Democracy is on the ballot and yet so many in this country don't seem to know, or care. Why is that? What drives this apathy or ambivalence to democratic norms? We see from the polling that so many of the “battleground states” seem deadlocked between a standard politician, like Kamala Harris, who, whatever other policy positions she may or may not have, believes in the rule of law and democracy, and Trump, an open authoritarian and convicted felon who tried to overturn the results of the last election he lost, who is, even now, under indictment by special counsel Jack Smith for that crime. A man who surrounds himself with criminals and the architects of Project 2025 ready to dismantle our core government functions, and someone who is clearly undergoing what appears to be rapid cognitive decline with a VP in the wings who is, perhaps, even more extreme.
So how can it be close?
There are no hard answers here, certainly not in the present, and likely not even with the more distant and “objective” lens of history. This indifference in to such an existential democratic crisis is doubtlessly multifaceted, stemming from America's status as an empire in decline, it's cannibalization the social systems constructed during the 20th century, and the continued decades-long decoupling of political activity from daily life. In the current moment, nearly all effective legislative functioning in Congress has ceased, even as calls for major political and social reforms continue for years on end.
Calls for a better healthcare system, calls for a higher minimum wage calls, calls for better gun laws, calls for stronger Environmental Protections, and calls against War. These are all issues we discuss week after week, pointing out they are supported by a super-majority of the American people. This desire for change is pitted year after year against a lack of action leaving an increasingly large number of people feeling as if democracy left them behind long ago. And so they fail to see the difference, real though it is, between this election and others.
As too often happens, elections fall to the lowest common denominator issue. This election should be about the urgent need for single-payer healthcare, we've been through a devastating pandemic after all. It should be about raising the national minimum wage to a living wage, and indexing it to inflation. It should be about reforming our energy system and metropolitan areas creating a sustainable and circular economy that works to increase the quality of life of all citizens, rather than the bottom-lines of a few. It should be about dealing with crises like the opioid epidemic and the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation everywhere from the nightclub to the classroom. It should be about reforming our border policy that treats immigrants, migrants, and refugees with the kindness and respect they deserve.
Instead, although there will be real differences between these two candidates in these policy areas, fundamentally the message of this election comes down to: “vote to save our democracy.” It’s chillingly true, but this distillation has also robbed our country of the chance to hear our leaders offer their plans for the pressing challenges facing its people. It’s a tragedy.
Still, the point stands, our democracy is on the line. So remember, democracy is not a spectator sport, you get out there and you get active in your community. Regardless of what happens at the top of the ticket, any real reforms will need a willing Senate and House, not to mention vigilant and active citizens. We will need to be prepared to come together as community and support the Democratic process. We can’t allow confusion, doubt, and apathy to strip it away from us. We need to get everyone out to vote on Election Day. Drive and bring people to the polls, and to encourage people to vote. Remember that in most states, people can vote early with either a mail-in ballot or in person.
Regardless of the outcome on November 5th we must continue to build our political and economic power as citizens. Democracies are not lost in a day, nor are they saved in one. It will take profound work to save and fix the flawed system we have, to make it properly able to address people's needs. No single election will change the dynamics already in play. Concerted and continuous effort is needed from citizens working at every level, from the local to the national, and the international, joining together to solve these problems to wrest power back from the donor class and into the hands of the people. So join us each Tuesday in growing solidarity, to make sure our governments can respond to the profound challenges ahead to the benefit of us all.
Don't shop on Tuesday
Comentarios