Presidential Debate: Hillary or Trump?

Click here for my observation. Below is a worthwhile perspective on our choice for president:

“If You’re On the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is At Stake”

by Dr. Jim Garlow/Skyline Church, San Diego

Composite Image of Reuters Photos
Composite Image of Reuters Photos

I have been asked “the question” so many times regarding Trump or Hillary. By way of background, I have followed every national convention—Republican and Democrat—from the time I was age 9, and have attended most of the GOP Conventions from 1984 to the present. I have watched the news virtually every day from the age of 8. I have never seen anything like what we are observing now.
In spite of the unprecedented nature of this election cycle, I will attempt to respond to “the question”. I am not asking that anyone else share my view. But I was asked. Here is my best attempt to answer as far as I am able to see things at this time :

1. The Democratic and Republican party platforms are as different as night and day, as far apart as evil vs. good. The 51-page Democratic platform is the most leftist ever. (I don’t care for the “right vs. left” nomenclature. I am far more concerned with “right vs. wrong.”) The Democratic platform contains many points which are anti-biblical. (Time does not permit me here to identify what is meant by “anti-biblical” which is covered in my new book Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Issues.) It is thoroughly socialistic (a socialist is a communist without a gun).
The 54-page GOP platform is one of the strongest GOP platforms ever. A biblically alert person could be comfortable with almost all of it. Party platforms are a big issue to me. Although some “blow off” party platforms, I do not. Nor do many people up and down the ballot who are running for office. This is a serious and very important item. I have a hard copy of both platforms in front of me. Most people have never checked out what the party platforms say. They should. If a person is not drawn to the “top-of-the-ballot” candidate, they ought to at least consider voting for the candidate attached to the best party platform.

2. Analogy #1: Both candidates are flawed. But permit me an analogy: As a pastor, I would rather deal with a church attendee who is blatant and brash in his sinning than one who is devious, lying, cunning and deceptive. Both are problematic, but one is easier to deal with than the other. If I were a pastor bringing correction to a parishioner, I would prefer dealing with a “Trump-type” any day over a “Hillary-type.” The chances of making progress with the “Trump-type” are many times greater than the “Hillary-type.” (habitual liar)

3. Analogy #2: When my (late) wife’s oncologist said, “Don’t take Carol to that alternative (non FDA approved) treatment.” I asked, “Why not?” He said, “The unknown.” I said, “Doctor, your ‘known’ is much worse than the alternative treatment’s ‘unknown’ “. I took her to that alternative treatment. One year later that same oncologist went to the alternative treatment doctor to see how it was that Carol had improved so much. While this alternative treatment did not ultimately save her life, it likely stretched two to three years of life to six years. One of her brilliant young oncologists later said, “Without any medical training or scientific fact, you have put together a protocol of treatment that has moved her into the top fraction of 1 percent of survival rates. Application of the analogy: Hillary’s “known” is considerably worse—many times over—than Trump’s “unknown.”

4. Trump has lots of sins (actually, we all do), and —he says things he should not say. I make no attempt to defend any of the things he has said. He should not have thought or said them. But there is no need to rehash them here. But let’s turn to the other candidate. Although America has had some scandal-ridden candidates in its history, we have never seen any one major party candidate more constantly scandalous as Hillary (along with her husband). She seems to exceed all previous boundaries for wrongdoing. The scandals just don’t stop. We did not take time to list Trump’s misstatements, neither will we rehash the seemingly continuous string of scandals of the Clintons.

5. Trump is slowly being surrounded by increasingly good people. From time to time, I receive encouraging calls regarding this. Can these good people impact Trump? We will see. In contrast, I see no reason for any encouragement regarding the people who surround Hillary.

6. Trump is right on approximately 75 percent of the issues. I wish it was 100 percent. I am in hopes that those beginning to surround him can help him connect the dots more on issues. Hillary is wrong on 100 percent of the issues.

7. This next issue might be one of the most important, but I suspect few will understand its significance. Trump opposes globalism. Hillary thrives on it. Globalism is far more than “geographical” or “eliminating national borders and boundaries”. It is spiritual and demonic at its core. Few—very few—understand this. Do your homework on this one. Think “principalities and powers”. Serious. Extremely serious.

8. Not voting is not a viable option, contrary to what the “purists” claim. I know that some radically disagree with this. My view? They have the right to be wrong.

9. Voting for a third party candidate is—a complete “throw-away.” No third party candidate will be elected, or even come close. And yes, that matters to me. And for the record, the Libertarian ticket—Johnson and Weld—is nearly as bad on many issues as Hillary. When I listen to them, I am stunned people of their ability have ever made it to elective office.

10. Trump has moved to pro-life. Hillary is pro-baby killing, and prides herself on that, and honors the organization—Planned Parenthood—that actually traffics human parts from dead babies whom they have killed. This is below anything we have seen since Nazi Germany. The Clintons have evaded justice for decades and likely will continue to.

11. Trump wants to defend the nation (which is the purpose of government). Hillary has a horrific track record as Secretary of State, and due to hundreds of millions of dollars given to her and her husband’s foundation, she is beholden to those who want us dead.

12. Hillary claims “everything is fine” in America. This defies every single fact, but facts have never been an interest of Hillary’s. Trump understands that it is 11:59 p.m. on the “cultural clock.” America is near the end—morally, economically, militarily and, sadly, spiritually. There are very clear identifiable indicators—measurable ones—that America is no longer the world’s leading power. That day is over. Hillary will hasten the final destruction. Trump could either slow that down—or possibly, with God’s help—reverse it. Maybe.

13. Trump will address the massive government spending. Hillary will expand it above the existing unsustainable debt the U.S.currently is carrying (almost $20 trillion plus unfunded liabilities to Social Security, etc).

14. Trump will expose—and I pray, bring down—”the systemic evil” (crony, deceitful, misuse of capitalism) that reigns among many high-dollar lobbyists. Hillary thrives because of them.

15. Trump will stop the massive overreach of government. Hillary will extend it.

16. Freedoms come in “threes.” Political freedom, economic freedom and religious liberty. Take one away and the other two will eventually disappear. One cannot exist without the other two. The genius of America is that it had all three, until recently. Trump fully grasps the loss of religious liberty. I have heard him speak on it on several occasions. He knows that economic and political freedoms are evaporating. He will reverse that. Hillary will decimate all three.

17. Every rational person knows the Supreme Court appointments are paramount. Trump has listed 11 superb potential nominees. Hillary’s appointments would snuff out the tiny vestige of the three freedoms that are left (mentioned above).

18. I make no excuse for wrongdoing or wrongful, hurtful words from either candidate. In the meantime, we prayerfully, carefully navigate this challenging election season, with great concern in every arena of our lives, including the voting booth. That is my hope. I believe it is yours as well.

Dr. Jim Garlow is pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego. He is also co-founder of The Jefferson Gathering, a weekly worship for members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.