Saving Our Democracy
What I read: The future of democracy hinges on these eight midterm races by John Gallagher. Published May 10, 2022.
I’m worried. Seriously worried. I fear our country’s democracy is in peril. Many might consider that an alarmist statement. But look at the hateful legislation being passed all over the country and the recently leaked Supreme Court draft decision that could take away a woman’s right to choose. Our country is taking a dramatic turn to the right. My concerns are echoed in the article.
It's not a stretch to say that democracy itself is on the ballot as GOP candidates embrace Trumpism and authoritarianism.
Clearly there are extreme right-wing elements ready to takes us back decades by rolling back rights for women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and anyone who is not a white, heterosexual, Christian man. Everyone else is simply collateral damage for the Christian Nationalists who want our country run according to their perceived God’s rules. They are the American Taliban.
Spoiler alert: No God of love, should they exist, would endorse any of what Evangelicals and their Republican enablers are attempting to do to our country.
If you want to learn about how drastically to the radical right the Christian Evangelical movement has gone, check out this recent interview on Amanpour and Company with Kristin Du Mez, a professor at Calvin University and a historian of American Christianity.
You might want to blame Trump for all of this, but he’s been nothing more than a convenient bumbling pawn in a long chess game Evangelicals have been playing with America. They want to checkmate us all into a world that ascribes to their narrow, patriarchal, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, and racist ideology. Sure, they will portray their efforts as loving and “part of God’s plan” but their plans for most of us are horrific.
There is ultimately only one solution. We need to vote out Republicans and vote in Democrats. I know, that’s rather stark binary thinking. Some of you reading this might think the Democrats aren’t so great. You might have some valid points in that regard. But there is currently no reasoned argument that the Democrats and Republicans are more alike than different. It’s not an exaggeration that Republicans are quite willing to steal elections and implement fascist approaches to controlling others. Even with their problems, Democrats generally want what’s better for everyone, all Americans and not just a select Christian few.
What can you do?
First, visit Vote.org and register to vote if you aren’t already, and commit to voting in every election. Every single election, small or big. If you’re already registered, check your registration to make sure it’s active and current. The Vote.org site can also send you reminders about important upcoming elections in your area.
Get everyone you know to register and commit to vote too.
Second, help get out the vote. There are many ways to do that, but I’m going to promote two simple ways that anyone can do from the comfort of their couch.
Postcards to Voters are friendly, handwritten reminders from volunteers to targeted voters giving Democrats a winning edge in close, key races coast to coast.
Vote Forward facilitates the writing of letters to voters which research shows is one of the most effective ways to help increase election turnout.
Third, support the eight Democratic candidates mentioned in the article.
While every race is important, some stand out. Here are eight in particular where democracy itself can be said to be on the ballot.
To make it easy for you, here are the websites for each of the candidates mentioned or alluded to in the article. If you can volunteer to help their campaign, great, but they most definitely could use your money if you have some to spare. I’m also listing their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles should you be on those platforms. Follow them and share their content to help promote their campaigns.
Tim Ryan – Ohio U.S. Senate. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Mark Kelly – Arizona U.S. Senate. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Josh Shapiro – Pennsylvania Gubernatorial. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Tony Evers – Wisconsin Governor. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Gretchen Whitmer – Michigan Governor. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Jocelyn Benson – Michigan Secretary of State. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Greg Stanton – Arizona U.S. Congressional Fourth District. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Either Charlie Thompson (Facebook - Twitter) or Kathy Warner-Stanton (Facebook - Twitter - Instagram) – Alabama U.S. Congressional Fifth District. The primary election is May 24, 2022, and one of these people will end up the Democrat’s candidate.
As the article points out, every election is important, but these eight stand out as pivotal in the short term to ensuring that we maintain our democracy.
Let me close with championing two other great organizations working to get people to vote and ensure we elect candidates who will govern us with decency and competence. The first is When We All Vote founded by Former First Lady Michelle Obama (and others), that works to register and rally voters to the polls. The second is Swing Left that is working to build a lasting culture of grassroots participation in winning elections for the Left.
There are many other worthwhile organizations working hard to get out the vote and elect Democrats in 2022 and 2024. I urge you to seek them out if you want alternatives to the ones I’ve listed here.
It takes a village. In this case, it will take our entire country voting to ensure that we do not lose our democracy to the radical right-wing elements infecting our nation.
Lastly, please share this post among your friends and on your social networks.
You can use this link to access all my writings and social media and ways to support my work.