Remember when you were in Sunday school and the Bible teacher scared you into submission. You dared not talk or move, aghhhh… Most of us tuned out right after the question, “have you thought about your future?” Sure, later in life those of us who listened and those of us who did not, now know the preachy bespectacled authority was not all wrong. I have to give Republicans credit they have used the vote as a scare tactic to keep their congregation inline, even when the issues are anathema to their own interest. America’s current state of affairs is a perfect example. Republicans, who control both Houses of Congress are watching a man who has us one ruble away from fascism, destroy America from within, and without a peep.
Despite the obvious threats I was distressed to read a poll a few weeks ago that said only 28% of millennials plan on voting. That statistic is the result of some creative accounting once you examine the numbers. Twenty-eight percent of 18 to 34-year olds say they will definitely support Trump with many pledging unspecified support to a third party candidate. Numbers can be manipulated to reach the conclusion you want. Alarmingly only 46 percent, down from 55 percent, are committed to Democrats but that does not consider the overall drop to normal levels in Democratic voters following the enthusiasm of the Obama years. That still leaves a Democratic advantage of 46% to 28% with 26 percent undecided.
Before you start watching the clock, hoping to get quickly through today’s sermonette, what is important is the simple fact that voting gives you leverage. Bump stocks are still legal even after the Las Vegas massacre. Why? Republican legislators are afraid of losing a voter battle guided by fear of the NRA. A tax cut that economist say will blow a trillion dollar or more hole in the national deficit passed. Why? Despite being against the interest of Mr. and Mrs. Midwest, Republicans were afraid to defy Trump’s Follie. Trump has convinced crowds to cheer Vladimir Putin and words like, “ill-advised and ‘not something I would do” is the tepid conservative political response. Why? Trump has so coward Republicans, that war hawks like John Bolton are backing down in fear of his boss’ electorate.
That sort of voting pressure is a good thing when the people’s votes are followed by the demands for a just cause. Republicans have turned on every one of the righteous credos they have advocated since Saint Ronnie was in office; family values; lower taxes; free trade, truth, justice and the American way, Superman is weeping. Okay Superman breaks the ethereal metaphor, but you did have to look up in the sky.
Anyway, back to the sermon. I always end my little column with the words “Vote in ’18 for Change.” I know it sounds like the false syrupiness of saccharine but the American people of conscience have to sprinkle some genuine sugar on a quickly souring country. Democrats outnumber Republicans in sheer numbers and the electoral college excuse cannot be used in the Midterms, no more so than in 2010 or 2012. Democrats who sit home and whine about how both sides are the same and the old saw of the lesser of two evils have a tangible example of how wrong they are, in Donald Trump. Sometimes, you just have to admit your mistake, brother Obama said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Benediction follows the hymn.
Vote in ’18 for change.