More often, I think we identify spin when we know something to be a bigger deal than it is actually presented as. This is a common technique employed by “spin doctors”. Spin doctors are those that are so good at this manipulation that they are hired precisely for it. I don’t know anyone who puts “spin doctor” on their resume, no more so than a writer might put down “hack,” but I think we know them when we see them.

A lot of tales have been spun over the years about every leader that has ever had a follower; none so, perhaps, as much as Jesus of Nazareth. Who exactly this man is boggles the minds of some and is a curse for others. Unfortunately, spin rarely gives us the impression that someone is squeaky clean. We can assume the worst when legends are made out of people.

Unfortunately, we can never fully trust history when we receive it second-hand (we may not even trust it first-hand if we don’t believe in ourselves). If you go to vote and feel you can’t trust any of the options presented, then I’d suggest you write in Jesus. A lot of people have found him worthy of their faith.

Being a foremost learned man on Abraham Lincoln (I’ve read one biography), I can safely say he was a wise man. Last night, I was watching videos on Ted and found this fabulous one on reforming the education system. Sir Ken Robinson quotes Lincoln saying:

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves and then we shall save our country.

Wow. Truly, Abraham Lincoln had a way with words. (Ironic that Robinson would quote him given his lack of a rigorous formal eduction.) I love what Robinson loves about Lincoln’s statement: we do not rise “to” the occasion but “with” it. In the same way, Robinson points out that we cannot solve the problems of today or tomorrow with the solutions of yesterday.

As much as it is true in education, I believe it is likewise true in our government. If you are apathetic about the current political system, good. You are already disenthralled with it. Be principled and vote along those principles.

The next time I go to vote along my principles, I just might have to write in Jesus.