of personal integrity, and we are making slow progress, but it has become increasingly harder to find good role models for him to imitate. And, when we look to our nation's presidential candidates this fall, the task becomes nearly impossible.
I am not, by nature, a political person. I am not interested in arguing with anyone about the upcoming election, or the merits (or lack thereof) of any of the current candidates for president. I am not writing this article for those of you who have already made up your mind to vote for either one of the main party candidates because you agree with the party's platform and the candidate's interpretation of that platform. If you are wholeheartedly in favor of the Democrat or Republican candidate for president, then you should probably stop reading right now, and get on with your day.
However, if you are disillusioned with both candidates, as I am, feeling that you must choose between the lesser of two evils, then keep reading.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was a third party, dark horse candidate, more than 150 years ago, when he was elected to the presidency during another time of great unrest in our country?
I want to remind everyone that there are more than two candidates running for president in this election, too. We actually have several "third party" candidates this year. One or two of them seem like viable alternatives for the office of president. I don't agree 100% with any candidates' ideas--that would be impossible in any election year--but, after some research, I've discovered that some of the lesser-known, under-funded candidates have excellent track records in their respective states. They seem to be level-headed, honest, and well-respected, with not even a hint of scandal; in other words, they have integrity.
I've heard all of the reasons we should not vote for a third party candidate--we're wasting our votes, a vote for anyone other than a main party candidate is actually a vote for the other one, etc. etc. I respectfully assert that this is simply not true. It seems to me that a majority of voters are unsatisfied with both of the main presidential candidates. If everyone who is as disgusted as I am with the Democratic and Republican offerings would cast their votes for a respectable third party candidate, we could see an upset of gigantic proportions.
However, this solution requires us to think outside the box, and act on our own strong convictions. This requires that we not follow the crowd. This requires a strong leap of faith.
This solution will probably also require a healthy dose of prayer. With that in mind, I am issuing a challenge to everyone who is willing to pray: Will you join me in asking God to direct each of us to vote for the best candidate for the crucial position of president of the United States, regardless of raging, popular political opinion? Will you conduct your own research into the platforms and personal integrity of every legitimate candidate, especially those lesser-known candidates? Then, will you make sure you are registered to vote, and will you go to your designated polling place on or before November 8 and cast your vote for the person you think is most qualified for the job of president?
Are you willing to step outside of your comfort zone and trust God to guide the outcome of this election?
I am probably not the first to propose this radical solution to the dilemma we are facing. I've read several articles that dance all around this topic. You can check out these articles, too, if you are interested:
This is Levi's working definition of integrity. He knows what the word means, and can quote the definition at will, but that doesn't mean he can always live a life of integrity. We have been working hard on the concept of personal integrity, and we are making slow progress, but it has become increasingly harder to find good role models for him to imitate. And, when we look to our nation's presidential candidates this fall, the task becomes nearly impossible.
I am not, by nature, a political person. I am not interested in arguing with anyone about the upcoming election, or the merits (or lack thereof) of any of the current candidates for president. I am not writing this article for those of you who have already made up your mind to vote for either one of the main party candidates because you agree with the party's platform and the candidate's interpretation of that platform. If you are wholeheartedly in favor of the Democrat or Republican candidate for president, then you should probably stop reading right now, and get on with your day.
However, if you are disillusioned with both candidates, as I am, feeling that you must choose between the lesser of two evils, then keep reading.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was a third party, dark horse candidate, more than 150 years ago, when he was elected to the presidency during another time of great unrest in our country?
I want to remind everyone that there are more than two candidates running for president in this election, too. We actually have several "third party" candidates this year. One or two of them seem like viable alternatives for the office of president. I don't agree 100% with any candidates' ideas--that would be impossible in any election year--but, after some research, I've discovered that some of the lesser-known, under-funded candidates have excellent track records in their respective states. They seem to be level-headed, honest, and well-respected, with not even a hint of scandal; in other words, they have integrity.
I've heard all of the reasons we should not vote for a third party candidate--we're wasting our votes, a vote for anyone other than a main party candidate is actually a vote for the other one, etc. etc. I respectfully assert that this is simply not true. It seems to me that a majority of voters are unsatisfied with both of the main presidential candidates. If everyone who is as disgusted as I am with the Democratic and Republican offerings would cast their votes for a respectable third party candidate, we could see an upset of gigantic proportions.
However, this solution requires us to think outside the box, and act on our own strong convictions. This requires that we not follow the crowd. This requires a strong leap of faith.
This solution will probably also require a healthy dose of prayer. With that in mind, I am issuing a challenge to everyone who is willing to pray: Will you join me in asking God to direct each of us to vote for the best candidate for the crucial position of president of the United States, regardless of raging, popular political opinion? Will you conduct your own research into the platforms and personal integrity of every legitimate candidate, especially those lesser-known candidates? Then, will you make sure you are registered to vote, and will you go to your designated polling place on or before November 8 and cast your vote for the person you think is most qualified for the job of president?
Are you willing to step outside of your comfort zone and trust God to guide the outcome of this election?
I am probably not the first to propose this radical solution to the dilemma we are facing. I've read several articles that dance all around this topic. You can check out these articles, too, if you are interested:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/evangelical-magazine-publishes-scathing-anti-trump-editorial-013004224.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb
http://www.pipergress.com/94-evangelical-leaders-publish-letter-condemning-trump/
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/08/08/hillary-clinton-make-christians-change-their-religious-views-to-support-abortion/
http://www.pipergress.com/94-evangelical-leaders-publish-letter-condemning-trump/
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/08/08/hillary-clinton-make-christians-change-their-religious-views-to-support-abortion/
I have one more challenge for you. If you are in agreement with the things I've written here, would you share this blog with the people you know? If we all band together to do the right thing, we can make a difference!
As Ezra Taft Benson once said, "If you vote for the lesser of two evils, you are still voting for evil...You should always vote for the best possible candidate, whether they have a chance of winning or not."
It's a matter of integrity.
It's a matter of integrity.
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