Nielsen demographics indicate that there are an average of 2.5 televisions in every American household. They further affirm that 50% of American households have three or more televisions. The folks at Statista estimate that advertisers will spend in excess of $72 billion to sell their products and services on the air in 2020. The influence of television on the American public isn't lost on political campaign strategists. In the 2016 presidential election cycle candidates and political parties spent more than $4.4 billion to advertise their positions on the many campaign issues. The people at Forbes estimate that the amount will increase to $7.0 billion by the November 3 election. You see, political operatives believe that television advertising will press our political hot buttons. They want our votes. On air influence matters.
The television political advertising assault for the 2020 election began in September. Of course, it's been a headline topic on most talk and news media outlets throughout the year. By now, with twenty-two days remaining until November 3, the weight, pace, and frequency of campaign marketing has increased exponentially. Until election day we can expect this assault on our senses to ramp up to even higher levels. There's little doubt that these extravagant and often misleading slots will press many of the hot buttons that will influence our vote. We must be aware and alert as this assault escalates.
My Christian worldview affirms two basic backdrops in deciding my vote: the values and beliefs of personal faith, and the more pervasive contemporary secular view. What is shocking in this election cycle so far is the number of Christians planning to vote outside the tenets of faith. Many believers have turned aside from the elemental precepts of faith, the sanctity of life being a prime example, to join the political biases of those with clearly non-Christian positions. Today, I am reminded of Scripture, our final authority, that warn of these cross-overs---
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1: 1-2, ESV
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with
God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of
God.
James 4: 4, ESV
As in most instances, there are many other Scripture references that instruct us in the many layers of living life that is pleasing to God. Voting is certainly one of them.
So the assault continues and escalates. Will they push your hot buttons? Or will this on the air influence be wasted on you, because your gracious Father has already pressed them? You know, the conviction of voting your faith and values.
It's on the air influence right now. How will this expensive slant motivate you? Will on the air influence press your hot buttons in this election?
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