American democracy hinges on outcome of election

Vox Pop

I grew up near Wrigley Field in Chicago and my family were lifelong Democrats. My Dad was instrumental in the Chicago Typographical Union and believed in unions, equality, working hard, and taking care of my Rib Lake Grandpa among other positive values.

In the November 3, 2020 election the values of honesty, hard work, strength, taking care of others, access to healthcare and so many other issues are at stake. It will be a relief to have a Democrat in the White House – someone who cares for the average person, has empathy after losing a wife and son early on in an auto accident, sending a son to war then losing him to cancer, and a VP who was Attorney General of California and knows, and upholds, the law.

We need to preserve our First Amendment to the Constitution rights “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It has served us well, airing our grievances, changing inhumane laws, bringing attention to those less fortunate and to issues that are unconstitutional and unlawful.

We must not take for granted this cherished democracy of ours – it is fragile and as Hannah Arendt says “Before mass leaders seize the power to fit reality to their lies, their propaganda is marked by its extreme contempt for facts as such, for in their opinion fact depends entirely on the power of man who can fabricate it.”

We have witnessed this during the past almost four years from the current White House occupant, and we, the people, must stop this rise to authoritarianism or our 233 year old ratified Constitutional precious democracy, now tarnished in its world and in its American standing, democracy, will fade into a lawless version of itself.

We must vote as if our democracy depends on it – because it does – and vote for who will restore decency, honestly and rule of law to the White House, our government and to ourselves. — Sue Roupp, Rib Lake