I’ve never done this before

It’s hard to get elected to public office. I like candidates who can win office without taking large sums of money from special interests. But it is a cold, hard fact that running a campaign and getting the name recognition that is so important takes money - for national elections, lots of money. It’s an unfortunate “catch 22”.

No, I’m not running for public office! But I am very worried about the direction in which our country is headed - not for me but for our descendants. So with arguably the most important election in our country’s history coming up in three weeks, I decided to vote with my pocketbook, in advance of punching the ballot buttons. I picked a handful of conservative, mostly national candidates who are running close in the polls, and thus where I feel that my tiny contributions might make a difference in the outcomes. I didn’t choose candidates lightly, but researched their histories, backgrounds, beliefs and their stands on issues. I read their websites. I watched interviews with them where available. I read the dirt on them where it existed.

I’m embarrassed about the small amounts I contributed to each campaign. (I’m also embarrassed that so many of these sentences start with “I” because it is definitely not about me – it’s about our children and grandchildren.) Will my diminutive contributions change the outcome of any election? No more so than my one vote is likely to. But thousands of small contributions such as mine could help. So for the first time ever, I’ve been inspired and motivated to help finance selected candidates’ campaigns.

I know many of my readers are equally passionate about our country’s direction. So it’s preaching to the choir to say let’s all do everything we can to influence the upcoming election in a favorable way. And most importantly, pray.