This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Good idea

May I suggest a minor change to the presidential election process? Add a box for “neither.” If neither wins, hold another election.

Photo of the week

Woody Marshal’s photo of officers standing at attention in the rain at the funeral of Timothy Smith is a masterpiece. If you don’t think so, check the Saturday edition of the Wall Street Journal; it was featured as the Photo of the Week out of all photographs published in all U.S. newspapers.

Congratulations on an exceptional example of photojournalism.

Cummings a delight

Perhaps the Rev. Randall Mimbs misplaced his copy of our Bill of Rights (8/19). Dr. Bill Cummings and Dr. Spong as well as Mimbs are entitled to share their views and scholarship of the Bible as well as their beliefs as a practicing Christian. Which, by the way, Mimbs nor anyone else can define for others. We are answerable to a higher power than he. One is not required to agree with others’ views, but we are required to not inhibit their expression under lawful circumstances. I think newspaper columns fall in that category.

I for one delight in Cummings’ column every week. He gives me food for thought, encourages my own seeking of knowledge and reminds me that doubt and asking questions can be part of my growth in my faith.

Mimbs might want to brush up on his Voltaire as well — remember “I may not agree with what you say, but will defend with my life your right to say it”? That quote may not be perfect, but I think it’s close.

Unchallenged

I would like to thank David Mann for his letter questioning the journalistic ethics of The Telegraph’s printing letters that contain statements that are “blatantly and demonstrably false” with no correction or notes from the editor. His letter perfectly summed up thoughts that I have almost daily as I read the Letters to the Editor. Like Mann, I wonder what are the criteria for including editor’s notes, and how erroneous a statement will the editor allow unchallenged?

We attempt to use editor’s notes very judiciously. Our letter writers are encouraged to respond to letters if they feel so compelled. Besides, we would soon get carpel tunnel syndrome.

At the very least

A few weeks ago I was watching The 700 Club. During the first 20 minutes of the show host Pat Robertson spoke of Hillary Clinton’s emails, Donald Trump’s campaign manager being accused of assault, Vladimir Putin, ISIS, Syria, Obamacare, etc. Everything was political. Not one single time did he mention God, Jesus or the Bible. The least Robertson could have said was “God help us.”

Catholics are Christian

I enjoyed the article on the way private schools teach religion, but I was puzzled by a phrase in the opening paragraph when the writer mentions students who attend “Christian or Catholic” schools. I would assume the writer knows that not all Christians are Catholic, but all Catholics are Christian. The phrase suggests they are separate. Wouldn’t “Christian schools” have been clearer — and perhaps a little less controversial.

Alternatives

In the leadup to the 1972 election, famous journalist Hunter S. Thompson wrote: “How many more of these stinking, double-downer sideshows will we have to go through before we can get ourselves straight enough to put together some kind of national election that will give me and the at least 20 million people I tend to agree with a chance to vote for something, instead of always being faced with that old familiar choice between the lesser of two evils?”

I do not want to speculate as to what the good doctor would have thought about Gov. Gary Johnson, who is running for president this year as the Libertarian candidate. But I would like to think that he would have the same opinion about the outmoded and vestigial concept of the “wasted vote” as Johnson does. That is to say, that the only wasted vote is one that is cast against your principles or compromises your values. When you plunder your ideals for the “lesser of two evils,” then you have wasted your vote.

Gov. Johnson and his running mate, Gov. William Weld, have proven track records as both are fiscal conservatives and social progressives. If you are as dissatisfied as I am with the two main choices, consider casting a vote for a pair of humble, honest, experienced candidates.

Election results

The 2016 Presidential election is fast approaching. Are you asking, “Will my vote for a president count, or will it be a victim of vote suppression?” Because of the all-or-nothing approach in the Electoral College results, many votes for president are swept aside.

For example, 56,431,932 votes (both Democrat and Republican) in 2012 were not part of the Electoral College results because of vote suppression. Your vote is your voice, and it should matter regardless of whom you vote for or where you live. Vote suppression is real, non-partisan and affects everyone.

Equal-voice voting is a proportional voting approach that is the fairest offered, closely aligns Electoral College results with the popular vote on a state-by-state basis and doesn’t require a constitutional amendment, and stops vote suppression.

To make a change, become aware of the issue. A free book (“Make Your Vote Count!”) is available at www.equalvoicevoting.com that reviews the last nine presidential elections and shows what could have occurred if equal-voice voting had been used instead.

Second, simply talk. Sharing your views with others is essential.

Third, encourage your legislators to stop vote suppression. Get your state to participate in this cause that affects so many. Finally, be sure to vote, regardless of which presidential candidate you favor. Other political offices and local issues need you to be involved. Voting matters.

There were 129 million voters in the 2012 presidential election.

No, not one

There are now four seeking to be our next president. To my knowledge none have stated they were going to reverse transgender bathrooms, allow The Ten Commandments or return prayer to schools.

This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, August 23, 2016."