Not a Political Solution

Over the last month or so, I have had lots of political discussions. Not that I enjoy these, or seek these out, like some do, but they are inevitable unless you live under a rock or something. I have talked with folks my age — not “old” but definitely “older.” I have also spoken with some young adults getting ready to vote for the first time. Conversations, and conversationalists, have run the gamut from unbridled idealism to deep cynicism.

If you are like me, you are likely tired of the commercials. I think there should be term limits for Congress, time limits for campaigns – a year before the election seems reasonable, and perhaps a “pull the plug on commercials” about four days before the elections. I am tired of the disingenuous-ness of the commercials from both sides. (By the way, I learned the meaning of “disingenuous” during the Clinton Presidency. I think it had something to do with a girl named Monica.)

I have heard all the promises for the future, and all the criticism of the last eight years. Don’t believe the promises, and recognize that the losses of the last eight years are not result of the decisions of one man, a few persons, party, or whatever. I heard a coach speaking after a resounding loss explain why his team had done so poorly: “It was a team effort.”

I have done some reflecting on past Presidential terms, and have concluded that every one of them has their pluses and minuses. According to my memory (which may not be faultless, but is better than most politicians or corporate executives when having to testify on Capitol Hill) here are some of the things I remember. You may rate them positively or negatively. Your option.
Kennedy (D) : Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, Vietnam
Johnson (D): War on Poverty, Vietnam Escalation
Nixon (R): Vietnam—eventually getting us out, Watergate
Ford (R): I don’t remember anything
Carter (D): Iran Hostage Crisis, Recession
Reagan (R): “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” Iran/Contra
G. H. Bush (R): First Gulf War
Clinton (D): Great Economy (but the debt was 5 trillion when he left office), First World Trade Center Attack, Missed Osama, Monica, Somalia (Black Hawk Down), Genocide in Rwanda
G. W. Bush: (R): 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, Ignoring Darfur, Economy…

I say all that just to point out that no party has a corner on righteousness or wisdom, and no one politician, be he/she President, Cabinet member, or member of Congress, causes anything alone – good or bad. Neither does any person or government have the power to “fix” all the problems of the world.

The solution to our problems is not political. It is spiritual, rooted deep in the hearts not only of the “voted on” but the voters. It doesn’t come down to one election, but how we live, every day. The root of personal and global problems are deep in our hearts, our hearts. We are selfish to our cores, and the Bible identifies that as sin. It is pride. It is thinking, “I am the center of my universe,” or really, “I am the god of my life.” (No you aren't.)

So vote tomorrow. Vote as you believe God is leading you. Trust Him with the results. But remember, it is a heart issue. An issue that only a relationship with Christ can fix.

Bible Verses to Consult: Psalm 146: 3-4, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 1-3, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9&10.