Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. Warns Black Clergy in Open Letter: "Don't Be Duped Again" in This Election

Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. : Nov 4, 2016
Charisma News

“This election, I urge African-Americans—and all Americans—to critically evaluate where candidates stand on these principles, and vote accordingly. This means voting for Mr. Trump and true conservative, down-ticket candidates.” — Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr.

(Beltsville, MD) — [Charisma News] We are in the middle of one of the most volatile and unpredictable presidential elections in living memory. Any political principles at stake are getting swallowed up by daily scandals and larger-than-life personalities. (Photo Credit: Video Screenshot Image via Charisma News)

And, as often happens, so much focus has been on the presidential race that many Americans have forgotten that their governors, senators, congressional and state representatives—as well as a litany of local elected officials—will have far more influence on their day-to-day lives than whoever occupies the White House.

"Conservative" is often used interchangeably with "Republican," but the two words do not always mean the same thing, particularly this year. Although people define conservatism differently, in the American tradition, conservatism generally includes the ideas of restrained government power, affirmation of the traditional family, respect for religious conscience, peace from a place of strength in foreign policy, and respect for the autonomy and dignity of each individual human being.

I believe there are many reasons why conservative political principles are better for all Americans, but in this letter I will share just a few reasons why African Americans in particular should consider voting for Mr. Trump and candidates—at every level of government—who adhere to conservative principles.

1. Restrained Government

Blacks, more than almost any other people group, have good reason to be skeptical of excessive government power. From slavery to Jim Crow and the Tuskegee experiments, government power has been used to enslave, discriminate against and abuse blacks. While many government programs are promoted as "helping" blacks, the help always comes with the authority to regulate and intrude. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

2. School Choice

For years, surveys have repeatedly demonstrated that black Americans overwhelmingly support the conservative idea that the zip code in which people can afford to live should not determine the quality of the education their children receive. Yet opponents of school choice repeatedly insist that children whose parents cannot afford private school must attend the public school for which they are zoned, even if that school is unsafe and incompetent.

3. Economic Opportunity

The black unemployment rate remains nearly twice the white unemployment rate, despite a theoretical economic recovery. Conservative elected officials resist the government interference in the labor market that raises unemployment and prevents many from getting needed job experience.

Furthermore, leaders governed by conservative principles will work to remove the stifling regulations and taxes that discourage new businesses from forming and existing businesses from growing.

4. Family

The decline of marriage has many complex causes, but it has hit the black community the hardest. Yet much of the liberal agenda has been devoted to redefining the traditional family out of existence. Blacks who…

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