The Republican and Democratic conventions are, for better or for worse, over. The only two candidates that have any chance of being elected are now Hillary Clinton (D) and Donald Trump (R). Barring an asteroid hitting the planet, one of these two will be sworn in to the highest office in the land on Jan. 20, 2017. Other minor candidates from minor parties have emerged, but they will be but footnotes in the history of the 2016 campaign.
For me, there are issues that transcend party affiliation. In the interests of full disclosure, I voted Democratic early on in my life and held a minor office in a local Republican organization later in life. A few years ago, I became an Independent Fiscal Conservative and Social Moderate. In local elections, I vote for the man or the woman, not the party. In state and national elections, I vote for the platform, not the party, that I believe best fits my ideology and principles.
These are some of the issues that are significant for me:
• The sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
• Reasonable social safety nets that are temporary for families who need a hand up.
• Pell Grants and the like, including the Hope Scholarship, for students who are needy and worthy. I believe that this investment will more than pay for itself in the increased future tax contributions from these future college graduates.
• A revitalized and strong national defense that will, by its very strength, serve as a deterrent.
• Policies that are favorable toward businesses, especial small businesses.
• A Commander-in-Chief that is capable and is respected by those in uniform.
• A President that will adhere to and enforce the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as the founders intended.
• Appointment of Supreme Court judges that will do the same.
• Term limits (a fantasy, I know) for ALL members of Congress. Twelve years would be plenty.
• A commitment to not engage in warfare except as a final resort. Once engaged, a commitment to a victorious outcome for United States and coalition forces. No more Vietnams. No more Afghanistans.
• A commitment to reform the Veteran’s Administration and fire those who are incompetent or incapable. Our wounded warriors deserve better than they’ve been getting.
• The realization by national leaders that certain forces and ideologies in the world are at war with us. The threat is real and the danger is present.
There are other issues and concerns I have, but space is limited, so I will stop here. Here is my encouragement to all eligible citizens: Vote. Vote for someone who has a chance to win. Vote for a platform that you can support, whoever is at the head of the ticket. Don’t stay home and don’t waste your vote. If you want to vote for a hopeless cause, fine, but, please, vote.
Make your own list of concerns and then see which platform you can best live with. I had a friend once who always complained about the situation but never voted. Finally, someone said to that person, “You didn’t vote. You have nothing to say, so just shut up.” A bit harsh but my sentiments exactly. Vote.
[David Epps is the pastor of Christ the King Church (www.ctkcec.org.). He is the bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South, (www.midsouthdiocese.org) which consists of Georgia and Tennessee and is the associate endorser for his denomination’s military chaplains. He may be contacted at frepps@ctkcec.org.]
