Barbara. When I have been manipulated into feeling powerless or terrified…and it has happened to me a few times… the event does not last. Because the threat has been manufactured and is really a bag of hot, stinking air. I am not disrespecting your feeling. In fact, I am disgusted and ashamed of an American political party elected to serve its constituents that so openly defies that oath of office and resorts to terrorism through defiance of our legal system.
My creed is it’s OK and understandable even to be afraid…feeling apprehension, reluctance, unhappiness. However, I am not scared. If Mo Brooks was standing in front of me spluttering about dirty Dems, he’d turn his treasonous tail after getting a few choice words from me. And I will poke a hole in their illegitimacy every chance I get.
Millions of Americans now have alternate facts, and they are running for local offices, and winning. They are taking over mayoral, school board, and city council seats, and we are powerless to stop them. And it's not the Dem base who are letting this happen, it's the 50% of Americans who never vote, and cannot be swayed to vote, no matter what. I for one am terrified.
I agree, however is it not worth exploring why some people never vote? You suggest people cannot be swayed and I think we should understand why this is the case.
I think about this from the perspective of living in South Carolina a solid red state. I've lived here for 30+ years and it is a rare election that my chosen candidate wins. My presidential, congressional and senatorial choices very rarely win. Never has my presidential candidate won. Same with Senate candidate, and only in one congressional race did my Democratic candidate win. What's more interesting is that the Republican often wins by a relatively narrow margin. The system of 'winner take all' negates the meaning of margin of victory. It's frustrating to realize that the victor who receives 51% of the vote completely undermines the will of the 49%. If there was proportional voting and no gerrymandering, Democrats would win or be extremely competitive in most races. We know now in modern day politics, the Electoral College favors a well positioned minority over the will of the majority. The Electoral College is not the hallmark of a democracy.
Republicans choose hot button issues and will go to any length to demonize the Democrats over these issues. Most of the time they misrepresent and lie about the Democrat's positions, but this doesn't matter to a hot button voter because they will believe what they want to believe. I cannot overemphasize the power of characterizing a hot button issue as them against us. Republicans realize that a political race is not decided in a court of law. Facts and evidence are immaterial. They lie to suit their needs. Democrats as a rule approach elections like they will be decided by a fair and impartial jury. They think truth and facts will win the day. It rarely does!
In a red state, politics is akin to religion. Republicans don't just join the party and attend rallies. A rally is like a coming to Christ moment where people passionately pledge fidelity to the candidate and the CAUSE (Trump and the Big Lie.) I think church congregations are divided as much by religious beliefs as political beliefs. Social gatherings are generally organized by political affiliation. You quickly learn where you're welcome and where you're not. People are polite and cordial to your face but if you scratch the surface, you discover their true feelings. This is particularly true between different races. Consider this - it was in the interest of Republicans to keep their flocks united in cause by ignoring and criticizing bans on social distancing. Social interaction is another key to Republican success. This is another dynamic Democrats don't fully utilize. People like to belong and feel included in common cause.
So, when I think about the people who don't vote, I wonder if it is because 1) they don't believe their vote will ever count; and 2) life is challenging enough that there is nothing to be gained by constructing barriers with certain members of society, especially when most of the power in a red state rests with Republicans. There is a lot of going along to get along.
Sad but true, the best way to get out the vote is focus on hot button items that people passionately care about. The "Big Tent" party has not been successful in this regard over the 40 years. They have not made the case and they have not brought home the bacon. Tens of millions of past union members have not forgotten how they were abandoned by the Democrats. Highly educated young people loaded with student debt are struggling and Democrats have not embraced their plight. People of color are still fighting for equality.
Republicans have really gone off the rails and have given Democrats several hot button items which Democrats should be using to persecute and crush the Republican Party. Strong language, yes but again characterizing them against us is fundamental to attracting and commanding loyalty to a cause. There never has been a better time for the Democratic Party to refine their message and hammer it home.
This is a long comment addressing the concerns you raised, Holly. I would like to get feedback because I know I don't have all the answers.
You touch on many disparate causes of voter “apathy”, and many of them are correct. But I think the behavior of voters can be expanded beyond what you have listed. Fear. That fear cuts in two directions. it not only weighs down voters who must conform to survive, it also arms extremists to riot due to misinformation being sold as truth. We are close to becoming WWI soldiers in trenches on both side. Not being able to safely put our heads up and see what’s going on, we retreat to our respective muddy trenches. There we can have intense conversations that reinforce our fear of the “others” just as they are reinforcing their fears about us. This takes us into our most primitive mind, no matter how “civilized” we think ourselves. “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself” is the only medicine that works and those of us on the side of democracy must take double doses of that medicine. Then we must do our best to see to it that the medicine is readily available to everyone. This is a long war. It will be just as hard as the COVID epidemic and then some.
That’s a lot of mixed metaphors, but that’s my diagnosis. We must all muddle on.
I think there is a degree of fear for those who think it is better to go along, to get along. Personal experiences of course dictate your thoughts and actions. Being the outlier as a Democrat in a Republican controlled state is obviously harder than being in a state controlled by Democrats. There is, as you say, an element of fear and intimidation, especially for people of color who instinctively know they are not welcomed.
Yes! And this really caught my attention, only because it reminds me how “unique” TFG was as a president. “Republicans don't just join the party and attend rallies. A rally is like a coming to Christ moment where people passionately pledge fidelity to the candidate and the CAUSE (Trump and the Big Lie.) I think church congregations are divided as much by religious beliefs as political beliefs”
TFG never stopped holding rallies, all through his presidency he was running for the next election. I remember thinking about the WW2 newsreels of huge crowds raising their collective voices and straight arm salutes. Trump rallies strategically placed women and POC behind his “dais” so the viewers not only saw the huge crowds but that he was a leader for “everyone.” Often the seemingly insignificant details are not insignificant. He was not a president. Dais: for kings and the master: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dais
TFG rallies were spectacles and at least in the beginning were standing room only. People caravanned across states to bear witness.
You make really great points and I keep saying it this is far more effective in getting out the vote than knocking on doors or sending out postcards/mailers. People are attracted to pageantries and extravaganzas. I mean talk about the party faithful.
Trump reminds me of Elmer Gantry who was an immoral, dishonest grifter and conman. The movie bears watching from time to time.
Heart button isn't working at the moment. I appreciate your thoughtful comment, especially as I live in a red pocket of a blue region, which affects local races rather than national ones. I don't have answers either. I have on occasion shared the apathy of "my vote doesn't matter," but I've never let it stop me from voting. When I think about why that is, I think about my parents setting the example of always voting and working at the polls plus American government classes in 8th and 12th grades. We just took it for granted that we'd register as soon as we turned 21 (the magic age in those days in California) and that we'd exercise our right to vote.
Same here. And I’m not sure what our next move is to confront and combat this. I am hopeful that democracy activist groups, like Indivisible will step in and give us some guidance. It is terrifying to think that organizing the vote is not the way to effect change in our country.
Indivisible stepped in when Trump was elected and they are still at work — as are thousands of others (if to millions). Don’t give fear a permanent place in your heart.
Millions of Americans now have the unvarnished truth and plethora of facts, and they are running for local offices, and continue to win. They have been fairly elected to mayoral, school board, and city and commissioner seats, and do not have to lie or overturn anything. We are as powerful as the truth we stand by. We will marshal forces and Americans in massive numbers will sway and sashay to the polls to vote. No matter what. To stand for democracy. We the People. All of us this time. I, for one, have complete faith in our efforts.
powerless? why powerless? Why are they more motivated than those for whom facts as we previously defined them (verifiable, you know) still matter? The alternate fact fringe is not a majority, but they can win if they are the majority of those who show up to vote.
Glad to know it’s ok to feel afraid, been my condition for decades. Still I plod on, feeling that evil is gaining. And I thought W/Dickie was as evil as they got.
I can't remember the song, but it was about a 15 year old boy fighting alongside an older soldier in the Civil War - and I've never forgotten the line the older soldier said about him "I never knew how brave he was, til' I saw how scared he was".
When I would go to my Dad with some problem (most likely whining and being a victim) he would hear me out. Then he would tell me to "get my Irish up" and go do something about the problem.
I recommend we "get our Irish up" and find our own particular way to fight back. I would imagine many heroes throughout history were terrified.
Come to think about it, I’d prefer an encounter with Cleta Mitchell. As she asked me to be a election official, after my posing as a Republican leaning Independent. I’d give her a thrashing she’d never forget. She is a disgrace and in the same club as Stefanik.
We all would. However there aren't enough hours in the day to confront all the scoundrels, liars, sociopaths and/or traitors on the political scene at this time. And this includes the media.
Barbara, I have been an environmental activist for most of the last 50 years. Powerless and terrified are quite familiar feelings. My suggestion is for you to consider doing something to promote voting in the 2022 election. For me, reducing anxiety comes from taking action. Here are a few suggestions.
Write postcards to voters. There are many organizations that offer this. I offer three ideas and invite anyone reading this to pile onto this list:
After I lost my husband in 2020, I couldn't stand the thought of talking with people about politics so I wrote postcards last year and felt like I had done something of value. It relieved my sense of angst too.
One more suggestion of things to do is to join an organization that works to ensure free and fair elections. I joined my local League of Women Voters and just in the first few months of membership, have learned a lot about what's happening here in Minnesota and what to do about it. Another group that has been great is The Union, an offshoot of the Lincoln Project: https://jointheunion.us/ They have lots of ideas about boycotts of corporations that are supporting insurrectionist politicians, ideas about how to communicate the many great accomplishments of President Biden and the Democrats and much more. If you need ideas and can either write a letter or make a phone call once in a while, it might be worth your while to join.
Finally, I've joined my local Democrats in my state Senate/House district. I can't attend many meetings but I read the notes and take action where and when I am able to do so.
Tomorrow, I will be working with a team of 21 others to get out the vote here in our district. It isn't work that I enjoy - 50 plus years of doing that stuff means I'm a little toasty at the edges and sometimes have trouble keeping my temper. But I've worked back up to being able to talk with folks about politics and therefore, will take action because I can - and because I know that, as President Kennedy often said; "From those to whom much is given, much is required." I am blessed with a tolerance for and an ability to talk smack about politics. Therefore, I'm required to do what I can - and working to get out the vote is critical this year.
Whatever you can do, do it. Reading HCR is critical. If you can add on a task or two, do it. And know that you are not alone. We The People. All Of Us This Time!!
Sheila, bless you! I have been fighting the fight for over 50 years also. Keep the faith, as they used to say. Like JFK said to us “Ask not what we can do for you. Ask what you can do for this country.” Fight FIght FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS! VOTE, our lives literally depend on it!
😎 Thank you Marlene for your commitment! As you say, vote! And help to get out the vote. (And recruit some younger folks to pick up the banner and carry on. Getting old is hard enough work, lol.
Sheila, I don't have your decades of experience. But I was, for about three years, fervently writing postcards for Postcards to Voters. Those cards helped win important elections. But when you know that election boards in swing states (and not swing states) are being filled with Republican partisans and all the related horrors that Heather enumerated here, it's much harder to find the hope and energy it takes to write those cards. I'm still doing it, but I have to tell myself that there will be people fighting on the side of right to get those votes heard. However, the thought of those protracted fights, the likely violence that will go along with them, and the not unreasonable chance that we will still become, in effect, a one-party state after the 2022 elections, makes the usual ways we fight for democracy feel much less effective.
Yes ,I am with you on this. The more I read on this the more frightened that I am that even if millions of voters come out to vote for Democrats , that the thievery of Republicans and their”election officials” will make it impossible for Dems to win. This really has gone beyond terrifying.
This Republican “election officials” idea is not only scary; it is traitorous. These people are the spawn of the traitorous Confederacy. Being from NC, I grew up thinking the Civil War and people like Robert E. Lee were just “complicated.” Lee was a traitor, plain and simple. These Republicans are traitors too.
Fellow North Carolinian here going to work the polls in a red district in Nov. Not my first go round but it definitely is in this poisonous atmosphere. The audacity of so many to believe such a bunch of bald face hooey is mind blowing. And to beat it all, they seem to be quite proud of believing it.
Thank you. We’ll see how it goes. As long as I’m not the registrar or judge, I’ll be fine I think. If we can continue electing Democratic governors this state will be ok.
Agreed. So now the real need is to do something about it. While the exposure of the outrageous "legal" maneuvers performed by the fascists in our midst dominate the headlines, they can only be addressed within the twists and turns of the legal process, which is a wheel that grinds exceedingly slowly.
In the meantime, we're only 5 months away from what may be the most important midterm elections of our lifetime, which can only be won in hundreds of local "ground wars" in potential swing districts. The time for like-minded individuals to begin organizing these efforts is now. Maybe it would help if all these local groups call themselves "The Heathers".
You might Google LWVUS, I belong to Maine’s group. Lots to do, is already organized, needs more good men and women to work for democracy. Some projects: vote411 the voter guide, studying universal vote by mail, defending women’s rights, one person one vote, registering voters, holding forums, developing legislation including making it a crime to interfere at a polling site, voter education, youth engagement and so forth.
My mother, b.1900, was a charter member of LWV.. My father joined as soon as men were let in. Both were active members and citizens until they died in the early '90s. As he would say to us now - Carry on.
Humans have been settling their political differences with violence for millennia. We would have an uneasy peace when there was a balance of power, and war when there was not.
The U.S. Constitution and the government it created was an attempt to offer an alternative (at least for domestic conflicts) to this endless cycle – to substitute reason for primal emotion, the rule of law for raw power, and rational debate for violence. By mutual agreement, ideological differences were to be decided by the will of the majority in democratic elections, with the vanquished minority ceding power peacefully to the victorious majority, while retaining all rights to continue the battle in the next election. The U.S. was by no means the world’s first democracy, but it was arguably the first to envision participation by all classes, rather than restricting it to moneyed aristocrats.
It has been marginally successful at avoiding civil bloodshed, save for the obvious exception of the Civil War, when the South, infuriated that the will of the majority of the United States of America would not acquiesce to the chattel slavery of Black people, seceded, formed the Confederacy and waged an ultimately unsuccessful war that cost hundreds of thousands of lost lives on both sides.
The only thing that keeps us from each other’s throats is our dedication to the Constitution and the will of the people. When either side is disloyal to that dedication, we inch towards civil war.
When the Republicans upset the balance the of power by gerrymandering districts, we took a step towards civil war.
When the Republicans sought to disenfranchise those who would likely oppose them at the ballot, we took a step towards civil war.
When Mitch McConnell denied Barack Obama an appointment to the Supreme Court, we took a step towards civil war.
When Trump and his cronies failed to accept the results of a free and fair election that they had lost, and sowed distrust of the electoral system with unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, we took a step towards civil war.
When Trump and his cronies failed to peacefully transfer power to the incoming duly elected president, we took a giant step towards civil war.
We know from history that when we fail to dedicate ourselves to the Constitution and the rule of law, when the will of the majority of the governed is thwarted, civil war is inevitable.
MLK said, “You know my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression. There comes a time my friends, when people get tired of being plunged across the abyss of humiliation, where they experience the bleakness of nagging despair. There comes a time when people get tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight of life's July and left standing amid the piercing chill of an alpine November. There comes a time.”
Simply brilliant, Frank! We are in a major civil war and how shameful is that? The Pro-Rape party threw their hoods off and revealed their ugliness to us in real time. We have every single thing they have done on digital video and now the January 6th Committee has them as well as documents. MLK’s statement of “people get tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight…”, well that’s us. We tired, frustrated, angry at the Pro-Rape party adeptness to manipulate our nation. The rich and powerful must be brought to their knees and stripped naked before us. Let’s use whatever weapons we possess, such as marching, calling, and writing without killing machines.
Let us do it in droves of all colors, shapes, and sizes, of our nation.
League of Women Voters is doing election poll observer training and recruiting poll observers. I have to say I am worried for poll workers and the potential for violence. I will do observing in the fall election.
I agree, Jennifer. I am worried for the poll workers and voters here in Georgia, where Republican lawmakers passed a concealed carry law- (disgustingly called “constitutional carry”). Anyone in the state -21 and over- can carry a gun anywhere without a permit.
Our idiot governor says : “People don’t have to carry if they don’t want to,” he told reporters. “But this is a constitutional authority that people have, and they certainly shouldn’t have a piece of paper from the government to be able to legally carry a weapon.”
I have thought to myself that I would not at all be surprised of gun violence at a polling place. Of course, it's everywhere now so I guess that is a no brainer.
California has had mail-in ballots for many years. It works beautifully and that is what upsets the Pro-Rape party. CA also does not allow poll workers to be observed. Grateful to be living in this state, even with all of our outrageous gas prices at over $6 a gallon. That’s another story for another time. (Sigh)
how do I volunteer? Just moved into a red-turning-blue district. I was a poll worker in my old district, but happy to hang around a poll in a Blue shirt...
You can google LWV and start looking at all the info. States each have LWV too. I am in Maine, so LWVME. Go to your state and ask about becoming an observer. Become a member. You’ll be a natural after being a poll worker.
Citizens, republican or Democrat, will not sit idly by while some "party" tries to manipulate our election(s). Are we still that naive? We surely were in 2016. But, to think one party will salt down elections across our nation without committing acts so blatantly wrong (fraudulent) within themselves as to not attract overwhelming attention from starving lawyers is ludicrous. The fear that the big Arse hissef will create an "army" sans 'defectors' ....hahahaa. Think again. This fine "Letter" by HCR is not alone. There are others. My point being, this whole country is awash in 'headline journalism', but many are turning to page 44 to read "the rest of the story". We have before us, not a problem..., but an Opportunity to Excell. Let's hit it.
I understand your need to be enlightened, Meg. But, I have race motors to put together, big lawn to mow, races to commit to (or cx from due to distance & diesel), student pilots to teach, and a summer that is way too short. I get up at 0430 just to read HCR. I often spend way too much time (probably like you) creating the comments I post. If you're 79 like me you've had a ton of life experiences to work from. I've enjoyed typing these 5 run-on sentences without answering one iota of my rationale other than sentence 5. I'm much too wordy and may type things which you would take exception to (which I am open to). Gotta go. We'll see.
Don't disengage. Evil men succeed when good men remain silent. These people are serial failures. They've lost every single effort to derail the committee and the DOJ hurricane that's coming for them. Keep fighting.
Feeling powerless and terrified by this information.
Barbara. When I have been manipulated into feeling powerless or terrified…and it has happened to me a few times… the event does not last. Because the threat has been manufactured and is really a bag of hot, stinking air. I am not disrespecting your feeling. In fact, I am disgusted and ashamed of an American political party elected to serve its constituents that so openly defies that oath of office and resorts to terrorism through defiance of our legal system.
My creed is it’s OK and understandable even to be afraid…feeling apprehension, reluctance, unhappiness. However, I am not scared. If Mo Brooks was standing in front of me spluttering about dirty Dems, he’d turn his treasonous tail after getting a few choice words from me. And I will poke a hole in their illegitimacy every chance I get.
United!
Millions of Americans now have alternate facts, and they are running for local offices, and winning. They are taking over mayoral, school board, and city council seats, and we are powerless to stop them. And it's not the Dem base who are letting this happen, it's the 50% of Americans who never vote, and cannot be swayed to vote, no matter what. I for one am terrified.
I agree, however is it not worth exploring why some people never vote? You suggest people cannot be swayed and I think we should understand why this is the case.
I think about this from the perspective of living in South Carolina a solid red state. I've lived here for 30+ years and it is a rare election that my chosen candidate wins. My presidential, congressional and senatorial choices very rarely win. Never has my presidential candidate won. Same with Senate candidate, and only in one congressional race did my Democratic candidate win. What's more interesting is that the Republican often wins by a relatively narrow margin. The system of 'winner take all' negates the meaning of margin of victory. It's frustrating to realize that the victor who receives 51% of the vote completely undermines the will of the 49%. If there was proportional voting and no gerrymandering, Democrats would win or be extremely competitive in most races. We know now in modern day politics, the Electoral College favors a well positioned minority over the will of the majority. The Electoral College is not the hallmark of a democracy.
Republicans choose hot button issues and will go to any length to demonize the Democrats over these issues. Most of the time they misrepresent and lie about the Democrat's positions, but this doesn't matter to a hot button voter because they will believe what they want to believe. I cannot overemphasize the power of characterizing a hot button issue as them against us. Republicans realize that a political race is not decided in a court of law. Facts and evidence are immaterial. They lie to suit their needs. Democrats as a rule approach elections like they will be decided by a fair and impartial jury. They think truth and facts will win the day. It rarely does!
In a red state, politics is akin to religion. Republicans don't just join the party and attend rallies. A rally is like a coming to Christ moment where people passionately pledge fidelity to the candidate and the CAUSE (Trump and the Big Lie.) I think church congregations are divided as much by religious beliefs as political beliefs. Social gatherings are generally organized by political affiliation. You quickly learn where you're welcome and where you're not. People are polite and cordial to your face but if you scratch the surface, you discover their true feelings. This is particularly true between different races. Consider this - it was in the interest of Republicans to keep their flocks united in cause by ignoring and criticizing bans on social distancing. Social interaction is another key to Republican success. This is another dynamic Democrats don't fully utilize. People like to belong and feel included in common cause.
So, when I think about the people who don't vote, I wonder if it is because 1) they don't believe their vote will ever count; and 2) life is challenging enough that there is nothing to be gained by constructing barriers with certain members of society, especially when most of the power in a red state rests with Republicans. There is a lot of going along to get along.
Sad but true, the best way to get out the vote is focus on hot button items that people passionately care about. The "Big Tent" party has not been successful in this regard over the 40 years. They have not made the case and they have not brought home the bacon. Tens of millions of past union members have not forgotten how they were abandoned by the Democrats. Highly educated young people loaded with student debt are struggling and Democrats have not embraced their plight. People of color are still fighting for equality.
Republicans have really gone off the rails and have given Democrats several hot button items which Democrats should be using to persecute and crush the Republican Party. Strong language, yes but again characterizing them against us is fundamental to attracting and commanding loyalty to a cause. There never has been a better time for the Democratic Party to refine their message and hammer it home.
This is a long comment addressing the concerns you raised, Holly. I would like to get feedback because I know I don't have all the answers.
You touch on many disparate causes of voter “apathy”, and many of them are correct. But I think the behavior of voters can be expanded beyond what you have listed. Fear. That fear cuts in two directions. it not only weighs down voters who must conform to survive, it also arms extremists to riot due to misinformation being sold as truth. We are close to becoming WWI soldiers in trenches on both side. Not being able to safely put our heads up and see what’s going on, we retreat to our respective muddy trenches. There we can have intense conversations that reinforce our fear of the “others” just as they are reinforcing their fears about us. This takes us into our most primitive mind, no matter how “civilized” we think ourselves. “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself” is the only medicine that works and those of us on the side of democracy must take double doses of that medicine. Then we must do our best to see to it that the medicine is readily available to everyone. This is a long war. It will be just as hard as the COVID epidemic and then some.
That’s a lot of mixed metaphors, but that’s my diagnosis. We must all muddle on.
I think there is a degree of fear for those who think it is better to go along, to get along. Personal experiences of course dictate your thoughts and actions. Being the outlier as a Democrat in a Republican controlled state is obviously harder than being in a state controlled by Democrats. There is, as you say, an element of fear and intimidation, especially for people of color who instinctively know they are not welcomed.
Yes! And this really caught my attention, only because it reminds me how “unique” TFG was as a president. “Republicans don't just join the party and attend rallies. A rally is like a coming to Christ moment where people passionately pledge fidelity to the candidate and the CAUSE (Trump and the Big Lie.) I think church congregations are divided as much by religious beliefs as political beliefs”
TFG never stopped holding rallies, all through his presidency he was running for the next election. I remember thinking about the WW2 newsreels of huge crowds raising their collective voices and straight arm salutes. Trump rallies strategically placed women and POC behind his “dais” so the viewers not only saw the huge crowds but that he was a leader for “everyone.” Often the seemingly insignificant details are not insignificant. He was not a president. Dais: for kings and the master: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dais
TFG rallies were spectacles and at least in the beginning were standing room only. People caravanned across states to bear witness.
You make really great points and I keep saying it this is far more effective in getting out the vote than knocking on doors or sending out postcards/mailers. People are attracted to pageantries and extravaganzas. I mean talk about the party faithful.
Trump reminds me of Elmer Gantry who was an immoral, dishonest grifter and conman. The movie bears watching from time to time.
Yes!
Heart button isn't working at the moment. I appreciate your thoughtful comment, especially as I live in a red pocket of a blue region, which affects local races rather than national ones. I don't have answers either. I have on occasion shared the apathy of "my vote doesn't matter," but I've never let it stop me from voting. When I think about why that is, I think about my parents setting the example of always voting and working at the polls plus American government classes in 8th and 12th grades. We just took it for granted that we'd register as soon as we turned 21 (the magic age in those days in California) and that we'd exercise our right to vote.
Same here. And I’m not sure what our next move is to confront and combat this. I am hopeful that democracy activist groups, like Indivisible will step in and give us some guidance. It is terrifying to think that organizing the vote is not the way to effect change in our country.
Indivisible stepped in when Trump was elected and they are still at work — as are thousands of others (if to millions). Don’t give fear a permanent place in your heart.
I feel differently, Holly.
Millions of Americans now have the unvarnished truth and plethora of facts, and they are running for local offices, and continue to win. They have been fairly elected to mayoral, school board, and city and commissioner seats, and do not have to lie or overturn anything. We are as powerful as the truth we stand by. We will marshal forces and Americans in massive numbers will sway and sashay to the polls to vote. No matter what. To stand for democracy. We the People. All of us this time. I, for one, have complete faith in our efforts.
Salud.
powerless? why powerless? Why are they more motivated than those for whom facts as we previously defined them (verifiable, you know) still matter? The alternate fact fringe is not a majority, but they can win if they are the majority of those who show up to vote.
Glad to know it’s ok to feel afraid, been my condition for decades. Still I plod on, feeling that evil is gaining. And I thought W/Dickie was as evil as they got.
Dickie was a piker in comparison to what is going on now
The reality of the situation, as pointed out in this letter, is quite scary. Denial will not make it go away.
If someone told me Jeri Chilcutt was a scairdy cat, I’d guffaw and splutter.
You are a warrior, plain and simple, Jeri.
A warrior is one who can "feel the fear and do the mission anyway". Jeri is a warrior.
Salud
Morning, Christine, and I agree about Jeri. No scaredy cat there.
Morning, Pam.
Unita!
I can't remember the song, but it was about a 15 year old boy fighting alongside an older soldier in the Civil War - and I've never forgotten the line the older soldier said about him "I never knew how brave he was, til' I saw how scared he was".
I hope that helps
"The threat has been manufactured," and other fine things said by my fine friend, Christine...
The threat in Germany in the 30s was manufactured, too.
Yes it was, Holly. I am the daughter of Holocaust victims.
When I would go to my Dad with some problem (most likely whining and being a victim) he would hear me out. Then he would tell me to "get my Irish up" and go do something about the problem.
I recommend we "get our Irish up" and find our own particular way to fight back. I would imagine many heroes throughout history were terrified.
We should all think of the job that V. Zelenskyy has had thrust upon him!
I follow the lawyer and MSNBC occasional commentator John Flannery, who often gets his Irish up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR35YMTqYgI
Remember that the only way they win is to lie. And stand up for the truth.
Hi Christine -
I too am terrified yet mustering the courage, the patriotic fortitude, to square off against the lies and liars.
We will not go silently.
Come to think about it, I’d prefer an encounter with Cleta Mitchell. As she asked me to be a election official, after my posing as a Republican leaning Independent. I’d give her a thrashing she’d never forget. She is a disgrace and in the same club as Stefanik.
We all would. However there aren't enough hours in the day to confront all the scoundrels, liars, sociopaths and/or traitors on the political scene at this time. And this includes the media.
Barbara, I have been an environmental activist for most of the last 50 years. Powerless and terrified are quite familiar feelings. My suggestion is for you to consider doing something to promote voting in the 2022 election. For me, reducing anxiety comes from taking action. Here are a few suggestions.
Write postcards to voters. There are many organizations that offer this. I offer three ideas and invite anyone reading this to pile onto this list:
Postcards to Voters: https://postcardstovoters.org/
Postcards to Swing States: https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
Field Team 6: https://www.fieldteam6.org/
After I lost my husband in 2020, I couldn't stand the thought of talking with people about politics so I wrote postcards last year and felt like I had done something of value. It relieved my sense of angst too.
One more suggestion of things to do is to join an organization that works to ensure free and fair elections. I joined my local League of Women Voters and just in the first few months of membership, have learned a lot about what's happening here in Minnesota and what to do about it. Another group that has been great is The Union, an offshoot of the Lincoln Project: https://jointheunion.us/ They have lots of ideas about boycotts of corporations that are supporting insurrectionist politicians, ideas about how to communicate the many great accomplishments of President Biden and the Democrats and much more. If you need ideas and can either write a letter or make a phone call once in a while, it might be worth your while to join.
Finally, I've joined my local Democrats in my state Senate/House district. I can't attend many meetings but I read the notes and take action where and when I am able to do so.
Tomorrow, I will be working with a team of 21 others to get out the vote here in our district. It isn't work that I enjoy - 50 plus years of doing that stuff means I'm a little toasty at the edges and sometimes have trouble keeping my temper. But I've worked back up to being able to talk with folks about politics and therefore, will take action because I can - and because I know that, as President Kennedy often said; "From those to whom much is given, much is required." I am blessed with a tolerance for and an ability to talk smack about politics. Therefore, I'm required to do what I can - and working to get out the vote is critical this year.
Whatever you can do, do it. Reading HCR is critical. If you can add on a task or two, do it. And know that you are not alone. We The People. All Of Us This Time!!
Sheila, bless you! I have been fighting the fight for over 50 years also. Keep the faith, as they used to say. Like JFK said to us “Ask not what we can do for you. Ask what you can do for this country.” Fight FIght FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS! VOTE, our lives literally depend on it!
😎 Thank you Marlene for your commitment! As you say, vote! And help to get out the vote. (And recruit some younger folks to pick up the banner and carry on. Getting old is hard enough work, lol.
No shit, Sheila!
Thank you! You've inspired me.
Sheila, I don't have your decades of experience. But I was, for about three years, fervently writing postcards for Postcards to Voters. Those cards helped win important elections. But when you know that election boards in swing states (and not swing states) are being filled with Republican partisans and all the related horrors that Heather enumerated here, it's much harder to find the hope and energy it takes to write those cards. I'm still doing it, but I have to tell myself that there will be people fighting on the side of right to get those votes heard. However, the thought of those protracted fights, the likely violence that will go along with them, and the not unreasonable chance that we will still become, in effect, a one-party state after the 2022 elections, makes the usual ways we fight for democracy feel much less effective.
Yes ,I am with you on this. The more I read on this the more frightened that I am that even if millions of voters come out to vote for Democrats , that the thievery of Republicans and their”election officials” will make it impossible for Dems to win. This really has gone beyond terrifying.
This Republican “election officials” idea is not only scary; it is traitorous. These people are the spawn of the traitorous Confederacy. Being from NC, I grew up thinking the Civil War and people like Robert E. Lee were just “complicated.” Lee was a traitor, plain and simple. These Republicans are traitors too.
Fellow North Carolinian here going to work the polls in a red district in Nov. Not my first go round but it definitely is in this poisonous atmosphere. The audacity of so many to believe such a bunch of bald face hooey is mind blowing. And to beat it all, they seem to be quite proud of believing it.
Former North Carolinian here…my hat is off to you, Sarah! Be safe!
Thank you. We’ll see how it goes. As long as I’m not the registrar or judge, I’ll be fine I think. If we can continue electing Democratic governors this state will be ok.
The cat is out of the bag so to speak. We know the enemy, what they are doing and can counteract it. There are more of us than them. And we will win.
Remember HCR's Letter on Senator Chase Smith? McCarthy's reign of terror was eventually taken down.
Agreed. So now the real need is to do something about it. While the exposure of the outrageous "legal" maneuvers performed by the fascists in our midst dominate the headlines, they can only be addressed within the twists and turns of the legal process, which is a wheel that grinds exceedingly slowly.
In the meantime, we're only 5 months away from what may be the most important midterm elections of our lifetime, which can only be won in hundreds of local "ground wars" in potential swing districts. The time for like-minded individuals to begin organizing these efforts is now. Maybe it would help if all these local groups call themselves "The Heathers".
You might Google LWVUS, I belong to Maine’s group. Lots to do, is already organized, needs more good men and women to work for democracy. Some projects: vote411 the voter guide, studying universal vote by mail, defending women’s rights, one person one vote, registering voters, holding forums, developing legislation including making it a crime to interfere at a polling site, voter education, youth engagement and so forth.
I am a member of LWV in Michigan. Note to all men can join also,
My mother, b.1900, was a charter member of LWV.. My father joined as soon as men were let in. Both were active members and citizens until they died in the early '90s. As he would say to us now - Carry on.
I think your terror is entirely justified.
Humans have been settling their political differences with violence for millennia. We would have an uneasy peace when there was a balance of power, and war when there was not.
The U.S. Constitution and the government it created was an attempt to offer an alternative (at least for domestic conflicts) to this endless cycle – to substitute reason for primal emotion, the rule of law for raw power, and rational debate for violence. By mutual agreement, ideological differences were to be decided by the will of the majority in democratic elections, with the vanquished minority ceding power peacefully to the victorious majority, while retaining all rights to continue the battle in the next election. The U.S. was by no means the world’s first democracy, but it was arguably the first to envision participation by all classes, rather than restricting it to moneyed aristocrats.
It has been marginally successful at avoiding civil bloodshed, save for the obvious exception of the Civil War, when the South, infuriated that the will of the majority of the United States of America would not acquiesce to the chattel slavery of Black people, seceded, formed the Confederacy and waged an ultimately unsuccessful war that cost hundreds of thousands of lost lives on both sides.
The only thing that keeps us from each other’s throats is our dedication to the Constitution and the will of the people. When either side is disloyal to that dedication, we inch towards civil war.
When the Republicans upset the balance the of power by gerrymandering districts, we took a step towards civil war.
When the Republicans sought to disenfranchise those who would likely oppose them at the ballot, we took a step towards civil war.
When Mitch McConnell denied Barack Obama an appointment to the Supreme Court, we took a step towards civil war.
When Trump and his cronies failed to accept the results of a free and fair election that they had lost, and sowed distrust of the electoral system with unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, we took a step towards civil war.
When Trump and his cronies failed to peacefully transfer power to the incoming duly elected president, we took a giant step towards civil war.
We know from history that when we fail to dedicate ourselves to the Constitution and the rule of law, when the will of the majority of the governed is thwarted, civil war is inevitable.
MLK said, “You know my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being trampled by the iron feet of oppression. There comes a time my friends, when people get tired of being plunged across the abyss of humiliation, where they experience the bleakness of nagging despair. There comes a time when people get tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight of life's July and left standing amid the piercing chill of an alpine November. There comes a time.”
I fear that time has come.
Simply brilliant, Frank! We are in a major civil war and how shameful is that? The Pro-Rape party threw their hoods off and revealed their ugliness to us in real time. We have every single thing they have done on digital video and now the January 6th Committee has them as well as documents. MLK’s statement of “people get tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight…”, well that’s us. We tired, frustrated, angry at the Pro-Rape party adeptness to manipulate our nation. The rich and powerful must be brought to their knees and stripped naked before us. Let’s use whatever weapons we possess, such as marching, calling, and writing without killing machines.
Let us do it in droves of all colors, shapes, and sizes, of our nation.
Well said.
That's how people who try to manipulate folks want you to feel.
League of Women Voters is doing election poll observer training and recruiting poll observers. I have to say I am worried for poll workers and the potential for violence. I will do observing in the fall election.
I agree, Jennifer. I am worried for the poll workers and voters here in Georgia, where Republican lawmakers passed a concealed carry law- (disgustingly called “constitutional carry”). Anyone in the state -21 and over- can carry a gun anywhere without a permit.
Our idiot governor says : “People don’t have to carry if they don’t want to,” he told reporters. “But this is a constitutional authority that people have, and they certainly shouldn’t have a piece of paper from the government to be able to legally carry a weapon.”
Stacey - get that cretin out of that office!! Come on gurl!!
You are the sort of person we truly need...grassroots, ethical, and courageous.
Thank you, Hope. There are many of us, and hopefully as people grasp that the very soul of our country is at stake, there will soon be more.
I have thought to myself that I would not at all be surprised of gun violence at a polling place. Of course, it's everywhere now so I guess that is a no brainer.
It's enough to request mail-in ballots for everyone as in Oregon. et al.
California has had mail-in ballots for many years. It works beautifully and that is what upsets the Pro-Rape party. CA also does not allow poll workers to be observed. Grateful to be living in this state, even with all of our outrageous gas prices at over $6 a gallon. That’s another story for another time. (Sigh)
how do I volunteer? Just moved into a red-turning-blue district. I was a poll worker in my old district, but happy to hang around a poll in a Blue shirt...
You can google LWV and start looking at all the info. States each have LWV too. I am in Maine, so LWVME. Go to your state and ask about becoming an observer. Become a member. You’ll be a natural after being a poll worker.
Citizens, republican or Democrat, will not sit idly by while some "party" tries to manipulate our election(s). Are we still that naive? We surely were in 2016. But, to think one party will salt down elections across our nation without committing acts so blatantly wrong (fraudulent) within themselves as to not attract overwhelming attention from starving lawyers is ludicrous. The fear that the big Arse hissef will create an "army" sans 'defectors' ....hahahaa. Think again. This fine "Letter" by HCR is not alone. There are others. My point being, this whole country is awash in 'headline journalism', but many are turning to page 44 to read "the rest of the story". We have before us, not a problem..., but an Opportunity to Excell. Let's hit it.
Experience of the past 6 years has reinforced exactly what you are denying. From where are you getting this hopeful outlook?
I understand your need to be enlightened, Meg. But, I have race motors to put together, big lawn to mow, races to commit to (or cx from due to distance & diesel), student pilots to teach, and a summer that is way too short. I get up at 0430 just to read HCR. I often spend way too much time (probably like you) creating the comments I post. If you're 79 like me you've had a ton of life experiences to work from. I've enjoyed typing these 5 run-on sentences without answering one iota of my rationale other than sentence 5. I'm much too wordy and may type things which you would take exception to (which I am open to). Gotta go. We'll see.
Don't disengage. Evil men succeed when good men remain silent. These people are serial failures. They've lost every single effort to derail the committee and the DOJ hurricane that's coming for them. Keep fighting.
Thanks, Loree. Yes.
Thanks, Loree, for talking me down. I get so freaked at what is happening daily in this country.
You and me, both, Victoria. It’s hard to not get freaked out by their evil machinations.
Absolutely, Loree!