by Dr. John I. Penn
We are living in unprecedented times. We have never experienced anything like COVID-19 in our lifetime. It has taken this COVID-19 pandemic to reveal the depth of poverty, racism, economic and health disparities, and corruption in America. Yet, we pride ourselves on being the wealthiest, smartest, and most innovative country in the world. Yes, we are a blessed nation, and our founders were guided by the Holy Spirit in laying the foundation of our democracy. However, we have forgotten from whence we have come.
There two concerns for writing this article. As I have stated, we are living in unprecedented times because of this pandemic, which has spread to every country in the world. The COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. My heart is troubled to have to report that over one hundred thousand people in America have died in the past three months. And this pandemic is far from being over.
During this pandemic, President Trump has made several miscalculations. First, he considered this coronavirus a hoax and was under control. Second, he waited at least five weeks before putting into place any measures to contain the virus because of this mindset. This poor judgment allowed the virus to get a foothold in America, causing needless deaths and harming our economy. Third, many of the significant professional staffing and programs put in place by the Obama Administration for the handling of disasters and pandemics had been dismantled by the Trump administration! Nothing was ever done to put something else in their place to keep the government prepared and ready for such critical times as these. Fourth, no comprehensive strategies or plans were developed to provide for the supplies and tools to deal with and contain this massive spread of COVID-19.
We are blessed because our founders were wise to establish a new nation based on God’s righteousness and godly principles; they founded our democracy on these five social and political principles. First, our human rights are given to us from God, all people are created in whose image of God, and our value and worth are given to us by God. Second, our established political system of government comes from the people and not from the institutions. The people elect those they desire to govern. Third, they chose a democracy that represents and protects all its citizens, not just the privileged, the well-connected, and those in power. Otherwise, we do not have a democracy. Fourth, our social experiment as a democracy was written in the form of a document; they called the Constitution. They wisely put a set of rules and governances into this document, as well as safeguards designed to govern this sovereign nation. Fifth, our founders put in writing a “Bill of Rights” to protect individual personal property; without fear that the government would infringe on those rights. These five foundational principles make America great and different from other nations. One crucial way to make this a more perfect union is to use our vote to put in moral and strong leaders.
I want to bring to your attention two monumental events that are happening simultaneously. First, our elected officials seemed asleep at the switch or had their heads in the sand. In hindsight, they were neither asleep nor had their heads in the sand. America, we are the ones who seem to have fallen asleep or have our heads in the sand. Look at how Congress has been responding to this administration and all the corruption that is happening in the light of day. Many lawmakers in the Republican party have done little or nothing to provide oversight concerning this administration. On many levels, they have enabled this administration to weaken our democracy and severely limit the power and the authority of the three equal branches of government.
There is a small segment of people with wealth and influence in society that have decided to do the unthinkable. They are silently working their evil agenda to destroy or weaken our democracy. They are secretly putting unqualified and unethical judges into office on every level of government. They have put them there to do their evil bidding, whether they remain in power or not they promote conspiracy theories, rather than the truth. They have been planning to take over the government to benefit only the white nationalistic ideologies and to suppress those who do not look and think like them. They are hiding behind religious theologies such as the right to life and their extreme understanding of democracy.
They believe in small governments only to benefit the rich and the well connected. They do not believe in government programs designed to help the poor, sick, and homeless. They say that they do not believe in socialism, except when it benefits them, or to fund their pet projects. Then they are all in. However, if the government were truthful and transparent, we would discover that most of the government’s money taken in through our tax systems, are lining the pockets of our politicians and the wealthiest people in America.
Many of the well-connected and the rich as they accuse others of socialism, love welfare and socialism for themselves. They lay awake at night thinking of ways not to have to pay taxes or to pay as little as possible. They receive disproportionate tax breaks, farm subsidies, grants, and rights to use land, water, and air to their advantage. They want no restrictions as they run their factories and companies that are destroying our fragile ecosystem and wildlife with their pollutions.
Why is what I am saying so important? First, our democracy is structured to benefit all people, not just those who are wealthy or in power. The real power belongs to the people. It is important to remember no matter how rich and powerful people are in America; every person has only one vote. If you decide not to vote or do not think that your vote counts, think again. Every vote counts. Every vote is important. People have given their lives so that we have the right and privilege to vote. Do not let their sacrifices be for nothing. Our democracy will only work for all people when every person in America votes. Not voting can cause loss of our freedom and allow our democracy to be destroyed.
If you believe that health care is a right for all people, then you should use your vote to elect people in office who will fight for you to have health care. Covid-19 has created a situation where our children must be taught at home. The children who will be hurt the most are the Black, Brown, and poor children because they do not have accessibility to broadband Internet. How are they going to learn at home without having the Internet? It is important that you should vote to put the right people in Congress who want your children to succeed as other children who have access to the Internet, by making broadband available in all communities.
Further, this pandemic has revealed the disparities of Black, Brown, and Native Americans, our health care system, and the economy. In this day and tine, many Native Americans do not have access to electricity and clean drinking water. Black, Brown, and Native Americans are dying more than any other demographic. Many of the 40-million jobs lost will not return once this pandemic is over. When they lost their jobs, many of them also lost their health care, if they were fortunate to have it. Your vote and involvement can change these disparities. We need to evaluate how we think about voting. Before my mom died in 2017, her slogan was, “Put the bums out of office.” If every person took voting seriously, we could always put the right person into the political office to work for the people and not some special interest group.
You should vote for those politicians who acknowledge that working minimal wages are too low to support a family and are committed to change this unfair policy. Your vote counts! House Majority Whip, Jim Clyburn stated that even if you wasted your vote in the last election, correct it with your correct vote in the 2020 election. But do not sit it out, because you do not like the candidates on the ballot. If the wrong candidates are on the ballot, decide to run in some office where you can make a difference in the next election. Please do not overlook voting in the county, state, and federal elections. The local and state elections affect you more directly. Your vote is essential for your children, grandchildren, your community schools, and health care facilities. Your votes always matter.
Your vote will assure that our government will be in the hands of good, decent men and women who love our country and value our democracy. We must elect people to the highest office in our country that have a moral compass and are servants of the people. Vetting your candidates is most important. Your vote is too important to throw it away on a nominal candidate, who does not care about who you are as a person, your race, value, and worth. You are in control of your destiny. Stand up and take charge of your future by the people you vote to represent you.
We should all realize by now, that moral leadership and intelligence matter. Your vote can change America for the good. We deserve a government that serves the people. Remember that our tax dollars belong to the people. Our elected leaders must love our democracy and value every person. Our leaders must protect our civil rights and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.
America is the land of the free and the brave. America stands for freedom and liberty for all. America should work for justice for both the strong and the weak, the Black and Brown, the White, Yellow, and Red people. America is made up of people from all parts of the world. Make no mistake about it, America is a country of immigrants! That is what has made America great. I am proud to be an American. I hope you will use your vote to maintain our freedom and the greatness of America.
As we strive to become a more perfect union, electing moral and spiritual leaders is critical to this process. Our leaders must have the courage and will to correct our sinful past and mistakes through policies that protect and unite our divided country. God has given us a blueprint to get us there, through repentance and returning to our moral and spiritual roots. Only then, will we move toward becoming the America, God intends us to be. God promised King Solomon that God would hear the prayers of those under judgment when they humble themselves and repent. Here is God’s promise that will never fail, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14 NIV).
As I close this article, keep in mind that God is on the side of the weak, poor, sick, homeless, and those who are treated unfairly and unjustly. God is a God of justice and righteousness. God will judge those who would harm the least of these.
Remember, God has left voting to us. Please vote! Voting is your civic and godly duty!
