Words can be used to clarify. Or words can be “spun” to conceal or distort. Part of iVoterGuide’s mission is to clarify issues when politicians try to distort them. And this election year our team is working overtime to “break the code words” politicians use to try to fool Christians.
Using “code words” is as old as politics. Both parties do it.
And to be frank, I don’t see anything inherently wrong with framing an issue in the way that favors your position—as long as that “spin” is accurate and not distortion.
But as a Christian, I am concerned to see so many believers being targeted by politicians who want our votes and will abuse “code words” to distort or conceal policies that run directly against the values and principles of Scripture.
When you support iVoterGuide, you are helping us “break the code,” clarify candidates’ positions, and give voters the raw, unvarnished, easy-to-understand truth so they can make an informed decision.
Here are some examples of “code words” that could distort truth and fool Christians, conservatives, and many political independents into voting AGAINST their own beliefs and values:
CODE: “100 percent clean, renewable energy!”
Translation: Outlaw, severely restrict, or otherwise abolish all fossil fuels. For many candidates, this means carbon-based energy would be totally replaced with “renewable” sources such as solar panels and windmills. And that means? No gas-powered cars, only electric or mass transit. No more coal power plants. No more petroleum-based air travel for pleasure, business, and perhaps the military. These are all real proposals!
Currently the vast majority of energy is fossil (carbon) based, making it the least expensive and most available source of energy in human history. Without it, we would not have modern civilization, hospitals, miracle cures, manufacturing, cell phones, computers—and on and on. Renewables admittedly have proven to be expensive and inefficient.
The shock of “100 percent renewable” to our lives could be huge, especially for the poor, who mostly rely on less expensive fossil fuels to get by day to day.
CODE: “Women’s reproductive health”
Translation: Abortion of unborn human beings, usually without restriction for all nine months of pregnancy, often funded with tax dollars, both in America and worldwide.
In examining thousands of candidates across the country, the above translation is what we often find when politicians say they favor “women’s reproductive health” or “rights” or similar language. This also correlates to stipulations of party platform language supported by candidates. Your donation can help give voters this vital information as voting occurs.
CODE: “Safe schools!”
Translation: Gun control, often including severe restrictions or confiscation.
School shootings are one of the most sorrowful, media-covered tragedies in the news cycle. Not surprisingly, politicians have jumped on the emotions generated by school shootings to advocate the erosion of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. These demands often have little to do with the details of the shootings, how shooters obtained their guns, or other proposed solutions such as increasing trained security. Our team has found that voters need to look carefully when “safe schools!” is a trumpet call of a political campaign.
CODE: “Equality. Diversity. Inclusion.”
Translation: Exclusion and persecution of Christians trying to live out their Christian values . . . often in the form of legal sanctions and job loss.
We have found that many candidates using these code words support legislation like the proposed federal Equality Act, which would harshly exclude and penalize those trying to publicly live, work, and express biblical values on gender and sexuality. Various “equality” laws or judicial decisions strike at religious freedom in the workplace, and even in some forms of religious counseling. It is an effort to impose the LGBTQ agenda on unwilling Americans of faith. Voters should pay close attention to what a candidate really means by touting “equality, diversity, and inclusion.” Your gift can help alert them in the coming weeks of voting.
CODE: “Expand Medicaid, Strengthen Medicare, Healthcare for All”
Translation: Federal takeover of your healthcare providers, treatments, and decisions.
Many candidates who use the “code” terminology favor, at worst, Canada or United Kingdom-style socialized medicine, and at best a far heavier hand in your healthcare even than Obamacare. It is worth noting that Scandinavian nations like Finland which had adopted such plans are moving back toward more privatized healthcare. Studies in America, Canada, and Europe have found that wait times for diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses like cancer are far longer under these plans, as pointed out by candidates who oppose them. iVoterGuide allows candidates to explain their positions on this issue, to replace code language with clarity.
CODE: “Environmental and economic justice.”
Translation: Forced redistribution of wealth, property, and income from “oppressor” groups to favored “oppressed” groups, usually funded by higher taxes.
Many candidates using the above code terminology support policies or platforms that amount to socialism. Taking wealth from individuals in “advantaged” groups and giving it to those in “disadvantaged” groups would be determined by government elites who would need vastly increased budgets to do so.
You Can Be a Code-Breaker
The iVoterGuide team of researchers is racing to complete its work, which includes clarifying the issues for Christian and conservative voters. At the same time, much of our $3 million budget is being poured into getting this vital research on 8,000 candidates to three million Christian and conservative voters who could decide the future of our nation.
As you’ve read, races are going down to the wire, including the U.S. President and Senate. In 2018 and 2019, iVoterGuide users swung close elections around the country for U.S. Senate, Governor, House of Representatives, and state legislative contests.
We also found that by informing Christian voters, iVoterGuide increased turnout of those voters on behalf of YOUR values!
For our future,
Debbie
Debbie Wuthnow
President, iVoterGuide