Reader calls out candidates for negative campaigning

Published 10:15 am Monday, August 6, 2018

To the editor:
It’s disturbing that the Democrat party is running 42 candidates who are socialist/communist and they are running 90 who are Muslims for 2018 elections. It’s disturbing that Republican congressmen in Washington D.C. say they have received more death threats in the last year than all the other years combined. Someone tried to kill them while they were at the Republican ball field. Some see the other political party as their enemies and not as fellow Americans. Our enemies are those trying to destroy our country. The demonization of mere political opponents is a dangerous practice.
Self-centered politicians only think about themselves rather than what is best for the county, state, America or their party. These selfish, unprofessional politicians use negative ads to bash and discredit their challengers. Both political parties do it but it’s the Republican primary for Tennessee governor’s race that was the most negative. Republicans Diane Black and Randy Boyd both attacked each other and went the most negative. As a result the voters didn’t want to vote for either of them and Bill Lee while spending less, won on August 2. They forget the 11th Commandment that Ronald Reagan wrote, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”
Those running negative attacking ads say more about themselves than those they are bashing. They say they believe the ends justify the means and they believe to get ahead they have to destroy their political opponent. Those running negative ads are selfish and unprofessional. Rather than bash their challenger they should explain how they would do a better job if they are elected. We are interested in knowing if our candidates, church and political leaders are doing things for their glory, or for God’s. The Bible says, “whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” That’s the defining issue in life because our chief purpose in life is to glorify and worship Jesus and enjoy Jesus now and forever!
Locally the most negative candidate, sheriff candidate Steve Stevenson, should issue a real apology in the Elizabethton Star to Sheriff Lunceford for insulting and bashing him. Stevenson even implied that Sheriff Lunceford was holding a woman’s hand who wasn’t his wife in a video when Lunceford was shaking her hand. Sheriff Lunceford is a true professional who said nothing negative about Stevenson in return. Sheriff Lunceford’s record speaks for itself. Lunceford got more warrants served (over 8000) than any sheriff and got a 23 percent reduction in crime. Ex-Sheriff George Papantoniou should apologize for calling Sheriff Lunceford and Mr. Rusty Barnett stupid for not answering his questions. To not answer questions is often wise. If someone calls and asks for your credit card numbers and banking info it’s always wise to not answer. The U.S. Constitution gives everyone the right to remain silent but it takes thick-skin and self-control when a political challenger is bashing and talking ill about you. Jesus didn’t answer every question asked of Him. The only question you must answer is what will you do with Jesus?
Those like Diane Black, Randy Boyd and Steve Stevenson taking the low road and running negative political ads ended up getting what they deserved on August 2 and going down salt river and losing their political races. We have too many self-serving politicians in both parties. We need more Christians to reflect light and truth in a culture sorely needing it. Both parties are flawed. I want King Jesus. Jesus rules my heart and I want Jesus to rule the world — now. But that day is soon coming. Christians must keep their minds on Jesus and His soon return. Isaiah 26, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; (Jesus) because he trust in thee!”

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton

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