Just this week I finished reading a massive, generally excellent book by Paul Johnson titled, A History of the American People. A number of times in the history of our nation, God has tested a new President (or allowed him to be tested); sometimes the President has “passed” and sometimes he has “failed.” Most recently, I think most would agree President Bush “passed” the test in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. (I dread even imagining if Al Gore had been “the leader of the free world” when this happened.)

It could be argued that the test for our next President has already begun, although the feverish, final days leading up to the election have muted its coverage, that being the unprecedented financial collapse and ongoing crisis, which many leaders in our government seem to think they can fix by misspending tax dollars on a scale so great as to be almost incomprehensible.

In my mind there is a direct connection between this latest crisis and 9/11. In Deuteronomy 6 the Lord warns of a phenomenon that could happen in the hearts of His people and has happened many times since throughout history – forgetting God after a season of obedience that ushers in a prosperity which God Himself gives to those who believe in Him and keep His commandments. Just two or three generations after this warning was given, we see in the book of Judges that prosperity gave way to idolatry, and God had to judge His people to get them to return to Him. It could fairly be said, I think, that the World Trade Center symbolically represented the true god of our nation – the accumulation and hoarding of wealth and worshiping the comfort, entertainment, and luxuries which money can provide. And God destroyed our god, using as He sometimes does, enemies more evil and God-less than the ones being judged. Sooner or later, depending on the severity of their judgment, the Israelites would cry out to God for deliverance. But after 9/11, the no-atheists-in-foxholes type pronouncements of a higher power and of the United States being a great nation died down quickly, and there was no national acknowledgment of our idolatry and manifold sins nor of the justice of God’s judgment and there was certainly no call for repentance. So God judged us again, and right in the middle of an election campaign; how rude of Him to interrupt us in this way! One wonders if He may have wanted at least some of those looking for a messiah to recognize that He can create problems beyond any savior’s ability to solve! (As an aside, I suspect Mr. Obama, many more of whose supporters than Mr. McCain’s seem to be worshipers, is keenly aware of his finiteness, but it serves his campaign’s purposes not to let this dirty little secret out – that he can’t fix everything and he knows he can’t – until the election is over.)

Reading through the history of the Israelites (Joshua–Esther), when God brought crises, sometimes the king and the people cried out to Him and He delivered them, sometimes they tried to buy their way out, even selling off items of value from the temple, and this always had a bad outcome. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, I don’t think our effort to buy our way out of this economic mess, which I believe God has brought upon us in judgment, is going to be any more effective for us than it was for the Israelites.

What will be interesting to see, if Mr. Obama wins, will be the reactions of two distinct groups within his camp. (1) Those who are secular to the core and want payback immediately if not sooner for their pet causes – sexual perverts (same-sex “marriage,” homosexuals in military), pro-aborts (FOCA–Freedom Of Choice Act), liberal media (“Fairness” Doctrine), environmentalists (reduce carbon emissions no matter the cost), etc – if he doesn’t come through for them and/or doesn’t remain consistent with their expectations. (2) Those who have been so influenced by his color or mesmerized by his style that they were willing to ignore or compromise on issues of substance. Among these are millions of basically moral black people and, among non-blacks, some gullible Christians and millions of churchgoers and other “good” people who think they’re Christians. If Obama presides in accordance with his historical record of opposing the Biblical position on almost every moral issue, how long will it be before these moral people become disenchanted? And how angry will they get when they realize they have been betrayed, that they have been, as Vladimir Lenin would say, “useful idiots,” discarded now that their usefulness is over? As an example, we need only look back a few years to 2006, though it had been building since 1994, when Christians and conservatives who had been wooed by the Republican party from the beginning of the “Contract with America” and every two years afterward, then promptly ignored after each election, finally decided enough was enough and abandoned the GOP by the millions. My suspicion is that Obama’s “useful idiots” will not be nearly so slow to catch on and far less patient!

One other aspect to elections we have been pleased to discover is that there are alternatives beyond the two the media and the two major parties typically present as the only ones (in logic I think this is called a false dichotomy – thinking you have to choose A or B when there are more options available): voting for candidates from other than the two major parties and/or not voting for anyone for some offices.

Our philosophy is to vote for the person whom we think is the best candidate for an office, regardless of party or elect-ability, unless he/she belongs to a party whose stated position on any moral issue is immoral. (Unfortunately, at this point in history, this means we don’t vote for Democrats.) For this election, for President we voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party (if you’re not familiar with the CP, you might enjoy visiting their website (www.constitutionparty.com) and seeing how closely their platform comports with Biblical and constitutional principles). For most positions in our state or locally, we voted for Republicans, but for some offices we didn’t vote for anyone.

Reading about [names withheld] and knowing their Godly heritages, I wonder if they felt they had to vote for either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama and, of the two, they preferred Obama. Certainly they would be in good company, as millions of God’s people are voting for Mr. Obama today. But as Christians, if Mr. McCain was not a desirable choice, would it not have been better not to vote for anyone for President or to vote for someone like Chuck Baldwin who, although he won’t get elected, requires no compromise of any of our sacred principles? Food for thought for next time, perhaps!

A journalist friend of mine once said that the media doesn’t write the news, but they define what news is. If the media doesn’t report it, it might as well have not even happened as far as most people are concerned. If we could see how much indirect influence the predominantly liberal news media has had on our thinking and decisions, I think we would be appalled. For example, according to the media we have two choices in the Presidential election: Barack Obama or John McCain. How many people even know that there are other candidates running? Ever heard of Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr or Cynthia McKinney? No? Why is that? Is it because they “don’t have a chance” that the media pretends they don’t exist? Or is it because the media pretends they don’t exist that they “don’t have a chance”? Well, I for one prefer not to let the mainstream media inform my political understanding or dictate my voting principles.

Let’s not forget that we live in a Representative Republic (not a Democracy…and I wish someone would please inform the front runners of that…). As American citizens we have the unparalleled privilege of looking at a full slate of candidates and choosing the one that most closely aligns with our views to represent us at every level of government. Of course it is unlikely that we will find a candidate who perfectly represents our views on every issue, but can I just say that it is an incredible mark of stupidity to deliberately vote for candidates that do not align with our views and positions when there are other candidates running who do. This is how we end up with an elitist, increasingly liberal, pool of politicians ruining, uh, I mean running our country. They are far removed from what are supposedly still the strongly held values of the vast majority of Americans. How can this be? We are voting them into office, that’s how! If we want godly leaders who will uphold righteous laws and punish evil doers, preserve our rights and freedoms, and insure our safety insomuch as is possible, we have to vote for them.

It is the ultimate insult to our form of government and the vision our Founding Fathers had for this nation for us to deliberately vote for candidates who do not represent our views. Let’s look past the propaganda the mainstream media and political establishment so eagerly try to feed us and explore all the candidates. And above all, let’s resolve not to waste any votes this election season!

Links for those interested in exploring all the Presidential candidates:

Chuck Baldwin: http://www.baldwin08.com/
Bob Barr: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/
John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com/
Cynthia McKinney: http://votetruth08.com/
Ralph Nader: http://www.votenader.org/
Barack Obama: http://www.barackobama.com/

Tonight our family attended an ice cream social hosted by the Pete DeGraaf campaign. There were numerous other candidates in attendance and I had the opportunity to talk with a number of them and ask some questions I’ve had about them and their campaigns. It was very informative and I am much more confident now about who I want to vote for. Plus, we also loaded up on signs so that all of our friends and neighbors who drive by our house will know who to vote for!

For anyone who cares to know which candidates I am supporting, I am listing them below. These candidates are specific to my address, so you will need to check to determine which candidates are running in your precinct, county, district, etc. This Kansas VoterView website is a great place to look up which voting areas you are in. Plus, you can also view your own voting record for all previous elections and your polling place. After you know which voting areas you are in, head on over to the Upcoming Elections Candidate Listing on the Kansas Secretary of State website. (Unfortunately, this list doesn’t include Precinct races, but I think it lists candidates in every other race. I’m not sure where to find a precinct list, so if anyone reading this knows, please share!)

Here are a couple of other helpful resources:

Election ’08 Voter Guide – The Wichita Eagle conducted an extensive survey of all candidates running for offices – they even included us lowly Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen – so this guide is a collection of answers from each candidate to specific questions posed on the survey.

Kansans For Life Political Action Committee Pro-Life Voter’s Guide – click on your county to download a PDF file with the corresponding endorsements.

Kansas Republican Assembly Preferred Candidate List -  Click on your county and then on the link to download a PDF file with the corresponding endorsements.

And…here are my endorsements for the August 5 Kansas Primary Election:

United States Senator – Pat Roberts

U.S. Representative 4th District – Todd Tiahrt

State Senator 26th District – Dick Kelsey – Dick is a long-time friend of our family and he has been a staunch and faithful conservative for many years. Plus, he gave away cool pens at the Derby parade!

State Representative 82nd District – Don Myers – Don and his wife Mary are also long-time friends of our family. Don has courageously and faithfully stood opposed to gambling expansion and other critical issues and remains a champion of godly and constitutional principles of government.

18th District Judge Division 1 – Phillip Journey

18th District Judge Division 10 – Bruce Brown – I had a chance to visit with Bruce and his wife, Rachel, for a little while tonight and was very impressed with his thoughts on different issues. I also had a chance to observe him on the streets during the Derby parade and appreciated the way he interacted with people and answered their questions. Not to mention that he has, on more than one occasion, chased down dogs that escaped from houses while he visited with the owners.

18th District Judge Division 27 – Jeff Syrios – I also spoke briefly with Jeff tonight and appreciate his personable, honest and down-to-earth demeanor. I have several friends who have worked at his law office over the years and they have always spoken very highly of him as well.

18th District Judge Division 28 – Eric Commer – Eric was at the ice cream social tonight, but I didn’t get a chance to meet him. However, based on the recommendations of people I respect and the information I’ve been able to learn about him, I’ve decided to vote for him.

Member, State Board of Education 10th District – Marty Marshall

County Clerk – Kelly Arnold – I had a chance to talk with Kelly for a while tonight to get a better idea of what the County Clerk position involves, why he is running for the position and what his plans are for it. He has some great ideas and I think his experience and personality will make him very effective in this position.

County Treasurer – Ron Estes – Ron is running unopposed, but I wanted to put him on my list because I think he’s such a great guy. He’s very friendly and patient in answering lots of questions – I know, because several years ago when we first met, I peppered him with all sorts of questions to find out more about the County Treasurer position. He and his wife, Susan, have done a lot to build the Republican Party in Kansas.

Sheriff – Dal L Astle

Precinct Committeeman – Norm McGeeney

Precinct Committeewoman – Natalie Wickham -  Yes, I’m voting for myself and I hope anyone reading this who lives in my precinct will vote for me too!

This has been an exciting campaign season thus far and we have some really wonderful candidates running. As the Lord brings the election to mind, please pray for these candidates and their families.  It’s a lot of hard, exhausting work to run an effective campaign and it can take a toll on a person – mentally, emotionally and physically. Of course, we are also praying for victory, but trust that God is Sovereign and the outcome is in His hands. Just don’t forget to do your part and vote on Tuesday, August 5!

Obama: In the World and of It

Hearts are still thumping from Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) rock tour through Europe, but back home the trip has prompted more than a few uneasy Americans to wonder what, exactly, the Illinois Senator is running for. The man campaigning for President appears to be more consumed with becoming world sovereign than leader of the United States. These days, it’s easy to become confused about Obama’s agenda as nations trip over themselves to throw out a welcome mat for the unconventional nominee-to-be.

Using his uncanny ability to touch hearts without ever touching on policy, Obama has perfectly choreographed the trip through Europe’s progressive hotspots, where his biggest selling point seems to be his ability to distance himself from the nation he’s vying to lead. In his speech yesterday, the man whose campaign is already calling him president spent more time apologizing for America than he did representing it. With the crowd cheering and cameras flashing, Obama talked of “hope” and “change.” He spoke of disarming America of nuclear weapons and addressing climate change. He dreamed of a nation “where every language is spoken,” and every culture leaves “its imprint”–an America that puts global citizenship ahead of its moral identity.

As David Brooks said in today’s New York Times, “When John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan went to Berlin, their rhetoric soared, but their optimism was grounded in the reality of politics, conflict, and hard choices… Reagan didn’t call for a kumbaya moment… Obama has benefited from a week of good images. But substantively, optimism without reality isn’t eloquence. It’s just Disney.” The problem, of course, is that a lot of Americans live in a Disney world.

There is a great team of people already working on the campaign and the website I’ve been developing for him is up and running. I’ve still got some work to do on it, but feel free to stop by and check it out. Let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions for improvement. And, as the Lord brings it to mind, please pray for these upcoming elections. May God continue to raise up godly men to serve in positions of leadership throughout our nation!

This is what the convention center looked like when we arrived at 6:45 this morning to help set up for the caucus. We placed surveys and volunteer cards on each of the chairs and helped with other last minute details.

At the check-in table we did a practice run-through with all the volunteers to make sure the system was running smoothly.

Several areas with check-in stations helped keep the flow of traffic moving quickly.

Another check-in group looks on as we prepare to open the doors for the voters.

Several cheery young people (Amanda, Tammy and Daniel) greet voters as they arrive and point them in the right direction. (Thanks to Amanda, on the left, for taking pictures for me once things got underway.)

At 8:00 a.m. the doors opened and the long line of people began filing in. We continued checking people in until all the speeches concluded, at about 11:15. Around 4,000 Republicans participated in the Kansas GOP Caucus at this location.

Each candidate who is still in the race had a representative give a speech. This followed the posting of the American flag along with the singing of the national anthem and a speech by 4th District U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt.

And then my camera battery died. Bummer. Should have recharged it last night. All-in-all it was a great experience and I am so grateful for the Republican Party leaders in Kansas who did a great job making all the arrangements and organizing the event so that it could take place. I hope that this is the first of many successive presidential primaries in which Kansans will be given the opportunity to let our voices be heard!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than government and politics;
I dare not trust the enemy,
But always vote for GOP.

Refrain:
On government this nation stands;
So we must vote Republican,
So we must vote Republican.

When media bias veils the race,
Republicans must make their case;
Regardless of the candidate,
We must vote for the elephant.

The constitution, hey what’s that?
What he believes, it matters not.
When things look bleak do not dismay;
Republicans will save the day!

And when Election Day comes ‘round,
Oh, may I at the polls be found;
To vote against my righteous stance,
‘Cause he’s the one who’s got a chance.

After considerable delay in making a firm decision as to who I would support for the Republican Presidential nomination, I have finally been compelled to cast my vote for Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor. The factor that compelled me? Yesterday Mom and I stopped by our church library to check out some books. My curiosity was piqued by one titled, “Character Is the Issue” by none other than Mike Huckabee. I began reading it on the way to church in the evening (don’t worry, someone else was driving…) and could hardly put it down. I resumed my reading on the drive home and stayed up late to finish it before going to bed. Written in 1997 while Mike was still the Governor of Arkansas, the book gives a first-hand account of the dramatic events surrounding his assumption of the role of Governor and expresses his thoughts and positions on various issues.

One of the slogans being used in support of Mike Huckabee is “I like Mike.” But, as I told my family this morning, with the content of the book still fresh on my mind “I really like Mike!” Here are 8 reasons why:

1. Mike is unapologetically Christian. He meets the qualifications set forth in Exodus 18 for a leader: able man, fears God, man of truth, hates covetousness.

“My philosophy of life is to take God very seriously, but never to take myself very seriously. Fear God, honor Him, love Him, worship Him, and always remember He is the standard. He is personified in Jesus Christ; therefore, whatever He says He is, we take that seriously. On the other hand, I do not take myself too seriously. I can’t afford to feel self-important or indispensable. Other people have been governor of Arkansas and more will follow after I’m gone. There isn’t a job in this world somebody else hasn’t done, will do, and probably will do better. I could compare myself to others, but that is not my standard. My standard is Christ; I will have to answer to Him alone.“¹

2. Mike is a good communicator. Whether television, radio or in writing, Mike has an ability to communicate effectively, exhibiting confident leadership and helping people understand the reasons behind his decisions and actions.

3. Mike understands the heart of true leadership. Servant leadership isn’t just a trendy term for him, it’s the philosophy undergirding his political ambitions.

“Servant leadership is the highest form of leadership. It’s not the same as doormat leadership. To see your role as servant leader is the ultimate biblical model of leadership. I expect our employees to treat others like they want to be treated, that they understand their job is not to be served but to serve, that they are never to be rude. The people out there who call, write, or visit are not our problem, irritation, or interruption; they are our job. Our challenge is not to get those people out of the way so that we can do our work; our work is to help those people.“²

4. Mike’s life of character and integrity is inspiring. He makes others want to do their work with excellence and encourages them to work together to plan and implement great ideas.

5. Mike brings about results. During his tenure as Governor of Arkansas, Mike led the state in some major reforms, tax cuts and cuts in government spending that ultimately left the state with over $800 million in state surplus. Boy could we use some of that in the federal government!

6. Mike is willing to address the root problems in our society. Rather than creating superficial programs to apply temporary bandages to problems – whether they be moral, economic, crisis/disaster, etc. – he calls for the return of government to people at a local level and initiatives that direct citizens to lasting solutions that will lead to greater individual freedom and success.

“We must come to see that our core problem is not lack of education but lack of righteousness. We don’t need more information as much as we need new hearts.“³

7. Mike is tolerant in the right sense of the word. While remaining unmoved in his personal beliefs and convictions, Mike advocates for the right of every citizen to hold and express their own personal beliefs. Rather than polarizing those who think differently, he respects them, persists in communicating openly with them and is committed to working with all for what he believes is right and best.

8. Mike’s positions on the issues that are most important to me are firmly grounded in the Word of God, the Constitution and a wealth of personal experience.

While I may not agree with Mike Huckabee on every theological, orthopraxical (it’s a word now… ), or policy issue, I am confident that he is the absolute best candidate in the race for President of the United States of America in 2008. I love his hopeful, optimistic outlook on the future and his insightful and positive ideas for bringing about much-needed change in our country. I hope you will join me in supporting Mike Huckabee financially and through your prayers and campaign efforts.

Here are some links to help you track down additional information about Mike Huckabee:

Official Campaign Website: http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ – be sure to subscribe to the official blog

Team Huckabee: http://teamhuckabee.com/ – here you can find Mike’s written position on the different issues, as well as numerous other resources

Huck’s Army: http://hucksarmy.com/ – a helpful site with a great collection of videos, ideas for getting involved, an active forum, and more

Kansas will be holding its Presidential Caucus on Saturday, February 9. Be sure to check out the official site and sign up for the e-mail updates for more information.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Proverbs 29:2

Reference:
1. Character Is the Issue by Mike Huckabee, copyright 1997, pp.117-118
2. Character Is the Issue by Mike Huckabee, copyright 1997, pp.43
3. Character Is the Issue by Mike Huckabee, copyright 1997, pp.138