by Alan Langstaff

There was a time not so long ago when in certain company there were three things you did not talk about – Religion, Sex, and Politics. Well we live in a different age and people talk about those three things. If you do not believe me take a look at the T.V. or the internet.

When I was pastoring I was careful about what I said about politics. After all I knew that there were both Democrats and Republicans in the congregation and I didn’t want to unnecessarily upset people. Not that I did not talk about moral issues and the like.

Now that I am no longer pastoring a church I feel free and in this Langstaff Letter I want to give my advice regarding the upcoming elections. I realize I will offend some people but I believe we are facing critical times in the life of our nation. So here goes with what I believe.

I need to mention this was written before the Debate of September 10th.

POLITICS GENERALLY

Let me start by acknowledging that there are problems with both parties. Indeed, although there are politicians of high moral values there is corruption to be found in both parties. After all that is to be expected since we all are sinners and open to sinful actions.

DEMOCRATS

Now, some people will argue that the way they appointed a nomination for President was not very democratic. Be that so, I find issues in the Democratic Party that cause me concern. Let me be specific.

ABORTION

One of my relatives at the time of a previous election asked me – why did you vote for the right-wing Republicans and not the Democrats. I gave him a one-word reply – Abortion.

Abortion is a major moral problem in the USA Today. Over 60 million babies have been aborted. Do you feel that God is pleased with that? Indeed, 27 abortions took place at the Democratic Convention. How could a political convention approve of that?

Have you ever viewed a video of an abortion taking place? I have. It is horrible and I often feel that if some of the T.V. shows like 60 Minutes showed an abortion taking place the majority of people in the country would turn against it.

IMMIGRATION

A border is needed for a country just the same as a home needs to have boundaries. I am not against immigration. Indeed I and my family were immigrants; who later became American Citizens. You have to control the border and immigration has to be done in a sensible and lawful way; and not just open the borders and let anyone in, especially if they have been involved in crime.

TRANSSEXUALS

I am amazed how people can justify underage children being urged to and getting surgical procedures without parental consent to often change boys into girls and girls into boys. It is against common sense. Europe, in countries like Great Britain, has now started to ban these practices. Add to that the question of Women’s sports and allowing boys/men to compete against women. Where are the Women’s groups that should be protecting this from happening?

CRIME

In large cities particularly, but it is not restricted to these cities, that have been generally speaking run by Democrats, crime and the quality of life has become a major issue. Here in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul we experienced riots and lawlessness following the death of George Floyd. One of my friends was a leader in the Senate at that time and was involved in the interaction that took place with the authorities. He told me that Governor Waltz (now a candidate for Vice President) “froze up” and refused to initially act.

ANTISEMITISM

This summer we have seen in America major demonstrations, even riots on the campuses and in the streets. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party extreme group to the left pronounces this view of antisemitism.

Alan Dershowitz, well-known speaker and Harvard Law professor emeritus, a Democrat who now regards himself as an independent saying “Paraphrasing Ronald Reagan, I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me.” He is disgusted by the “anti-Jewish” rhetoric that he saw on display. (newsmax.com)

OTHER ISSUES

There are many other issues that effect our election – such as inflation, the cost of living, and education, and these need our consideration.

So let me be straightforward. For these reasons, I cannot vote for Kamala Harris who seems to me to be part of the extreme left wing of the Party. Indeed the Democrats are not what they once were with President John Kennedy.

Indeed, I may offend you, so write and tell me how you feel.

REPUBLICANS

I have written, particularly about Trump and I refer to my Langstaff Letter of “Samson and Trump” written before the assassination attempt.

There are things I detest about Trump mainly in regard to his speech and how he talks about people. He is supposed to be a Christian but sadly, he does not always act that way. So in spite of my reservations, I will be voting for Trump. The reason is more than just my liking for his policies. It involves the recent assassination attempt on him. If he had not moved his head at the last moment the shot would have killed him. It was that close to him being killed. As I have prayerfully thought about all this I came to the conclusion that it was God who saved his life and consequently, God must have some future purpose for him to fulfill.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES

1) Vote for an independent.

There are some other independent choices but they have very little chance of success. Even Kennedy has put his weight behind Trump. The last third-party candidate that impacted the elections was Ross Perot in 1992.

2) Not vote at all.

Undoubtedly when Biden was the candidate there were a lot of people who did not want to vote for two old fellows.

CLOSING REMARKS

In the midst of all this, we must remember that God is still in control. So we must –

1) Pray for America – As I have already written, the USA is at a critical point today.

2) Keep your eyes on Jesus – Neither one of the candidates is our Messiah. Jesus alone is Lord. So keep your eyes on him.

3) Vote – This is our duty – so do it. Prayerfully consider who you should vote for, not only for President but for all the other positions to be filled.

May God be merciful to us all and God bless America.