In Republicans we trust

The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election is the first time a Republican presidential candidate is supported by most Evangelical and conservative voters but does not himself support a Christian or conservative agenda.

Since Reagan, the Moral Majority, and Roe v. Wade, the Republican party has been seen by many conservative Christians as aligned with Christianity. Many Christians vote for Republicans as a strategy to eliminate abortion. But Trump has no consistent anti-abortion track record, has an abysmal record on Christian social justice issues, and has led a life and espoused values that aren't Christian.

Watching one of his rallies, I see extreme hatred expressed by him and his supporters. He floated some names of anti-abortion justices, but he can't be trusted to put Christians or conservatives above himself or political expediency.

Since Reagan's presidency, the national debt has skyrocketed and Republicans have made a balanced budget and conservative fiscal policies the hallmark of conservatism. But Trump's budget would add $5.3 trillion to the national debt.

He discussed defaulting on billions of dollars owed to other countries, no idle threat given the billion-dollar loss he took in one year which came out of our United States tax revenue and the pockets of his contractors.

Hillary Clinton is a Methodist whose life of public service was inspired by the Bible's concern for social justice. While investing in those needing a helping hand and willing to pay that investment back, her budget would increase the national debt by 200 billion dollars, 1/25th of Trump's increase.

At her rallies, I can see hope rooted in love for all people on the faces of her and her supporters. A vote for Trump is not a vote for Christian or conservative policies. If Christians vote for him, they aren't trusting in God but in the Republican party.

Stephen Wise

Schaumburg