Vote for ‘none of the above’

As a taxpaying clergyman I have the legal right to speak out on political issues, as such I have written this article.

Recently I was asked who I would vote for in the upcoming elections. I’m sure my answer surprised the person who asked the question, for the moment I will reserve the answer until I explain it.

First let me state that I am a totally independent voter. My first step in deciding who I will vote for is based on the Biblical principles, who is best, suited for the job based on the Bible.

The place to start is on the greatest commandment in Mark 12:30, in short do they treat others as they would like to be treated. It is interesting that as we travel through life this challenge is put before people on nearly a daily basis. Most people fail at the greatest commandment. I discovered that our local and state politicians fail on this issue at every point in the recent road issue that we faced.

The Bible stipulates private property rights in Deuteronomy 19:14. One politician told me that the borough could come on private land and do as they pleased to make their road legal and, in fact, they did it all the time (funny I was under the delusion that we lived in a republic that respected private property not communism). He further stated that if I wanted to have my property rights I needed to hire a lawyer. Another politician told me that the offender claimed it was legal, (there are no guilty men in prison either). When I asked for an independent evaluation to establish legality his office quit responding. The rest including the governor’s office, state senators, and congressman just plain ignored us even though it appears that federal money appeared to be used to build the road.

The president is a whole different story. In many ways he appears to love everybody and in some respects wishes to make life better on every level. On a closer look his own words rule him out for me. When he stated, something to the effect, that if his policies did not work then he would be a one-term president. I continued to look for the Biblical qualifications of a good leader, below are listed some of the Biblical references.

Politicians and justice — Psalms 58:1, “To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?”

Bad leadership — Proverbs 28:12, “When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.”

Ignoring divine guidance — Hosea 8:4, “They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.”

Evil politics — Habakkuk 2:12, “Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!”

Deceitful scheming — Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

At this juncture I found myself in a dilemma, like most people I don’t have the time to take a close look at the opponents of these political leader to establish who I would like to vote for and even if I did, there is no assurance that they will do as they say they will if they are elected.

As I thought about the problem I began asking myself how a person could send a message that they are not happy with the current corrupt politics as usual. As I thought the problem over I remembered a movie that came out several years ago called Brewster’s Millions. In the movie people had so little use for the politicians that as a group they voted in none of the above. I wonder what would happen if as a borough, state, or nation, if thousands of people voted for none of the above, what would happen? Would we get the politicians attention at all? Would anything change? Could this country be returned to a republic were personal rights take priority over the government? I’m sure that this idea won’t catch on and even if it did not to the extent that it would have any effect.

At this point many people are probably singing the song similar to that in the movie “Finding Nemo,” where the seagulls see a fish on the dock and they all start screaming “mine, mine, mine,” as though the politician running for office will be the best. But I am not swayed by mere words. Like most people, I have made my decision as to whom I will vote. In short, it will not be for any incumbent. Nor will it be any democrat or republican (they got us where we are now). If these are the only options I will vote for none of the above as in the movie. As for when there is another choice, well let’s just say I’ll let the Lord be my guide and make a prayerful decision in the voting booth, and not until then.

The Bible promises great rewards for just leaders, including politicians. The Bible also warns of great punishment for unjust leaders. I certainly hope and pray that when the time comes for these men they will be judged by grace and not by the law. I have no idea exactly how it will work but if they rule by unjust laws then I expect they will be judged by the law. Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

Mike Blodgett is the Chaplain for the Lighthouse Chapel in Wasilla.