Introduction
When you enter a voting booth, what influences your decision? Is it the most recent campaign ad, the loudest headline, or the promises that seem to echo everywhere you look? Or do you take a moment to consider something deeper—values, principles, and the bigger vision of the future of America you wish to help shape?
Politics today might feel like a storm. There’s so much noise, so many opposing points of view, and so much pressure to choose a side. Voting, however, is about more than just sides; it is also about direction. It is about the kind of country we want to live in and the legacy we hope to leave behind.
This isn’t about telling you who you should vote for. It’s about stopping down, taking a breath, and asking: What values should lead us through the next chapter of America’s story? When we focus on what is truly important—faith, freedom, and the future—we may cut through the clutter and reclaim our role in creating a better tomorrow. In this blog, we’ll look at how faith, freedom, and essential values might influence the future of America and how we vote.
1. Why Values Matter in Voting
Beyond Promises and Party Lines
Campaigns are full of promises, some inspirational and others impossible to fulfill. But promises fade and policies change. What remains are the values that guide a leader’s decisions. Values are like the compass that guides the ship. Without them, we would drift.
Head vs. Heart: The Real Struggle
Many of us are torn about voting. On the one hand, we want to be practical, focusing on the economy, healthcare, and security. On the other hand, we want leaders who mirror the core values we hold dear. Voting is complicated because of the tension between the intellect and emotions.
The Bigger Picture
Consider it like selecting a captain for a long journey. Do you simply choose the one who promises the smoothest trip? Or do you go with the one whose character gives you confidence that they’ll sail the ship through the storm? That is the force of values—they are concerned with the direction of tomorrow rather than the weather today.
After all, policies change, but values remain constant. And it is these values that shape the country we leave to future generations.
2. Faith: A Foundation for Decisions
Faith as a Guiding Light
Faith often manifests itself in quiet ways. It is the decision to choose honesty over lying when the latter is easier. It takes bravery to stand up for what’s right, even if it’s unpopular. And it is based on the conviction that no matter how divided things appear, there is still hope.
Personal, Not Political
When we discuss faith in voting, we are not attempting to force everyone to believe the same thing. It is about allowing your own faith—your personal beliefs—to impact how you see the world and who you trust as leaders. For some, kindness and giving take center stage. Others value fairness, integrity, and justice.
The Ripple Effect of Faith
Faith-driven values have always had a significant impact on community development. Consider neighborhood volunteers feeding strangers meals, neighbors assisting neighbors in rebuilding after disasters, or leaders who prioritize principle before popularity. These activities can often be driven by a strong sense of faith.
When faith influences our decisions, it reminds us that politics is more than merely winning battles. It is about caring for others, bridging gaps, and working toward a future that reflects the best of who we are.
3. Freedom: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities
More Than a Buzzword
Freedom is a word we hear repeatedly, especially during political seasons. True freedom is more than simply being able to do anything we choose. It is an opportunity to live with dignity, speak openly, follow aspirations, and, yes, accept responsibility for how our actions affect others.
Individual vs. Collective Good
The problematic issue is that our personal freedoms occasionally cross paths. One person’s freedom may seem like another’s burden. That’s why freedom refers to all of us, not just individuals. The problem is to strike a balance between individual rights and the greater good, ensuring that defending one person’s freedom does not infringe on the rights of others.
Freedom with Purpose
Consider freedom to be a vast expanse of territory. You may run anywhere and in any direction. But what makes it important is the purpose you give it. Do you use that open space to create something everlasting, or do you simply wander?
In building the future of America, freedom must remain at the forefront of the discussion. However, it should be the kind of freedom that develops communities, promotes creativity, and safeguards every individual’s dignity—not just the freedom to exist, but the freedom to thrive.
4. The Future of America: Creating a Legacy Beyond Politics
Thinking Generationally
When discussing the future, it is natural to imagine it in terms of election cycles—four years here, two years there. But the more important question is, what kind of country will our children and grandkids inherit?
Beyond Red and Blue
Values such as integrity, unity, and service are not specific to one party. They are universal. Imagine what our politics would be like if we assessed success not by who “won” but by how far we came toward creating a nation that reflected those values.
The Story We Will Tell
Imagine someone decades from now reflecting on this historical moment. Which story do you want them to tell? Did we succumb to division and fear, or did we choose courage, compassion, and conviction?
Conclusion: Guiding Values for The Future of America
Faith. Freedom. The future. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re values that can help us navigate uncertainty and remind us of what’s most important.
Voting is not merely a political act. It reflects our beliefs, our hopes, and the legacy we want to leave. Not only are we selecting policies when we enter that booth, we are also choosing principles.
So, before the next election, step back. Ask yourself: What values are most important to me? What kind of future do I want to help create?
And do not keep the conversation to yourself. Discuss it with friends, family, and even those who have different opinions. You might be amazed at how much common ground can be found when we focus on values rather than labels. The future of America is not yet written. We hold the pen together.
If you want to think about the values that shape tomorrow, read Lucecita Delmar’s book “The Coffee Queen & Voices of Change“—a story about faith, courage, and finding purpose.
