The Christian in Politics (a manifesto in progress)

'WWJD?' is an excellent question for those of us who follow Christ. To answer that question in broad strokes I'd defer to Matthew 5:38-42:
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."

The eye for an eye reference is to the Old Testament and the nation of Israel where personal rights were protected by a divinely established system of retribution. The purpose of God's appointment of "retribution politics" to the community was to eradicate evil among the chosen nation.
What Jesus now establishes is a freedom for those who follow Him. A freedom from such personal rights and trying to cleave to both the Cross and ideologies that hope for what is in this life. In this saying of Christ we see that the commitment of the Church is not within the sphere of politics and law, but rather a community of believers who must submit to and honor the evil authorities of this world (1 Peter 2:17), willing to suffer and endure evil for the sake of the Cross. For Christ showed us that evil is not conquered with legislation but rather living out the Gospel. To suffer in actively loving our enemies is perhaps the most visible distinction between a true follower of Jesus and the broadly religious types. If we are to be despised by the world let it not be because we wave a conservative political banner, rather let us be hated by our clear representation of Christ who gave up every right and entitlement unto death for the love of those who hated Him.
We simply cannot legislate people into the body of Christ nor can we legislate away evil. Or as Pastor Dan might say, "Politics cannot fill a Gospel shaped hole." (Pastor Dan's political views may not necessarily fit my own.)

"If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people." 1 Cor. 15:19

Adherence to the Law

Matt.5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

"There is no fulfillment of the law apart from communion with God, and no communion with God apart from fulfilment of the law. To forget the first condition was the mistake of the Jews, and to forget the second the temptation of the disciples...
But the disciple had the advantage over the Pharisee in that his doing of the law is in fact perfect. How is that possible? Because between the disciples and the law stands one who has perfectly fulfilled it, one with whom they live in communion. They are faced not with a law which has never yet been fulfilled, but with one whose demands have already been satisfied. The righteousness it demands is already there, the righteousness of Jesus which submits to the cross because that is what the law demands. This righteousness is therefore not a duty owed, but a perfect and truly personal communion with God, and Jesus not only possesses this righteousness, but is himself the personal embodiment of it. He is the righteousness of the disciples. By calling them he has admitted them to partnership with himself, and made them partakers of his righteousness in its fullness...
This is where the righteousness of the disciple exceeds that of the Pharisees; it is grounded solely upon the call to fellowship with him alone who fulfils the law. Their righteousness is righteousness indeed, for from henceforth they do the will of God and fulfil the law themselves." ~D. Bonhoeffer, Ch.8 - The Righteousness of Christ, The Cost of Discipleship

“… the secret of the gospel is that we actually do more when we hear less about all we need to do for God and hear more about all that God has already done for us.” ~ Kevin DeYoung, DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed