I rarely speak out on topics that might stir the pot. And for the last few months, I’ve tried to keep quiet. But I can’t stay silent any longer.

To save you some time, here’s who might want to read this:

If you believe in God, if you come from a poor or middle-class background, or if you’ve built your own success from the ground up, this might speak to you. If you’re struggling but still believe things can change, or if you’re drawn to true principles, you might find this interesting.

We are all children of God, which means we each have incredible potential. We were created to succeed, to grow into our fullest selves, and to enjoy the blessings of prosperity that our Father in Heaven wants for us. The seeds of greatness are within us!

What does this have to do with elections?

I remember a political science class my senior year of high school. We studied a system of government built on the idea that everyone would be well cared for—that the government would ensure all needs were met. It sounded good. It seemed right. But I knew my father disagreed with it, and I didn’t understand why.

I was nervous to ask him, but eventually, I did.

“Dad, what’s so wrong with it? As Christians, don’t we want to make sure everyone has what they need? Shouldn’t a government do what it can to provide prosperity for all?”

His answer stuck with me. He said, “Leslie, it all goes back to how God deals with us.”

That got my attention.

He explained:

“God put us here to grow, to learn, and to reach our highest potential. But the choices we make lead us to either freedom or bondage.

Take a young woman who chooses to be sexually active before marriage. If she gets pregnant, her hundred choices suddenly shrink to just a few: keep the baby or not, drop out of school or not. One choice reduced her freedom. Or maybe it’s an STD that limits her future options.

On the other hand, when we make wise choices—like getting a good education—we open the door to more choices down the road. The better our decisions, the greater our freedom.

Now, do you think God wants us to make good choices?”

“Of course.”

“Does He force us to?”

“No. He lets us make mistakes.”

“And when we make mistakes, does He protect us from the consequences?”

“No, He doesn’t.”

“Exactly. Now think about a child whose parent never lets them feel pain or face the consequences of their mistakes. That child grows up believing life owes them something. Their problems are always someone else’s fault.

That’s why we vote for leaders who understand that principle. We need leaders who protect our freedom—the freedom to succeed and to fail. Leaders who care more about what God thinks than about pleasing a declining society.

Others can vote for candidates who promise to protect them from the consequences of their own choices, but as for me, I want leaders who trust me to learn, to grow, and to find my own way—even when it’s hard.”

I never forgot that conversation.

What I Learned the Hard Way

As I got older, got married, and struggled through school and raising kids, I held onto my father’s words. But I also wrestled with them.

I tried to live as I thought God wanted, yet we found ourselves in poverty. The stress of financial struggle led to anger, depression, and self-doubt. Weren’t the righteous supposed to prosper? I wondered what I was doing wrong.

We worked hard to climb out, but nothing lasted. Still, I voted for leaders who upheld my beliefs. I believed we could make it on our own, even when we weren’t succeeding. It was like choosing to eat vegetables when I wanted dessert.

And that’s the thing—people don’t always choose what’s good for them. It’s easy to get someone to eat a cupcake, much harder to get them to eat broccoli. And it’s just as easy for a politician to win votes by promising comfort and security.

I understand the appeal. I know what it feels like to suffer financial stress, lack of healthcare, and unemployment. I’ve felt the weight of depression and hopelessness. We even accepted a handout once or twice. But deep inside, I hated it.

Because of what my father taught me, I knew I was giving up a piece of my soul.

(I want to be clear: there are people who truly need welfare, and I’m grateful my taxes help them. But too many people never even try to be self-sufficient because they’ve never had to. They don’t realize their own potential. I don’t blame them—it’s easy to give up when you don’t know what’s inside you.)

Still, even in hardship, I voted for leaders who prioritized freedom over comfort. I wanted leaders who would defend my liberty so that I could focus on solving my own problems.

Don’t protect me from the natural consequences of my actions.
Don’t promise me health, wealth, or an easy life.
Let me find my own power. Let me struggle, so I can grow. Let me fail, so I can learn. Let me be.

The Role of Government

So, what is the government’s job? It’s to do what I can’t do.

It’s not their job to make sure I have a job. It’s not their job to protect me from my own bad choices. Their job is to defend our freedom.

And the more the government tries to take care of us, the higher our taxes climb—and the less freedom we have. If free agency is so sacred that even God won’t interfere with it, then I want leaders who will protect it at all costs.

All politicians will tax us. The question is: why?

• Are they taxing us to redistribute wealth and discourage ambition?

• Or are they taxing us to provide for those who truly can’t help themselves and to maintain a strong military to keep us free?

If we must pay taxes, let them buy us liberty.

Hard Truths

Should the government raise the minimum wage and tax the wealthy more? Before you answer, consider this:

Who provides those minimum-wage jobs in the first place? Should we punish entrepreneurs for their ambition? Or should we encourage more entrepreneurship so that more jobs exist for those who need them?

If you don’t like working for minimum wage, you have the power to change your situation. Don’t wait for the government to fix it.

And here’s another thing: Life itself is the greatest gift we have.

I cannot support any leader who believes the government should control how we exit this world but refuses to take a moral stance on how we enter it. Society condemns murder but stays silent on the creation of life. Since when is that just a religious issue?

In the End...

I trust my own ability—and God’s guidance—to solve my personal struggles. Let the government defend my liberty, and I will figure out how to prosper.

Yes, it’s easier to rely on government solutions. That’s the Cupcake. But the real, lasting, life-changing answers come from our Creator.

So, vote for Broccoli. Then get to work.

Let’s learn to provide for ourselves—financially, emotionally, spiritually.

Because God doesn’t shield us from failure. He gives us the freedom to rise or fall. And if that system is good enough for Him, who are we to think we know better?

"Those who trade liberty for security will have neither." – John Adams

_________________

•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.