You may (or may not) have noticed that in recent years my social media communications have grown increasingly apolitical. The reason for this is my observation that Christians who use social media to communicate their passionate political convictions frequently (and sometimes unwittingly) contribute to the infighting and fractionalizing of Christ-followers whose main mandate according to Scripture is to “love one another” in our mission to reflect positively on the glory of God and what He is doing in our lives, in the process of making disciples of all people.

If we’re fighting about this political party or that one or really anything else political, I’ve come to realize that it can only detract from our mandate (to love God and one another, Mt. 22:37-39) and our mission (to make disciples of all peoples, Mt. 28:19).

I find this particularly disturbing when it happens on Facebook, or other social media platforms (like Nextdoor) which are meant to affirm and focus on relationships within our community and our friends. I always found this to be less of a concern on Twitter (more recently known as “X” … thanks Elon) as this was more (in my mind) of a broadcast/influence social medium and less of a community network social medium.

But recently I’ve also become concerned with sharing my posts on X, because of its bizarre takeover by MAGA enthusiast Elon Musk. If I were to criticize Donald Trump and his minions on X, would it eventually come back to haunt me in the form of persecution by those who say such criticism should be opposed with force even here within the USA? I wouldn’t put it past Musk to allow this. So I am not using even X in this way any longer, primarily out of the fear which I know the far right enjoys using its will and power to enforce.

But just because I have taken up silence on social media, that doesn’t mean I don’t hold strong political opinions. So, I landed on using this (my author blog) as a possible way to get these things off my chest and share where I land on some of the most important (and there ARE many, very important) issues of the day. And of course the candidates currently running in support of them. While I won’t put this blog “out there” too far on social media for the aforementioned reasons, I hope if you’ve read this far, and still would like to know where I stand, and why … please buckle your seatbelt and keep on reading. I promise I won’t pull any punches.

My Political History … and the Evils of our Current Two-Party System

I grew up in a family of conservative Republicans, and when I was in college changed my voter registration to Democrat mostly as a reaction to this fact and out of concern for what I saw as the dangers of some of the “country-club” Republican sensibilities.

I remained socially conservative and the key issue which continued to motivate me was the issue of the sanctity of (and respect for) human life. After voting for Jimmy Carter, because of the radical and unrepentant focus of the Democratic platform on removing constitutional protections for vulnerable unborn humans, I once again switched back to being a Republican.

As a young adult in California, I worked hard and fought for socially conservative causes. I served as the campaign manager for a conservative candidate for State Senate. In the early ’90s, I was even arrested and jailed for praying on a public street in front of an abortion clinic (it was a misdemeanor then, but now, shockingly, is a felony). By creating an organization called “Project Jericho” along with like-minded individuals in Southern California, and by supporting pro-life causes and crisis pregnancy centers, many women’s minds were changed about abortion and there now are many young people (in their 20s and 30s) who are alive today because of our work. My commitment to the pro-life cause is unshakeable.

In a similar vein I have been concerned about other vulnerable populations. While I don’t think unchecked illegal immigration makes sense and should be controlled legally, on the other hand recently I have been sickened by MAGA Republicans who call entire groups of immigrants “human trash” and proudly wear their racism and xenophobia on their sleeve.

As a veteran employee (nearly 30 years) with the wonderful Christian organization World Vision, who has traveled the world and witnessed first-hand the effects of privation and disease in so many so-called “Third World” countries, I’m deeply concerned about the effects of global poverty (which could literally be ended in our lifetimes if we had the will to do so), starvation, war, violence and disease which are at the root cause of so many mass migrations of immigrants.

Similarly, I am deeply concerned about the current leadership of the Republican Party which has allowed the takeover of the party by MAGA extremists who are not only racist and xenophobic but also support violent insurrection and crassly diminish the worth and dignity of women. (I think Donald Trump’s earlier comment about “grabbing p**sies” was a final straw for me, personally, in this regard. I was so appalled by the lack of reaction/repudiation from Republican leaders that I eventually resigned my membership in the party, for a second time, and this time became independent.)

And then there was January 6 and Trump’s slew of felony convictions. It became very clear that Trump is a dangerous man who only values power for the sake of power, and values it above the United States Constitution and loyalty to the rule of law.

So, I think now you see my dilemma. I would never support any Democratic candidate who was not pro-life. By insisting on abortion without limits, Democrats like Kamala Harris treat an entire class of vulnerable humans as human trash, to be disposed of at a whim without legal consequence. While I will respect them as my leader if they are elected, I have vowed never to support with my vote anyone holding such an evil view.

On the other hand, I also cannot find it within myself to support an extremist like Donald Trump, who himself treats other entire classes of vulnerable human beings as contemptible trash. In addition, with the way he exalts bullies and tyrants I believe he may pose the most serous threat to democracy that our nation has yet to face. Despite him appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices (and do I believe that he is really, at his core, pro-life? No, I do not. He has publicly waffled on this many times in his various self-contradicting statements, and in addition I do not believe that anyone who cheats on his wife with porn stars should truly be considered pro-life) I have become convinced that he is a greater enemy to the pro-life cause than even someone like Kamala Harris. Just because he can hold up a Bible (upside-down), that doesn’t mean he embraces its values or follows its Author.

I have been DEEPLY disappointed in many of my friends and fellow pro-life activists who have declared allegiance to Trump despite his many serious flaws. I think this is so short-sighted and has already come back to bite us.

So, back to the evils of a two-party system. Recently, I read a Facebook post by a good friend and ardent pro-life advocate, which I fundamentally agreed with. But many of the pro-life advocates who came on board in response to her post made comments which I feel couldn’t be further from the truth, like “any vote for any third-party or independent candidate other than Trump is really a vote for Kamala Harris.”

On the other hand, I have heard of others on the other side who claim the opposite. They say that anyone who votes for a third-party or independent candidate other than Harris will bear responsibility if Donald Trump is elected.

If you believe this, let me say two things: First, at a very pragmatic/practical level, you may be correct (either way). And this demonstrates to me very clearly the evil of our current two-party system.

But second, and most importantly, this concession to the evil of a two-party system (which only stands because people are willing to think this way) is in reality one of the most un-American things I can think of!

Thank God I’m an American!

One of the beauties of being an American is that I CAN VOTE FOR WHOEVER MOST CLOSELY REPRESENTS MY PERSONAL CONVICTIONS AND VIEWPOINTS. I don’t have to “settle for” the “lesser of two evils!” I don’t have to vote for either Harris or Trump.

And if I vote for a third-party or independent candidate, no matter how remote their chance of winning, I am NOT RESPONSIBLE for whichever evil two-party candidate might end up winning the election as a result (of the other party receiving less votes). I am responsible for my vote, and mine alone!

If I were to cast a vote for Donald Trump, I might think I was casting a vote for pro-life. But in reality I would be casting a vote for a philosophy which rejects the rule of law and the Constitution, for racism, for the trashing of specific groups of people based on their nationality, economic class, immigration status, sex, or whatever other discriminatory ranting of the day Trump and Vance currently support.

Likewise, if I were to cast my vote for Kamala Harris, I would NOT be casting a vote for treating immigrants, women, other races or nationalities, and other classes of people with respect. But I WOULD be casting a vote to deprive the most vulnerable class of human beings of their fundamental, God-given, constitutionally supported right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

So who am I voting for?

Welcome to the American Solidarity Party

The who? Yes, I had to do a lot of research to find out about this great group of folks who line up very closely with my own values, views and concerns.

The American Solidary Party (ASP) is described by Wikipedia as a “Christian democratic party” — socially conservative while supporting government intervention in democratic matters (aka fiscal justice).

The American Solidarity Party is staunchly pro-life, and also takes a sympathetic posture to the plight of immigrants (while still supporting just immigration laws).

Quoting: “The ASP encourages social development along the lines of subsidiarity and sphere sovereignty, with a stated emphasis on “the importance of strong families, local communities, and voluntary associations.”

Their candidates for President and Vice President, Peter Sonski and Lauren Onak, are officially on the ballot in 8 states (unfortunately not Washington), and in 33 other states (including Washington) approved as write-in candidates. (I’m not sure what happens in the other 9 states if you write in a candidate who is not thusly approved? Weird.)

Wikipedia also says the ASP has been strongly influenced by Catholic teaching and neo-Calvinist theology. Obviously I am more in alignment with those neo-Calvinist rascals than I am with Catholics, although I certainly resonate with many of my Catholic brothers and sisters when it comes to social issues. (And I sincerely wish so-called Catholics like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did the same! IMHO, Catholics who do not support their church’s strong pro-life stance should be considered “bad Catholics.” On the other hand, I don’t feel even in my own church it’s required for someone to be pro-life to be a member. What defines us as Christians, as I’ve said before, is not our political views, but our embrace of our Lord and Savior Jesus, and our love for people around us, regardless of political views and other factors.)

Sonski is a journalist, radio host, Marine, and local political activist (all making him a hero in my book), and Onak is an educator (also a hero).

Are You With Me?

Naturally you don’t have to vote in alignment with the ASP (or any other party). But I do sincerely hope that you will figure out what values and beliefs are important to you, and what values and beliefs are repugnant … and vote accordingly! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE … don’t simply relegate your vote to a so-called “lesser of two evils!”

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this … so if you did read this post, please comment. Thank you!