What God Says

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." - Proverbs 4:7 [KJV]

One Step Further

Volunteer/Spread the Word. If you really believe in your candidate, don’t be shy about it. Join the campaign as a worker. Get a sign for your lawn. Your voice not only casts your vote, but could influence the votes of others.

Contribute. The average presidential campaign costs millions upon millions of dollars. Most politicians fund raise in order to cover the expenses. If you feel that strongly, support the campaign with your words and your wallet.

VOTING

An Apolitical Guide to Politics

By Jennifer E. Jones
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com – I am hardly what one might call “politically savvy.” I side with neither Republicans nor Democrats, and the only “Independent Party” that I want to be a part of should include an unsigned rock group and a CD release. The political landscape is just not something that ever interested me. Thus, I made a horrible voter in years past.

If that doesn’t frighten you, it should. There are millions of people out there just like me who go to the polls completely uninformed… and that’s if they even vote at all.

I’m proud to say all that’s behind me this year. With the winds of change blowing, I’m finally getting a grip on my civic duty. You can do the same. No matter how you may feel about voting, it is your right as an American to pick the next president.

So, from Super Tuesday to the first Tuesday in November, you can be in the know and play a crucial part in unlocking America’s future. Here are the keys:

Register
You can’t arrive at the poll site and expect to walk right in. You have to register to vote if you’re not registered already. There are several ways to do this, but the best way is to go to your local government's Web site and search for “voter registration”. If you're away from home, send in an absentee ballot. If you're in school, find out how to vote from there. No matter which venue that you use, make sure that you get your voter registration card and keep it in a safe place.

Pick an Issue and Stick with It
After you’re eligible to vote, the question is: “For whom?” There are so many candidates, and they all stand for something. They all make promises. How does one choose?

To simplify things, it’s best to find an issue that you feel strongly about and see who matches your opinion. What’s going on in your community that makes a difference in your day-to-day life? What situation do you feel is going all wrong and you want someone in office who will make it right? Perhaps you’re a parent and rising tuition costs concern you. Or changes in healthcare would really affect your ailing family members. Those are a few examples out of many political issues on the table this year.

Research the candidates to see where they stand. The decisions that they make will have a direct influence on your quality of life for years to come. See who’s looking out for your best interests.

Watch the Debates
You can only learn so much about candidates from their personal Web sites and YouTube videos. You need to see them in action. Check your cable TV news listings for debate airings. Get a good earful from everyone on the panel – regardless of their party affiliation. Amongst the banter, you’ll see different sides of the issues and the candidates. Something said could make the difference in your vote.

Read/Watch the News… In Moderation
Unbiased reporting is rare, and at no time is that more true than in an election year. When entire media organizations publish their presidential endorsements, it’s hard to find news that you can trust. Your favorite newspaper may lean towards the left or right, and as a concerned voter, you need to be able to distinguish between the two.

Don't get me wrong. It’s important to keep up with the news, because you always want to know what’s going on. However, take everything you read with a grain of salt. Consider the source. The rumor mill will run rampant, especially on the Internet. Thus, in a nutshell, don’t believe everything you read (or see).

Get Acquainted with Your Candidate
So, you’ve got your favorite for the presidency. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper. Many candidates have authored books. Take a trip to the library and read up on their work. Attend any events in your state where they might be speaking. Make it personal. This is going to be your president. You should find out as much as you can before lending your full support.

Vote
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people don't take that final step. According to the Pew Research Center, 22 percent of the population isn’t even registered, and of those who are, 23 percent say they rarely exercise their right to vote. So put your ballot where your mouth is and make the effort to vote in the next election.

The most common excuse for non-voters is feeling too uninformed to make a wise decision. So, get informed! Apathy and ignorance are not acceptable. Pray for wisdom. Study up on your choices. Cast your vote and make it count. We can do this together. I’ll see you at the polls.

Jennifer E. Jones is the Media Center / CBNmusic Producer who has watched more C-SPAN in the past few months than she has in her whole life. Read her bio.