Vote as if your life depends on it. Because it might.


image credit: @libbyvanderploeg

We’re less than a week away from election day and I don’t know what I could say at this point that hasn’t been said. I am tired, I am enraged (my stomach is figuratively in knots and on fire and I have the heartburn to prove it), and I need you all to go out and vote if you haven’t already.

Some people believe a vote is an expression of opinion (and if in doubt vote third party, or not at all), but it really isn’t. Your vote is an instrument and only the outcome of an election is what matters. Even if the choices are limited, we still have a choice and have to choose wisely. Because really, nobody cares about your protest vote (especially in a swing state where your vote matters that much more!).

It might make you feel smug for a minute, because you think that you’re not buying into the system, but unless your vote is followed up with some grass roots activism, it actually means very little. And in this election, it might cost us all. You really don’t want to be on the wrong side of history on this one.

This election is crucial to this country… and the world. I can’t go into all the whys here, but if you have somewhat followed the news and been active on social media, you know what’s at stake.

If you lost your job and livelihood because of COVID. This is personal to you. If you lost a loved one to COVID. This is personal to you. If you have social distanced and haven’t seen your family in 8 months. This is personal to you. If you are black or brown in this country. This is personal to you. If you’re a woman. This is personal to you. If you’re an immigrant. This is personal to you.

We need someone who cares about all these things and you as a person, not just his ego. 

Do I like only having the choice between two options? No. But choosing between these two options, I must, and the choice is blatantly clear. Do we want to vote for a man who has been dividing this country for the last 4 years, has said horrible, racist things and completely dropped the ball on the COVID-19 response (and so many other issues)? Or do we want to reinstall some human decency into the White House and vote for a man who’s been a public servant for most of his life, who might not be perfect, but who will get us back on track and has the best interest of all Americans at heart?

We need a president who actually cares about the 225,00+ American lives that have been lost during this pandemic (and who has the decency to acknowledge them!), who encourages mask wearing and social distancing, who believes the scientists and makes decisions based on the best expert knowledge he can get his hands on. We need a president, who wants the best for all people, not just the ones who support him, who wants systemic racism and police brutality to end, who believes in climate change and the basic same rights for all citizens, and who can reinstate our standing in the world.  

Donald Trump is not that man; Joe Biden is.

We need to turn around the trajectory we’re on, if we want a chance at protecting our democracy and rights as citizens. The Republicans act all high and mighty when they  talk about their “freedom”, but they actually like to be all up in people’s business with their policies, which are intended to infringe on way more people’s rights (voter suppression, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, just to name a few) than any democratic policies ever would. 

This is not a drill, people. This is real life.  

Please vote. Bring a friend. Save America.

  1. Minnesota has one of the highest voting participant rates in the US. It has never occurred to me not to vote… it’s so easy – especially now that you can vote by mail with no reason. It sounds like voter turnout will be historic this election and I hope that is true. It’s very disappointing that so many people opt not to vote! If we had better turnout in 2016, we wouldn’t be in the position we are – I think many didn’t vote because they thought that of course Clinton was going to win. Wrong.

    We voted by mail and shortly after were able to track our ballots and confirm they will be counted. We voted in September so very very early!

    1. I am so, so glad to hear the high numbers of early voting. It has never occured to me not to vote either. It seems like it should be common sense if you live in a democracy.

  2. We just got back from voting. This was Nathen’s first time voting during a presidential election. That’s one additional vote (excluding mine) that will hopefully help turn NC blue. Fingers crossed! I feel like this is one of the most important elections ever!

    1. I am glad you ‘dragged’ Nathen along… or was he as eager to vote as you were this time around? I am keeping my fingers crossed that NC turns blue this time!

      1. He did it for me at first but afterwards he felt like he really made a difference. He keeps checking the early voting stats every day and is looking forward to watching the election night on Tuesday!

  3. All fingers crossed and prayers send for change I the US and what it means to its people and to all countries around the world.

    1. Thanks Tobia. There is so much at stake here.

  4. I couldn’t agree more. I saw yesterday that Republicans are challenging the drive through votes in Harris County, Texas (Houston). For people who love freedom and democracy so much, they are doing everything they possibly can to obstruct it this year. Here’s hoping that people see this and are outraged and horrified and show up and show out in those states that don’t have stacked courts against the very fundamentals of our democracy.

    1. Honestly, the GOP is SUCH a display of contradiction and hypocrisy to me at this point… it’s ridiculous.

  5. Thank you for saying this so eloquently. I find that my rage, passion, and fear combine to make me less than coherent at times. I’m simultaneously eager for this all to be OVER, and terrified that it won’t be over, that we may end up with four more years of the US devolving into a complete autocracy. Anyone who doesn’t see this isn’t watching or listening anything other than Fox News, in my opinion.

    I voted and dropped off my ballot. Can’t be counted until Tuesday, but… it’s there and cleared for counting. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Heart hopeful. Brain… well, that’s on overdrive. Here’s to trying to get some sleep the next 3 nights…

    Take care.

    1. Thanks for your comment, Anne. You speak from my heart… I am trying to be hopeful, but I am also so anxious. Let’s hope we can get through the next few days and come out a better country on the other side.

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