The Most Consequential Election Since 1860 –
And the Choice Could Not Be Clearer
Those who endured the first presidential “debate” (or more accurately, “brawl”) of 2020 on September 30th witnessed perhaps the most disgusting public debacle in the annals of American politics. In microcosm, it not only exemplified but personified the rudeness, crudeness and incivility that has become increasingly pervasive in American society in general.
To state the obvious, neither of these candidates – Donald Trump nor Joe Biden – is an exemplary role model. Neither has the character, the personality nor the demeanor that one should expect of a national leader. Biden is an utterly corrupt career politician who has accomplished absolutely nothing of value in his nearly 50 years in office. He is, to put it bluntly, an empty suit who will function as a pawn of the radical Left. Trump’s personality and character flaws are as obvious as they are infamous. While Biden lacks the mentality to be president, Trump’s narcissism continually inhibits his effectiveness as president.
Regardless, we are approaching the most consequential election since 1864. Like the amplifiers of the mythical rock band Spinal Tap, on a scale of “1” to “10” this election ranks as an “11”. To emphasize what is at stake, anyone who saw both the Democratic and Republican conventions in August witnessed an ideological and moral division unparalleled in American political history. The values and visions expressed by the two parties come as close as humanly possible to representing two alternative worldviews – two belief systems that are not only contradictory but irreconcilable. If you are unaware of this, simply read their respective platforms.
Evil is absolutely rampant in our society, and it’s no exaggeration to conclude that we are on the verge of a total cultural breakdown. Observing all the constant chaos and violence, the generation and the exploitation of racial tensions, the refusal of Democratic mayors, governors and district attorneys to enforce the rule of law, and all the incessant lies and propaganda pouring forth from the mainstream media, I’m reminded of what Karl Marx wrote in The Communist Manifesto: “The Communists openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions…. Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things.” This threat is playing out every day in the news.
I fully understand those who struggle to vote for Donald Trump due to his abrasive personality and his unabashed character flaws. There is, however, one character trait the President possesses that is absolutely essential: his resolute courage in opposing the radical cultural Marxist agenda that dominates the Democratic Party.
We are in the midst the most intense culture war in American history. Wars are won by visionary leaders and courageous fighters, not by nice pacifists. In some regards we might envision President Trump as the Gen. George S. Patton in our current culture war. Truly, God only knows why he has taken up the fight, but what I do know is that he has accomplished far more in 3-1/2 years than any other president since World War II as he strives relentlessly to counter the insidious agenda of the secular Left and their allies in the media, academia, the entertainment industry, corporate America, Big Tech, and the D.C. establishment.
The issues in this election are too crucial to fixate on Donald Trump’s personality disorders. In reality, great issues are at stake. Consider that children typically think and react on the basis of personalities: “I like Jimmy because he’s nice,” or “I like Jenny because she’s cute,” or “I like Johnny because he’s funny.” Children think like this because they do not yet have well-developed beliefs and values. Adults, however, presumably do – or at least they should.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like
a child. But when I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. (I Cor. 13:11)
What matters far more than President Trump’s personality are the policies he promotes and the vast differences between the Republican agenda and that of the Democratic Party. While Trump’s personality has relatively little effect on me or you or three hundred million other Americans, his policies and programs affect us all. A presidential race is about policies and procedures – not personalities. Politicians and their personalities come and go, but their policies and programs and the laws they make continue on and effect people perpetually.
The fundamental issue is this: Will this nation continue to function as a relatively free and equal opportunity society governed by Constitutional principles and the rule of law, or will it mindlessly and foolishly veer off-course in pursuit of some utopian (actually, dystopian) socialist “Brave New World?” That is precisely what is at stake, and such issues transcend the personalities of politicians.
The priority in politics must be policies, not personalities. Currently, America’s fate hangs in the balance. Let us resolve and encourage others to think – and vote – like responsible adults, not immature children.
