It is time for every American who is eligible to vote to make a major decision about our country: 1) Continue to have a say in the way we are governed or 2) give away our rights and let the oligarchs – the rich – and right-wing politicians decide what is best for all of us, dictate us and control us to advance their own agendas. I, for one, will be voting for freedom from tyranny and for the democracy we can still achieve by renewed focus on the ideals that founded this country.
If you believe in the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the ideals that have guided us toward liberty, equality and justice, your time to say so is now. On Nov. 3, those people who vote will determine not only the winners and losers of individual races, but the winner and loser between two very different versions of what it means to be an American and how we should be governed. In fact, these midterms may very well be among the most important midterm elections in our history.
Whether you loathe or love what has happened in the past two years under our current president and the Republican dominance in the house and senate, you still have the right to vote and help determine which direction the country goes from here on out. Your vote matters.
Oftentimes, races are won or lost by a handful of votes.
Numerous indicators suggest that every effort is being made by the current administration to keep people from voting this year, particularly those people who typically vote Democratic, which is all the more reason for every Democrat who can vote to do so. On a personal note, I don’t want any eligible voter to be denied the vote regardless of political affiliation. That is what democracy is supposed to be about: a free and fair exchange of ideas and adequate debate, and then letting the people decide what is in the best interests of the nation as a whole.
On Saturday, Sept. 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Athens Community Center on E. State Street, a rally titled, “Fired Up! Ready to Vote” will be held. It’s an opportunity to express your belief in the rights of all to vote and your opposition to those who would try to keep others from voting. This rally has been organized by the same people who brought you the previous “No Kings” events. I hope to see you there.
Ron Luce
Athens, Ohio
