VOTE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS 
 
Voting is both a wonderful privilege and an awesome responsibility. It's a crying shame that millions of Americans don't vote. It is equally tragic that many vote for the wrong candidates and for the wrong reasons. Back in the Clinton years, we heard, "It's the economy, stupid"! Many voted their pocketbooks and our country's morals and military declined sharply. Some believe, as I do, that set the stage for terrorists' infiltration and the tragedies of 9/11/01. 

Now we're hearing the same theme about the economy, and obviously many feel it is our #1 priority. I agree our economy has problems, and my wife and I have watched our small investments and retirement dwindle with the stock market. But Ladies and Gentlemen, our #1 problem is NOT our declining economy, it is our declining _morality_! 

Any honest student of U.S. history will readily admit our founding fathers ushered us in as a Christian nation. Therefore the one, true God of the Bible has singularly blessed our country in accordance with His Word..."Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord"...Psalm 33:12. "_Righteousness_ exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people"...Proverbs 14:34. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His _righteousness_, and all these things shall be added to you"...Matthew 6:33. 

 So what must we do, America? The answer is plain to see (for those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear)...Vote for Righteousness!! Vote for candidates whose records and positions are closest to God's standards for right and wrong. That means we must vote for men and women who uphold 2 timeless principles that God has ordained...the Sanctity of Marriage (the union of 1 man and 1 woman) and the Sanctity of Life (from conception until natural death).

Therefore if a candidate is "Pro-Choice" (allows the killing of unborn babies) or they will not stand and fight for traditional marriage and family values, then don't vote for him or her, no matter how eloquent, charming or popular they might be!

Do vote for candidates that are Pro-Life and Pro-Marriage! Why? Because it is _right_!   I challenge you, my fellow-Americans, to discard political-correctness, media-mania and manipulation and pollster-pandering, and vote for a return to spiritual and moral righteousness. That is the only hope for our country, our children and grandchildren.

Then, and only then, can God Bless America! 
 
Pastor Don Johnston 
Grinnell, Iowa