The Right Vote
In the United States of America we have the privilege, the right, to vote.
The problem is too many abstain from exercising their right. And to further complicate matters, most of those who do vote do so uninformed, usually voting based on name recognition (either voting for or against a particular person) or by party affiliation.
In the past I have voted primarily Republican. I used to have the mindset that by voting for a third-party candidate it would be a vote for the Democrat candidate, who usually espouses agendas, goals, and platforms which I do not support. Thus in my naivete I bought into the idea that to support the candidate who had the greatest chance at winning, who was not the one I really opposed.
Another way to look at this fallacy is to vote for the lesser of two evils.
But the problem is even if you are voting for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil.
Included in my reading this morning was Doctrine and Covenants section 98. (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/98?lang=eng) We are given some insight into who we should be supporting as leaders.
10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
Clearly we should be seeking for, encouraging, and supporting "honest and wise men." There aren't perfect people, so we can't expect a perfect candidate. But we can support, or "uphold," those candidates who are good, honest, and wise.
Another clue is in verses 5 through 7:
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
Those people we support need to be those who support the Constitution and laws which are constitutional. Any law which takes away freedoms in the Constitution, including restricting, limiting, or regulating any of those freedoms, is an unconstitutional law. Similarly, any law which causes a group of people to have more "rights" than others is unconstitutional.
We need to especially be opposed to laws, and those who support these laws, that seek to undermine specifically mentioned rights. Some the rights we need to guard include religious freedom, free speech, and the right to keep and bear Arms. Those in power, and many seeking power, are looking to control those free exercise of those rights through regulations, restrictions, limitations, and other means.
Based on these few criteria, a true supporter of the Constitution cannot be justified in supporting either Hilary Clinton nor Donald Trump. Both are against or would limit in some way constitutional rights.
And neither candidate could be classified as "honest and wise." They are both self-centered, arrogant, and prideful. Neither would be good for the country.
Yet, the likelihood is one of the other will be the next president because too many people who will vote will do so either to support the one or to vote against the other.
"When the wicked rule the people mourn" (D&C 98:9) describes the situation of our country, although many have yet to realize what they have lost and are in danger of losing. When more freedoms are lost, when it becomes too late to make sure unconstitutional laws are not passed and enforced, more will wake up and mourn what was lost.
Too many are willing to sell off their rights and freedoms for the illusion of safety and protection. Those who promise such an exchange are either ignorant or desiring power and control. In either case, the result is less rights, less freedom, and--most don't seem to understand this part--less safety and protection as the people become dependent on a frequently corrupt and abusive government, but the people have less, or no, power to change.
Our right to vote is dependent on the the right vote. And our other rights are also dependent on the people making the right vote.
The problem is too many abstain from exercising their right. And to further complicate matters, most of those who do vote do so uninformed, usually voting based on name recognition (either voting for or against a particular person) or by party affiliation.
In the past I have voted primarily Republican. I used to have the mindset that by voting for a third-party candidate it would be a vote for the Democrat candidate, who usually espouses agendas, goals, and platforms which I do not support. Thus in my naivete I bought into the idea that to support the candidate who had the greatest chance at winning, who was not the one I really opposed.
Another way to look at this fallacy is to vote for the lesser of two evils.
But the problem is even if you are voting for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil.
Included in my reading this morning was Doctrine and Covenants section 98. (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/98?lang=eng) We are given some insight into who we should be supporting as leaders.
10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
Clearly we should be seeking for, encouraging, and supporting "honest and wise men." There aren't perfect people, so we can't expect a perfect candidate. But we can support, or "uphold," those candidates who are good, honest, and wise.
Another clue is in verses 5 through 7:
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
Those people we support need to be those who support the Constitution and laws which are constitutional. Any law which takes away freedoms in the Constitution, including restricting, limiting, or regulating any of those freedoms, is an unconstitutional law. Similarly, any law which causes a group of people to have more "rights" than others is unconstitutional.
We need to especially be opposed to laws, and those who support these laws, that seek to undermine specifically mentioned rights. Some the rights we need to guard include religious freedom, free speech, and the right to keep and bear Arms. Those in power, and many seeking power, are looking to control those free exercise of those rights through regulations, restrictions, limitations, and other means.
Based on these few criteria, a true supporter of the Constitution cannot be justified in supporting either Hilary Clinton nor Donald Trump. Both are against or would limit in some way constitutional rights.
And neither candidate could be classified as "honest and wise." They are both self-centered, arrogant, and prideful. Neither would be good for the country.
Yet, the likelihood is one of the other will be the next president because too many people who will vote will do so either to support the one or to vote against the other.
"When the wicked rule the people mourn" (D&C 98:9) describes the situation of our country, although many have yet to realize what they have lost and are in danger of losing. When more freedoms are lost, when it becomes too late to make sure unconstitutional laws are not passed and enforced, more will wake up and mourn what was lost.
Too many are willing to sell off their rights and freedoms for the illusion of safety and protection. Those who promise such an exchange are either ignorant or desiring power and control. In either case, the result is less rights, less freedom, and--most don't seem to understand this part--less safety and protection as the people become dependent on a frequently corrupt and abusive government, but the people have less, or no, power to change.
Our right to vote is dependent on the the right vote. And our other rights are also dependent on the people making the right vote.
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