The headline read, “’Voting isn’t enough’: Activists rally for abortion rights.”
The accompanying article indicated that, of course, voting is important. But the major thrust was the necessity to take additional action in order to assist women needing an abortion. Because their right to one is eroding at the state and national levels.
I agree.
However, I think the more important message is lost in the article, the most significant message of our time.
Things are not going to get better about abortion rights or other issues important to us until the Republicans, a party that used to be responsible and patriotic but has morphed to autocratic goals that threaten our democracy, have been resoundingly defeated in elections.
Voting has become the most important issue. By far.
It will decide the future of our country in this year’s election. And then again in 2024.
Accomplishing this is going to be tough. President Biden has a terrible approval rating. Inflation is soaring. The party in power usually does poorly in midterm elections. Current polls are frightening.
What can be done? It will be too late very soon. After all, 39% of the electorate no longer believes in democracy.
How can we succeed? How can we get people to vote? And vote the right way? I don’t know. It seems to me neither do the experts. Especially the Democrats. I see no innovative approaches. The Democrats can’t even control both houses of Congress and the presidency and get major legislation passed. And they are not going to win by moaning about how awful the Republicans are.
Certainly, we need every possible Democratic vote. If all the terrible things happening in our country don’t motivate us all to vote, we are truly lost. Every Democrat has to be made to understand how important these next elections are to our nation. That our future depends on it
But that’s not enough. We also have to recognize we need the help of Republican voters. And that too will be difficult. While getting Democrats to vote means overcoming lethargy, getting Republicans to vote our way is a monumental challenge.
How do we accomplish that? Well, it’s time to think differently. We know the majority of our citizens support some form of abortion access, are in favor of reasonable gun safety measures, believe in some form of health care for all, desire basic rights for all individuals, and want our democracy to continue. So there must be a fair number of Republicans (and independents) thinking like this on at least some of these issues. Maybe they just need a little nudge.
Let’s appeal with united voices to them, not with hatred but rather with understanding. With questions and answers for Republicans, like the following.
My Republican friends, you are associated with a party that has a long and honorable history of support for civil rights, patriotism, and our democracy.
Consider how the current party matches up with your beliefs in the following areas.
For example, are you in favor of a woman’s right to control her own body and have access to abortion? If so, please recognize it’s the Republican leaders, not the Democrats, who want to take it away.
Do you think it’s reasonable to require anyone who buys a gun to go through a serious background check and possess a permit? Remember, the Republican leaders don’t. They are the ones who are passing permitless carry in state after state.
Are you in favor of easier access to health care? It’s the Republican leaders who want to deny it and have worked diligently over the years to kill any general approach without producing a workable plan of their own.
Are you in favor of granting rights to all citizens, including those in the Black and LGBTQ+ communities? The Republican leaders don’t and will continue to work hard to marginalize those communities in every way they can.
Do you want a small group of loudmouth parents to control the education of your child, forcing a narrow educational agenda? The Republican leaders are demonstrating over and over that that is exactly what they want.
Our country needs you to think seriously about what issues you truly believe in, and then ask if the current Republican leadership will ever align with your views.
You have a tough decision to make. Should you continue to support the party with which you’ve been associated for years? We can understand how you might not be able to stomach voting for Democrats.
Unfortunately, that may be the only way you can end the current drift of your party. You have to be willing to risk voting Democratic in order to return your party to the proud heritage it once had. If its leaders lose enough elections, they will change their tune. Especially if they know you will return if they do.
It just is too important not to take the risk. Our country is in trouble. Your core beliefs are in trouble. It will take time to reshape your party. But that may be the only way to save our democracy which more and more Republican leaders have demonstrated they don’t want to do.
Once you have reclaimed the true Republican party, return to it with pride.
Pride for your rejuvenated party.
Pride for your own brave actions to save our nation.
The vast majority of our country; Republican, Democrat, and Independent; will thank you.
The accompanying article indicated that, of course, voting is important. But the major thrust was the necessity to take additional action in order to assist women needing an abortion. Because their right to one is eroding at the state and national levels.
I agree.
However, I think the more important message is lost in the article, the most significant message of our time.
Things are not going to get better about abortion rights or other issues important to us until the Republicans, a party that used to be responsible and patriotic but has morphed to autocratic goals that threaten our democracy, have been resoundingly defeated in elections.
Voting has become the most important issue. By far.
It will decide the future of our country in this year’s election. And then again in 2024.
Accomplishing this is going to be tough. President Biden has a terrible approval rating. Inflation is soaring. The party in power usually does poorly in midterm elections. Current polls are frightening.
What can be done? It will be too late very soon. After all, 39% of the electorate no longer believes in democracy.
How can we succeed? How can we get people to vote? And vote the right way? I don’t know. It seems to me neither do the experts. Especially the Democrats. I see no innovative approaches. The Democrats can’t even control both houses of Congress and the presidency and get major legislation passed. And they are not going to win by moaning about how awful the Republicans are.
Certainly, we need every possible Democratic vote. If all the terrible things happening in our country don’t motivate us all to vote, we are truly lost. Every Democrat has to be made to understand how important these next elections are to our nation. That our future depends on it
But that’s not enough. We also have to recognize we need the help of Republican voters. And that too will be difficult. While getting Democrats to vote means overcoming lethargy, getting Republicans to vote our way is a monumental challenge.
How do we accomplish that? Well, it’s time to think differently. We know the majority of our citizens support some form of abortion access, are in favor of reasonable gun safety measures, believe in some form of health care for all, desire basic rights for all individuals, and want our democracy to continue. So there must be a fair number of Republicans (and independents) thinking like this on at least some of these issues. Maybe they just need a little nudge.
Let’s appeal with united voices to them, not with hatred but rather with understanding. With questions and answers for Republicans, like the following.
My Republican friends, you are associated with a party that has a long and honorable history of support for civil rights, patriotism, and our democracy.
Consider how the current party matches up with your beliefs in the following areas.
For example, are you in favor of a woman’s right to control her own body and have access to abortion? If so, please recognize it’s the Republican leaders, not the Democrats, who want to take it away.
Do you think it’s reasonable to require anyone who buys a gun to go through a serious background check and possess a permit? Remember, the Republican leaders don’t. They are the ones who are passing permitless carry in state after state.
Are you in favor of easier access to health care? It’s the Republican leaders who want to deny it and have worked diligently over the years to kill any general approach without producing a workable plan of their own.
Are you in favor of granting rights to all citizens, including those in the Black and LGBTQ+ communities? The Republican leaders don’t and will continue to work hard to marginalize those communities in every way they can.
Do you want a small group of loudmouth parents to control the education of your child, forcing a narrow educational agenda? The Republican leaders are demonstrating over and over that that is exactly what they want.
Our country needs you to think seriously about what issues you truly believe in, and then ask if the current Republican leadership will ever align with your views.
You have a tough decision to make. Should you continue to support the party with which you’ve been associated for years? We can understand how you might not be able to stomach voting for Democrats.
Unfortunately, that may be the only way you can end the current drift of your party. You have to be willing to risk voting Democratic in order to return your party to the proud heritage it once had. If its leaders lose enough elections, they will change their tune. Especially if they know you will return if they do.
It just is too important not to take the risk. Our country is in trouble. Your core beliefs are in trouble. It will take time to reshape your party. But that may be the only way to save our democracy which more and more Republican leaders have demonstrated they don’t want to do.
Once you have reclaimed the true Republican party, return to it with pride.
Pride for your rejuvenated party.
Pride for your own brave actions to save our nation.
The vast majority of our country; Republican, Democrat, and Independent; will thank you.
RSS Feed