Don't Choose a President Based on the Paint

Something To Think About Presidents and Paint:

Political commentary from a former president: I’m living in one of the smallest nations in the world.  The government in Palau bears many similarities to the government of the USA, only it is incredibly smaller.  The population of the country is about the same as the rural county where I live in the USA    A pastor friend and I went out to eat the other day.  At the conclusion of our lunch I found out that the restaurant is owned by the former president of Palau.  Hearing me talk he concluded that I’m an American, so he stopped by the table to chat for a few minutes. President Nakamura is a gentleman, so he didn’t bring up the political campaign ongoing in my country.  When I asked him, however, if he had been watching the campaign in America, he couldn’t resist asking,   “How did the greatest nation on earth, and two of the greatest political parties end up like this?”  Indeed! Certainly the United States is not alone in experiencing political difficulties, but one difference—a big difference—is that the United States is a government of the people.  In many nations rulers seize power, and stay in control by military and financial might.  In the United States we step up and take our choice.  In recent decades—some think the Kennedy-Nixon debates marked the change—our choices have had more to do with the package than with what is under the wrapper.  It is a bi-partisan, or maybe pan-partisan syndrome.  My pickup truck is red.  The better part of twenty years ago, when I bought it, I was looking for a very basic vehicle.  Most trucks like what I was looking for are sold to fleet buyers.  They are painted white to provide a good background for the company logos that go on them.  I didn’t want a white truck.  Let me confess my shallowness.  One reason I bought the truck is because it is red. The privilege and responsibility that we Americans have when it comes to voting for those who will lead us is a great stewardship.  Let’s make sure that we get deeper than the paint.  If I’m able to visit with the President again, I’d like to have a conversation based on more encouraging news. It’s STTA.

Voting for a Winner:

I'm listening to the news.  A large portion of it has to do with this fall's election.  Words like campaign, overcome, win, take-control, attack, and strategy are used a lot in these news stories.  In a system where 50% + 1 carries the day it is easy to see why these warlike descriptors dominate.   It has been shown that a well-planned and executed campaign can achieve victory.  What we need to remember is that a majority does not make right.  Americans love a winner.  We don't want to back a loser.  Here is a question, though: What if the candidate that is losing appears to be closer to being right?  I say "closer" because political candidates are like the rest of us--they aren't perfect.  If we look at our vote like any other asset that we have, a logical question is: Where did it come from?  OK, cue the patriotic music, and flash up pictures of the flag at Iwo Jima and the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc.  Yes, that's right.  Others who came before us paid a high price--sometimes the ultimate price--for the privilege we have of touching the screen, and selecting the candidate of our choice.  Even that, as powerful as it is, though, doesn't ultimately answer my question.  James, in the Bible, tells us that all good gifts come from God (here).  Those of us who live in democratic nations have the privilege of participating in our government.  To quote a great US president, it is a nation "of the people."   Treat that vote like a ten year old treats a new quarter in his pocket (Work with me here; I'm showing my age.).  One doesn't want to waste such a treasure.  It may not be much, but it is something, and I can use it to do something good. Let's begin here:  I'm not going to be nearly so concerned about who's ahead.  Instead I'm going to work to find out who is right.  It's STTA.