Thursday, August 02, 2012

When Political Ambition Trumps Values

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Reagan Dunn wants to be Attorney General of Washington State. He wants your vote.


He, like Rob McKenna, knows he cannot get elected without a fairly strong vote from Christian conservatives.

So---he tells KGMI radio and their conservative audience in Bellingham last weekend he doesn't think the state should be suing the Stormans family, attempting to force them to violate their conscience and sell abortion pills in their own pharmacy.

He told the conservative audience he thought the Stormans were right and said, "I hope they win."

Enter NARAL's Jennifer Brown, calling Dunn's comments "incredibly disappointing."

But not to worry. Dunn says in a later interview he was "misunderstood" in Bellingham.



Personally, he said, I am for the Stormans. Professionally, he says he will continue to drag them through court.

And he insists he is not "walking back" his comments in Bellingham.

And at this point, the so-called moderates need to read no more. They are pounding their keys telling me elected officials must carry out the responsibilities of their position regardless of their personal beliefs.

Are we really looking for people to lead who believe one thing but promise to do another? Can we not elect people of principle who actually put principle before politics?

The problem is that politics has become a pretty good career, with terrific benefits, and for too many, their ambition trumps their values.

How about something like this? I understand the Stormans have deeply held pro-life beliefs. I believe they should have the freedom to practice those beliefs in their own business without government interference. I share their values (if indeed he does, which I doubt) and will faithfully carry out my duties as A/G , but will work to insure that religious freedom is protected for all people.

Dunn said he would be happy to debate the Democratic candidate Bob Ferguson on the subject. How about debating Stephen Pidgeon on the subject? He is also running for A/G, is a Republican and holds a very different view than Mr. Dunn on both the sanctity of life and redefining marriage.

How about just being straight with the Christian conservative voters, Mr. Dunn?

You are out of the closet on marriage, now you are dancing around the sanctity of life issue.

Who are you?

Dunn and McKenna have a lot in common. They both want and need the Christian conservative vote to win so are willing to pander to the people of faith, with the help of some evangelical pastors, without actually embracing the very values that evangelicals give their time and money to advance.

This is called being a "moderate."

A moderate is simply someone who refuses to take a firm position on important issues---a person who lacks principled conviction, but oozes ambition.

"Moderate" men did not found this country and lead it to become the greatest nation in the history of the world.

"Moderate" leaders will not solve this nation's problems nor lead us to restoration---whether they lead the nation, the state or the community.

They are double minded.

Scripture teaches that, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:7

Unstable, in the original language, actually means "2 souls." Webster's Bible Translation says, "A man unsettled in his opinions is unstable in all his ways." And Clarke's commentary says, "A man of this character is continually distracted; he will neither let earth or heaven go, yet can have but one."

People who are double minded are overtly influenced by popular opinion. Bill Clinton was such a person. Although he championed the notion that we can separate character and leadership, the truth is, you can't.

Double minded, unprincipled people will be inclined to one principle today and something else tomorrow and will call it "evolving."

Noah Webster, a Founder and often identified as the father of public education said, "In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate---look to his character."

It would be difficult for a modern day "moderate" to pass this or most any character test, so we now settle for the lessor of two evils. "Half the loaf is better than none of the loaf" and a number of other little slogans are passed among us in support of electing people who hold to both sides of the important issues and in doing so stand for nothing.

Shame on us. God help us.


Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.