On grace and the election

I've been following political publications and discussions this past week. And the biggest impression I've gained from this is... a steady diet of BN and the opposition slagging each other off leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth. First hand, I'm seeing how powerfully divisive a force politics is. Even in church, where we're supposed to be all "one in Christ Jesus".

So. Is there a place for grace in politics?

By that, I mean that is it possible for a candidate to campaign without having to resort to attacking or ridiculing an opponent? Is it possible for supporters to defend their choices without hurling accusations, name-calling or tearing down?

I haven't seen any evidence to support that so far. It's an environment where people are pitted against each other to determine a winner. To be elected, it's not enough to show that you are worthy for the position. You have to show that other candidates are not worthy, or that you are more worthy than them. So, meters of column inches are devoted to pointing out why the other side is faulty, despicable and contemptible. Every little action that can be construed into a failing is pointed out and expounded on. Build yourself up by putting others down.

When the stakes are high, few people are able to resist trying to win at any cost. But to me, the means by which you win are as important as why you win. I’d even venture to say that it is better to loose on account of being too gracious to use such dirty tactics on your opponent than to win by having to stoop to that level.

I think that a moral victory like that means more than winning that seat.

*
I didn't post the whole of last week. Fail.