Choosing a Chief
The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day,
Is not a rose wreath, white and red,
In memory of the blood they shed;
It is to stand beside each mound,
Each couch of consecrated ground,
And pledge ourselves as warriors true
Unto the work they died to do.
Into God’s valleys where they lie
At rest, beneath the open sky,
Triumphant now o’er every foe,
As living tributes let us go.
No wreath of rose or immortelles
Or spoken word or tolling bells
Will do to-day, unless we give
Our pledge that liberty shall live.
Our hearts must be the roses red
We place above our hero dead;
To-day beside their graves we must
Renew allegiance to their trust;
Must bare our heads and humbly say
We hold the Flag as dear as they,
And stand, as once they stood, to die
To keep the Stars and Stripes on high.
The finest tribute we can pay
Unto our hero dead to-day
Is not of speech of roses red,
But living, throbbing hearts instead,
That shall renew the pledge they sealed
With dead upon the battlefield:
That freedom’s flag shall bear no stain
And free men wear no tyrant’s chain.
“Memorial Day’ by Edgar Albert Guest
Perhaps Mr. Guest penned the above poem with Memorial Day in mind (and certainly its message is most appropriate for the holiday); but I believe the poet’s ennobling words can also extend to another holiday: Election Day. The overarching theme of our poem is this: “actions speak louder than words (or flowers)”. What we do with our freedom bestows more honor upon our fallen soldiers than any fine speech or bouquet ever could.
This Election Day, I present you with a question: “What is the finest tribute we can pay — unto our hero dead today?” I propose the following answer:
In 2020, we must honor the fallen with our vote.
Everything that American soldiers have died to protect for nearly two and a half centuries (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) is on the ballot this year. Will you or I stand idly by and allow their sacrifice to be in vain by a) neglecting to vote, or b) casting our vote for a party that seeks to destroy 240+ years of the blood, sweat, and tears of The Courageous Few? God forbid it to be so. We must never let our military’s sacrifice be lost on us.
Now, there are conflicting viewpoints on politics at every turn. All these differing voices can leave the American citizen at a loss as to whose voice to listen to. Republicans and Democrats alike have strong opinions, convincing arguments, and the ability to appeal to people of various personality types. How can one know which circle to fill in on the ballot? How does one go about Choosing a Chief?
Today, I implore you to follow three vital steps before casting your vote.
“That freedom’s flag shall bear no stain
And free men wear no tyrant’s chain.“
Step #1 in Choosing a Chief:
What is the inerrant source of morality that has stood the test of time? That’s right, the Bible…God’s word. The Bible is where we get our standard for all things pertaining to life and godliness. This November, we have a right and responsibility to choose a chief that will uphold a common morality for the American people. Of the two main party platforms (R: Trump/Pence, and D: Biden/Harris), there is one that promotes morality and one that diminishes morality. Time and space will not allow me to cover every topic in which the two parties differ on moral viewpoints. With that being said, we will only be considering three of these topics…though I think they provide more than enough evidence as to which party desires to uphold the things of God, and which party desires to snuff out godly living.
- The Parties on Matters of Money:
Biden/Harris:
“…Democrats commit to forging a new social and economic contract with the American people – a contract that invests in the people and promotes shared prosperity, not one that benefits only big corporations and the wealthiest few. One that affirms housing is a right and not a privilege, and which makes a commitment that no one will be homeless or go hungry in the richest country on earth.”
(source: www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-07-31-Democratic-Party-Platform-For-Distribution.pdf page 14; emphasis mine)
Trump/Pence:
“This is the progressive pathology: Keeping people dependent so that government can redistribute income. The result is 45.8 million people on food stamps and 77 million on Medicaid, plus another 5.7 million in the children’s Health Insurance Program. This is the false compassion of the status quo. We propose instead the dynamic compassion of work requirements in a growing economy, where opportunity takes the place of a hand-out, where true self-esteem can grow from the satisfaction of a job well done.”
(source: https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/docs/Resolution_Platform_2020.pdf page 32)
What God has to say on Matters of Money:
They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. – Isaiah 65:22
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. – 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
2. The Parties on Matters of Marriage:
Biden/Harris:
“Democrats will protect and promote the equal rights of all our citizens…LGBTQ+…”
“We will amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ persons around the world…”
(source: www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-07-31-Democratic-Party-Platform-For-Distribution.pdf page 6, 83; emphasis mine)
Trump/Pence:
“Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values.”
“Our laws and our government’s regulations should recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman and actively promote married family life as the basis of a stable and prosperous society.”
(source: https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/docs/Resolution_Platform_2020.pdf page 11, 31-32)
What God has to say on Matters of Marriage:
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. – Mark 10:6-8
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. – Romans 1:26-27
3. The Parties on Matters of Murder:
Biden/Harris:
“Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe, unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.”
(source: www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-07-31-Democratic-Party-Platform-For-Distribution.pdf page 32)
Trump/Pence:
“The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can ‘be deprived of life, liberty, or property’ deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that ‘all’ are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”
(source: https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/docs/Resolution_Platform_2020.pdf page 13)
What God has to say on Matters of Murder:
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall surely be punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. – Exodus 21:22-23
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. – Deuteronomy 27:25
Considering the topics of money, marriage, and murder alone, can you discern for yourself which party stands for morality, and which one stands against? Which platform aligns with God’s word, and which one aligns with hedonistic pursuits such as covetousness, homosexuality, and abortion? When exercising your right to vote on November 3, I implore you to use your morals!
Step # 2 in Choosing a Chief:
Aside from using your morals, a good vote involves using the mind…your good old-fashioned logic and common sense. A mindful person is one who strips the curtain away from empty, feel-good messages and sees the bigger picture at hand. Our mind should be the primary seat of our decision making, as opposed to feelings which are quite often misleading and dangerous. This election season, it seems clearer than ever which party is one of action, and which one merely uses flowery words to charm the hearer. Do not be deceived by smooth talk; test each candidate by what they do and not strictly by what they say. Furthermore, consider the end-goal of the myriad of promises one party boasts:
Perhaps free money in the form of government handouts sounds good in the short-term, but use your mind: where is the money going to come from? What is this “gift” going to cost us in the long-term?
Perhaps less police interference sounds good in the short-term, but use your mind: without law enforcement, what will hold the evil in men’s hearts in check? Who will come to your aid if you are the victim of a crime?
Perhaps a lack of borders between nations sounds good in the short-term, but use your mind: do all other nations have the best interest of Americans in mind? What of those whose goal is to terrorize and conquer?
Perhaps a stay-at-home order during a viral outbreak sounds good in the short-term, but use your mind: is hiding away at home indefinitely a sustainable lifestyle for our economy and communities? Is mass panic and hysteria any substitute for joyfully living life with some calculated risk?
These examples are only scratching the surface of the myriad long-term agendas of the Democratic party. Don’t give in to the devastating mistake of shortsightedness. Be savvy enough to see where we will end up as a nation if we continue to pawn off our liberties one by one: a socialist nation on the road to communism, a land reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Don’t just take my word for it….read the histories of World War II, The Vietnam War, and The Korean War, and how communist leaders rose to tyranny in these foreign lands one step at a time. Many of our brave soldiers fought to the death to ward off such evils from befalling other nations. It would shame them to no end if we allow a similar danger to take root in our own home soil. When exercising your right to vote on November 3, I implore you to use your mind, and always think towards the future.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. – Proverbs 22:3
Step #3 in Choosing a Chief:
Aside from using your morals and your mind, you must allow past experiences to be called to the forefront of your memory once more before voting. A trend I see each time Election Day rolls around, is the tendency for voters to seek a change in the White House for the sake of change alone. There is always an air of discontentment brooding, as people tire of the current administration…they want something fresh: a fresh face, a fresh start. There is an overwhelming desire by many to discount all of our current President’s accomplishments because of a distaste for his personality. These people are tired of seeing his face and they are tired of observing his brash, straightforward ways. It would serve them well to remember, though, that while we may have had a “nice” man as President in the previous administration, he was not a good man. One can not allow a cloudy memory to overrule the facts of morals and mind.
If you are a truth-seeker, you will appeal to memory and ask yourself: was it a positive experience before when Joe Biden served as Vice President for eight years? If the answer is “no”, what makes you think he will do any better as President? Sadly, this person is a habitual liar with a lack of moral integrity (as is his counterpart, Kamala Harris). One might watch the recent presidential debates alone to count numerous lies Biden told with the smug smile of a silver-tongued devil. This is not even to mention the countless lies he has told during the entire duration of his career. As a person who has a great respect for elders, I would like to believe that Biden is merely a kindly old man, but I would be fooling myself with this notion. His advanced years have only served to take him further down the path of debauchery. Seek and study, and you will find that this is so.
Don’t allow an itch for change or a disdain for President Trump’s personality to negatively impact your vote. Search your memory, and you will be quick to see that our President has accomplished a great deal for our country, while the Democratic party is on a mission to destroy the great nation that we know and love. When exercising your right to vote on November 3, I implore you to use your memory.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. – 2 Peter 2:22
In conclusion…
We have a duty to attend to this Election Day. A duty to our predecessors, a duty to our peers, and a duty to our posterity. We must choose a chief who will stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How do we do this? By employing our morals, our mind, and our memory to make a wise and informed decision for the benefit of ourselves and others. A great privilege lies with you and I this November 3 as we raise our voices for the common good of “We the People”. Let’s make it count.
“Together, We will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And yes, together, we will make America great again. Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America.” –
– President Donald J. Trump
For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks
Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.