Sunday, November 6, 2016

Trump vs. McMullin



There seems to be substantial support for Donald Trump in the Utah LDS community.  To me this is inexplicable.  As LDS Church members, we are counseled to support candidates who exemplify integrity, wisdom, and other qualities of good leadership.  While both parties include principles consistent with church teachings, neither has nominated candidates who fit this description.  The Republican Party started with a promising set of conservative candidates, plus Donald Trump.  I was surprised to see him in the race and couldn’t imagine he was a serious contender, especially as a conservative.  But he managed to get the nomination, and I knew I couldn’t vote for him – not just as a matter of conscience, but because of the damage he could bring to our nation if he were president.


There are some basic principles we all believe in as Americans, that are the bedrock of our nation.  These include the essential dignity of the individual, the right of everyone to have fair opportunity without regard to race, religion, ethnic background, etc; that integrity and honesty really are the best policy, that ‘liberty and justice for all’ should be a reality, not compromised by wealth, rank or social position, bullying, or intimidation, and so forth.  These ideals have never been fully achieved, but ever sought after.  At their best, both liberals and conservatives are trying to move towards the American ideal, even though they differ widely on how those ideals should be realized in practical terms, just as the founders were in agreement on what they sought to achieve, but differed widely on how to best bring it about.


But Trump exemplifies just the opposite: if you’re rich and well-connected, you can bully, threaten, or buy your way to just about anything you want, without regard to who you hurt or how many lives you destroy.  It’s all for your taking – and if anyone gets in your way, crush them without mercy so others will cave without a fight.  We need look no further than his campaign to see his leadership style: contentious, divisive, vengeful, unable to handle criticism.  He has repeatedly made statements against Muslims, Hispanics, refugees, and other minority groups.  He appeals to voters’ fears and capitalizes on frustration and anger to gain support.


He is also no conservative.  From his conduct in business and during the campaign, it’s clear Trump disdains basic constitutional principles, such as limited government power, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process of law.  Far from limiting Federal government power, he wants to use it fully for his own purposes.  His plans would increase government power rather than returning it to the states.  


Many have argued that voting for Trump is a necessary evil in order to prevent Hillary from appointing liberal justices.  Trump, they argue, will last only four years, but the appointed justices will have influence for decades.  But from Trump’s interactions with the legal system, he sees law merely as something to be circumvented whenever it suits him.  Irrespective of political philosophy, he would most certainly ensure that anyone appointed is beholden to him.  They would be different than Hillary’s, but Trump would want to own the Judiciary just as surely as he wants to control everything else.


So the choice seemed impossible: Hillary is thoroughly liberal and corrupt, but Trump is no conservative, equally unethical, and loyal only to himself.  I planned to write someone in or skip voting for president.


Then something unexpected happened: someone I had never heard of, Evan McMullin, stepped in as a third-party independent candidate.  My wife and I read his statements and learned a little about him.  He seemed to be the kind of candidate we were looking for, so we invited one of his campaign managers to hold a Q&A session at our home.  We were very favorably impressed and knew that this was someone we could vote for in good conscience.  Since then we’ve been following his campaign, and I think we must have heard nearly all of his speeches and presentations thus far.  We’ve found him to be competent, thoughtful, articulate, and fully committed to conservative leadership.  Like us, he feels that the Republican Party has departed from its principles and no longer resembles what it used to stand for.  Certainly Trump doesn’t resemble Mitt Romney even slightly.


But since McMullin has only the slightest chance of winning, isn’t voting for him a wasted vote?  Not at all! Since both major candidates are equally unfit for the presidency, voting third-party is the only vote that isn’t wasted.  Voting for McMullin makes it clear that you don’t approve either of the major candidates.  It reduces their support and it lets national party leaders know you expect better choices.  Even better, it adds to the political presence of a new conservatism that I can believe in, that has a strong chance of influencing our nation for good going forward.


But isn’t a vote for McMullin effectively a vote for Hillary?  No, not in Utah!  In Utah McMullin has a good chance of winning the state.  That would really get the attention of national party leaders and voters nationwide going forward.  If neither Hillary nor Trump can gain 270 electoral votes, the election will go to the House of Representatives.  The Republican-controlled House certainly won’t vote for Hillary, but McMullin might have a chance.  Since both Trump and Hillary have a reputation for corruption and self-interest, McMullin might well be the most acceptable to them overall.


What about the Supreme Court?  Hillary would appoint liberal judges, Trump would appoint whoever he thinks will do his bidding.  McMullin has promised to appoint originalist judges, which would be the best possibility of all.  So voting for McMullin can’t increase the chance for more liberal judges, but it does give our country a shot at getting conservative judges who aren’t owned by anyone.


What about McMullin’s funding?  Isn’t he backed by a small group of very wealthy people with questionable motivations?  Most certainly not!  All you have to do is watch his rallies and speeches to see that this is a grass-roots movement running on a very limited budget.  He is competing with some of the wealthiest people in the world with almost unlimited resources.  We have participated as volunteers, and we know for ourselves how very home-made this campaign is.



In the last week I’ve seen a lot of a pro-Trump argument that goes something like this:


Prominent LDS members participated in a recent rally in Salt Lake, and Mike Pence asked everyone to pray for Trump.  Since then, McMullin supporters have been told they should fast and pray to know Trump is God’s choice.  Trump may have done things wrong in the past, they say, but he can change.  As Christians we believe in repentance and that people can change through Jesus.


There is nothing in Trump’s life or campaign that suggests strong devotion to or personal dependence on God.  All indications are that this prayer request is a cunning ploy to attract religious voters who are put off by Trump’s immoral and self-absorbed conduct.  Scripturally we are warned to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing… Ye shall know them by their fruits.”  It’s pretty easy to see the fruits of Trump personally and his campaign: continual lying and deception, vindictiveness, immorality, belligerence, bullying, stirring up to anger, inciting violence, playing on racial and other prejudices…  These are not the fruits of a God-centered life.


As Christians we do believe that people can change radically as they give their lives to Christ.  His mercy and power are extended to all, even to someone as perverse as Donald Trump.  So we look forward to the day when Christ will personally reign as King of Kings.  His ability to change those who come to Him and repent is extended equally to everyone: me, you, Trump, Hillary.  It does not uniquely qualify Trump for leadership.  However, Trump has stated several times that he has never done anything really wrong, has no need to change and has no intent to change.


Many of us have fasted and prayed about this election over weeks and months.  To me it was miraculous that Evan McMullin stepped forward, and that his campaign, started so very late with so very little financial backing – has progressed so well.  Why not hope for another miracle?  We can’t actually create a miracle, but we can facilitate one by voting for him, or we can prevent one by blocking him in Utah.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Why Voting Third Party Is Not a Wasted Vote

Hi, Jim Robertson here, a resident of Utah.  I am supporting Evan McMullin, a third-party conservative candidate.  You may be fully satisfied with one of the two major-party candidates, but if not, then I would encourage you to consider voting third-party.

I tend to be conservative, but before conservative or liberal, there are first some American principles that we all believe in.  These include the essential dignity of the individual, the right of everyone to have fair opportunity without regard to race, religion, ethnic background, etc; that integrity and honesty really are the best policy, that ‘liberty and justice for all’ should be a reality, not compromised by wealth, rank or social position, bullying, or intimidation.  You get the idea.

We should also note that the America we all believe in is an ideal, never yet fully achieved, but ever sought after.  At their best, both liberals and conservatives are trying to move towards that ideal, even though they differ widely on how those ideals should be realized in practical terms, just as the founders were in agreement on what they sought to achieve, but differed widely on how to best bring it about.

While both major parties have good people with insight and integrity who would have much to offer, neither party has selected their best and brightest as their representatives in this campaign.  While the two candidates differ in their use of liberal vs. conservative rhetoric, both represent corrupt big government interests.  People feel trapped into voting for someone they don’t like just to keep their opponent from winning.

Since the next president will be appointing Supreme Court justices, many conservatives feel obligated to vote for Trump in order to prevent Hillary from appointing liberal justices.  Trump, they argue, will last only four years, but the appointed justices will have influence for decades. 

  • What kind of nominees could we realistically expect from Trump?
    • The RNC published a list of possible nominees, but it’s not Trump’s list and he has no intent to make selections from it: “The shackles are off, I can do what I want.”
    • References to Mike Lee can’t be taken seriously, especially after Mike Lee’s scorching criticism.  Trump expects favors and responds vindictively when they aren’t forthcoming.
    • From his conduct in business and during the campaign, it’s clear Trump disdains basic constitutional principles, such as limited government power, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process of law.  Then what kind of judges would he nominate?
    • Trump would most certainly ensure that anyone appointed is beholden to him rather than any set of principles.  His appointees would indeed have influence for decades – that’s precisely what scares me.  They would be different than Hillary’s, but Trump would want to own the Judiciary just as surely as he wants to control everything else.
  • What kind of leadership could we expect from Trump as president?
    • Doesn’t uphold the American ideals noted earlier.  Trump exemplifies just the opposite: if you’re rich and well-connected, you can bully, threaten, or buy your way to just about anything you want, without regard to who you hurt or how many lives you destroy.  It’s all for your taking – and if anyone gets in your way, crush them without mercy so others will cave without a fight.
    • Has repeatedly made statements against Muslims, Hispanics, refugees, and other minority groups
    • Disrespectful, spiteful, unable to handle criticism, lacking in self-control.
    • Claims to have ‘great respect’ for women, but nothing in his actions present or past indicates it.  The scandals may be exaggerated, but not out-of-character.
    • Uses frustration and anger felt by many to gain support; says, “It’s gonna be great!” and “I know very smart people”, but presents little in the way of substantive plans or realistic solutions.
    • Changes position continually, based on what he thinks his audience wants to hear.
  • Trump could change, shouldn’t we allow him that opportunity?
    • Anyone can change.  But we select governmental officials (as well as spouses, employees, babysitters, etc.) based on our best understanding of what they are and who they’ve become.
    • Trump has stated several times that he’s never really done anything wrong and has no need to change.
  • But won't voting third-party will defeat Trump?  Hillary, who is corrupt and unethical, will win.
    • Trump is defeating himself (rather effectively) by his antics during the campaign and his long-term self-absorbed behavior.  Third-party votes won’t change that.
    • Does anyone seriously think Trump is more ethical than Hillary?  Hard to distinguish between them.

You may not agree fully with every point, but you likely have some misgivings about Trump.  Hillary is thoroughly liberal and equally corrupt, but Trump is no conservative and loyal only to himself.

Rather obviously, I don’t think Trump is a good candidate for president.  Not in 2016, not in 2020, not ever.  If Trump comes off with a substantial percentage of the vote, he’ll be back running again whether he wins or not.  It’s very unlikely that he could win this election, but I don’t want Trump to run again.  I want him out of politics.

I feel Trump has all but destroyed what the Republican party used to stand for – what it did stand for just four years ago.  Even more, I feel he has all but destroyed the conservative movement by making a mockery of it so that now conservatives are seen as misogynistic racists who bully and shout.  At the start of the campaign there were so many talented contenders of principle – and we ended up with Trump.  I am dismayed both by Trump and by the RNC that has put forward a candidate who is so very far from what I thought the party represented.

So what can I do?  I can vote.  I want my vote to count.  I can’t keep Trump from being in this campaign, but I can do my part to keep him out of future campaigns.  I can keep him from gaining power by one vote – my vote.

Also, I want the RNC to know that I am disgusted with them, that I want the Republican Party to return to its basic principles or I will not support them.  If I cast my vote for a Republican nominee I find repugnant, I am voting for status quo.  I’m saying in effect, ‘Good work, RNC, Keep it up’.  I don’t want my vote to say that.  I can reduce their vote of confidence by one vote – my vote.

So I want my vote to be effective.  In this case, my one vote can be doubly effective:

  • I reduce the political power of Donald Trump
  • I give a vote of ‘No Confidence’ to the RNC

If at all possible, I want to cast my vote for a candidate who more nearly reflects my principles.  I don't require agreement with me on everything, all I ask for is a candidate with integrity who has the same general perspective.   As it turns out, we have an excellent conservative alternative in Evan McMullin.  Check out his numerous interviews and view the TED-Talk presentation he made in May, titled “Why Saying ‘Never Again’ to Genocide is Not Enough”.  When I vote for McMullin, I get a truly outstanding third benefit from my one vote:

  • I add to the political presence of a new conservatism that I can believe in, that has a strong chance of influencing our nation for good going forward.

For those who are more liberal in their views, you may find someone with similar integrity, experience, and clarity in a third-party candidate of your choosing.

So with my vote for a third-party candidate, I achieve three ends.  It’s like getting three votes for the price of one – a lot of bang for the buck.  But if I vote for one of the two major candidates, I vote for the status-quo: no changes, no reforms, no real hope for the future.  In effect, I throw away my vote.