Would We Betray Our Country: Electing the Unworthy

by Susan Snelling

In an article I wrote in November, 2022, titled The Citizen Statesman, I examined the role each citizen has to vote wisely. Some of that bears repeating especially with a general election in a few months from now. The principles are always true over time and need to be ingrained in each one of us as we consider casting our votes now and in all future elections, if we are so blessed to continue that central aspect of a representative Republic.

As citizens of the United States, according to John Adams, each voter is to be somewhat of a statesman. He said the electors are “to examine and judge for himself of the tendency of political principles and measures” which he goes on to say, we should “examine with a sober, a manly…and a Christian spirit.”

The duty to vote is a serious and sober responsibility, one to not be taken lightly. Those who would refuse to vote because their choice of candidate did not get the nomination or that they regard it as being ungodly to get involved in the process or because they are disinterested, have it wrong. In 1868, a great preacher, Charles Finney, said that Christians in particular need to vote right. He put it this way:

“[T]he time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them. . . . Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter. But the time has come when they must act differently. . . . Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it – and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course they [Christians] take [in politics].”

The Founding Fathers believed it was a solemn duty to vote and to do so for the right reasons, well thought out reasons, where critical thinking is applied. Samuel Adams wrote in the Boston Gazette in 1781:

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country”

To not vote at all, or to vote without the proper attention paid to the candidates’ character and worldview, and to his or her understanding of the Constitution and willingness to protect and defend it, is to fail our fellow citizens and something for which we are accountable to God and our country for. It is no light matter. Failure to properly vet candidates and apply high standards to them is to fail in our duty as citizens, as statesmen of sorts.

What if the citizenry is deficient in critical thinking and end up applying only emotional arguments for their choices that are formed and inspired by the left-wing media, academicians, and social media; where principles need not apply. This makes it a challenge to get worthy people elected. Noah Webster says that principle should be our guide; we are to look to the character of the office seeker.

Webster says, “When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country.”

To vote for someone who is known to be immoral is to betray our country. Webster says the citizens should vote for candidates who will “rule in the fear of God,” and if this is ignored and unprincipled people are elected to office then the government will become corrupt; He goes on to say:

 “laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.”

Voting for men and women without good character, unprincipled people with little regard for the Constitution and no fear of God, is to betray our country and our fellow citizens. Our votes matter; and we stand accountable to God and our country for our choices. Would we betray ourselves, our neighbors, our country, our fellow Americans through voting for immoral candidates, those with anti-America stances and godless worldview; who lie as a matter of course; reprobates who have no guiding principles?

Never has there been more of a contrast between worldviews than there is today, a bigger chasm between political beliefs, love for our Constitution and our fellow Americans. The line of contrast could not be more obvious. Those who are enemies of our constitutional Republic do not follow the same rules as the rest of us. Nothing is off the table to get and keep power. This of course requires that the election process is honest and people must know that their vote not only counts but is counted, and not to be ignored but above all else, Pray!