What if the Lesser Evil Actually Did Good?
What is the Presidency? What powers should it preside over? What are its limits?
These are important questions for me as I try to waddle through the filth of Presidential options. For many individuals, elections are merely an opportunity to regain power. More affectionately in this post, they are trying to regain Tolkien's mythical ring of power. For years, we complain about the corruption of power exhibited by the "other party." But when the opportunity presents itself, we decide we would rather wield the power ourselves instead of destroying it.
Along this line, I am reminded of a scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in which the "last alliance of men and elfs" battles against Sauron. Sauron's hand is cut. The ring falls to the ground. Here is the tipping point. Will man destroy the false power or attempt to use it for himself? The story is as old as time, corrupt man succumbs to power. Instead of destroying that which has led to oppression, man attempts to use it for his own purposes. We hear of "how much good" the power of the ring can accomplish. If only the right person could yield all this power! This is American politics. This is the folly of American politics and the simplistic notions of constituents.
The truth — for our party — is just as much true when we pronounce it for the "other party." The President wields too much power. The Supreme Court seems to be making laws — too many laws. In the rage of war for power, what do we hear out of Republicans and Democrats? These powers are too valuable to give up. We must vote among the two to gain these powers. We are afraid the "other party" will exert these power to its will. We want our people in those positions of power.
This is not my position. I refrain from saying it cannot be my position because Scriptural principals cross beyond government forms. Instead, I affirm that those who govern us should be hellbent on decentralizing the government and the powers currently held. It is not enough for me to ask which president represents my affiliations and views — this merely deigns the abuse of power. I also must elect a president that represents my views on what the President should do and not do. I am required to elect a proper President.
The two major party candidates have no other intention beyond increasing the amount of power their party yields. They are silly humans arguing over which of them can best yield the power of the one true ring. While I disagree with many of the sentiments and positions of popular third party candidates, the effect of voting and promoting them is more in line with my understanding of what the Presidency should be.
Any step away from the two party system will be painful, but it is time for young people to take those steps. We need to vote candidates who will help diminish the power of the Presidency and Supreme Court. We need to vote candidates who will not soak power unto themselves like a sponge.
