Voting With A Clear Conscience

[PLAL]

Voting With A Clear Conscience (Listen Below)

EWTN’s Barbara McGuigan Interviews Fr. Frank Pavone on 10-3-06 here weekly show “Pro-Life Open Line”…

**Program Name: **Open Line

http://www.ewtn.com/images/smallspeaker.gif Listen Nowhttp://www.ewtn.com/images/disk.gif [Download](http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio...urce=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=barbara mcguigan)

Series Name: Open Line

**Host: **Barbara McGuigan

**Date Produced: **10/3/2006

**Description: **Fast-paced call-in show, with a new host every day!

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Jimmy Akin Speaks on “Our Role As Voters” on Catholic Answers Live on 9-15-06…

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Jimmy Akin’s Blog

jimmyakin.org/

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Non-Negotiable Voting Guide

caaction.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=33&Itemid=95

 

[DaveBj]

Voting with a clear conscience–is that the same as being able to vote without having to hold your nose?

DaveBj

 

[vern_humphrey]

Voting with a clear conscience–is that the same as being able to vote without having to hold your nose?

DaveBj

If we have to hold our noses when we vote, we should go in the bathroom and ask the man in the mirror how he allowed us to get into this mess.

We have crooked and venal politicians because we tolerate crooked and venal politicians.

 

[DaveBj]

If we have to hold our noses when we vote, we should go in the bathroom and ask the man in the mirror how he allowed us to get into this mess.

We have crooked and venal politicians because we tolerate crooked and venal politicians.

That’s a little harsh. As one person my tolerance or intolerance of crooked politicians doesn’t carry a lot of weight. Furthermore, if I voted for whom I really wanted to vote for, that would be one less vote for the “lesser of two evils” and that much greater chance for the “greater of two evils” to get elected.

It’s obvious that we have crooked and venal politicians. What is the man in your mirror saying?

DaveBj

 

[SeekerJen]

That’s a little harsh. As one person my tolerance or intolerance of crooked politicians doesn’t carry a lot of weight. Furthermore, if I voted for whom I really wanted to vote for, that would be one less vote for the “lesser of two evils” and that much greater chance for the “greater of two evils” to get elected.

Exactly my feelings. Compound that with the fact that I am young, a student, don’t have much money, and live in a state that is pretty much bottom of the heap, economically speaking. What I think about the current state of politics in America matters so little to anyone in Washington D.C. (or Lansing, for that matter) that really, what’s the point? Old New England money nominates and supports old New England money and the whole mess is funded by big oil, or big food industry, or Planned Parenthood, or whichever big industry has the most clout and money in a particular year. Doesn’t really seem to make any difference whatsoever for the general public.

 

[Ruthmary]

Exactly my feelings. Compound that with the fact that I am young, a student, don’t have much money, and live in a state that is pretty much bottom of the heap, economically speaking. What I think about the current state of politics in America matters so little to anyone in Washington D.C. (or Lansing, for that matter) that really, what’s the point? Old New England money nominates and supports old New England money and the whole mess is funded by big oil, or big food industry, or Planned Parenthood, or whichever big industry has the most clout and money in a particular year. Doesn’t really seem to make any difference whatsoever for the general public.

Then why vote? Vern’s right, and the older I get the more convinced I am of it. There’s a lot more to this democracy business than meets the eye. I think it’ll become clearer as you get older.

 

[vern_humphrey]

That’s a little harsh. As one person my tolerance or intolerance of crooked politicians doesn’t carry a lot of weight. Furthermore, if I voted for whom I really wanted to vote for, that would be one less vote for the “lesser of two evils” and that much greater chance for the “greater of two evils” to get elected.

If you wait until someone else has selected the candidates, you have only yourself to blame. Her are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you a member of your local party committee (Republican or Democrat)?
2. Do you actively participate in party activities?
3. Do you seek out and support candidates whom you can support with a clear conscience?
4. Do you organize fund-raising events for those candidates?
5. Do you do door-to-door campaigning for those candidates?
6. Are you a member of your local Right to Life committee?
7. Do you seek to integrate church activities with Right to Life?
8. Do you introduce your candidates to the Right to Life committees and solicit their support?

It’s obvious that we have crooked and venal politicians. What is the man in your mirror saying?

DaveBj

He says that I need to work even harder. He says I need to recruit people like DaveBj and get them deeply involved with recruiting, nominating and supporting candidates we can all vote for with a clear conscience.

 

[prv]

If you wait until someone else has selected the candidates, you have only yourself to blame. Her are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you a member of your local party committee (Republican or Democrat)?
2. Do you actively participate in party activities?
3. Do you seek out and support candidates whom you can support with a clear conscience?
4. Do you organize fund-raising events for those candidates?
5. Do you do door-to-door campaigning for those candidates?
6. Are you a member of your local Right to Life committee?
7. Do you seek to integrate church activities with Right to Life?
8. Do you introduce your candidates to the Right to Life committees and solicit their support?

He says that I need to work even harder. He says I need to recruit people like DaveBj and get them deeply involved with recruiting, nominating and supporting candidates we can all vote for with a clear conscience.

There is that “Republican” or “Democrat” choice again. I wish we had a (true) three- or more party system. That way we can get some real choices.

 

[vern_humphrey]

There is that “Republican” or “Democrat” choice again. I wish we had a (true) three- or more party system. That way we can get some real choices.

Our system of government, with its separation of powers, will only work with two powerful parties. There is really no place for a third party.

Parliamentary systems, where the legislative and executive powers are co-mingled (and to some extent the judiciary) are different. The “government” (the executive function) is formed by the majority party – Tony Blair, for example is both a member of parliament (the legislature) and the Prime Minister (chief executive.)

In parliamentary systems, therefore, small parties can ally with larger ones to creat a majority coalition. In return for their support in “forming a government” they are given positions of power. But in the American system, the small parties are simply isolated and powerless.

 

[SeekerJen]

Then why vote?

I have no idea. In the 10 years since I cast my first vote, I have become less and less certain that there is a point to voting at all.

 

[Ruthmary]

I have no idea. In the 10 years since I cast my first vote, I have become less and less certain that there is a point to voting at all.

Sorry to hear that. I was being sarcastic with my question, and I don’t really want anyone to stop voting. I hope you’re able to find an answer to your question. I don’t have a link handy, but I just recently read an article about the pope encouraging Catholics to be active in the political process.

And as Vern pointed out so well, there are many other ways to be involved if you want to make more of an impact than your one vote. You can try to influence others’ votes. I know well the feeling of helplessness when your vote doesn’t seem to make a difference for the better. (I voted for the “other guy” twice against Clinton) :banghead: But I came to recognize that that’s defeatism. Realize that if you’re on the side of God that you are doing His work. “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again” There are some fabulous organizations you can align yourself with such as Catholic Answers Action, Priests for LIfe, Human Life International, etc., etc. It is encouraging to read the newsletters and know there are many others who have the same ideals you do and are acting on them.

Then give it all to Jesus, and realize that it’s all in His sacred hands. He’s experienced frustration for you already and knows how it feels. Then go vote.

God Bless,
Ruth

 

[faithfulSteward]

Our system of government, with its separation of powers, will only work with two powerful parties. There is really no place for a third party.

I don’t believe that. I think that Pro life issues take a back seat to many other issues because we have only 2 party’s to choose from. to vote pro life means that we have to vote Republican, and that is our only choice, and they now it! If there was a third party that ran on a strong prolife /socially moral platform than, as a morally resonsible christian voter, I would have someone who I knew held the issues in the same priorety as I do.

I’m sick of hearing this lesser of two evils that is floating around. I’m from Illinois and that is all I have been hearing about. We do have another choice, a write in who is strongly pro-life…Randy Stufflebeam. But because most people walk a party line, they feel they have to vote Republican. They feel that a vote for a third pary candidate is a wasted vote. Where’s our trust in God?

For me, I’m not voting for evil! I’m casting a vote for a third party candiate and I am leaving the rest in God’s hands.

 

[vern_humphrey]

I don’t believe that. I think that Pro life issues take a back seat to many other issues because we have only 2 party’s to choose from. to vote pro life means that we have to vote Republican, and that is our only choice, and they now it! If there was a third party that ran on a strong prolife /socially moral platform than, as a morally resonsible christian voter, I would have someone who I knew held the issues in the same priorety as I do.

I’m sick of hearing this lesser of two evils that is floating around. I’m from Illinois and that is all I have been hearing about. We do have another choice, a write in who is strongly pro-life…Randy Stufflebeam. But because most people walk a party line, they feel they have to vote Republican. They feel that a vote for a third pary candidate is a wasted vote. Where’s our trust in God?

For me, I’m not voting for evil! I’m casting a vote for a third party candiate and I am leaving the rest in God’s hands.

Throw your vote away, if that’s what makes you happy. But don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re accomplishing something.

 

[faithfulSteward]

Throw your vote away, if that’s what makes you happy. But don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re accomplishing something.

I am accomplishing something though…I’m putting my faith in God.

I’m voting for the best person out there, I’m not voting for the Republican or Democrat I have been forced to accept.

If there was a good moral Republican or Democrat I would be voting for them, but I can not in good conscience, vote for someone who will hurt the moral fiber of our society just because they are Republican or Democrat.

If you think that voting for a third party candidate is wasting your vote, just remember Jesse Ventura, I’m not saying his views were good or bad, because I do not know anything about him. What I am saying is people didn’t think they were wasting there vote by voting for him, and he won. If more peolpe thought that way we would have a three party system.

 

[mary_bobo]

I am accomplishing something though…I’m putting my faith in God.

I’m voting for the best person out there, I’m not voting for the Republican or Democrat I have been forced to accept.

If there was a good moral Republican or Democrat I would be voting for them, but I can not in good conscience, vote for someone who will hurt the moral fiber of our society just because they are Republican or Democrat.

If you think that voting for a third party candidate is wasting your vote, just remember Jesse Ventura, I’m not saying his views were good or bad, because I do not know anything about him. What I am saying is people didn’t think they were wasting there vote by voting for him, and he won. If more peolpe thought that way we would have a three party system.

You are right about Ventura, but remember that he had an active party in his state. Most third party candidates, at this time, do not.

 

[vern_humphrey]

I am accomplishing something though…I’m putting my faith in God.

Actually, you’re abandoning your responsibilities and running away.

I’m voting for the best person out there, I’m not voting for the Republican or Democrat I have been forced to accept.

“Forced to accept?” What have you done to ensure you have a good candidate? Have you worked to promote a qualified candidate, raised money for him and campaigned for him to win the nomination?

If there was a good moral Republican or Democrat I would be voting for them, but I can not in good conscience, vote for someone who will hurt the moral fiber of our society just because they are Republican or Democrat.

I cannot in good conscience wait for someone else to put up a candidate – I and all Catholics have a moral obligation to find good candidates and support them.

I

If you think that voting for a third party candidate is wasting your vote, just remember Jesse Ventura, I’m not saying his views were good or bad, because I do not know anything about him. What I am saying is people didn’t think they were wasting there vote by voting for him, and he won. If more peolpe thought that way we would have a three party system.

“He” won – not his party. Once in office, he had to deal with the same Republicans and Democrats.

 

[KathleenElsie]

If you wait until someone else has selected the candidates, you have only yourself to blame. Her are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you a member of your local party committee (Republican or Democrat)? YES
2. Do you actively participate in party activities? WHEN I AGREE WITH THE ISSUE
3. Do you seek out and support candidates whom you can support with a clear conscience? YES
4. Do you organize fund-raising events for those candidates?
   YES
5. Do you do door-to-door campaigning for those candidates? NO TOOOO RURAL CALL AND E-MAIL MOSTLY
6. Are you a member of your local Right to Life committee? YES
7. Do you seek to integrate church activities with Right to Life? YES OUR CHURCH IS ACTIVE
8. Do you introduce your candidates to the Right to Life committees and solicit their support? YES EVEN WHEN THEY ARE RUNNING FOR ANIMAL CONTROL

We need to remember that those people asking for our vote for State and Federal office were not created the day they decided to run for that office. They have come up in the ranks. We need to question their stand on important issues before they are nominated for a major office that can change our lives.

 

[KathleenElsie]

If we had five parties and each party has 20% of the population then it is conceivable that 21% of the population would control the country. 79% or the vast majority would not be represented. This is not how I would want to live. At least with the two party system it is closer to 50% at any one time.

What we need is for the parties to evolve to a stand closer to the majority of those they represent.

 

[vern_humphrey]

We need to remember that those people asking for our vote for State and Federal office were not created the day they decided to run for that office. They have come up in the ranks. We need to question their stand on important issues before they are nominated for a major office that can change our lives.

We need to control who’s nominated. This is the Parable of the Skydiver. Two men jumped at 12,000 feet, one of them without a parachute. As they fell clear of the plane, he shouted to his companion, “Tell me what I should do now.”

And his companion replied, “I can’t tell you what you should do now. But if you had asked five seconds earlier, I could have told you what you should** not** do.”

The moral of this parable is that if we wait until we’ve jumped from the plane, or until the candidates are nominated, there’s very little we can do to change the outcome. We should have been working literally years before the election to put the right people in the right places and grease the skids to get the right candidate nominated.

 

[mary_bobo]

If we had five parties and each party has 20% of the population then it is conceivable that 21% of the population would control the country. 79% or the vast majority would not be represented. This is not how I would want to live. At least with the two party system it is closer to 50% at any one time.

What we need is for the parties to evolve to a stand closer to the majority of those they represent.

Remember the elections with Ross Perote running? Nobody got 50%. Gave us a minority president.