As an avid student of and active participant in American politics for over 60 years, I have a clear view of what is happening in our country today. 

We’re experiencing the repercussions of a basic conflict between elitism and populism.

The reason it is almost impossible to have a rational, fact-based conversation about the proper role of government with an individual who believes in an unlimited government—usually referred to as a liberal, leftist, or Democrat, but never as a radical left-wing radical—is because those people are convinced that they are intellectually and morally superior.

This is why they have such scorn and disdain for all who have different ideas. Reagan, Ford, Agnew, Quayle, Bush and now, Trump, have all been called “dumb.” The left’s snarky, snide disdain for MAGA people shows up in their mockery.

The Wall Street Journal headline, on August 22, 2024, read, “Democrats Use Stage to Mock Trump.” To Hillary, we were “deplorable.” Obama smugly disdained us as people clinging to our guns and Bibles.

Their list of pejoratives has grown alongside their progressive worldview. In fact, the term “progressive,” in and of itself, illustrates their perception of themselves as “better than.” 

“Racist,” “homophobic,” and “misogynistic” are other terms they have added to their dismissive, virtue signaling vocabulary. 

This is why they hate Trump with such venom. He has touched a deep, populist vein in America that is vigorous, visceral and anti-elitist.

The term “MAGA” is a dog whistle threat to the elites that has driven them into a murderous and hate-filled force. On the other hand, that term has electrified a powerful grassroots populist energy that is based on a deep love: the love of God, country and individual freedom.

Now, many of you, as you read this, may find yourselves in your “what about Trump” mode.

I agree that at his worst, he is guilty of the same sin. Mud-slinging and demeaning, he is equally guilty.

“Crooked Hillary,” “lying Ted,” “dumb Kamala,” and so on manifest the same behavior that most of us abhor. This behavior is certainly not Christlike at all. We were hoping that the assassination attempt on his life would have been a “come to Jesus” moment, but it was not that. 

In my theology, God saves lives to bring people to Christ, not to make them President. While we all may agree that it would be good if we could simply evaluate party policies and their impact on our country, sadly, many of us fall into the same trap of hatred and disdain for each other.

Long-standing relationships are destroyed by political differences, and families find themselves divided.

The bottom line is that we all agree that there is clearly something wrong here, both with our country and with our culture. Yet the harder we try to “fix” it, the worse it gets. Further, the same people who broke our nation and culture now want us to see them as the fixers.

And, by the way, I include both Democrats and Republicans alike in that story. I don’t have much faith that either party has the answers.

As a limited government constitutional conservative, I see the massive debt growing with no end in sight. Donald Trump was never a Republican. He saw the weakness in the GOP, and being the opportunist that he is, he exploited the moment. But, at the end of the day, although many of his policies may actually be better, the Leviathan still grows, and The Swamp does business in the dark.

There is a lot wrong today. But to me, the better question is, “What is missing?” And what is missing in the American noise is Almighty God Himself!

The most important factor in all of this is how we see God, or really how God sees us!

A major element in the elitist progressive worldview is their disdain for God and, we, His people. The goal of this worldview is to systematically drive God out of our country, our culture and our schools. There is a clear correlation between the “Red States” and sharply declining church membership. 

How will this end? Only God knows! There is no guarantee that the USA as we know it will survive. We are a mere 249 years old, and just a blip in history.

The elitists hate America. They think we are an oppressive country, and they want to tear us down so they can rebuild us into a Godless, dystopian society.

So, what can we do? Of course, we can and should do everything possible to win this and every election.  And we can and should pray for God’s will in all of this.

To me, it is truly remarkable that, in these times, when the unfettered government advocates—with their lust for power and control of us, “the useful idiots,” as described by Lenin, coupled with control of all the bureaucracy, and owning the propaganda machine of information—we, the opposition even have a chance.

We shall know the outcome of the election, a battle in this ongoing war, soon! Yet in the meantime, recall that our real authority, the Lord Himself, tells us,

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

How about a National 2 Chronicles Day on November 5, or during the November election, where believers show up at the polling places and Washington, equipped with Bibles and kneepads? A Day of Holy Spirit Awakening!