Thinking of Canadian politics in light of "Total Truth"

PM Martin loves to talk about the difference in values between himself and Harper. He must be wondering why Harper is doing so well when Martin feels so sure that he is representing the values of most Canadians.

Notice what Nancy Pearcey write about values in our society: we are “convinced that science constitutes facts while morality is about values”. Values are completely relative and morality is not based on any truth in popular philosophy so how can any leader claim to represent “Canadian” values (by implication, other leaders’ values must be therefore unCanadian)? Clearly Paul Martin is out of touch with the values of a majority of Canadians if one goes by the results of the polls.

But can a leader represent the values of all people? A Christian politician has an advantage in that area. When a person believes that we were designed and thus created by an intelligent being, than we have a basis for believing that there is truth in morality and common values intrinsic to all of us. It is Christianity that has values that correspond with our reality (which evolution cannot explain). There is a reason that we respect integrity, honesty, good and wise stewardship with our money , human freedom and dignity and the highest ideals. There is an understanding of the importance of community and it’s most basic nucleus, the family. Evolution only leads to a “radical individualism” and the paradox is that “a philosophy of radical individualism …leads to a radical statism” explains Pearcey. She goes on to explain that “one of the best ways to protect individual rights is by protecting the rights of groups such as families, churches, schools, businesses, and voluntary associations. Strong, independent social groupings actually help to limit the state because each claims its own sphere of responsibility and jurisdiction, thus preventing the state from controlling every aspect of life.”

One good example of that is an issue in the election campaign and that is the issue of childcare. Liberals believe that children have the best advantage in life by being enrolled in quality government designed day-care programs from a very early age….no doubt, the earlier the better. A Christian politician will encourage parents to make their own decisions that are best for their own family. Daycare is not the answer for all parents (and maybe not the best solution for any if many studies done can be believed) and so it’s exciting to see a basic commitment to support families in whatever decisions they make in regards to how they care for their children.

Another example is the environment. Kyoto has become a hot topic but most of us do not really understand all of what that means. But one thing I do know is that Kyoto is addressing global warming through CO2 and not pollution itself. I listened to one discussion last night between a science professor from the U of Ottawa and a representative from the Sierra Club of Canada. I would have liked to hear far more from the professor of Earth Sciences ...the scientist and far less from the environmentalist. The professor applauded Harper's intention to release Canada from the Kyoto agreement because it does not address the reality for most Canadians who are concerned primariy with the quality of our air and water in this country. Paying another country a billion dollars to reduce CO2 emission on our behalf does not address real needs in this country and lacks integrity to the core.

Some people have become so cynical that they believe voting means making a choice between evils. But for those who have long been under the repression of evolutionistic thinking that reduces all of us to a product of chance with no real reason to aspire to beauty, honesty and all the best in ideals in every area of life, I challenge you to consider voting for a Christian leader who has every reason to believe in honesty, integrity and the very best that politics has to offer and the very best Canada that we can be! Vote for Stephen Harper.

Note: All quotes taken from Nancy Pearcey's book, "Total Truth".