Does Your Vote Matter?

Part of your legacy could be your vote in this election

I was settled in for the first presidential debate in late June, and 15 minutes later, I turned off the TV. It was too difficult for me to watch Joe Biden struggle. For several months, I had been writing letters to the editors of regional newspapers and postcards to voters touting his administration's successes. His term as president demonstrated some of the most progressive and beneficial actions in many years. But I wasn’t happy with my voting choices for the 2024 election; Donald Trump and his takeover of the Republican party repulsed me early on from his political debut, slowly creeping down an escalator, spewing fear, hate, and lies, a behavior that has become his entire schtick. Though I appreciated Joe Biden’s successes and his belief in the good of America, his decision to run again seemed rooted in his ego and desire instead of what is best for the country and the Democratic party. As a writer focused on aging in America, it pained me to look at both candidates and say they were too old. But our country desperately needs new political leadership; we need an alternative to this predictable match-up. We deserve new energy and better choices. 

On that mournful debate night, I texted my friends and letter-writing cadre, trying to describe the sinking feeling in my heart. One of the writers on my team summed it up succinctly: Joe Biden just made our “job” as political activists much harder. Still, the threat of Trump and Project 2025 to our young country of democratic ideals remained, so we agreed that our efforts must continue. 

I have been engaged in politics since I was a teenager. MS magazine opened my teenage eyes to institutional misogyny and racism that existed not only in my country but globally. I resisted joining a political party because, for decades, the choices seemed more similar than different, and both were polluted by corporate money. The more I read, the more convinced I was that political power was forever corrupted, and with Reagan’s election, I turned away from political activism.

But I believe in the ideals that shaped this country. I stayed informed and voted for Clinton, Gore, Obama, Clinton, and Biden, and down the ballot, I have supported Democrats for legislators. I once considered myself an independent voter, open-minded to different ideas, but I don’t recognize that Republican party anymore. I dislike the identity politics that have consumed our political thinking.

Ironically, it was Trump’s vision of American carnage and hateful division antics that reignited my political activism in 2016. The January 6th insurrection attempt convinced me I needed to become more active and outspoken. Democracy requires peaceful participation to continue. Locally, I live in a county where the top law enforcement officer is a tyrannical 80-year-old Constitutional Sheriff who believes he is more powerful than any level of government and enforces laws based on his interpretation of the Constitution. This year, Project 2025, which openly promotes a fascist theocracy under the guise of conservatism, has energized me into action. Political science was a big chunk of my liberal arts baccalaureate education, and I understand the threats our democratic ideals and progressive advances face. History and current events provide plenty of evidence of what happens to democratic values and freedoms when autocrats are elected.

When Kamala Harris sought to replace Joe Biden for the DNC nomination, I listened and watched as she reintroduced herself to the country. I heard the following words: compassion, care, dignity, opportunity, and freedom. I felt an immediate hopeful energy return.  

Over the weeks, I have pondered the current political battle and believe firmly that our votes in this election will be part of our legacy. Since Reagan, political pundits have encouraged us to think only about ourselves and our current prosperity, asking us, “Are you better off today than you were under the previous administration?” 

In this current election and for the sake of democratic ideals, a bigger question must be our focus: What kind of country do you want to live in? One focused on fear, racism, misogyny, loss of freedoms, and a free-for-all all for corporations to pillage our planet? 

Or a country rooted in compassionate values and guided by the democratic ideals that have served our young country well?

Below are the values I believe are critical to developing a government that serves all its citizens. 

Compassion, Empathy, and Fairness

Without these values, we devolve into our primal animal instincts, rooted in fear. It is these values that helped slavery become illegal, gave women and people of color the right to vote, installed labor and safety laws, inspired the Civil Rights Act of 1965, and embraced the legality of same-sex marriage.

These values must drive solutions for people without housing, mental health access, poverty, childcare, public education, and elder care. Compassion and empathy must be extended to other species - we are all part of a greater ecosystem.

“Donald Trump represents a failure of character, which is changing, I think in many respects, the psyche of our nation, and the heart of our nation. That’s something which takes a long time, if ever, to repair,” he added.

Senator Mitt Romney, Oct 23, 2023, CBS Sunday Morning

Character

Character matters. We must ensure that our leaders have a moral underpinning that shows up every day in their personal and political actions. I don’t care if I would enjoy a beer with a political candidate, but I do want to know that the values of compassion, empathy, and kindness guide their actions. Honesty is often hard to find in the political industry, but the truth is simple: if a candidate repeatedly shows you who they are, believe them. 

Would you tolerate a friend who regularly lies, exaggerates, and distorts reality? Who insults women, calls people names, and bullies anyone who thinks differently? Then why accept a political leader who behaves this way?

Brave Intelligence

Political leadership demands knowledge about our history and philosophical foundations, as well as a moral understanding of what is right and wrong. More importantly, bravery is required to stand by this intelligence. Who is standing up for all of our citizens? Who is listening to us? I think of Barack Obama, whose legacy is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010. Obama said his motivation to push for this significant regulatory overhaul of our healthcare system came directly from his interaction with voters. Is it perfect? No. But millions of people, including myself, have benefited from this law. It likely saved the lives of millions who did not have access to health care.  

The issues in this election are also critical to the future of our country in several ways.

Climate Change

Here’s the reality: whether you believe in it or not, climate change exists. Scientists have told us that it is human-caused by our use of fossil fuels. (Hell, even the fossil fuel industry knew that back in the 1970s.)¹ The effects of climate change will only increase and impact each of us more directly. While hurricanes and flooding get all the media attention, the statistics show that heat waves kill more people than any other natural disaster. Heat and drought affect our agricultural system, which is partially responsible for higher food prices.² Homeowners insurance rates are rising yearly, and some companies are pulling out of high-risk markets like mine.³

We have a clear choice in addressing this global concern. We can deny it and carry on, leaving a hot, scorched mess for future generations. Or we can implement solutions to create an economy focused on new forms of energy and new ways of living. Will it be easy? No. Will our lifestyles have to change? Likely. We can either be part of the solution or part of the problem.⁴

Conservation & Biodiversity Protections

Conservation of lands and ecosystems is one strategy for addressing climate change.⁵ Each species we lose alters ecosystems. After centuries of denuding our ecosystems, we are slowly developing a modern conservation ethic with documented successes. We need public lands that are allowed to exist for other species. We need to protect other species. I am a big proponent of the Rights of Nature movement⁶ and plan to push my legislators to move in that direction. 

Freedoms & Rights

We must protect our freedoms and rights, or they will be stripped. 

Women have lost the right to reproductive healthcare in 22 states, and that number is expected to increase.

For decades, we have lost the right to be safe from gun violence because of a small percentage of influential Americans who refuse to allow for gun control measures.

A small group of activists assuming political leadership in our local communities is banning books and curricula in public libraries and schools.⁷

The biggest threat to our freedoms is Project 2025, which narrowly defines what a family is, who we can love, and who we can be. I can’t emphasize enough how dangerous Project 2025 is to the freedoms we have secured over the last two centuries. Despite Trump's lie that he knows nothing about it, the truth has surfaced that he and his VP choice, JD Vance, have been involved in creating this agenda that clearly outlines a dramatic change in American government and culture.⁸ At the very least, skim the Project’s 900 pages if you are unfamiliar with it.⁹ I also recommend following Joyce Vance’s Substack, Civil Discourse.

There are other relevant political issues for an aging America that I will discuss in future newsletters.

• Cost of living

• Social Security and Medicare funding

• Compassionate eldercare

• Affordable housing

• Healthcare and medical options

For me, my legacy—the long-lasting impact of particular events and actions that took place in a person’s past —will include a vote against a fascist takeover of America. If you aren’t sure what fascism looks like, start here.¹⁰

Consider investing in learning more about democracy and how it has been utilized and how it can better serve citizens. Read Democracy May Not Exist, But We’ll Miss It Once It's Gone by Astra Taylor.¹¹

Lastly, if you are ready to take action beyond voting, check out your local Democratic Chapter and national website for ideas. ¹²

1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/exxon-knew-about-climate-change-almost-40-years-ago/

2. https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-agriculture-and-food-supply

3. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/13/climate/home-insurance-profit-us-states-weather.html?unlocked_article_code=1.D04.83RM.WnToDC3SoiEb&smid=url-share

4. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/14/1206506962/climate-change-affects-your-life-in-3-big-ways-a-new-report-warns

5. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity

6. https://www.garn.org/about-garn/

7. https://www.thejustice.org/article/2024/04/unveiling-the-unseen-confronting-book-bans-and-educational-censorship

8. https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/15/politics/russ-vought-project-2025-trump-secret-recording-invs/index.html

9. Project 2025 PDF - https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

11. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38122407-democracy-may-not-exist-but-we-ll-miss-it-when-it-s-gone

View this interview with the activist author:

12. https://democrats.org/take-action/