If you care about
your life, if you care about the life of other human beings, if you care
about all life on this planet—answer the call of your soul to vote in the
U.S. Congressional elections this Fall. Our lives literally depend on how
we vote. (If you’re a resident of another democratic country, see if the
questions below are helpful in your situation.)
In a democracy, it is a spiritual responsibility to vote. Over 90%
of the American people say they are guided by spiritual values or faith,
but less than 50% of the American people vote in any Presidential election
and much less in other elections. If we are committed to living by
spiritual values, we must bring them into the voting booth, and educate
ourselves about the candidates and the issues.
As you know, political leaders and the media pay very close attention not
only to who wins, but also to how close is the margin of victory. This is
how they evaluate how much popular support there is for policies such
as the war with Iraq, restricting our rights in order to pursue
terrorists, regulating unethical corporate behavior, and continuing to
protect the environment.
Spirituality can have a major impact on politics and elections, and
politics can make our spirituality grounded and practical. If spiritual
people don’t become engaged politically, we will be exploited by those
whose only concern is self-interest. And we may lose our democracy. The
upcoming elections present us with an important opportunity to decide what
direction we want our country to go in, and they will have a major impact
on our children’s future.
The comprehensive questions below are designed to be a guide for deeper
reflection. You may or may not agree with the wisdom of listing any
specific question here, but these are based on regular discussions in the
media and political circles. (You may want to skip some questions or
there may be other questions that are important to you personally that
you’d like to reflect on). You are welcome to replicate this guide and
circulate it widely.
INFORMATION SOURCES ON EACH CANDIDATE:
Please check if applicable:
1.
I know where
this candidate stands on at least the three major issues of the
campaign____
2.
I have
researched the candidate’s positions on his/her website (or a non-partisan
informational site such as www.vote-smart.org) and/or read the full text
of some of his/her speeches____
3.
I have heard a
speech of the candidate’s on C-SPAN or seen an in-depth interview____
4.
I have watched
a debate between this candidate and his/her opponent____
5.
I have read
alternative sources of information on this candidate____
6.
I have relied
only on the major media’s perception of this candidate____
7.
I have relied
only on hearsay from friends about this candidate____
CANDIDATE’S CHARACTER AND VALUES:
Based on media reports as well as your intuition from watching them in
action, please rate on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing a very low
score, and 10 the highest:
1.
Is this
candidate motivated by a spirit of service rather than self-interest?____
2.
Is s/he
generally fair and honest with colleagues and with the public?____
3.
Has s/he been
courageous in promoting causes that may not be popular, but which are s/he
believes are right?____
4.
Has s/he
followed through on previous campaign promises made?____
5.
Does s/he
treat his/her staff and colleagues well?____
6.
Is his/her
personal life in line with reasonable standards of behavior?____
7.
Is s/he
collaborative and bipartisan in his/her approach, searching for common
ground?____
8.
Is his/her
approach based on a long-term perspective that serves the good of the
whole (in contrast to short-term, political expediency)?____
9.
Is s/he
open-minded to new ideas and practical solutions?____
10.
Does s/he
demonstrate compassion for the disadvantaged?____
11.
Does s/he
demonstrate tolerance for diversity—racial, sexual, religious?____
12.
Does s/he have
a clear vision about for the future?____
ISSUES AND POLICIES:
Review the candidate’s stand on as many major issues as you can (e.g. war,
taxes, the environment, etc.). Answer these questions for each issue,
answering either yes or no—or rate them from 1 to 10, with l meaning “not
at all” and 10 meaning “fully”:
1.
Does this
policy serve the good of the whole?____
2.
Will it
protect the sacredness of life, human, plant and animal?____
3.
Will it be
healthy and sustainable for future generations?____
4.
Is it fair to
all parties concerned?____
5.
Does it offer
equal opportunities and/or access?____
6.
Does it
promote dignity and respect?____
7.
Does it
promote the health and well-being of all citizens?____
8.
Does it
increase political participation of more citizens?____
9.
Does it help
alleviate poverty or economic injustice?____
10.
Does it
protect the disadvantaged?____
11.
Does it
protect diversity or human rights?____
12.
Does it
encourage responsibility?____
13.
Does it
protect people’s freedom?____
14.
Does it
promote tolerance and prevent violence?____
15.
Will it help
citizens find deeper fulfillment or meaning in life?____
Is it
practical and effective?_____
Corinne McLaughlin is
Executive Director of the Center for Visionary Leadership and co-author of
Spiritual Politics, and has taught politics at American University. (www.visionarylead.org).
