Life's Like That

How to Choose the Right Candidate

by Jerry Bullock

Here we are in the great American political process heading for the ballot box in November. Yes, it has been four years and it's time again to elect a president. It has not been a fun campaign so far and I suspect it will get worse as we get closer to the vote. I heard a commentator talking the other day calling this the dirtiest campaign ever. That is hard to prove; mudslinging has been a staple of presidential elections since Thomas Jefferson was called a dirty rotten thief with the morals of a billy goat.

Martin Van Buren was defeated at least partially by a campaign song that called him a "little twirt, wirt wirt.”

Abraham Lincoln once reached across the stage and grabbed his opponent's waist coat and ripped it open to reveal his fancy ruffled shirt to compare it with Lincoln's homespun. No, this has not been the dirtiest campaign; the difference is television.

Will Rogers loved this time of electioneering. In 1925 he had some interesting words to say about slogans. Here are a few he attributed to Congress:

"Why sleep at home, when you can sleep in Congress?”

"Be a politician; no training necessary."

"Come to Washington; vote to raise your own pay."

"Join the Senate and investigate something."

Will did not just pick on the Senate.

“Chew Wrigley's gum: the flavor lasts,”
Will said. “Now they know it don't last when they tell you that. In two minutes
after you start anybody's gum, you might as well have an old rubber boot to
chew on as far as any flavor is concerned.”

Another close to our hearts: "Two can live as cheaply as one." “Not so,” says Will. “Yes, two can live as cheaply as one, if they don’t eat or wear anything in their lifetime. Two can’t live as cheaply as two, much less as one.”

Nothing has changed a whole lot since 1925. Every Four years America goes through this election process. We are told the same things, how good or how bad things are and what some presidential hopeful is going to do about it. Two months after the election, no matter who wins, you will be hard pressed to find anyone who will admit they voted for the winner. All in all, though, it is the process that makes this the greatest country on earth in which to live. We have a voice in who runs this government of ours. At least we do if we are willing to exercise our voice and vote.

Some folks would say that Christians should stay out of politics. Some even have alleged that Christians should not vote. The Bible does not say, ”Thou shalt vote." It does, however, teach us to be good citizens, to render therefore to all their due; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom is due; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor! For these officials, the Bible says, are God’s own "ministers.” Christians have a duty as good citizens to exercise their right to vote. They also have the right to make sure they know all they can about the candidates so that they may make good decisions. Here are some thoughts on how to choose the right candidate:

  1. 1. Do not be influenced by the TV political ads; like all TV ads they are trying to sell you a product.
  2. 2. Read all you can find about the candidate … read both sides.
  3. 3 Listen to what the candidates say about the issues that are important to you. Not what they say about each other.
  4. 4. When candidates talk about change … think … what is it you really want changed and will this candidate give it you?
  5. 5. The operative word in all of this is "THINK." Make the vote your honest decision, not what someone else tells you to think.
If you do these things, we will have a strong government that will do the right thing regardless of who is in the White House.