By Rodney Beard
I had never given money to any party until the internet age that made it simple to just click and send my meager donations. When President Obama ran for the first time, I clicked and sent more than a few dollars, nothing major maybe, ten dollars or twenty bucks at a time and I was glad to do it. From that time to the present however, I have been bombarded with emails from the party and sometimes find it to be annoying but I understand the need.
I get constant emails from everyone it seems; the President, First Lady, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and many others literally pleading for donations. Now they are using terminology to solicit like, “please respond,” “terrifying” (John Lewis), “I’m begging you” (Harry Reid), “I really need you” (Mrs. Obama), “please Rodney” (the President), “help me out, urgent request” (Hilary) and “we’re desperate,” (can’t remember who said that one right now).
Of course I know that the individuals whose name is on the email didn’t write them, but they make it seem so personal, as if they are addressing me specifically. Even so, I still usually click the “delete” button and don’t think anything about it. But last week one of them got to me (I can’t even remember which one) and I made a donation to the party again. I guess persistence pays off in the end.
Why did I do that? I did it because if I don’t, I just feel a bit guilty knowing that at this stage of the “panic game” they know that the only way to win is to cheat (voter suppression…Supreme Court idiocy), killing our seed (Ferguson) fear-mongering (media bias,) gerrymandering (district takeover), and if none of this works…well just buy it outright. I would be willing to bet that as we get closer to November 4th there will be more money spent than in any presidential election before. This is their last chance to take their last stand which will only become their ultimate undoing two years later if they get the Senate.
Unfortunately, if “we” don’t turn out the vote (Black, Brown, and White) this time in record voting numbers on November 4th, we will all feel the pain of their racist, economic, fearful, political, and social skullduggery as it will last for the next two years. By then, the backlash will be obviously palpable, extremely powerful, intentionally purposeful, and quite prolific. The Republican Party will certainly forfeit the chance of ever taking the White House (maybe the Congress or Senate) for at least twelve years, maybe more if their ideology and attitude of racial superiority doesn’t change.
If we don’t go to the polls and vote in this election, the first and foremost issue for me is the fact that 8 million people who signed up for and were blessed by the Affordable Care Act, stand the chance to lose it completely, and be directed right back to the “one-percenter” (1%) thieves that have been robbing for us for eternity already.
In addition to the aforementioned, Medicaid expansion will be taken from some and denied to others. There are 175,000 people in this state alone who will be affected, and so many others who make less than $16,000 per year to nothing, that could benefit heavily and have the assurance (insurance) that if they or anyone in their family became ill they would have the coverage that they need. Yet sadly, there will be many who cannot survive maybe the slightest illness and die all because of Republicans who just don’t care.
If we don’t go to the polls this time, we will see an even greater assault on the right to vote, women will be marginalized and told how to govern their bodies by old wealthy, misogynist White men, and paid 16% less than a man doing the same job. And, let’s not forget how the Supreme Court will be more racially biased against all of “us” (and you know who we are). Don’t forget that theirs is a lifetime appointment and may outlive many of us as their twisted political view will affect our generation for, maybe, generations.
I know that President Obama is not on the ballot. Democrats that are striving to survive in their gerrymandered districts make that painfully obvious as they jump ship, even those who rode in on his coattails. But the thing that made the difference in Mr. Obama winning twice is the same thing we need to do now. We MUST go to the polls, contribute any amount we can, and see to it that each of us duplicates our actions in others.
To do nothing is a travesty! If you don’t VOTE you cannot complain about the outcome! #Uasked4it.
Tell me your thoughts.
Rodney Beard