I read with some dismay the editor’s article on voting (NZ Baptist, August). It seemed to me to be somewhat cynical, possibly due to results he had not liked. Many Christians are like Diogenes, seeking an honest man. This man does not exist.

Polticians are by their nature control freaks. Knowing this, how can you decide how to vote? The answer lies in your vision of your nation. Do you want to live in a free country in which you can succeed beyond your dreams (and likewise may fail as well)?

Do you want your government to keep invading armies away from your shores, but otherwise leave people alone? Do you want a government that provides protection from failure by creating a web of overlapping social safety nets? These are the kinds of questions you must discover for yourself before you vote. Finally, can you trust the politician who seems to see things your way? That is the tough one!

– Robin Stevenson
Invercargill