Until now, the LDC has not delved into politics much, but we encourage Christians not to withdraw from the world, but to engage it – and try to fix whatever is wrong. As Jesus tells us “Do not Look here nor there for the kingdom of God, for it is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). For uncommitted voters, we will offer our thoughts on the upcoming presidential election. There are four candidates:
Donald Trump, Republican. In 2016, your editor backed Trump. But he lost our support when he with- drew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. The day after he did that, his approval rating went down 3 points, and that’s likely the reason he lost the 2020 election – and also why global warming is now out of control, setting a new heat record every month for the last 16 months. He did some good things, like getting rid of Roe vs Wade and partial-birth abortions; but if reelected, it would likely spell the end of the Earth as we know it.
Kamala Harris, Democrat. She and President Biden have a good record and approval rating when it comes to attempting to save the Earth by moving away from fossil fuels. But she wants to reintroduce partial birth abortions in the form of a nation-wide law. Not good, because letting a baby born alive to be stuck back in the womb to kill it is pure murder by any definition. [Ed: In my view, abortion after the 6th month should be outlawed because a fetus at that point is capable of living outside the womb]
Jill Stein, Green Party. From her website: “Jill is a doctor, an environmental health advocate and an organ- izer for people, planet, and peace. She has helped lead initiatives to fight environmental racism, injustice, and pollution, to promote healthy communities, and to revita- lize democracy. She has helped win victories in campaign finance reform, racially-just redistricting, and the clean-up of incinerators, coal plants, and other toxic threats.” [Ed: The green party was once a 1- issue party. While Jill is for saving the Earth, she also fights racial and social injustice]
Chase Oliver, Libertarian. “Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat (VP cand.) are on a mission to remove government barriers that stand in the way of your dreams.” Buried at bottom of his platform: “As the major parties become more and more war-hungry, libertarians have been sound- ing the alarm. As president, I will end wars and bring the troops home” [That is the problem with Libertarians. Democracies don't last long if they are not defended. The US is historically known as ‘the defender of democracy’] We at LDC have long said that what the US needs is a viable third party candidate (and a 4th, etc. like all other democracies). The “No labels” party tried to form this year, but they are not on the ballot in Texas.
For those of us trying to save the Earth from runaway global warming, what are we to do? Many prominent Republicans have announced that they are voting for Kamala Harris, but many of us cannot in good conscience vote for someone who supports partial-birth abortions.
Chase Oliver, who wants to abandon Ukraine, is more scary than Kamala. And Trump, buddy-buddy with Putin, is leaning that way too, also scary! (Putin will not stop with taking Ukraine).
What is a voter to do? Last time, as a protest, your editor voted for Kanye but everyone said I threw away my vote.
After much soul-searching and prayer, your editor has decided to cast a vote for Jill Stein who may not have much of a chance of winning, but she stands for what we at LDC campaign for – it’s called voting your conscience.
Even if it tilts the election to Kamala, it’s OK, because the rest of the ticket, except for local offices, we will be able to vote for the Republican in order to prevent the Democrats from taking the House and Senate, and reinstituting the Roe v Wade decision.
The big question is, why is the United States the only democratic nation that has only two (viable) political parties?
A little research shows that Israel has 12 political parties (plus some smaller ones); the UK has 9 major parties (+ smaller ones); Germanu has 8 (+ smaller ones); France has 5 + many small ones; Denmark has 12 (with at least 3 seats in congress).
And I could go on and on. (Russia and China and North Korea only have one, and you don't want to love there). Among democracies, the US is the only nation with only two presently-viable political parties. And it is not working anymore because the US is very diverse these days.
In other democracies, a coalition of political parties, each with their own agenda and expertise, must come together and agree on a leader, whether a President or Prime Minister.
That type of system promotes cooperation, whereas our two-party system of government has led to much friction and division and demonizing.
I suggest, instead of voting for either of the Presidential candidates of the two major parties -- one being on the far left and one being on the far right -- vote for Jill Stein who is on every ballot, and is not radical (unless you consider saving the Earth to be radical).
Or if you like, write in someone else more to your liking.
Barry Midyet, editor, Last Days Chronicle
