Trash talk doesn’t belong in campaign

This is a plea to Andrew, Christy and John. You know them, they are the leaders of our three political parties in British Columbia. It’s a plea for each of them to pledge to take the high road and outright refuse to let this cycle of the political process deteriorate into a round of name-calling, blaming and criticizing.

This plea is birthed by the fact that a hint of the silliness has already started, at least on the TV I watch, and to be blunt, I find it both disillusioning and degrading.

There is still time to salvage this election, if these three have the will and courage to do it.

Political pundits will be quick to declare that the reason for “slam politics” is that it works. If that is true, it is an indictment of us all.

A bit of critical thought exposes that “slam politics” rests on several shaky foundational pillars.

Shaky because none of the pillars that support this type of campaigning possess the kind of character we desire in the people who use it to get elected.

First, it rests on the premise that the end justifies the means.

Political advisers suggest that if vilifying one’s opponent helps one get elected, then by all means do it.

There seems to be little thought given to right and wrong, just effectiveness.

None of our political leaders support pornography just because it effectively generates profit.

They look beyond profit to the wrongness of the exploitation of vulnerable young people.

Neither would any of them endorse cheating on an exam, although it might guarantee a higher grade.

Effectiveness is not an acceptable end in many of life’s arenas yet, for some reason, ripping an opponent to shreds by presenting highly selective facts seems acceptable if it results in increased votes at the polling station.

Second, “slam politics” rests on the premise that one can elevate one’s own status by putting someone else down.

At its core, this is the central theme of all bullying. Humiliating someone else makes me look better by comparison. Really?

There is not a British Columbian in any riding who would not sooner hear candidates appeal to their own merit rather than their ability to vilify their opponent.

So, to Andrew, Christy and John and to all candidates running with you I would say this. Please reject the counsel of your advisers and refuse to engage in the degrading practice of shaming your opponents.

Rather, inspire us with your dream and vision for what British Columbia can become.

Challenge us and call us to support your strategy to make it happen. Give us a reason to believe in you and your leadership.

I promise we will respect and vote for you with far more enthusiasm than we would if a cycle of “slam politics” destroys everyone and simply leads to the conclusion that you are the least of undesirable options.

I am not a politician, I am a clergyman and this is a column on faith. My comments might lead some to question my meddling in the world of politics.

The bottom line is that the Good Book says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Good advice to us all. So, please, build our province without the trash talk that has become so common to political campaigns in this era.

We will respect and support you for it.

Tim Schroeder is a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church.