Electioneering

We waited and waited for our absentee ballots which did not arrive. When we called, we were told we had not applied. The clerk kindly sent us another application (we do not remember receiving one but maybe we both had a senior moment). It could happen you know.

I have been voting for sixty years, rain or shine. Our state lets us vote absentee if we're over sixty and a few other reasons. We will be with our grandkids on election day, far from a ballot box, and we don't want to miss voting. Nor should we.

Watching and listening to the pros and cons of issues and personalities, we wonder why so many wealthy people want to run. They sure don't need the perks that come with the job but perhaps after all maybe some of them really are altruistic more than opportunistic.

As a clergyman, retired but with the same disposition, idiosyncrasies and theology, I am still intrigued about an election held a couple thousand years ago. When Judas Iscariot became a disciple, it helped round out the twelve with multiple personalities, vocations and status ranging from entrepreneurs to a government official to two brothers with a doting, enterprising mother.

Judas, not liking the direction their leader was taking them, felt that the only chance to do differently was to eliminate their leader. Unfortunately, his method was inappropriate, even for that era, as he betrayed Jesus which ultimately led to his death. It could be argued that this was providential in that the reason Jesus came and lived among us was to die so that we might live. And this was the drastic means of doing just that.

Anyway, getting to the point. Judas Iscariot was successful in getting Jesus crucified but realized too late that which he had done was a despicable act. He tried to give the money he received back to those who would orchestrate the hypocritical trial and resultant crucifixion. Either in remorse or anger, he slammed the thirty pieces of silver at the feet of those who refused to take it and went out and hanged himself. We remember the story well.

However, Judas had to be replaced. Two capable men were chosen but no election was held. Rather, they drew straws to determine who would be number twelve. That was a rather simple way of doing it. No campaigning, no expenditures, no name-calling. The only qualification was a previous, impeccable reputation and the luck of the draw.

Today we at times are doing the same. When it is difficult to get two candidates to vie for an office, one candidate is nominated (hopefully one with an impeccable reputation) and chosen. No hard feelings. Not too bad, really.