Harry Reid is the quintessential amoral politician and the embodiment of all that is wrong in politics. It is a shame he gets to retire rather than having been voted out of office by the people. America, we expect more of our leaders.
This week the senator sat down with CNN for a candid interview. He was asked about his brash, strong-fisted tactics as the majority leader. In typical Reid fashion he expressed no regrets.
Reid stood on the Senate floor in 2012 and demanded Romney produce his tax records, claiming that the presidential candidate hadn’t paid his fair share. Reid had no proof, but that didn’t matter. He knowingly lied before the Senate and perpetuated the democratic talking points that sought to define Romney as a 1-percenter who was out of touch with 99 percent of the nation.
When asked about the obvious deceit Reid said without hesitation, “I don’t regret that at all.” When the interviewer followed up calling it “McCarthyite,” he shrugged the criticism off stating, “Well, they can call it what they like. Romney didn’t win. Did he?”
So for Reid the truth isn’t important and the ends justified the means. I imagine Reid’s dismissive attitude towards his conduct as an elected leader certainly doesn’t come as a surprise to you. After all, it’s just politics—RIGHT?
Solomon wrote, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2). How true. However this isn’t about the elected but the elector.
The unique thing about America is that we choose our leaders. That means you and I must accept responsibility when they behave badly. Especially when we see it and refuse to respond. These civil servants represent our states and communities. They represent me and they represent you.
When our politicians defy our principles, it is upon us to speak up and vote them out.
Millions of Christian believers have sat out the previous election cycles. The pollsters have noticed our apathy and heaven has as well. The stewardship of our nation ultimately rests in our hands. When the Master returns he will demand an account for what we did with the responsibility in which we were entrusted.
The church’s absence at the polls in recent years has handed the elections over to godless officials. Not just in the national elections, but in the primaries as well. We have the numbers to pick godly candidates. We can choose righteous leaders.
Don’t think it is too soon to get involved in the upcoming elections. We are entering into the part of the cycle where your vote and voice matters the most. There are some principled candidates entering into local and national elections. Whether or not they are on the ballot come Election Day is up to us.
Take a look at the field of candidates, pray that godly leaders emerge. Get behind those that represent your values. This election a grass-roots movement within the church could change the tide.
Will we rejoice or groan come Nov. 8, 2016? We get to choose. Don’t sit out. We expect better of our elected leaders and should expect better of ourselves.
Daniel K. Norris is an evangelist who worked alongside Steve Hill bringing the message of revival and repentance to the nations. Together, they co-hosted a broadcast called From the Frontlines. Norris also hosts the Collision Youth Conference that is broadcast all over the world. He can be contacted at danielknorris.com.
