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Writer's pictureJ. Basil Dannebohm
Sep 23

A well-informed electorate is a politician's worst enemy, and a leader's greatest ally.



“Angry people want you to see how powerful they are. Loving people want you to see how powerful you are.”

― Chief Red Eagle




By Former Representative J. Basil Dannebohm



J. Basil Dannebohm

A well-informed electorate is a politician's worst enemy, and a leader's greatest ally. This proves consistent in every race from a city council to the presidency. Politicians thrive in areas where constituents take them solely at their word. But as the old adage suggests, the best way to determine if a politician is lying is whether or not their lips are moving. Leaders, on the other hand, are successful when voters leverage reliable sources to educate themselves on the issues, investigate who is funding the candidate, understand the limitations of the respective office, and research the candidate thoroughly.


Take, for example, a mayoral candidate who presently serves as a member of the city council. When pressed on the issues, should the individual consistently blame the city government for the problems facing a community, a constituent can be fairly certain the individual is a politician, hoping voters will cast their ballots based on lip service and platitudes. Similarly, if an individual running for city council does the majority of their campaign fundraising outside of the community, the electorate should conclude that this politician is merely a tool for outside special interest groups rather than the well-being of the community.


In a race for a local legislative or statewide office, a major red flag for voters should be career politicians. These are individuals who typically claim they are employed by some sort of family business or a sole proprietorship. This is a smokescreen. In actuality, the candidate devotes their time to climbing the political ladder. Such an individual cares little for their constituents, instead showing preference to lobbyists, corporations, PACs, and party. Career politicians view the electorate merely as rungs to be stepped on as the individual ascends in their political ambitions.


Generally speaking, politicians are self-serving gas bags. Their palms are permeated with grease, rendering them beholden to those who fork out the most money. They are slaves to power and to the powerful, indentured servants beholden to the elite. Leaders, on the other hand, place service above self. Their compassion is contagious. Their sincerity speaks directly to one’s soul. Leaders are content and thrive in any position provided they make a tangible impact on the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. They are empathetic and inspiring. Leaders, by their example, stir in others the urge to do more, be more, and give more of one's self to others or to a cause greater than themselves. Leaders unite, not divide. There is a positive energy in the air around a leader. Not a naive optimism, but a genuine vibration that signals as a beacon to our better angels. Leaders leave a legacy rather than an aftermath.


Concerning the Office of President of the United States, the electorate is often instructed to vote for "the lesser of two evils." Candidates vying for the position are generally career politicians, not leaders. Hence, voters are faced with the difficult decision of whose platform most closely resonates with their best interests. A candidate grossly out of touch with the everyman, or one who embraces a sort of “do as I say, not as I do” approach to democracy, decency, and morals should be avoided. As a rule of thumb, such individuals prove heinously dishonest, lack empathy, often possess sociopathic tendencies, and are clinically narcissistic.


While it's imperative that the electorate understand the difference between a politician and a leader, there is likewise a portion of the population who does more civic harm than good: Single issue voters and constituents who vote based on religious convictions. Ballots are frankly wasted on such individuals. They are sheeple. Vulnerable dupes who make decisions generally rooted in fear, guilt, self righteousness, or a combination of all of the aforementioned. This portion of the electorate will most easily fall victim to smooth talking popinjays, charlatans, and reprobates who appeal to a single issue or to a religious voter's emotions rather than to their good sense.


A voting booth is a private, intimate space between you and the civic future you hope to experience. Your ballot is anonymous. Nobody but you will know which candidate received your vote. Neither partisan loyalty nor religious conviction ultimately matter when you cast your ballot. What matters is that you are content with your decision. Politicians will attempt to gaslight you into believing myths of voter fraud. Leaders will assure you that elections are free, fair, and that your vote counts and is counted.


In the last few years, certain media personalities have admitted in courts of law that the information they broadcast is intended as entertainment, not to be confused as reliable or factual. In the days ahead, set aside some time to leverage reliable, reputable sources and carefully research the candidates.


Remember: A well-informed electorate is a politician's worst enemy, and a leader's greatest ally.


 

An Addendum for Christian Nationalists and Religious Voters:


We wouldn't have to consistently proclaim that we are Christians if we would only act like Christians in the first place. In the Gospel, there are certain issues which Jesus spoke about. So-called "sacred tradition" instructs us on a number of other social issues that some Christians attest have been "inspired by the Holy Spirit." Whether this is true or not, a believer should remember that in the Book of Exodus (31:18), God declared with His own finger in stone that Saturday was the Sabbath, which was to be kept holy. It wasn't until March 7th, in A.D. 321, that the Emperor Constantine the Great issued a decree designating Sunday as the Sabbath. Even Jesus Himself faithfully honored and observed the Saturday Sabbath. Recall Christ's own words: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17)


Therefore, before heading to the polls, voters who cast their ballots based solely on religious conviction should take time to once again acquaint themselves with the words of Jesus, rather than the interpretation of televangelists, pastors who fancy themselves as armchair politicos, lobbying organizations, or the candidates. Christ's words concerning worldly issues that mattered to Him were abundantly clear. If one chooses to put "sacred tradition" in a position of prominence over the words of the messianic Christ, that's certainly their prerogative.


In Matthew 5:2-12, for example, Jesus laid out what have become known as The Beatitudes. The needs of those mentioned in these passages should be given special consideration by a voter who aims to emulate Jesus in deed, rather than by word alone. Additionally, in Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."


In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Let this serve as a reminder to Christian voters that all are equal in the eyes of the Lord, regardless of their social status or gender identity.


Of course, there are some Christian Nationalists and hyper-zealot religious voters who prefer a more vengeful God like the one often associated with certain books of the Old Testament. While lobbying for the Ten Commandments to be posted in public institutions is pharisaical at best, such Christians should instead spend a few moments reflecting on Leviticus 19:33-34, "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."


Speaking of commandments, Christians above all, should embrace Matthew 22:36-40, wherein Jesus proclaimed, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment should especially guide your conscience when voting from a religious perspective.


Sitting in a building for an hour each week doesn't make someone a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes someone a Chevrolet. Judas Iscariot is proof that you can sit in a dynamic church with an amazing pastor and still become the devil's stooge if your heart is not genuinely committed to the very Christ you claim to worship. Moreover, we cannot preach and pray with love, yet think and vote with hatred, while still calling ourselves Christian. Vote, therefore, accordingly.


 

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