Opinion: I'm a Christian, veteran, Texan Republican voting for Biden

[In It to Win It]

I make my living in oil and gas and am the fourth generation to do so. I’m a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the war in Afghanistan. My favorite part of the world is rural Texas, and I’m fortunate to have been raised there. Most importantly, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ who taught us the incredible power of love. I love my wife and family, I love my fellow Americans, and I love this country. I supported Republicans in past elections. I am casting my vote for Joe Biden because of, not in spite of, my beliefs and experiences as a veteran, a Christian, a conservative and a native rural Texan.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/christian-veteran-texas-republican-voting-biden-15592080.php

I make my living in oil and gas and am the fourth generation to do so. I’m a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the war in Afghanistan. My favorite part of the world is rural Texas, and I’m fortunate to have been raised there. Most importantly, I’m a follower of Jesus Christ who taught us the incredible power of love. I love my wife and family, I love my fellow Americans, and I love this country. I supported Republicans in past elections. I am casting my vote for Joe Biden because of, not in spite of, my beliefs and experiences as a veteran, a Christian, a conservative and a native rural Texan.

In many ways, the president sits atop what sociologist Robert Bellah called our American “civil religion,” and sets the moral tone of the country. Here is just one example of why Joe Biden is a good and honest man and Donald Trump is not.

When Biden was vice president, I was a pilot in the president’s helicopter squadron. Vice President Biden went home to Delaware on most weekends, and when he did, he took the train. He knew those of us who served the White House would get to spend more time with our families if he left town on the ground. He knew his actions would impact others and acted with empathy.

By contrast, President Trump seems incapable of empathy. For instance, when military service members leave the White House, tradition calls for a visit to the Oval Office with their family to take a picture with the president. Previous presidents have stood next to the family in front of the Resolute Desk. Trump does not. He sits behind the desk and has the family stand on either side of him. Further, President Trump has limited these opportunities in comparison to his predecessors. The military is nothing but a stage prop to him.

Trump weighs every action in terms of how it benefits him. He stokes fear about election fraud but does nothing to shore up the integrity of the election process. Trump tears down others to advance his own cause. No American hero, no ally and no sacred tradition is safe from Trump’s scorn if it stands in the way of his TV ratings or ego. This is anathema to our national spirit.

I disagree with many of Biden’s policies, but I’m ready to advocate for my positions after he’s elected. Biden should recognize, for example, the important role hydrocarbons and nuclear power must play in America’s future energy landscape, and not villainize these industries. He must resist the notion that there is a federal solution to every issue and avoid taxing the creativity out of our private sector. The good news is Biden is not beholden to a radical base like the Trump campaign wants you to believe. He’s already disowned a fracking ban. The most important thing, in my view, is ridding our great country of the most divisive, ill-informed, and inflammatory president of my lifetime and replacing him with someone who can bridge the gap to a brighter future.

Biden respects the norms of the republic and has a well-calibrated moral compass. He’ll listen to those who disagree on policy issues because, like me and other followers of Jesus, he can see value in every human whether they agree with him or not.

There is a reason so many Republicans from across the nation are endorsing Biden. It’s not because we all suddenly shifted left. It’s because we need someone to hold the reins steady so a new generation of leadership can take charge.

Trump has done more to damage the future of conservative thought in America than any Democrat could ever do. The road to rebuilding credibility in the Republican party starts when “we the people,” and our elected leaders, reject the morally bankrupt ideology that Trump represents.

Biden is the steady hand we need today so we can get to the tomorrow we all hope for.

[Demsrule86]

1. Thanks for your vote. I too am a Christian...Episcopalian.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It's an excellent essay and well worth the few minutes needed to read.

Of course, I do not agree with this gentleman's opinions on some of his positions, but he does have his head screwed on straight when it comes to the Presidency and how tRump lacks the attitudes to lead well.

I applaud his stance and welcome him to vote with us.

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. If "you" helped put this psychopath in office

I will gladly take your vote, but FUCK YOU. Sorry, NOT sorry.

"YOU" will still vote for OTHER repugs, so unless "YOU" change your political affiliation to DEMOCRAT, AND apologize for voting for the OrangeAnus, FUCK YOU. Not Sorry.

[LakeArenal]

6. I had mixed emotions on this statement myself...

We all new several things about trump before Nov 2016

We knew he was a pussy grabber
We knew he moved on her like a bitch
We knew he cheated on all wives
We knew several women claimed rape
We knew thousands of lawsuits for non payment
We knew he was a vile vulgar creep
We knew he had Fair Housing issues
We knew he had undocumented workers
We knew he shipped jobs overseas.
We knew he wanted to date Ivanka’s
We knew he had bone spurs
He wouldn’t show his taxes
He wouldn’t show us academic records
We knew his business all failed

Yet now his Christian values got to him

Thanks for the vote however.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. There ya go with those fact things.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

4. my nephew, career army, lifelong republican, was assigned to the obama wh.

he has a pic of his wife, 2 girls, obama and himself, IN FRONT of the resolute desk.

he went from army to the pentagon. asst sec def. he quit when john rood insulted both his patriotism and his intelligence.

[andym]

5. As we see, for some voters it's not about policies but about American values

and I can respect someone who understands that Trump is undermining every American value relating to decency, equality and freedom. That is the most important thing: Trump represents a threat to the body politic of the United States, and most mainstream GOP politicians do not seem to understand this. I'm glad some voters do.

[Mr.Bill]

8. It would not surprise me if many republican elected officials

have purchased real estate in foreign countries and are just trying to accumulate as much money as they can before leaving the country.

I wonder if the guy in the OP voted for Ted Cruz and will vote for him again. Cruz is as despicable a human being as Trump.