Many years ago, I read a quote that began to haunt me. I didn’t want to believe they were true, but today, I’m convinced of it. Joseph de Maistre was a philosopher, writer, and lawyer who wrote about society in the years following the French Revolution. He is quoted by diplomats and dignitaries across every era of modern history. Translated, de Maistre said, “Every country has the government they deserve.” Many have interpreted this sentiment, but it has been applied frequently to democracies, and today it feels especially accurate. The majority of people who have a constitutionally protected right to vote don’t use it. Voter turnout is dismally low. We don’t study issues, we don’t investigate candidates, we don’t consider the broader body of information and data, and we don’t vote.

The quote seems especially accurate if we don’t vote, but we still complain about the leadership that affects our lives.

In the next few days, our school district and city leadership will be on the ballots of local elections. I will vote today. I will evaluate candidates based on their character, their authenticity, and maturity. But most of all, I’ll vote on the most critical determinant of credibility in our society: “will they do what they SAY they will do.”

Promises flow freely from politicians on both sides of the aisle. What makes them real, credible, and trustworthy is their ACTION. Will they DO what they claim to do?

Today, national politics is rife with empty promises, but in our “spin,” those unfulfilled promises are blamed on others. Promises unkept become LIES. Promises unkept become CHARACTER FLAWS. Promises unkept become BETRAYAL, DISILLUSIONMENT, and IRRESPONSIBILITY.

But before you turn to anger, look yourself in the mirror. “Did I exercise MY responsibility in electing mature, credible leaders?”

I know of one way to SEAL your own failure: don’t vote.

When Paul was arrested and heading for trial in Rome, he had an audience with Festus, then with King Agrippa. He shared his testimony and proclaimed the truth about Jesus boldly but respectfully. But after hearing Paul, Agrippa stood and left, claiming, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” Those words were accurate, but they were empty words with no action. Pilate’s declaration of Jesus’ innocence did not prevent him from allowing Jesus to face the cross. Both came face to face with the opportunity of spiritual regeneration; they heard and acknowledged the truth, but they didn’t act.

Words without action are empty. We easily recognize it with faith, but over the next few days, eligible voters will use neither words nor actions until after the election. All too often, they will be the first to complain.

Will you put your words into action?