Commentary: Fixin' stinkin' thinkin'

In my years I’ve seen quite a few political campaigns come and go. Thankfully, I can’t remember one campaign that didn’t do both. My skin crawls when they come, and I take a deep breath of clean air when they go.

I’m certain there is a better way to do what we do every two, or four, years, but George, Thomas, Ben, and all the other sweaty guys in powdered wigs in Philly didn’t come up with one. We don’t seem to be improving on it either. So, we’ve got what we’ve got, and it’s best to be thankful.

I have to work on myself in every political campaign not to fall into stinkin’ thinkin.’ It’s so easy to get sucked in to the mire. Stinkin’ thinkin’ is seductive.

Want an example?

I recently passed a display of all kinds of political paraphanelia. Some items were good-natured fun. Most were demeaning to persons. I thought those were pretty funny, so I laughed heartily.

And then came “the voice inside.” Inwardly, I apologized. I should have done so outwardly.

Three thought-problems come to mind in political campaigns that take a lot of energy from me to avoid:

1. Expedient thought. I might find a candidate that comes close to my set of beliefs, and then I adopt all the candidates beliefs as my own to get “my person” elected. That really amounts to prostitution of my beliefs.

2. Hate thought and speech. It’s more true than ever that political campaigns are eventually fueled by hatred of persons, rather than civil disagreement.I need to be an honest Christian. I don’t find license anywhere in the teachings of my faith for “Bill-bashing” or “George-bashing.” It’s OK to bash Bill’s and George’s ideas; it’s not OK to bash Bill and George. In fact, the Scriptures ask me to pray for both.

3. Thought and speech that ignors important information. I’m wise to gather all the facts I can before I decide anything. It’s dangerous to follow someone who just gives me the part that “tinkles their bell.” If candidates can’t level with me on the stump, they will surely hoodwink me in Washington, Harrisburg, or wherever.

Glad we could get together.