Stay the Course

The landscape is littered with political signs. Every other ad on television is for a candidate promising to save the world. Thinly veiled mudslinging between candidates passes for debates. Hold on, it will all be over soon. Stay the course.

It’s a boating term; stay the course. It is a directive to the helmsman (the driver) to keep the boat on the same compass coordinates and thereby stay on the same trajectory for as many nautical miles as needed. There are no road signs in the ocean announcing “Martha’s Vineyard 16 miles, New Bedford go left in 8.6 miles” It all looks the same–lots and lots of water. A compass and a directive to stay the course is the difference between getting where you are going and ending up in the United Kingdom.

It’s like this during election season. All the stuff looks the same and most of it is BS. Sorting through it and figuring out what the real issues are and the candidates who are going to address them is like bobbing around in the ocean without a compass.

But, it is time to gather up your fatigue, stow your cynicism, dust off your bullshit-o-meter, and make a commitment to being an informed voter and exercising one of the most fundamental rights of being an American citizen, voting. It’s easy to think that our one little vote doesn’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mid-term elections are becoming very important. They act as a stage for positioning the presidential election that comes up in another two years. If the Republicans gain control of the senate, President Biden’s agenda for ongoing economic recovery, job creation and easing financial burdens on middle class families will be stonewalled.

Being an informed voter is of critical importance. The question is, informed by what? Surely we vote in our own self-interest. We are, however, called as people of faith to vote in the interests of the poor, the marginalized and the disenfranchised. Knowing the issues that impact your state as well as the national landscape is important.

Here are some points for reflection that bear repeating from a blog several years ago:

• “The arc of the universe bends toward justice.” (William Sloane Coffin)
• Love is the essence of every major religious tradition in the world.
• Spirit is the holy in all of us and in creation.
• Creation reveals God.
• We are God’s agents of love, peace and justice in the world.
• The teachings of Jesus are our guide and guard.
• Jesus was a Middle Eastern Jew.  There is no room for anti-Semitism in the Christian faith.
• Jesus was a person of color.  There is no room for racism in the Christian faith.
• Mere tolerance is a low bar for people of faith.
• The first and second testaments stand on equal ground.
• The Bible inherently favors the poor and disadvantaged.
• Jesus’ harshest judgements were focused on the wealthy and the religious leaders who colluded with them.
• The Christian life is a life of dissent against the injustice of the world.
• All paths to God are equally valid; those who claim the name of Christian choose one path among many.
• We are called to preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, to use words. (Francis of Assisi)
• Healthcare is a right not a privilege.
• Those working full time should earn enough to support their family.
• There is enough for everyone’s need, not everyone’s greed.
• The world would be a better place if humans practiced what they preach when they claim the name of Christian.
• The gospel agenda is non-partisan.
• We cannot give into the politics of despair, fear and powerlessness. 

Another way to put it; vote as if:

• Your skin is not white.
• Your parents need medical care.
• Your friend is a missing indigenous woman.
• Your spouse is an immigrant.
• Your land is on fire.
• Your son is transgender.
• You home is flooded.
• Your sister is a victim of gun violence.
• Your brother is gay.
• Your water is unsafe.
• Your daughter is survivor of sexual assault.

The truth is that most all of these things can happen to any one of us. They have happened to far too many Americans who have not been treated with justice and equity. Vote in their interest too.