My decision
I’m naturally skeptical but also a bit cynical. Which means when it comes to conspiracy theories I can go either way. For some reason, however, lately I’m finding them much easier to entertain than reject.
In fact, I’m inclined to propose a few of my own.
Conspiracy theory #1: After President Bill Clinton disgraced his wife and family, and the country, Hillary told him she’ll not throw him under the bus if he does whatever possible to help her win the presidency down the road.
Conspiracy theory #2: Barack Obama promised Hillary in 2008 if she’ll not hinder the DNC’s preference for his candidacy, he’ll make her Secretary of State and do whatever possible to help her win the presidency down the road.
Conspiracy theory #3: Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and the DNC conspired with Joe Biden and other leading Democrats to ensure she wins the nomination and hinder any efforts threatening the possibility of her winning the presidency down the road.
And not to be too partisan because conspiracies abound…
Conspiracy theory #4: Donald Trump promised New Jersey governor Chris Christie if he’ll throw his (considerable) weight behind his candidacy, Trump will call in some favors to help Christie with “Bridgegate” and put him on his cabinet down the road.
Finally, Conspiracy theory #5: This whole election season has been scripted and recorded for a new reality TV show hosted by Obama (he looks good on camera and is gonna’ need a job), where the final episode originates from a secret location and features a shadowy figure who reveals that aliens (or the Russians) have been controlling our elections for years and our chances of ever returning to some semblance of a freely and popularly chosen president down the road are essentially nil.
Though none of these theories may be true (leaving in the possibility that one or more are), it cannot be denied that this election has been weird enough to warrant belief in a conspiracy or two…at least one per candidate. But whatever secretive machinations may have contributed to the selection and endurance of the 2016 presidential candidates, we the people must now choose between them. And though secrecy is guaranteed and desirable when it comes to our vote, I’ve decided to surrender my right to it this year, because the stakes are high.
I’m voting for Donald Trump.
But more accurately, I’m voting for the Republican candidate and the Republican Party platform and against the Democratic candidate and the Democratic Party platform. I can’t emphasize that enough. Trump the man lacks many of the qualities I would want in a president, but he represents and supports the party platform that I believe is the wiser and more righteous one. And just as importantly, there’s room for only one at the top. So if he’s in, she’s out, and her unwise and unrighteous policies and positions will not get support from the executive branch.
Some advocate voting for a third party candidate running on Republican principles who also is principled in personal character. But I believe, as many others do also, that the result of that would be…she’s in.
I elaborated on my opposition to Hillary Clinton in this recent post, as well as in a response to my brother’s worst case scenario proposition here. But for a fuller treatment of what’s at stake in this election and why a Republican can vote for Donald Trump in good conscience, I recommend this opinion piece from Dr. Wayne Grudem. Grudem, a professor of theology and biblical studies at Phoenix Seminary, wrote an article in support of Trump back in July which got a lot of traction. But after the “hot mic” recording of Trump’s crude comments came out, he withdrew his support and urged Trump to withdraw from the race. As he states in his piece, “The liberal media loved this,” and he got tons of requests for interviews, all of which he turned down. He has since written this follow-up article in which he lays out the many reasons why he will vote for Trump and not a more upstanding third-party candidate…none of which any news outlet expressed interest in hearing about. If you lean right as I do and are still on the fence, this article may help.
I respect the opinions of those who champion a third-party candidate, as well as those who support Hillary. We are a diverse electorate, but it’s possible to have unity in diversity if we have a common goal…the future of our country. Whomever ends up in the Oval Office, there’s hope as long as we the people come together for the common goal of the common good, and focus on fostering kindness, humility, and integrity in our own lives.
And doing whatever we can to protect the freedoms that make the United States of America the greatest country on earth.
Thanks, Caroline. I appreciate your argument. Personally, I cannot pull the lever for Trump (not that my single vote would matter here in dark blue New York State) but I will vote for all the other Republican candidates because of the stark differences between the party platforms. As I mentioned before, after the dust has settled the leaders of the Republican Party really need to examine how such an unqualified and disagreeable candidate was “allowed” to abscond with the nomination. Oh well. Nations rise and fall. Our King is on His throne and its allegiance to Him we gratefully owe.
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Don’t discount your vote, Tom. And, just curious, is your decision not to vote for him based on his policies or his character? And if his character, do you feel that by choosing him over Hillary you are somehow condoning it?
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Caroline, just to give you an idea of how blue New York state is, in 2012 Obama/Biden received 4.5 million votes compared to 2.5 million for Romney/Ryan. In 2008 it was 4.8 m for Obama/Biden and 2.8 m for McCain/Palin.
A big problem with Trump is he’s been very short on policy specifics and long on generalities and bluster. I like the ideas of tighter controls along the Mexican border and beefing up security measures in regards to ISIS but Trump managed to infuriate all Hispanics and Muslims with his ham-fisted approach. He’s also managed to offend women, African-Americans, veterans, and the disabled with his ridiculous bombast. Bring smokestack manufacturing back to the USA? Trump is blowing smoke on that one. I don’t believe Trump is personally committed to pro-life and pro-traditional family but his public stand on those issues is one of the few things I like about him. In the last year Trump has often talked and acted more like a thirteen-year-old, middle-school bully than a presidential candidate. If he can’t deport himself properly in a campaign when he’s trying to attract votes, what will he do in the Oval Office? He doesn’t have a drop of statesmanship running in his veins. If he were elected president, top State Department and Pentagon officials would have to work 24/7 for four years to try to re-mold him into a composed head of state and commander-in-chief. I don’t agree with Hillary and Obama on much (except for tighter gun controls) but they’re absolutely right about angry-Twitterer Trump not having the temperament to be president. It’s a sad election when the vice-presidential candidate is probably 5X more qualified and worthy than the presidential candidate.
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Mike Pence is one of the reasons I’m willing to vote for Trump. I think he would be a major player in a Trump administration.
I understand all your objections to Trump, but you’re saying that a far-left, tax-minded, anti-life president who would not hesitate to stifle religious freedom in order to advance LGBTQ rights and wants to continue Obama’s progressive reformation of traditional American values is preferable. And I disagree.
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“but you’re saying…(Clinton) is preferable.”
Well, we both know I never said that. What I said was that both candidates were so egregiously bad that I could not vote for either one.
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Yes, I realize you didn’t say that, but by not supporting Trump you are making it more likely that Clinton will win.
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I’m not convinced that the country will be any better off with Trump behind the wheel than with Clinton. From what we know about him, a Trump presidency could be as disastrous for the country as a Hillary presidency. I will not vote for either one and I have peace about my decision. As I showed you, New York is a dark blue state so it is impossible for me to make “it more likely that Clinton will win.”
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I’m an Evangelical and I voted for Trump. Honestly, what bothers me is how some people can reason not taking part in the process of selecting who will govern them and leave it all up to the rest of the God-fearing people to decide when the fact is, they are given 2 choices. That’s why we have the current administration since “God-fearing” people skipped voting. The other 2 don’t matter and that’s just the reality of it. But, that is their choice and they will answer to God for it. I have written, “Is not voting biblically justifiable” from a couple of days ago if you care to check it out.
The 2 presidential candidates do not have the Holy Spirit. To expect them to have led lives in accordance to Biblical precepts is unreasonable. So we vote whoever leans closer. It’s logical. People can argue voting for either candidate will equate to lowering their own moral standing. Nothing could be further from the truth. What another person has done before, God can forgive just as he God forgave us. If their platform has the resolve to induct people who are godly, that is definitely a step in the right direction.
Thanks for sharing. I definitely needed to hear from other women who are unaffected by the blatant media manipulation on women’s emotions. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks for reading and for your input, Caeli. I agree that a vote for Trump is not an endorsement of his character or anything he has done.
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Well said, Caroline.
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Thank you, Beth.
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If every single Christian thought “There’s no way my one vote will count,” it is only right that we get what we deserve. Hopefully, Christians will truly seek God’s face for wisdom regarding this election and get past self righteous rationalizations. We are looking at the possibility of losing our religious freedoms but some people don’t care. It is a grave indicator of a lukewarm state, a cringe-worthy attitude lacking the boldness and burst of hope that comes when the Holy Spirit resides in a person. It is a plague that gnaws at the body of Christ today.
Heaven forbid someone gets suckered into that defeated way of thinking. At least people can sleep knowing they have tried and exercised their right than to not have tried and squandered something some people in the Middle East have just recently acquired. Voting is a privilege and there’s nothing more egregious than to dismiss something so precious.
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