Politics Stinks

Eleven years ago Donald Trump made some disgusting remarks in what he thought was a private conversation. What is even more disgusting is the behavior described by the remarks, involving adultery and fornication, behavior clearly outside of the bounds of Christian sexual mores. I will not attempt to defend or excuse Trump’s conduct; it is as I said, disgusting. However, given the critical importance of the decision voters must make, it may be illuminating to put the whole episode in context.

First of all, the scandal du jour occurred over a decade ago. Trump may or may not be of the same mind today; his wife seems to think he is not. Christians, of all people, understand the concept of life-change; I certainly am not the same man I was ten years ago (much to the joy of my wife and friends). Forgiveness for past sins and hope and prayer for grace to overcome present temptation is a hallmark of true Christian brotherhood.

Secondly, it is hypocritical to judge Trump harshly for behavior which has been glossed over in the past. John F. Kennedy and William J. Clinton were both notorious womanizers, yet they rank among the most popular Presidents of the modern era. While the bloom is certainly off the Nixon rose, it nonetheless shocked many to hear his liberal use of profanity in the famous tapes he secretly recorded. We want to imagine better behavior of our leaders than they seem capable of.

Finally, western society has become so sexualized that the term “acceptable behavior” is being defined down dramatically. I am reading an Agatha Christie novel presently. It is interesting to note what was considered a “short skirt” barely a century ago. One of the characters was derided for showing ankles. Ankles! I cannot watch Dancing with the Stars without feeling that I am being assaulted by soft pornography. If you can believe Hollywood writers, the lives of hospital and law enforcement personnel are awash with intimate rendezvous and adulterous affairs. We should not be surprised when like behavior surfaces in the harsh light of political “opposition research.”

Again, there is no excuse for Donald Trump’s “locker room” language or his possible adulterous activities. However, the realities of what is essentially a two-party political system often force voters to select candidates that are less than ideal. This will not be the first election when Christians have had to turn a blind eye to one candidate or another. It is sad when the best choice is the lesser of two evils, but we must face facts: this is a fallen world; Jesus is not on the ballot.

If all politicians were alike, regardless of their party affiliations, then perhaps voting “none of the above” would be defensible. This simply is not the case. There are stark differences between the Trump vision for America and the Clinton vision. With Trump you have a free-market economic system; with Clinton, a continuation of Obama’s socialistic programs. (If you need more detail on this aspect, read my post from 2012, “Obama isn’t the Problem.” ) With Trump you get what might be called nationalism; with Clinton, multiculturalism. With Trump a return to Constitutional government; with Clinton, more of Obama’s extra-Constitutional Presidential fiats. With Trump a strong national defense that uses bullets and bombs; with Clinton, avoidance of confrontation at all costs. With Trump a defense of the unborn; with Clinton, Roe v. Wade on steroids.

There is more, but I think I have made the point. As I said in “What’s Wrong with Politics in America,” Christians shirk their God-given responsibility when they refuse to vote whatever the reason. I repeat the admonition from James: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Do the research; vote your conscience; it is required… even if you have to hold your nose to do it.