Benjamin Watson, a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens said ” Obama can’t save us. Mrs. Clinton can’t save us. Mr.Trump can’t save us. The only one who can change the heart of a man is the Lord.”

I am working on a book right now and last night I read about Solomon in the bible. As some of you know Solomon had it all. Power, wealth, influence, intelligence, and most importantly God’s favor. Scripture actually says that Solomon had more wisdom than ALL men, not some men but all men. However, Solomon compromised God’s morals and exchanged it for lust, pride, idolatry and so on. Something was happening on the inside of Solomon that was rearing it’s ugly head on the outside. Solomon had a fractured soul and got too big for his own britches. Solomon thought he was the exception but God’s favor was lifted. Solomon slowly started to lose his mind.

This sure does seem to be the case for our presidential candidates too. I have watched both debates and actually paused my television more than once because I was so uncomfortable. It sadden me that the first question of the night was The last presidential debate could’ve been rated as MA ( mature audiences) per TV parental guidelines. Knowing that educators are tying the presidential debates to student homework, do you feel you are modeling appropriate and positive behavior for today’s youth? 

Both candidates talked about how they were going to make America great again. Their “so” called goals about the economy, Obamacare, and terrorism but not one of them answered the actual question. The moderator, Anderson Cooper even said the question was “are you both modeling positive and appropriate behavior for today’s youth? Then, he went on to say how they received a lot of questions about the explicit Trump tape that was released last week. Anderson said you called it “locker room banter.”He went on to say that you have bragged about sexually assaulting women. Do you understand that?

Trump went on to say that he did not say that at all. Then Anderson challenged him again and asked” so you did not say that?” Trump said and I quote” I have great respect for women.” “Nobody has more respect for women than I do.” “I’ve said things that frankly, you hear these things I said.”And I was embarrassed by it.” But I have tremendous respect for women.”

Cooper: Have you ever done those things?

Trump: And women have respect for me: No, I have not. And I will tell you that I am going to make our country safe again. We’re going to have borders in our country, which we don’t have now.” “People are pouring into our country, and they’re coming in from the Middle East and other places.” ” We’re going to make America safe again.” “We’re going to make American great again, but we’re going to make America safe again.” ” And we’re going to make America wealthy again, because if you don’t do that, it just- it sounds harsh to say, but we have to build up the wealth in our nation.

Here comes Hillary….

Cooper: Secretary Clinton, do you want to respond?

Clinton:I’ve spent a lot of time thinking over the last 48 hrs about what we heard and saw. You know, with prior Republican nominees for president, I disagreed with them on politics, policies, principles, but I never questioned their fitness to serve. Donald Trump is different. I said back in June that he was not fit to be commander in chief. And many Republicans and independents have said the same thing. What we all saw and heard on Friday was Donald talking about women, what he says about women, and what he does to women. And he said that the video doesn’t represent who he is.

Donald responded with the terrible job she has done for African Americans. She wants their vote and then does nothing.

Now back to the tape again.

Raddatz: This tape is generating intense interest. Jeff from Ohio asks, “Trump says the campaign has changed him.” “When did that happen?” “So, Mr Trump, let me add to that. When you walked off that bus at age 59, were you a different man or did that behavior continue until just recently?

Trump: It was locker room talk, as I told you. That was locker room talk. I am not proud of it. I am a person who has great respect for people, for my family, for the people of the country. And certainly not proud of it. But that was something that happened. If you look at Bill Clinton, far worse. Mine are words, and his are actions. There’s never been anybody in the history of politics in this nation that’s been so abusive to women.

The entire debate was just bashing each other. It was absolutely crazy. He said she should be in jail for her 33,000 deleted emails. She said he has no respect for women. Then of course he bashed Bill Clinton who is not even running. Then they brought the Obamas in to their nonsense. Then when moderators wanted to move on, Trump thought Hillary had more time than him.

However, there were a few times when they tried to really address issues that are important to the American people but each time got side railed with attacks. This debate was so painful and embarrassing to watch but ultimately God is in control. He knew this was coming and isn’t surprised by it in the least. We can really fall far when we think we are on top. Both candidates clearly are not honest. What do we do with that? How can we see through the rhetoric to know?

Since, I am a women I am disgusted by Donald Trumps comments. Violence, including sexual against women and girls is a global issue with 1 and 3 across the world experiencing. Worldwide women are paid less than men earning 60-75% of men’s wages. Women spend at least twice as much time as men on domestic work, and when all work- paid or unpaid is considered, women work longer hours. International evidence shows that increasing the share of household income controlled by women changes spending in ways that benefit children. Women are more likely than men to work in informal employment. Bringing women’s wages in line with with men’s would add 28 Trillion to global GDP. Ironically, when women and men work along side each other in a respectful and equal manner productivity is up and conflict is lower.

We are all suppose to matter but in this crazy election it seems little of us really do. We all want a growing economy but greed has played a part. Over 60% of single mothers are impoverished. African Americans are still being racially profiled and some living in poverty too. Kids are still going hungry. Homelessness is increasing rapidly and this includes our youth. 1 out of 5 children live in poverty. Wages are down but the cost of living is up. Climate change is real. 99% of the world’s scientists  are saying we are destroying the world. This is not for the planet’s sake but for our sake. By 2050 most of Manhattan will be under water, not tidal but gone. Literally parts of the world that will be nonexistent.  We have flawed humans trying to do the job that was God’s in the first place. We were supposed to listen to his leading. He gave us the earth and each other to take care of, not destroy.

God is so clear about his commands but it seems so many just don’t care anymore. We can’t make this country better until hearts change. Heart’s change when God is at the forefront.

A person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

 

Quartz

NCFES