What Voting My Conscience Got Me That Voting Third Party Couldn't

What did voting my conscience get me that voting third party couldn't?

Here are some of the things that I learned:

First, I learned that you can not turn your conscience on and off without consequences. I already knew this, but I see it much more clearly as our nation has set aside her conscience each election cycle for years choosing rather to vote out of fear or anger. Some have called it voting for the lesser of two evils, but I see clearly now that it didn't really matter which side you chose both parties have been moving in the same direction.

I have learned that every election is either voting for your conscience or against your conscience, period. There are other options than that of the two party system. The two party system is a made up system that has been perpetuated by the big two parties to the masses either scared or angry. It is much easier to control a people that way, and in fear and anger men will seek to give more and more power to their leaders, and they will be willing to buy that power with their freedom, until they finally end up with a tyrant who will save them from the monster. 

I have learned that there is a difference between the #neveracandidate voters, the third party voters, and those who are truly voting their conscience. As #neveracandidate voters are those who are clearly voting against someone and they will find anyone who they think will possibly beat their unchosen candidate. The third party voters are those who have vested themselves in a party outside of the big two, and are voting for their investment. Those who vote their conscience don't want to be controlled by the voices of fear, anger, and the anxiety that comes from the rhetoric of the candidates and their supporters. They simply want to feel at peace with their vote, come win or lose, they can live with the consequences, because they used their head and followed their intuition, or the voice of their God.

I have also learned a lot about the wisdom that our founding fathers had in setting up the foundation of our country in the Constitution. I have especially been fascinated by the Electoral College. Some have said they don't like it at all and would like to get rid of it, but this one principle alone has the potential of saving us, quite frankly from our own emotional decisions. The electoral college does not protect us from a landslide victory of any candidate. However, it makes it possible for us to stop two bad candidates, because it is not about who gets the most individual votes. They have to get a majority of the Electoral votes, which makes it much easier for the people to vote according their conscience if a voice appears to represent them better than the ones the two main parties have given them. This may not bode well with the parties, because it makes it harder for them to control the people, but it was not set up to empower the parties. Most of the rules surrounding the electing of the Electoral college have been set up to favor or encourage a two party system, but it was not created by the Constitution. Each state has set up its own system, most states have adopted and winner takes all, but some have not. Some states can divide their vote. This Electoral College is what keeps us from becoming a democracy despite the desires of the two parties.

The two party system has effectively turned us into a democracy rather than a democratic republic. When we only have two choices then we pick sides and the majority rules. Unfortunately our side might not represent us on the majority of issues, but the other side scares us because of they go against our core principles. So, we will have to ignore a lot of our own core beliefs and either adopt the parties core beliefs or be dissatisfied with our representation. Over time dissatisfaction leads to anxiety, but when we try to jump ship we keep looking at the other side, and it scares us so we stay on board. This leads to anger at our own party for not representing our values and principles and fear of the other party, because they are somehow are worse. Which brings us to where we are today. Today we have people voting out of anger for their own party and against the other party. They don't even like the one they are voting for, but anger and fear motivate their vote and when it comes right down to it in a democracy the party does not care who votes for them only that they do for them.

I have learned that party loyalty, in some cases, is stronger than religious convictions. The first casualty of elections is principles. When our fears become bigger than our principles then we will justify our principles and vote our fears when only two choices are available. This is again the danger of a democracy or a two party system.

I have learned that my voice means something whether my candidate wins or loses. My vote is a witness of my private values and a representation of my principles. If I vote for someone that does not carry my values and or espouse the principles which I hold sacred then I have wasted my vote. There is no such thing as a wasted vote except the one cast on someone you do not feel carries your principles and values. There is a certain peace that you experience when you realize that the only thing you have control over is your vote. You cannot determine the outcome, so when you answer to God I really don't think he is going to ask you if your vote was for a winner, only if you voted in good conscience, and that can only be answered by you.

I have learned that under the influence of fear and anger people cannot be reasoned with. We become irrational and devoid of critical thinking functions. We may feel we are perfectly logical in our thinking, but our mind is closed and we are easily influenced by fear and anger. We accept far reaching accusations without any solid evidence. And in fact if evidence is presented we turn it away and refuse to believe it.

I have learned that if we allow ourselves to belong to a party we likely will only see the best in our candidate and the worst in our opponents. We are more likely to justify the actions of our own candidate and willing to accept even non-factual accusations against anyone else. We cloud our judgment with such loyalty that we are willing to let our own credibility come under question.  I have learned that it really is about who owns the (D) or the (R) by their name and nothing else. Sadly, policies don't matter once you are the candidate. Your past positions don't matter, it is all about the initial next to your name and your ability to collect votes. It is a game with high stakes. This is the hypocrisy of politics.

I have learned that people can be manipulated by a carrot in front of them or a bear on their butt. The master fisherman is a marketing genius, they know their bait and they know their prey. But most of all they know how to hide the hook.

I have learned Faith is a casualty during elections. When we are more concerned about the outcome of an election than we are about protecting the integrity of our vote, we have lost the most precious thing we have in our vote. To place our faith on the alter before politicians seems to be a sacrifice that I am not willing to make. In the end the Lord scatters his people and gathers them in, both are for our blessing. The one to help us see the light, the other to help us enjoy the light. 

Sometimes the Lord scatters his people, sometimes he gathers them, but it always works for our blessing. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but when things get really bad some of us look to God for deliverance, some of us look to politicians to deliver us. I do not judge anyone with this statement, I don't know your conscience. That is between you and God. 

I learned that even though most people profess to believe that the two party system is corrupt they will fall in line when given two corrupt choices. It is insanity to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results, but it is hard to root out insanity when it comes to elections. We are all sheep being pushed forward by two sheep dogs the one on the right and on the left, both leading us through fear and anger.

Most of all what I have learned is that voting your conscience is more than voting simply because you are against someone or someones, it is more than voting third party. Voting your conscience is about giving your values and your principles a voice whether you win or not, I can tell you that your vote is not wasted. You will be heard, as evidenced in the name calling and bullying that happens even among friends.

The image I will take with me this election is a bucket of crabs nipping at the heals of all the sheeples that are clamoring to try and get out of the bucket. 

Momma Pheasant And The Third Party Vote

Honestly I am scared of a Hillary presidency. However, I am more scared that we have already lost our conscience. I believe that the rejection of our conscience is a greater threat than anyone who might be elected. Character does matter. Integrity does matter. Our vote does matter.

Our founding fathers made our vote highly symbolic in a representative government. This symbol being our vote equals our conscience, our character, our integrity. We should seek out honest men of sound character who will represent our own character and integrity as well as the principles that we feel are best in governing under the Constitution.

How have we lost our conscience? We proclaim the virtue of competition in all things but voting. When it comes to elections 2 parties is all that count. If you vote outside that framework you are voting for the evilest of the candidates. Third parties have now taken on the mantle of the vilest of parties. Fear is a powerful motivator, it blocks the effects of conscience, it creates irrational thoughts, and it justifies uncharacteristic treatment of others. Fear causes us to act against our better judgment (conscience). This is how we lose our conscience, we fear the outcome more than we fear the solution.

I call this the pheasant syndrome. In the classic Disney movie Bambi, hunters enter the meadow and a mother pheasant begins to panic. In her panic the logical thing to do is flee from danger as fast as possible, so she takes flight and is shot dead. She would have been better to have stayed calm and not panicked. The real solution was to stay close to the ground. I have walked on top of a pheasant that understood this principle and it got away because I was unprepared to deal with a pheasant between my feet. He flew, but he did not panic, he stayed low and disappeared as quickly as possible.

Voting your conscience is not about voting for another candidate, or against another candidate. It simply means you are voting for the person you feel has the best character and will represent you, your principles, and your values best. Those who would attempt to make you feel otherwise simply are more scared of the outcome than they are of the real solution.

The National Anthem, Free Speech, And Honoring The Symbol

I have gone through many thoughts about Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the National Anthem. I first felt a disdain for what he did. I thought that it was absolutely disrepectful. However, I began to think, what if I felt the same way that he did about my country? I love my country and I believe in what it represents to the world. However, I am very fearful that it is becoming something that does not represent me nor what our country was meant to be. So, what if it became the great monster that some would have us believe we are? I began to sympathize with his actions. I myself might not sit, because I understand what the flag represents, but I began to understand where he was coming from, at least I could see myself possibly having a hard time saluting a flag that meant something different than what I know it represents.

I began to ponder this situation and did some soul searching and praying. What could one do that would honor the memory of the flag and those who have fought to preserve the ideals of this country, and still let their voice be known that they were concerned about the things that they did not agree with about our country?

I believe in the right to freely speak, but I also believe that we do not have a right to avoid consequences. It is one of the beauties about our system. You have the right to choose, but you do not have the right to pick your consequences. The power of risk is this, that if you risk and win, you win outright, but if you lose you lose outright and have to start over.

So, as I thought about this situation I began to recite the pledge of allegiance. As I did this it struck me that the greatest thing we can do to protest what we think is wrong with America is to do something bigger that we think represents what America should be. If we think that America should be just then define it. Honestly search inside yourself and decide what justice is. Not based on what anyone else tells you justice is, but what you know justice is. If you think that this nation is immoral, figure out what moral is and live it according to what YOU know is moral. What ever great ideal you think this nation is suppose to represent, define it, and live it in a big way, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was not perfect, but he stood for what he thought America should be, and he lived it in a big way. He did not desecrate the flag. He flew it higher and made everyone else look up at it. He made everyone remember the words, "one nation under God, indivisible..." He did not seek to divide or be divisive. He wanted true equality. He wanted us to realize that truly all men were created equal. It was his dream that we recognize the character of the man not the color of his skin.

This kind of protest is positive and honors the symbol of all those who have fought for our right to speak freely. This kind of protest would give life to our country, and promote unity and justice. This kind of protest would be filled with nothing but love in ones heart toward even those whom they feel wronged by. This kind of protest might display righteous indignation, but would be void of anger. This kind of protest would require more soul searching and personal purification. It would require us to face our own fears of who we are. Because it would force us to recognize that we are all children of God, and that makes us equal. And if we are equal then the only thing that truly does matter is the character of the man.

What Kaepernick did was wrong. He disrespected the memory of those who made it possible for him to become what he is today. He disrespected all those who fought for the symbol of a republic which united, would stand one nation under God, indivisible, with justice for all. Kaepernick was wrong, but I don't believe that he deserves the hatred that he is receiving, I think he simply needs to come up with a better way to make his voice known. He might start by reading How to Win Friends and Influence People. There he will learn that you attract more bees with honey. Reading between the lines he might also realize why the flies of hatred are hanging around.

To protest an injustice is good, but know what injustice is, and don't trample the symbol of justice...Raise it higher! Point to it and remind us that we, as a people, should be better than what we are. Rather than be silent, Yell it from the house tops, "With justice FOR ALL..." And when the National Anthem is sung, remember the bodies of the men who died, holding up that flag, that we as prisoners on the boat, might see the flag over the ramparts and hold fast to hope. 

I truly believe that those who are angry over this have every right to be, although I do not see that it honors the flag any more than Mr. Kaepernick. Honor the flag by not allowing others to divide us. That is how you stand for the National Anthem. Too many of us are sitting for the National Anthem, simply by not seeking unity, and understanding to keep us together.

Perfection is a Direction, Not a Destination

We tend to think of perfection as a destination, a place where we can progress no further, where we have no flaws, or no blemishes. I believe that God simply sees perfection as a direction.

Yeah, come unto Christ and be perfected in him...(Moroni 10:32)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life...(John 14:6)

The more I understand The Sacrament, the more I realize the power of the atonement. The more I understand the power of the atonement the less I fear making a mistake. The less I fear making a mistake the less tempted I am to do what I know is wrong. The less tempted I am to do what is wrong the more I want to do what is right.


Continuing down the path you choose will either take you where you want to go, or it will not. We all know that perfection is what will make us happy, but sometimes we feel helpless and hopeless because we think it is so far out of reach that we will never be able to attain it. Without hope we become miserable and we see perfection as a curse, as something we don't want to attain, because it is simply too hard.

Once we begin to understand the atonement, we can realize that attaining perfection is merely changing the path we are on, because perfection is not a destination which we can never reach, because it is always just around the next bend, over the next hill, or across the next stream that seems to get bigger and bigger. Perfection is simply heading in the right direction. "Come follow me, the Savior said. Then let us in his footsteps tread. For thus alone and we be one, with God's own loved begotten son." ( https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/come-follow-me?lang=eng )

There Will Come A Day of Judgement, But Today Is Not That Day

There will come a day of Judgement, but today is not that day...

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:10-12)

There will be a time for judgment, but today is not that day. Even Christ put off judgment while he was ministering upon the earth. "...Neither do I condemn thee..." However, he did say, "Go and sin no more." Calling sin a sin is not judging, it is a warning, a second chance, an opportunity to save ourselves from that time when judgment will become necessary. It is not our place to judge others, but it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters to warn each other with all the love that Christ would give in such warnings. No more, no less. Go and sin no more.

Because of Christ, this life became a probationary state, a time to prepare to meet God.(Alma 12:24) Thus, our hope is well placed in Christ for he has given us the gift of learning from our mistakes and removing from us the burden of administering justice. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors..." (Matthew 6:12) When it comes right down to it, to forgive our debtors may be the hardest lesson we learn before we stand before the judgement seat of Christ. 

I believe the difference between warning and condemning is loving. Remember we did not earn the right to judge. We did not take the stripes, or experience the weight of justice baring down on us. And our capacity to love enough to judge is just not there. We have no authority to condemn our brothers and sisters, that burden was taken from us when Christ atoned for our sins. Impersonating one in authority does not go over well before the judge.