“My dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.” – John Lewis, civil rights leader, and Georgia congressman
John Robert Lewis (1940-2020) was born in Alabama and came of age during the civil rights movement. Inspired by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, Lewis became a Freedom Rider in 1961 and was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington in 1963. He co-led the first march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 (known as “Bloody Sunday”), where, after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, he was beaten by police who fractured Lewis’ skull. Undeterred, Lewis went on to become a national civil rights leader, and in 1987, he was elected to Congress and served until his death in 2020. He was a fierce advocate for equal rights, especially voting rights. John Lewis’ leadership and participation in the civil rights movement helped pave the way for the Voting Rights Act that was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, giving Black people the hard-earned right to vote.
Voting allows us to have a voice in our democracy. In some very close elections, candidates have won by a very small number of votes. Every vote counts. And who we vote for up and down the ballot, from the office of the president on down to local school board officials, makes a difference in the quality of life in our country, in our communities, and in our own personal lives.
In previous posts, entitled Take Two and Standing on the Precipice, we discussed the policies of the presidential candidates. What their plans are if elected president is important. But also significant is the president’s power to appoint for life terms, with Senate confirmation, justices to the US Supreme Court and judges to the federal Courts of Appeal and District Courts. Who we elect as senators, given their role in judicial appointments, is also critical because the power these judges wield over our everyday lives cannot be overstated.
The US Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has leaned conservative over the years, but with three justices appointed by the GOP candidate in his first term, the Court now wields a 6-3 very conservative majority that has upended laws passed by Congress and stripped federal agencies of some of their power. The Roberts Court has made the following notable decisions:
1 – Their 2024 case on presidential culpability - gives broad immunity from criminal prosecution to former presidents who commit crimes during their official acts as president.
2 - Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024) – overturned the principle of Chevron deference, a 40-year precedent that allowed federal agencies’ experts, under the power vested in each agency by Congress, to interpret ambiguous laws and determine policy without judicial review if their interpretations were reasonable; now the courts have given themselves the power to interpret ambiguous laws if they disagree with the agency’s policies, setting up the process to be partisan. Any federal agency, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is subject to this ruling.
3 – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)- overturned Roe v. Wade, a 50-year precedent, to abolish federal protection for reproductive rights and the freedom of bodily autonomy; the power to determine reproductive rights now rests with each state.
4 – Shelby County v. Holder (2013) – stripped the Voting Rights Act of 1965 of the pre-clearance requirement by allowing states with previous voting rights violations to make voting law changes without federal approval, thus paving the way for an increase in voter suppression laws such as the purging of voter rolls, the implementation of voter ID laws, the reduction in the number of polling places (mostly in predominantly Black precincts), and new restrictions in early voting.
5 – Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – struck down a key provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) that prohibited corporations and unions from contributing directly to campaigns, thus allowing the rise of super PACs (political action committees) to receive large donations and to spend those funds without accountability.
Today, billionaires and corporations use their dollars to influence elections in outsized ways and have unfairly tilted the playing field in their favor. These wealthy influencers are not unlike oligarchs in countries without democracy nor are they unlike the American industrialists that controlled US politics a hundred years ago. By influencing elections, these wealthy donors ensure their self-interests are protected. It is more imperative than ever for the rest of us to vote to make our voices heard over these special interest groups.
While the Senate has responsibility for confirming Supreme Court and federal judges, both the Senate and the House of Representatives can either support or hinder the president’s agenda depending on the legislation they pass (or not). Congress has the power to create federal agencies that directly impact our lives, such as the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and many more. It controls the purse strings to fund the US military, Social Security, Medicare, the federal share of Medicaid, disaster relief, and military aid to US allies, to name a few. Who we elect to Congress matters.
Just as having representation in Congress is important, so too is the representation we have in our own state legislatures. For example, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, state legislatures decide reproductive health care rights. To date, 13 states ban abortion entirely while eight states restrict it; all these states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Not surprisingly, the states with the most restrictive bans have higher maternal and infant mortality rates and greater prevalence of economic insecurity. It is not hyperbole to say that other rights and freedoms will be on the chopping block in Republican-controlled state legislatures, such as the definition of marriage, and the accessibility of IVF and contraception.
Who we elect up and down the ballot in our state matters, like state attorneys general (AGs) who can decide to pursue a case or not. For example, Ahmaud Arbery was a 25-year-old Black man who, on 2/23/20, was murdered while out for a run in Brunswick, GA. For two months, his murder was not investigated nor criminal charges pursued as a favor by the state AG for one of the killers who is a retired law enforcement officer. Outraged that no investigation had begun, Arbery’s family and social justice activists played a role in starting the investigation that would ultimately bring Arbery’s murderers to justice.
From fixing potholes to enforcing the rule of law, and so much in-between, states have tremendous power to impact our personal day-to-day lives, but those elected to local offices matter, too. From local taxes to school board decisions, from zoning regulations to rent control, as well as police, fire, and emergency services, local elected officials have the power to influence our lives. And like at the state level, who we elect as county sheriff, judge, and district attorney impacts how the rule of law is carried out in our communities which can impact safety and crime levels.
Democracy works best when all eligible citizens vote and their votes are counted. But not all eligible voters can vote. In some states, voter suppression laws make it difficult for people to vote. Voter registration rolls are often purged of “inactive” voters who may not be aware their registration was purged and they may not have enough time to re-register before the election. Check your voter registration on Vote.gov.
Since 2020, there has been a concerted effort by the Republican Party to reject mail-in ballots, typically on technicalities. Ballots have been rejected if a voter did not correctly date the outside of the ballot envelope (PA), if the witness to a mail-in ballot did not fill in a complete address (WI), if the inner secrecy envelope was not sealed properly (NC), or if the birth date of the voter was not correctly written on the outer envelope (GA). It is no secret they are trying to disenfranchise Democratic voters to increase Republicans’ chances of winning elections by invalidating otherwise valid ballots, particularly in swing states where a handful of votes can determine the outcome.
It seems that the Republican party is pulling out all the stops to win. But the extremists are not limited to those internal to the US. There are external forces at work to influence the election. The US Department of Justice recently opened a case to investigate Russian interference in our elections. While that is certainly not new, what does seem to be new is the method of influence. Money from Russia was funneled through various other countries before it reached two American companies who then used the funds to pay large sums of money to as many as six far-right social media influencers to promote lies regarding the US election. Since many people get much of their news from social media, this method of influence threatens to interfere with this election on a whole new level. And this influence can be very effective, divisive, and destructive. Ensure you and those you care about get information from reliable and trusted news sources. See note below for suggestions.
Truth matters. Most authoritarian and fascist dictators come to power not through military force, but by way of the ballot box. They use the rules (or change them) to their advantage to win without violence. But first they discredit the free press and confuse the electorate with their lies. Their continual lying about everything creates so much chaos that people do not know what to believe. That state of confusion causes people to either believe the lies or give up trying and give in to the demands of a soon-to-be dictator.
As we begin to cast our ballots this election season, carefully consider your choice of candidates for all the races listed on your ballot. Make sure that the candidates you vote for support democracy. Anyone who denies that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, claims the election was stolen from the 2020 GOP candidate, or refuses to answer whether Biden won does not support democracy and should not be elected.
To be clear, no widespread fraud occurred in the 2020 election. Over 60 lawsuits claiming election fraud were thrown out of court by judges of all political persuasions because there was no evidence of fraud.
The Republican candidate was convicted on 34 felony counts for a 2016 election coverup and is currently awaiting sentencing. He has been indicted for 2020 election subversion in GA. In federal court, he has been indicted for inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. A candidate who cannot admit he lost a free and fair election, who refuses to peacefully transition power to his successor, and who commits crimes to stay in power is not fit for office. And neither are his enablers. (The SCOTUS decision regarding presidential immunity is particularly pertinent.)
While many politicians may stretch the truth, his pathological lying has dire consequences, from maligning legal immigrants from Haiti (that incites violence against them) to spreading lies about the hurricane relief efforts (which hinders relief efforts, incites violence against FEMA workers, and ultimately hurts hurricane victims) to deceiving voters on his planned actions if elected (think Project 2025). And yes, he will institute a national abortion ban, use the military both to round up immigrants for deportation and to punish his political opponents (or anyone who disagrees with him), fire thousands of federal employees, and get rid of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare).
His lies paint a hellscape that does not exist to frighten voters with imaginary threats, all so he can save the day, just as other authoritarian dictators in other countries have done. The truth is immigrants are not taking over this country; without them, our economy would tank. They also have lower crime rates than native-born Americans. In case anyone has amnesia, his immigration policy in his previous term included a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries and the practice of separating families at the border, both policies he has said he will reinstate if re-elected. Also, he kept immigrant children in wire cages. To date, there are children still separated from their families because their families cannot be located. By contrast, Kamala Harris plans to strengthen border security while improving the legal process to citizenship.
The American people deserve a president who makes fact-based decisions, who supports all people in the US regardless of political party affiliation (not just those loyal to them), and who leads with integrity. Kamala Harris has the intelligence, compassion, character, and experience to become the 47th president of the US.
There is a lot riding on this election. Our democracy, rights, and freedoms are being assaulted from within and from without. As citizens, it is our responsibility to be informed voters and to get out and vote. Many races will be decided by just a handful of votes. Your vote matters. It is the “most powerful nonviolent tool” you have to ensure your voice is heard. Use it wisely.
NOTE: Respectable and reliable news sources include, but are not limited to: Reuters, AP, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, Axios, CNN, NPR, and BBC. Many of these news organizations have free e-newsletters. I also highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson’s daily e-newsletter on Substack entitled Letters from an American. (See https://substack.com/@heathercoxrichardson ) Also, Brené Brown interviews Dr Richardson on her podcast, “Unlocking Us” which is worth checking out.
NOTE: The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 is a bill that was proposed in Congress that would restore the requirement struck down in Shelby County v. Holder so that going forward, federal approval would be required before a state could implement voting rights changes if they have previous voting rights violations. This important bill would help prevent states from gerrymandering districts and using voter suppression tactics; it passed in the House, but not in the Senate. If it were brought up for consideration again, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris would support this bill. Her opponent would not.
NOTE: My previous blog posts that are relevant to this election can be found HERE (scroll down to find the specific post):
Standing on the Precipice (Oct 2024), Take Two (Sept 2024), Reality Check (Aug 2024), and A Good Kind of Stumbling Block (July 2024).
November is Native American Heritage Month. Check out:
https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about.html
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
John Robert Lewis (1940-2020) was born in Alabama and came of age during the civil rights movement. Inspired by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, Lewis became a Freedom Rider in 1961 and was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington in 1963. He co-led the first march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 (known as “Bloody Sunday”), where, after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, he was beaten by police who fractured Lewis’ skull. Undeterred, Lewis went on to become a national civil rights leader, and in 1987, he was elected to Congress and served until his death in 2020. He was a fierce advocate for equal rights, especially voting rights. John Lewis’ leadership and participation in the civil rights movement helped pave the way for the Voting Rights Act that was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, giving Black people the hard-earned right to vote.
Voting allows us to have a voice in our democracy. In some very close elections, candidates have won by a very small number of votes. Every vote counts. And who we vote for up and down the ballot, from the office of the president on down to local school board officials, makes a difference in the quality of life in our country, in our communities, and in our own personal lives.
In previous posts, entitled Take Two and Standing on the Precipice, we discussed the policies of the presidential candidates. What their plans are if elected president is important. But also significant is the president’s power to appoint for life terms, with Senate confirmation, justices to the US Supreme Court and judges to the federal Courts of Appeal and District Courts. Who we elect as senators, given their role in judicial appointments, is also critical because the power these judges wield over our everyday lives cannot be overstated.
The US Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has leaned conservative over the years, but with three justices appointed by the GOP candidate in his first term, the Court now wields a 6-3 very conservative majority that has upended laws passed by Congress and stripped federal agencies of some of their power. The Roberts Court has made the following notable decisions:
1 – Their 2024 case on presidential culpability - gives broad immunity from criminal prosecution to former presidents who commit crimes during their official acts as president.
2 - Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024) – overturned the principle of Chevron deference, a 40-year precedent that allowed federal agencies’ experts, under the power vested in each agency by Congress, to interpret ambiguous laws and determine policy without judicial review if their interpretations were reasonable; now the courts have given themselves the power to interpret ambiguous laws if they disagree with the agency’s policies, setting up the process to be partisan. Any federal agency, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is subject to this ruling.
3 – Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)- overturned Roe v. Wade, a 50-year precedent, to abolish federal protection for reproductive rights and the freedom of bodily autonomy; the power to determine reproductive rights now rests with each state.
4 – Shelby County v. Holder (2013) – stripped the Voting Rights Act of 1965 of the pre-clearance requirement by allowing states with previous voting rights violations to make voting law changes without federal approval, thus paving the way for an increase in voter suppression laws such as the purging of voter rolls, the implementation of voter ID laws, the reduction in the number of polling places (mostly in predominantly Black precincts), and new restrictions in early voting.
5 – Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – struck down a key provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) that prohibited corporations and unions from contributing directly to campaigns, thus allowing the rise of super PACs (political action committees) to receive large donations and to spend those funds without accountability.
Today, billionaires and corporations use their dollars to influence elections in outsized ways and have unfairly tilted the playing field in their favor. These wealthy influencers are not unlike oligarchs in countries without democracy nor are they unlike the American industrialists that controlled US politics a hundred years ago. By influencing elections, these wealthy donors ensure their self-interests are protected. It is more imperative than ever for the rest of us to vote to make our voices heard over these special interest groups.
While the Senate has responsibility for confirming Supreme Court and federal judges, both the Senate and the House of Representatives can either support or hinder the president’s agenda depending on the legislation they pass (or not). Congress has the power to create federal agencies that directly impact our lives, such as the EPA, the Food and Drug Administration, and many more. It controls the purse strings to fund the US military, Social Security, Medicare, the federal share of Medicaid, disaster relief, and military aid to US allies, to name a few. Who we elect to Congress matters.
Just as having representation in Congress is important, so too is the representation we have in our own state legislatures. For example, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, state legislatures decide reproductive health care rights. To date, 13 states ban abortion entirely while eight states restrict it; all these states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Not surprisingly, the states with the most restrictive bans have higher maternal and infant mortality rates and greater prevalence of economic insecurity. It is not hyperbole to say that other rights and freedoms will be on the chopping block in Republican-controlled state legislatures, such as the definition of marriage, and the accessibility of IVF and contraception.
Who we elect up and down the ballot in our state matters, like state attorneys general (AGs) who can decide to pursue a case or not. For example, Ahmaud Arbery was a 25-year-old Black man who, on 2/23/20, was murdered while out for a run in Brunswick, GA. For two months, his murder was not investigated nor criminal charges pursued as a favor by the state AG for one of the killers who is a retired law enforcement officer. Outraged that no investigation had begun, Arbery’s family and social justice activists played a role in starting the investigation that would ultimately bring Arbery’s murderers to justice.
From fixing potholes to enforcing the rule of law, and so much in-between, states have tremendous power to impact our personal day-to-day lives, but those elected to local offices matter, too. From local taxes to school board decisions, from zoning regulations to rent control, as well as police, fire, and emergency services, local elected officials have the power to influence our lives. And like at the state level, who we elect as county sheriff, judge, and district attorney impacts how the rule of law is carried out in our communities which can impact safety and crime levels.
Democracy works best when all eligible citizens vote and their votes are counted. But not all eligible voters can vote. In some states, voter suppression laws make it difficult for people to vote. Voter registration rolls are often purged of “inactive” voters who may not be aware their registration was purged and they may not have enough time to re-register before the election. Check your voter registration on Vote.gov.
Since 2020, there has been a concerted effort by the Republican Party to reject mail-in ballots, typically on technicalities. Ballots have been rejected if a voter did not correctly date the outside of the ballot envelope (PA), if the witness to a mail-in ballot did not fill in a complete address (WI), if the inner secrecy envelope was not sealed properly (NC), or if the birth date of the voter was not correctly written on the outer envelope (GA). It is no secret they are trying to disenfranchise Democratic voters to increase Republicans’ chances of winning elections by invalidating otherwise valid ballots, particularly in swing states where a handful of votes can determine the outcome.
It seems that the Republican party is pulling out all the stops to win. But the extremists are not limited to those internal to the US. There are external forces at work to influence the election. The US Department of Justice recently opened a case to investigate Russian interference in our elections. While that is certainly not new, what does seem to be new is the method of influence. Money from Russia was funneled through various other countries before it reached two American companies who then used the funds to pay large sums of money to as many as six far-right social media influencers to promote lies regarding the US election. Since many people get much of their news from social media, this method of influence threatens to interfere with this election on a whole new level. And this influence can be very effective, divisive, and destructive. Ensure you and those you care about get information from reliable and trusted news sources. See note below for suggestions.
Truth matters. Most authoritarian and fascist dictators come to power not through military force, but by way of the ballot box. They use the rules (or change them) to their advantage to win without violence. But first they discredit the free press and confuse the electorate with their lies. Their continual lying about everything creates so much chaos that people do not know what to believe. That state of confusion causes people to either believe the lies or give up trying and give in to the demands of a soon-to-be dictator.
As we begin to cast our ballots this election season, carefully consider your choice of candidates for all the races listed on your ballot. Make sure that the candidates you vote for support democracy. Anyone who denies that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, claims the election was stolen from the 2020 GOP candidate, or refuses to answer whether Biden won does not support democracy and should not be elected.
To be clear, no widespread fraud occurred in the 2020 election. Over 60 lawsuits claiming election fraud were thrown out of court by judges of all political persuasions because there was no evidence of fraud.
The Republican candidate was convicted on 34 felony counts for a 2016 election coverup and is currently awaiting sentencing. He has been indicted for 2020 election subversion in GA. In federal court, he has been indicted for inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. A candidate who cannot admit he lost a free and fair election, who refuses to peacefully transition power to his successor, and who commits crimes to stay in power is not fit for office. And neither are his enablers. (The SCOTUS decision regarding presidential immunity is particularly pertinent.)
While many politicians may stretch the truth, his pathological lying has dire consequences, from maligning legal immigrants from Haiti (that incites violence against them) to spreading lies about the hurricane relief efforts (which hinders relief efforts, incites violence against FEMA workers, and ultimately hurts hurricane victims) to deceiving voters on his planned actions if elected (think Project 2025). And yes, he will institute a national abortion ban, use the military both to round up immigrants for deportation and to punish his political opponents (or anyone who disagrees with him), fire thousands of federal employees, and get rid of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare).
His lies paint a hellscape that does not exist to frighten voters with imaginary threats, all so he can save the day, just as other authoritarian dictators in other countries have done. The truth is immigrants are not taking over this country; without them, our economy would tank. They also have lower crime rates than native-born Americans. In case anyone has amnesia, his immigration policy in his previous term included a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries and the practice of separating families at the border, both policies he has said he will reinstate if re-elected. Also, he kept immigrant children in wire cages. To date, there are children still separated from their families because their families cannot be located. By contrast, Kamala Harris plans to strengthen border security while improving the legal process to citizenship.
The American people deserve a president who makes fact-based decisions, who supports all people in the US regardless of political party affiliation (not just those loyal to them), and who leads with integrity. Kamala Harris has the intelligence, compassion, character, and experience to become the 47th president of the US.
There is a lot riding on this election. Our democracy, rights, and freedoms are being assaulted from within and from without. As citizens, it is our responsibility to be informed voters and to get out and vote. Many races will be decided by just a handful of votes. Your vote matters. It is the “most powerful nonviolent tool” you have to ensure your voice is heard. Use it wisely.
NOTE: Respectable and reliable news sources include, but are not limited to: Reuters, AP, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, Axios, CNN, NPR, and BBC. Many of these news organizations have free e-newsletters. I also highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson’s daily e-newsletter on Substack entitled Letters from an American. (See https://substack.com/@heathercoxrichardson ) Also, Brené Brown interviews Dr Richardson on her podcast, “Unlocking Us” which is worth checking out.
NOTE: The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 is a bill that was proposed in Congress that would restore the requirement struck down in Shelby County v. Holder so that going forward, federal approval would be required before a state could implement voting rights changes if they have previous voting rights violations. This important bill would help prevent states from gerrymandering districts and using voter suppression tactics; it passed in the House, but not in the Senate. If it were brought up for consideration again, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris would support this bill. Her opponent would not.
NOTE: My previous blog posts that are relevant to this election can be found HERE (scroll down to find the specific post):
Standing on the Precipice (Oct 2024), Take Two (Sept 2024), Reality Check (Aug 2024), and A Good Kind of Stumbling Block (July 2024).
November is Native American Heritage Month. Check out:
https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about.html
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
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