I would like to take this opportunity to thank Robert Antall for his recent submission to The Independent. Like so many at this time, I have felt discouraged by the current political atmosphere, and I have almost resigned myself to accept a “why bother” attitude. Almost being the key word. For Mr. Antall’s post reminding us all to be vigilant for attempts to disrupt the electoral process after election day has ignited a spark in me to stay involved.
I recently came across an article in the Minocqua Brewing Company Times, in which they printed an essay by Matt McNeil, of a radio station in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. In it, he discussed the results of the 2024 election. Yes, Trump received 77 million votes to win it. However, the largest “voting” bloc of that election was the group of 88 million registered voters that did not vote.
So instead of building a stronger democratic nation, because of their apathy, we have had to endure two years of repressive, dangerous activities that continue to threaten the future of our once great nation. People have been persecuted for being “woke,” when in actuality they have been awake throughout the many atrocities inflicted upon fellow citizens. They have simply stood up in attempts to level the playing field and ensure equality for all citizens. They can certainly wear the woke badge with pride, while the opposing voices should be ashamed of their “asleep at the wheel” status. Those same voices that have decried some as woke, have also named Antifa as their enemy. But if the Antifa group, or rather, the Antifascists group, is their enemy, doesn’t that make them Fascists?
I should say, that after Trump’s election in 2016, I was actually encouraged for a short time. Not because I felt he would do a good job. I knew, even then, that he would rule with hatred and unfairness. I thought, though, that the checks and balances that the framers of the Constitution built into the document would take us out of the situation. We were definitely abandoned by Congress and the courts. It should be understood that the collective “we” is truly “We the People.” It includes us all, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. For at this point, it seems apparent that there is only one small faction at the top that will gain any true benefits.
Perhaps this is the major reason that I have felt discouraged during this election cycle. But Mr. Antall’s letter reminded me of a quote by the 18th century philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “Good laws lead to the making of better ones. Bad ones bring about worse. As soon as any man says of the affairs of state, ‘What does it matter to me?’ the state may be given up for lost.”
We have to find our country again, before it disappears forever. History tells us that this is entirely possible. If you do not investigate the candidates and issues. If you do not carefully observe the process. If you do not speak out if something doesn’t seem right. And, if you do not vote. The choice, as always, is yours.
– Robert F Smith