Much ado is being made over Mitt Romney's recent speech about his Mormonism. And, much more ado should be made.
Americans are perceived as being so politically astute that the faith of a candidate for President, or any other public office, has little or no impact on their electability. Platform and politics over prayer. Spin over spirit. Facts over faith. The voting public needs to reconsider its position in the coming season of elections, especially as it votes for the next President of the United States. The vote should not be political, the vote should be prayerful which means it will require faith.
In so many ways, Governor Romney was careful to say that his faith would not influence his decision-making process as President. The question that must be asked is what, then, will his decision-making be influenced by? The American voter is due an answer to that question. It is essential for the voting public to have full disclosure and to understand the fundamental basis for every candidate's decision-making process. It is not an option and anyone who says it is, is lying.
What a candidate knows, as defined by education, experience, and intellect, is important. But, a candidate's beliefs, as evidenced by their faith, shapes the value system which will serve as the foundation for their ability to govern. Every candidate should have a basic level of integrity within themselves that demands singularity of purpose. Any candidate that implies that their choices will not be influenced by their faith is deceived about what faith really is, and as a result, not worthy of a vote. According to the old adage, stand for something or fall for anything. It is not acceptable for candidates to have a alleged life of faith and a "real" life as a political candidate. A candidate's faith must be the foundation upon which their candidacy rests, and if this is not the case, they are not fit to run the concession stand at the Friday night football game let alone a country.
The American people deserves to know what every candidate believes. The faith question must be answered by anyone who wants to see their name up in lights in November 2008. The faith declaration must be made, honestly and openly, by every candidate. Spin-free. Why? Because candidates are not robots despite the fact that they so oftentimes seem to be. Candidates are human. No amount of compartmentalization will prevent them from ultimately responding out of their humanness; this will be particularly true in times of challenge. In the times of personal or national crisis that are certain to follow, the incumbent will not persevere because of what they know or how much experience they have had. Their university, their party, and even their constituents will be unable to get them through. The only force that any candidate will instinctively rely upon in times of tragedy and crisis will be the force of their faith, what they believe, their ideology. Faith, then, should not be just an issue in the next Presidential election, it must be the issue that decides the next Presidential election.
Michele F. Richardson, is President and CEO of The Reconciliation Party Incorporated. She is author of The "S" Word: A Commentary On GOD and Sex. Additionally, Michele is passionate in her mission to help others fulfill their respective destinies. Visit www.MicheleFRichardson.com.
Source: www.articlecity.com
