POLITICAL AFFAIRS OF MICE & MEN (II) 8/12/12

IT WAS 1956! I was fresh out of high school! The political debate was in full swing! Would Ike win the Presidency for the Republicans or would A. Stevenson, for the Democrats? During this phase of the arena our small group of politically minded Americans formed a Young Republican’s offshoot in our district. Long after hours, we would put up posters, after taking the opposing candidates posters down. We cleaned up buildings for the GOP headquarters and for returns. We held recruiting affairs to entice other like minded young people to participate in our fun. We had dinner meetings and served Eisenhower stew. We wore badges that said; “I like Ike”! Well, Ike did win the Presidency. Our local candidates lost to the Democrats and now all of this is remembered only in history. That was one of the highlights of my late teens.

HISTORY was in the making four years ago! We had a woman, and a man of color seeking the Democratic nomination for President. We had six men running for the GOP. All touting their experiences in no uncertain terms. If we have a woman, or a man of color holding any position for the presidency or vice president makes no difference because both would set a precedence that is unheard of in our country. On the GOP side, it became a free for all because no incumbent was running. In the final debate it has come down to a man of color on the Democratic side and a woman sharing the ticket as vice president on the GOP side. Things were pretty heated up and got even hotter until the decision was made. Through the few years following we watched the roller coaster descent very quickly.

MY MOTHER use to be a registrar! She received a nominal amount for each person she registered, who was 21. On my sister Joyce’s 21 birthday, and still in bed, my mother stood at the foot of her bed and said; “ raise your right hand!” My mother already had her paper filled out. She went through the steps and while still in bed, Joyce signed her request to register for the Republican party. Not many years later the age was changed to 18 and even still later, registrar’s were not the only means used . Today, you can go to the DMV, on line or the Post Office and get a form. We use to have deadlines to be registered by, but today you can do it the hour before elections and even in some states, apparently you can register many times. Bad form!

WE THINK we elect a candidate to office but actually God allows them there. Paul writes; “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1-8 Paul continues with; “When we resist those in office we resist what God has appointed and therefore we incur judgment. Rulers want good conduct not bad. When we do good we will receive the rulers approval and Gods. The ruler is God’s servant for your good.” In the book of Esther, we love the phrase; “Who knows whether you have not come to the Kingdom for such a time as this!” I believe because of the state of God’s people and the world, God establishes the government within the United States of America to reflect that condition. You may disagree and that is alright! We are to remember that the ruler is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. How this takes place is up to God. It comes down to cause and effect. Man causes trouble and God renders judgement, the effect.

1 PETER 2, the scriptures tells us the same things. Because of God, we are to submit to our human institutions. It is Gods will that by doing this we silence the ignorance of foolish men. We are to live as free men, yet not using our freedom as a pretext for evil. “But I will warn you whom to fear: “Fear the One who after He was killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5 When we live apart from God we have much to fear. When we respect and honor those in authority, we bring honor to our God! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 8/10/12