Prologue
I’d be remiss to not address the events that have transpired in recent weeks. What with the RNC and DNC Conventions coming and going, candidates dropping out of the presidential race—only to find themselves as part of another campaign—as well as remarks (both past and present) made by said candidates, it all seems rather overwhelming. However, I’ll endeavor to cover them to the best of my ability. I believe, taken as a whole, they’re indicative of an alarming trajectory that many call “lowering the standards”: a trend that should not be ignored. So without any delay, let’s crack on.
The Interviews
I’ll begin with two recent interviews with Republican candidate, Donald Trump, and his running mate, J.D. Vance. The first took place on August 25th, 2024, when VP hopeful Vance gave an interview on “Meet the Press”. In it, he emphatically declared: if a Federal abortion ban were to reach Donald Trump’s desk, he would veto it, “without question”. His justification for this position was that Mr. Trump believes this issue must be left in the hands of the states.
The second came only a few days later on August 29th, 2024, in which the man himself, Donald J. Trump, gave an interview about an initiative that will be on the ballot in the Florida election to overturn the six week ban on abortion. He said, “I think the sixth week is too short, it has to be more time, and I told them that I want more weeks…”, further stating that “exceptions [for abortion] are very important…”
Enter RFK Jr., Et al.
Next we come to the matter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. For a while it seemed that Mr. Kennedy was poised to hold his ground, and continue on in the race as a third party candidate. Then on August 23rd, 2024, Mr. Kennedy surprised [mostly] everyone as he suspended his bid for the presidency and endorsed Mr. Trump for president. In the days since this move, Mr. Trump has since stated that he intends to bring RFK Jr. to his team in a healthcare or intelligence capacity, should the Trump campaign prevail and win the election in November.
Along with Vance and Kennedy, Mr. Trump has also managed to bring former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard into the fold. Although her official position on the Trump team has yet to be revealed, she’s said to be offering assistance with Trump’s debate preparations.
The Meaning?
What does all of this mean? Seems to me a fair question to pose if you call yourself “Christian” and you intend to vote for this man.
Since the start of the campaign, Mr. Trump has voiced his concerns about unifying the country. Bringing RFK and Tulsi onto team Trump appears to be a step toward this stated goal. Though to be fair, they were about as likely to support Mr. Trump’s opponent as a cow would support the local butcher.
But again, what does this mean? It would seem that, in his efforts toward unity, Mr. Trump is surrounding himself with people who overwhelmingly support abortion, to one degree or another.
It’s About LIFE
While I can appreciate some of the policy positions held by Mr. Kennedy and Mrs. Gabbard —with regards to their positions on the intelligence agencies, vaccinations, and firearms respectively— they both view and vote on abortion legislation favorably. In an interview on the Rubin Report, Tulsi stated that she supported abortion regulations, but not until the third trimester, even though she had a 100% voting record from Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Freedom for All, formerly NARAL (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws).
In other words, these vehemently pro-abortion organizations gave their seal of approval to the way Tulsi voted when it came to abortion legislation.
Mr. Kennedy is little better on the positions he has taken on the matter of abortion. Until May of this year, Mr. Kennedy was on the record as supporting full-term abortion. It was only after he came under pressure from his campaign team did he reverse his stance, and now holds to the position of so-called “viability”, or between 15-20 weeks of gestation. “A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.”
Birds Of A Feather
It is truly a sight to behold, watching a man who was once touted by conservative pundits as the “most pro-life president ever”, transform into a presidential candidate who makes statements like, “We’re gonna find a number of weeks that works for everyone,” and “I think the sixth week is too short, it has to be more time, and I told them that I want more weeks…”
The people with whom a person chooses to associate can be indicative of the type of person they will become. It will reveal who they truly are, beyond any grandiose speeches or flowery words they may use to the contrary. “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future” the saying goes. Of course this saying pales in comparison to its Biblical cousin Proverbs 13:20, “He that walks with the wise will gain wisdom, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Conclusion:
Who you choose to surround yourself with matters a great deal. They will either help you raise your standards in order that you might grow in understanding and wisdom, or they will cause you to lower your standards. The harm that results might be on a level of magnitude you were unable to anticipate.
By a similar token, the person for whom you choose to cast a vote and who they surround themselves with matters. If we allow the candidates that seek to represent us in this race to go back a step or two and diminish the standards for abolishing abortion, then it is doubtful that future candidates will make any effort to raise them again.
