Thank you for that piece. 2024 will also be my third No. When family members asked in 2016 "Why?" I answered, "I will not vote for anyone I cannot trust my daughters with." Still true.
We also have permission to vote third party, and we might do more to think about whether as a matter of principle we should be working to that end. The Netherlands, beneficiary of the Calvinism of Abraham Kuyper, has a number of parties that are explicitly Christian.
Our system, of course, is not conducive to third parties. But that could be changed. One concrete step would be to implement ranked choice voting (RCV). I live in Virginia, where RCV was used in the 2021 Republican gubernatorial primary. Glenn Youngkin faced six other contenders for the nomination. In the first round of voting, he received only 22% of the vote, but as the low vote getters were eliminated through the rounds of vote counting, he reached over 50%. The primary thus allowed several candidates to run, but the winner ended with a solid mandate.
RCV allows you not to worry about "wasting" a vote -- thus encouraging third parties -- and also requires candidates to woo a larger group of voters in order to pass the 50% threshold. No plurality wins, and in this context, no worrying about splitting the "never Trump" vote. It is a reform that deserves much more attention than it has received.
I am open to RCV and, yes: by "abstain" I meant abstain from the two major parties. To me, voting third party *is* akin to abstention! But since I don't see a third party anywhere I can call home, I just write in my choices and make peace with being in the political wilderness.
Yes - we Evans. bear the burden of the Vote in our political system - and I agree, we don't HAVE to vote! I agree that local voting is essential because of its immediate impact on local life. But the higher the vote - state and national - the more the gaming and deception!
In this aspect those nations in history who had kings, etc. had simpler configuration and didn't have to mess with much of the nonsense side of democracy. Though of course as we see in the OT, the nation suffers from the choices of their unelected king!
He’s not running. I’m writing him in anyway because I want to vote for someone worthy of the office. :) No need to be fearful. “Do not be afraid” is the most repeated command in the Bible, Bertha!
Thank you for that piece. 2024 will also be my third No. When family members asked in 2016 "Why?" I answered, "I will not vote for anyone I cannot trust my daughters with." Still true.
Well said. I wish more Christians were saying it.
We also have permission to vote third party, and we might do more to think about whether as a matter of principle we should be working to that end. The Netherlands, beneficiary of the Calvinism of Abraham Kuyper, has a number of parties that are explicitly Christian.
Our system, of course, is not conducive to third parties. But that could be changed. One concrete step would be to implement ranked choice voting (RCV). I live in Virginia, where RCV was used in the 2021 Republican gubernatorial primary. Glenn Youngkin faced six other contenders for the nomination. In the first round of voting, he received only 22% of the vote, but as the low vote getters were eliminated through the rounds of vote counting, he reached over 50%. The primary thus allowed several candidates to run, but the winner ended with a solid mandate.
RCV allows you not to worry about "wasting" a vote -- thus encouraging third parties -- and also requires candidates to woo a larger group of voters in order to pass the 50% threshold. No plurality wins, and in this context, no worrying about splitting the "never Trump" vote. It is a reform that deserves much more attention than it has received.
I am open to RCV and, yes: by "abstain" I meant abstain from the two major parties. To me, voting third party *is* akin to abstention! But since I don't see a third party anywhere I can call home, I just write in my choices and make peace with being in the political wilderness.
Wait just saw the name...Professor Gaffin? It's you??
A direct relation, anyway!
His son.
Tell him hello for me! Ton of respect for him.
Have you read the Foreword (by Rich and his brother Steve) in *Word and Spirit*? You will be blessed.
I have not, yet! Thank you!
Good points about RCV. It would help marginalize extreme candidates.
But the two parties wouldn't allow it.
Just promise me you’ll post a simple link to this post every time someone bring it up. I may do likewise and boost your hit count.
Yes! Good thoughts - thanks!
Yes - we Evans. bear the burden of the Vote in our political system - and I agree, we don't HAVE to vote! I agree that local voting is essential because of its immediate impact on local life. But the higher the vote - state and national - the more the gaming and deception!
In this aspect those nations in history who had kings, etc. had simpler configuration and didn't have to mess with much of the nonsense side of democracy. Though of course as we see in the OT, the nation suffers from the choices of their unelected king!
You can't vote your way out of a covenantal curse.
If that is what we’re enduring, then yes. Fact check: true.
Another home run.
I am speechless. And scared. I don't know that VP Independent Write-in you mentioned. B Sasse I do know and will support -- if he'd do it.
He’s not running. I’m writing him in anyway because I want to vote for someone worthy of the office. :) No need to be fearful. “Do not be afraid” is the most repeated command in the Bible, Bertha!
Well, and then, isn't there that verse in Hebrews that says "Therefore fear, lest any come short of it." (the rest there is for the people of God. :)
Yes, fear the Lord! Not politicians. :)