Let’s be honest. Despite all its imperfections, the Canadian political system ranks among the finest in this fallen world. In this favoured democracy we enjoy extensive freedom, political stability and generally fair laws, not to mention enviable prosperity.
At election time we have the opportunity to replace the political officials temporarily entrusted with operating the system. But however we vote, let us do so with thanks to God for our political system. Yes, like other citizens, Christians have a right to complain-it’s one of our cherished rights-but always within a framework of gratitude.
On June 28 some Christian voters will base their decision on the political parties’ general orientations. That’s not a bad idea. After all, a party’s principles tend to change much less than do election promises. Given space constraints, I can deal only with the major parties.
Varying Liberal mindsets
The liberal mindset appeals to some Christians. They affirm its emphasis on the development of every person’s potential, the "brotherhood of man," the rejection of militant nationalism, optimism, individualism, ignorance as the root of evil and especially liberty and freedom. They also see merit in emphasizing humanitarianism, the moral worth of every person, some economic equalization and considerable government intervention to advance the common good.
Among what’s praiseworthy, I also see problems. Liberalism too readily sees education as the remedy for evil, sees human nature as inherently good, places undue faith in government action, has few fixed moral values and makes unwarranted assumptions that the majority is right on moral matters.
On June 28 some Christians will vote for the New Democratic Party. They are attracted by its emphasis on decent wages, social assistance for the needy, denunciation of greed and government programs to reduce economic inequality. They like having only publicly funded and publicly run hospital and medical services and laws favouring organized labor. They want to eliminate economic injustice and reform "exploitative" capitalism.
Here, too, we have some congruence with Christian concerns. Who can quarrel with "being my brother’s keeper," helping the poor, denouncing greed, some economic equalization or concerns about God’s creation, our physical environment?
But some Christians are troubled by class analysis, attributing evil mainly to economic factors, more government programs, preferential labour laws and seeing education as the remedy for evil. Christians tend to see sin as the cause of economic exploitation, not economic exploitation as the cause of sin.
On June 28 some Christians will vote Conservative. They like the emphasis on individual economic and moral responsibility, respect for tradition, limited government, law and order, property rights, nationalism and family values. Further, they agree that large government programs are inefficient, that human nature is not inherently good, that society is not evolving morally and that abortion and same-sex marriage should be opposed.
Here, too, much is commendable. But we should not too readily minimize society’s responsibility to help the poor and the marginalized, not too easily exalt nationalism at the expense of internationalism, nor accept self-interest as the fundamental ethical value.
On June 28 some Christians will vote in support of party leaders. Leaders are important. I see all three major party leaders as sincere and hardworking. Concerning political skills I rate Prime Minister Paul Martin as the most impressive. But he has a huge albatross around his neck. It includes the sponsorship scandal, wasteful programs such as the gun registry and the HRD boondoggle, and his flip-flop on same-sex marriages. I rate the other two about equal in leadership ability. They have no albatross.
On June 28 some Christians will be guided by current party policies; that, too, is an important consideration. I like some Liberal policies. My problem, however, is that concerning health care, development of even minimal military capability for peacekeeping, management of the economy and other issues, they have had more than a decade to implement their policies.
Amidst some successes I see serious failures. Many promises, ranging from appointment of an independent ethics commissioner to parliamentary reform, keep appearing in the "red books."
Some appeal
Some Conservative policies appeal to me. I agree with most moral stances, the call for government integrity and efficiency, a greater role for the Auditor General, parliamentary reform and a less blinkered view concerning health care reforms. I have some concerns about environmental policies, occasional belligerency on law and order and maybe too close an association with United States’ military initiatives.
I like some emphases in the NDP platform. The concern for the truly needy agrees with my Christian ethics. I can support some environmental policies, some proposed tax reform and the emphasis on world peace initiatives. I do, however, have serious problems with policies on abortion, same-sex marriages, a growing role for government and a truly blinkered perspective on health care initiatives.
On June 28 some Christians will doubtless vote according to the relative strengths and appeal of their local candidates, as they assess them. That, too, is an important consideration.
While acknowledging that no party has a monopoly on insight or wisdom, I’ve decided to vote Conservative on June 28. But whatever our personal decision, let us thank all politicians who serve us by subjecting themselves to an election campaign. Most of all, let’s all thank God for our fine political system. And then, let’s all vote!
John H. Redekop Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus at Wilfrid Laurier University and Adjunct Professor at Trinity Western University.
