November has always been one of my favorite months. This year, my husband and I will celebrate our anniversary, I will celebrate my “double nickels” birthday, and we will feast with family at Thanksgiving. The air will be cool, and we will start using our firepit again. College football will be in full swing and the tension in our “house divided” will be palpable as we approach the Iron Bowl.
This November also marks another presidential election year. While I used to love the months leading up to these contests, now they feel about as enjoyable as a root canal.
Contestant Number 1, the incumbent, is a senile elderly man from Delaware who enjoys ice cream and wondering what state he is in and what day it is. Contestant Number 2 (former incumbent back for more) is also an old man, full of piss and vigor, but given to verbally maligning anyone who has ever said anything remotely negative about him.
Exceptional choices indeed.
"Trump vs. Biden: The Sequel" will not be as entertaining or enjoyable as "Rocky II" was, but there will be a winner. Question is, will it be the American people?
As I write this, we are exactly 20 weeks away from Election Day on Nov. 5. As I see it, there are four main groups voting this fall: conservatives, liberals, independents and survivalists. I currently find myself in the first and last groups, ever a conservative in my principles and policies, but rapidly needing to vote for who I think may ensure the survival of America. I still cling to the hope that my children will live in a free country.
So, what should we be considering as we approach November? I think there are a few issues that many of us may be able to agree on to some degree.
The Economy – Former President Bill Clinton was strategic to campaign on the economy to assure himself a second term in office in 1996. Our economy is currently languishing. We are at least $34 trillion in debt and promising Ukraine $1.5 billion more. I cannot keep up with how much we have given the latter.
Inflation is high. Gasoline, food, clothing, housing … everything costs more than it did four years ago before President Biden took office. When debating President Jimmy Carter, future President Ronald Reagan asked the American people, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” We would do well to ask ourselves the same before voting this year. Furthermore, which candidate will help us become better off financially four years from now?
The Border – National Security is horribly compromised. Our southern border has been porous for nearly four years now. Tens of thousands of illegal foreigners have crossed our borders. We don’t know who they are or where they are in the U.S. Some are certainly here for a better life. But some are here because they are criminals. A young, female college student was killed by an illegal immigrant in Georgia. A 13-year-old was sexually assaulted by an illegal immigrant in New York.
According to ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement), 171 “non-citizens” were arrested in February 2024 with pending charges or convictions of murder, homicide or assault against children. It’s maddening. Do our children not deserve protection? Border “Czar” Kamala Harris has done nothing more than cackle and string together incoherent sentences. So let us ask ourselves: Which presidential candidate is more likely to deport the illegal criminals who are preying on our women and children?
The Vice Presidency – If re-elected, Biden will be 82 years old on Inauguration Day. He appears to be both cognitively and physically deficient. He struggles to read teleprompters. Only select reporters are allowed to ask him questions. He is “handled” by his staff, unable to find his way around by himself. With his mental and physical health in such jeopardy, it seems that Vice President Kamala Harris is truly a heartbeat away from the presidency. We must ask ourselves if we think she would be a capable leader of the free world.
Former President Donald Trump is currently 78 years old. He’s not exactly a spring chicken himself, but he seems to still have energy, cognitive clarity and physical stamina. But who Trump chooses to be his vice president is of enormous importance, too. Anyone over age 75 is considered advanced in years. If Trump chooses a strong, capable person for the VP position, it will be good for the country and will strengthen his chances of being elected. If he chooses someone to simply placate the masses, it will not do anyone any good – least of all him.
The Soul of America – A president will be elected in November, but neither candidate can save America. Congress can’t save America, nor can governors (not even Ron DeSantis, though almost everything he touches seems to turn to gold).
The United States as a nation is desperately in need of spiritual revival. We need the Lord to open our minds and hearts so we, as a nation, can repent and return to Him. But we don’t want to hear that because it means you and I have sinned against the Holy God of the universe and need to humble ourselves. And America is all about pride, right? Especially in June, it seems.
Both presidential candidates are flawed individuals on multiple fronts. We need pastors and church leaders who are truly following Christ to repent of their silence, share the Gospel on social media and from the pulpit, and boldly address how God’s Word transforms the culture. Pastor Harry Reeder of Briarwood Church, who is now Home with his Savior, was exemplary at doing this.
We in the American church need to repent of our silence, sin and addictions to luxurious pleasures that distract us from our mission. That is what will move the Lord to move on our behalf. We have been given the candidates we deserve. When the American Church repents, cries out, worships God and forsakes its idols, we’ll be given the leaders we need.
We have 20 weeks.
Kristin Landers is a substitute teacher and freelance writer. Landers’ previous work includes serving as Communications Director for the Alabama Policy Institute and working for Citizens Against a Legalized Lottery (CALL) to defeat legalized gambling in the state of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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