King Solomon said: As a man thinks, so is he. Far from being a trite cliché or unproven proverb, it is fundamental to political wisdom. Knowing how a candidate thinks is the essential factor needed in making a sound voting decision, because how a man thinks determines what he does.
A résumé or family tree may reflect an individual’s work history or to whom one is related, but not one’s work ethic, character, knowledge, ability, or foundational principles — aka worldview.
If candidates do not clearly state their philosophical perspective so the electorate knows their position on moral issues and fiscal policy, an election amounts to nothing more than a popularity contest.
Once in office, an elected official is not supernaturally endowed with insight into what makes good policy. His worldview, though, engraved in his soul, remains steadfast and guides his decision as information is gathered and analyzed.
Our representative form of government affords citizens the liberty of focusing on their daily responsibilities and interests while trusting their elected officials to vote on legislation as closely aligned to their own principles and values as possible, rather than having to constantly involve themselves with the mundane workings of government. However, if the electorate does not know the worldview of candidates before electing them to office, they can never be certain how their representative will decide on any issue, and therefore, must divide their attention between their personal interests and pending legislation — and who has the time (or energy) for that?!
There is much consternation today about the inability of the two major political parties to work together on policies beneficial to our state and union. This is not due to some sophomoric “us vs. them” mentality resulting in unwillingness to compromise, but from incompatible worldviews that can never mix.
The worldview of an official, not his résumé nor his family tree, dictates his position on every issue presented. If the electorate fails to discover the worldview of the person elected into office, they bear the responsibility for whatever incomprehensible and unwanted legislation is passed.
If the worldview of an elected official is not exposed during an election, or is ignored, culpability rests on the heads of the electorate for whatever proposed incomprehensible or unwanted legislation passes.
