By Kenny Digby
Executive Director-Treasurer, Christian Action Commission
Four years ago, I made a promise to the search committee of the Christian Action Commission. My priority would not be party politics nor personal piety, but my priority would be public policy.
I am weary and wary of politicians who say, “I am personally against abortion, but I think …” I am personally against a state lottery, but I think …” I don’t care what they think or believe personally; what will their public policy be concerning those issues? If you say you are against something, but back off as an elected public servant and let it become public policy, are you a liar or just a coward? The “professed” personal opinion of an elected official means nothing. His or her public policy is what matters.
Public policy is our priority—not party politics. Too many politicians and voters have a greater loyalty to a political party than to public policy. FDR has been dead a long time, Abe Lincoln—even longer. The Great Depression has been gone nearly 100 years; the Civil War has been gone for over 150 years. I love our history and heritage, but I do not live in the past.
Our concern is not campaigns or political activity. Our concern is the public policies of the candidate, not his or her personality, demeanor, or bed-side manner. The issue is not whether you like him or her as a person. You are not looking for a friend or someone to go on your vacation. What will he or she do after they are elected?
I realize a politician can say one thing and do another. Many suffer from a lack of credibility—with our children, our co-workers, and our fellow church members. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves,” James 1:22 KJV. A politician may not carry out his or her public policy, but correct public policy is a step in the right direction. What a saved person says can influence what he does. You may not like an elected official; you may not agree with his or her public policy; but you have to respect a politician who does what he or she promised—good, bad, or ugly.
Now concerning public policy, there are some clear choices in the upcoming election. Who is pro-life; who is pro-abortion? Who will appoint judges that are pro-life and who will appoint judges who are baby killers? Who wants tax money to pay for abortions and who doesn’t?
Who embraces the traditional nuclear family and who embraces the LGBTQ? Who utilizes alcoholic drink and who doesn’t? Who is for law and order and supports law enforcement and who is for anarchy and destruction of private property? Who is for secure borders and who is for open borders? Who is pro-Israel and who isn’t? Who is for a strong military? Who is for fair trade—if not free trade? Who is for “made in America?” Who is more for nationalism (putting America first) and capitalism (not socialism)? We are not electing a pastor or even a Sunday School teacher; we are electing the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. and the leader of the free world.
Who will take away your gun and who supports the second amendment? Who will enforce legal immigration and who will push amnesty for all illegal immigrants? Who wants more taxes and who wants less? Who wants voter ID and who wants illegals electing our officials? Who wants cheaper and more secure energy and who wants to go green? Who wants religious liberty and who wants humanism? Who wants to know, in a census, who is a citizen and who is a visitor? Who will wish you “Merry Christmas” and who will wish you “Happy Holidays?” Who will celebrate Easter and who will epitomize April Fool’s Day?
Our priority is public policy not party politics; public policy not personal piety; public policy, not personality; public policy; public policy; public policy.
Digby is executive director-treasurer of the Christian Action Commission. He can be reached at (601) 292-3329/office, (662) 284-9163/cell, or by e-mail at kdigby@christianaction.com.
