Election Day, 2022. Mid-terms. Perhaps the most critical mid-terms during my lifetime. And all bets are off as to what will happen. Even the polls can no longer be trusted, as we learned during the Clinton/Trump presidential election.
Motivation: Anger. Resentment. Bias. Racism. Fear. Love. Compassion. Empathy. Change. Democracy. Autocracy. Fracture. Divisiveness. Wealth. Trolls. Unity. Peace.
I could go on, but suffice it to say that any one, or more, of the above plays a part in what moves someone to the polls and to vote in a certain way. We all have our reasons. The reason one votes for a specific party or candidate is as diverse as this country and its inhabitants.
But make no mistake – we are at a crossroads. Turn left, and we become more inclusive and compassionate. Turn right, and we become more divisive and isolationist.
I know those on the right would disagree with that statement. But the reality is there for all to see. The Republican party has publicly stated their goals in their “Commitment to America.” Enacting federal restrictions to abortion. Transgender restrictions. Opposition to any legislation restricting gun rights. Investigations into their perceived enemies including impeachment proceedings against Biden. Reversing as much of the Biden administration’s legislation as possible, including the legislation which allows Medicare (the government) to negotiate drug prices (thereby helping to keep costs down and Medicare solvent). The Affordable Care Act remains a target. They are short on information as to how they will control inflation – a global issue mind you, not an issue peculiar to America. Or crime. Oh, yes, they’ll be tough on crime they say, they just haven’t explained how. One thing they’ll do for sure…reduce the tax burden on the wealthiest among us. But since the government needs money to operate, that pushes the tax burden downstream, to the lower income taxpayers.
The left, well, they have their issues too, but in general tend to look through rosier-colored glasses. Their goal is to improve life for all beings, not just the lighter skinned batch. The current administration has proved that it can be effective in lifting people up. The American Rescue Plan, The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, The Inflation Reduction Act, The CHIPS and Science Act. Look ‘em up. Read what’s been accomplished in just two short years because some politicians, including a few brave Republicans, decided they wanted what was best for this country and its inhabitants.
In addition to the legislation above, the past two years have seen the largest job growth in history and crazy low unemployment numbers; expanded health care, the first black female Supreme Court Justice, student loan forgiveness.
Here’s the thing: we can only move forward together. Look around you. We’re all the same race. The Human Race. We all want to matter. We all need help sometimes. We need to lift each other up instead of beating each other down.
By all means, vote your conscience. But make sure that your moral compass is pointed in the direction of love and compassion toward all. Ethics. Integrity. Empathy. Unity. These are the traits that will keep this country strong. These are the traits that will set an example and show the world what can be accomplished when a nation’s people work together.
~jwb~