Have you ever asked yourself why you vote? There are many things that people feel passionate about that drives them to have their views counted, but what are they and what are the most important ones to you? Perhaps it might be good to consider that for a moment as we engage in this election season. Do you vote simply for your party primarily because you hate the other one, or are there certain issues that you really feel strongly about? If so, what are they?
Here’s a few ideas:
The economy: it’s what drives our wealth, power and standing in the world and the quality of life we enjoy.
Safe borders: They determine what our country consists of, defining what we need to protect and control while preserving US resources and security. It’s also a humanitarian crisis.
Safety nets: They give dignity, help and hope to those who need it while giving them the potential to become an asset vs a detriment to society. But are they too expensive?
Abortion: An issue that literally everyone has a view on. Does a woman have a say over her own body and health, or does the state have the right to intercede once another life is in the equation?
Morality: Should we adhere to and mandate a certain level of behavior from our citizens, or do we want the state to butt out and let citizens make that decision themselves if no laws are broken?
World stage: What are we doing as the world’s greatest superpower that can impact our standing in it? Are we doing all that’s required to prevent catastrophes including avoiding nuclear war which would end us?
There are many other subjects besides what I briefly listed to consider. Crime, healthcare, the 2’nd amendment, education... the list goes on and they are each very important. It is a great privilege we all have, to vote and express our views so that what we believe can be represented. So, did you pick yours? How many of you chose preserving freedom? Perhaps you just assumed it. We shouldn’t.
I think we can all agree that without it, none of our views on all those crucial topics matter in the slightest to anyone but ourselves. In fact, without freedom even sharing your views can cause your demise. With no freedom, all those crucial issues will be resolved by one man, including the very survival of our planet and species. Who is qualified to make such monumental decisions affecting virtually everyone on earth? No one. That is why this country must continue to be governed by “we the people” and not the mood swings of an autocrat. When dictators are elected, they present themselves as strong leaders that believe in your freedom and opinions as they tear down and violate the laws and those who defend them. They always require alongside, a core of fanatics to pave the way and help spread the fire. Once you realize their true intentions you will have no laws left to protect you, and no one left to defend them even if you did. Imagine if someone hijacked the great power of America and then used it to take complete control of us and eventually the world. Who could defeat him?
The fact is there are powerful people in America and worldwide that believe it is far too dangerous to have a democracy govern the world’s greatest superpower, especially in a nuclear era. They believe that the world will one day need split second decisions that a democracy with checks and balances, can’t provide. In addition, tough decisions will have to be made regarding limited resources, population growth, climate etc. that a democracy might not approve of. They believe our democracy is a group of dysfunctional, adversarial, politicians and citizens that can’t get anything done anyway, let alone in a timely manner. A strong man with an elite group of enlightened backers is what is required instead. Perhaps you know someone who has this point of view, but I sure don’t. Everyone I know seems to prefer freedom. So why are Dictators being presented to us like they are men to be admired? We’ve all seen it.
Xi Jinping: The leader of China praised as a smart and strong leader. In fact, he’s a man that believes he knows better than the 1.4 billion citizens he controls. What could China become if those many souls had a voice in their government and economy?
Kim Jong-Un: The 42-year-old has governed North Korea with an iron hand since 2011 when he assumed power from his father. The Kim family has ruled since 1948 and freedom for the 26 million people there is non-existent. Instead, they are ruled with more authoritarian coercion then probably any other nation. Literally, everything is regulated and monitored by the state. Rule breaking usually brings torture, imprisonment, or death. He apparently writes nice letters.
Vladimir Putin: If only our leaders could ride horseback and shirtless. His claim to fame is he took Russia from a nation inching towards democracy and freedom and gained control through elections and then kept it through violence and threat. He has now invaded a nation that had abandoned their nuclear weapons and embraced democracy. Today, he regularly threatens our western allies in NATO and nuclear war with us.
Viktor Orban: He too was elected on a platform of freedom and prosperity in 2010. He and his radical Fidesz party then soon began dismantling Hungary’s laws, suppressing the free press and freedom of speech while assailing “mixed races”. He also took control of the elections to stay in power, claiming 2/3 of the parliament’s seats with less than 50% of the vote. He has been embraced by some on the extreme right as a strong leader that we should emulate. I guess destroying freedom is like inventing electricity to a room full of dim bulbs.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/04/viktor-orban-cpac-00049935
Don’t get me wrong, the US should always engage adversarial leaders with respect and diplomacy, but we shouldn’t elevate them as role models to our nation and the world. What is noble about replacing the views of an entire nation for one man’s, by force? There are many strong and accomplished leaders in America and throughout the world who respect freedom. Why are dictators being elevated instead, and what is the motive of those who do it? Most importantly, what keeps this from happening here? Our laws, institutions and Constitution are what prevents it. Perhaps that is why they are all now under assault. Literally all of them.
When all the foundations of our free society begin to rumble, perhaps it’s time to notice who’s shaking them. Once they fall, so do we.