Why is it that good, godly Christians are willing to violate their honest Bible principles when it comes to voting? Is the lesser of two evils any more right? Is evil, even "lesser." not still evil?
Perhaps we need a more rigorous approach in our thinking on the issue of principle vs. pragmatics. It is too easily (and too often) suggested that the "lesser of two evils" is a compromise of principle. Is it? What is the principle?
Let's use an analogy. What is the principle when you go to the doctor? Do you say, "Doctor, if you can't fix it all perfectly, then do not fix it at all." Of course not. Or what about when you shop. Do you say, "If I can't shop at a store that has no connection at all to the baser things of human life (e.g., alcohol, pornography), then I won't shop at all?" Of course not. We easily recognize the principle at work.
So first, we must consider, "What is the principle?" The principle in politics is, to my way of thinking, if we can't get everything we want, let us at least determine to do the least damage for the sake the "next time around." It makes no sense to cut off your nose to spite your face. It is true that an Obama election might raise up conservatives to be more vehement in their opposition to political moderatism and liberalism. (It might not.). But there is no doubt that an Obama presidency will take America much farther down the wrong road than a McCain presidency. So we must determine that if we cannot have everything we want, we will at least work to get what we can, and save a nation for the next time around.
Second, we must remember that no matter who we are voting for, it is always a vote for the lesser of two evils. There is no perfect candidate, and we should not pretend to be on our moral high horse over not voting for the lesser of two evils, and instead voting for an evil third party candidate. Sin is pervasive. We are all sinners, and there are no exceptions.
Third, we must not stay home. If one stays home in this election, they are voting to not have their voice heard in an important matter. Yes, you will be able to claim you didn't help elect the next president. And yes, at least some of the guilt will lie on your shoulders for not exercising your vote properly. To stay at home is to sit down in an hour of need and do nothing. That is pure pragmatism. You think the ends (avoiding contribution to a further weakened society) justifies the means (refusing to vote). I say it is political cowardice and unprincipled behavior.
It has been said that America will have the kind of government it deserves. This may indeed by true, and those that stay at home rather than voting deserve the kind of government they get.
