How Much Does A Vote Cost?

Rasmussen released a survey yesterday that shows voters "overwhelmingly" believe that most members of Congress are for sale and over half believe their own representative has been bought with cash or a campaign donation.

The survey found that 70% believe most members of Congress are willing to sell their vote.

The concern of voters over government ethics and corruption is second only to their concern over the economy.

How much does a vote cost?

Well, 7% believe a contribution of $1000 will do the trick. Another 7% says it takes more than $100,000 and 22% believe a Congressman can be influenced by $10,000, while 15% say it takes $50,000.

The summary is; Just less than a third of us think a vote can be bought for $10,000 or less. Just over a third of us think it takes $50,000 or more---the rest aren't sure, but believe it happens.

The bigger question, which was not asked in the Rasmussen survey, but must be asked of all of us if we are to prosper as a nation is, "How did we get to this place? And what should we do now?"

Every Republican will likely blame the Democrats and every Democrat will likely blame the Republicans. And we will sit through endless paid slick TV commercials through this coming November while the fault lies with neither party.

A voice of wisdom from the past, a mind and heart that helped frame this great nation, tells us how we got here and what we must do going forward. It's about voting and it's about being informed and exercising discernment.

"The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty [voting]; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men [or women] in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men [or women] will be appointed to execute the laws, the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men [or women] and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails...it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men [and women] to make and administer the laws."
------Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie Peck,1832) pp. 336-337.

The only thing people told Rasmussen they see as worse than the corruption in government among elected officials is the press.

That's right. Media bias. Press people pretending to be objective as they strain and perspire to move their preferred secular, so-called progressive agenda forward, elevating those with whom they agree and seeking to destroy those with whom they disagree. Calling it "news".

If there is a clarion call to people of faith and conservatives it has to be this:

*The press has an agenda and it most likely does not reflect your agenda. Don't let them influence you.

*Politicians are inclined to tell you what they think you want to hear. Some of them hold the beliefs they are espousing, some do not. This is where you come in.

*Remember, "The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty." This "duty" is to vote. You've got to vote.

And you must vote responsibly. To do so you must be informed and you must be discerning.

The 3rd chapter of Malachi in the Old Testament speaks to several important spiritual issues, including restoration and renewal. (v.18) "Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."

Vote wisely and encourage others to do so as well.

God will help us.

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

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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