Campaigning for political office requires candidates to pull out all the stops, gather money for advertising through often dubious sources, and do whatever they can to win our vote. We will align ourselves with one of these office seekers due to party affiliation or a belief the candidate will be the best to govern, or just because we like the person. Voting is our right and exemplifies our freedom to choose.

We can become so enamored with those who believe as we do we often turn judgmental of others, think we know everything, and put aside the moral fundamentals we have been taught to make a point or poke a finger in someone’s face. We prove the theory that we only really listen to folks who agree with us.

I have witnessed many political campaigns in my life,  enough to ascertain that politics can bring out the very worst of human nature.

Because of a sincere belief a candidate is right for the job, we ignore decorum and instead throw mud like pigs in a sty.

Political advisors must know John Q. Public loves to visit the soaked in the dirt area on the old farm because the ad campaigns never change, never teach the voter much about the candidate, and they always love to smear the mud.

Every time I see a campaign ad I am appalled. I roll my eyes, stomp my feet and wonder why the candidate often seems to insult my intelligence. I would love for someone who is running for office stand in front of a camera and tell me who they are, what their mandate is, what experience they have and how they will improve many of America’s issues. I would like for this person to believe I can make a sound decision based on facts and discernment.

Right now, I can turn on the television and watch the same political ads I have seen from both parties for years. Same mud, same inane acting, same proclamations, same call for all of us to meet them on the farm and throw some good ole’ dirt around.

Why do we not demand greatness from men and women who want to be our leaders? We find real leaders in those who wish to serve and want to make a difference in people’s lives. Great leaders are born through humility, honor, honesty, courage, trust and respect for others.

History records that Abraham Lincoln was our greatest president. His ability to listen and learn from different points of view, willingness to share the blame, share the credit, have goals and visions, manage and endure, places him number one in extraordinary leadership.

“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”  Abraham Lincoln said.

“Your care for others is the measure of your greatness,” said Jesus Christ.

Christ also said, a thousand times over, we are all brothers and sisters, we are to be kind, not boastful, not prideful, not judgmental and to treat others the same way we would all like to be treated.

What if these two men ran for political office today? I doubt either would be elected because neither would agree to go into the pig sty.  Special interest groups would influence neither nor would either one want to bring out the worst in humanity but rather encourage the best of who we are.

I think most all people believe the true leader of the world is God. He owns the farm, the house on the hill, the stables and belongs to no party or lobbying group. He does not sling mud; however, he does have the capacity to sling us all into oblivion.

Our collective apathy, our distrust of government, our divisive nature and lack of sensitivity to others has created a breeding ground for insulting rhetoric and behavior which none of us who are God-fearing people should ever embrace. No political environment or belief should negate the teachings of the man who owns the farm.

We all get sidetracked with our own selfish belief in what or who we feel is right that we forget to do the right things. Do we genuinely believe God thinks it is right or justified to treat people wrongly or without dignity to make the world a better place? History sure does not prove that theory.

What if we heard a politician today say, “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have.” Yes, Abe Lincoln would get my vote.

We need to seek and vote for great leaders so that they bring out the greatness in all of us. Not the other way around.