To the editor:

I wholeheartedly disagree with the editor Res Spears’ column on voting in the current election (“Neither candidate can heal America,” Aug 14).

The American democracy we live in is the democracy we know today for three reasons: the blood, sweat and tears of thousands who have fought and often died to protect it; the millions of men and women of all colors, ethnic origins, and faiths who have over the decades voted to maintain it; and the providence of Almighty God.

Have we ever had better candidates on the slate at all levels of government? Of course we have. But the candidates we have now in the presidential race are the candidates who will appear on every ballot in every state in our nation.

And I would ask at this point, what did any of us do to improve the position of any other candidate in either party?

Voting is a right, a privilege and the duty of all U.S. citizens. Furthermore, as a fellow Christian, I strongly believe voting is the right thing for all Christians to do.

Are we to hide our light under a basket, or take a fatalistic point of view where we sit back and let the world have its way? I pray not.

As James, the brother of Jesus said so well, “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead.” So, how can we support and defend this Nation that God has so graciously given us if we choose to sit back and watch the political parade go by, merely observing the process, rather than taking part at a minimum by exercising our privilege to vote?

And, how can we disparage the voting process over our dissatisfaction with two candidates, especially when so many other offices are up for re-election?

Personalities aside, think on the bigger set of values and the Christian principles at stake in this election. You must ask yourself, particularly as a Christian, if you really want the party that supports abortion and same-sex marriage representing you, your children and grandchildren?

For when you elect, or allow someone to be elected by simply ignoring your duty to vote, you will most certainly allow the nation to be impacted by the values and principles of that elected party (if not the candidate), for years and possibly decades to come.

President Abraham Lincoln, who never shirked his duty to stand for what he felt was right, said, “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Let’s not end up “sitting on our blisters.” Instead, let’s prayerfully examine the candidates and the principles they stand for, make a decision and exercise our right to vote.

J. Sloan Butler

Suffolk