The Time Is Now-Vote!

Election Day is almost here. I can’t even put into words how important it is to vote. I have already voted in this historic midterm election and will anxiously await the results on Tuesday. I urge you to vote and to vote as if your life depends on it… because it does.

As I write this, many are debating about immigration and borders. What a convenient bait and switch of the issues that are most important.

A tax break was given to the top 1% (who didn’t need it) at a cost of about 1.5 trillion dollars, destroying our budget. Now the current leaders want to balance the budget by cutting Medicaid and Social Security. This was proposed only a couple of weeks ago. The budget for education, the environment, infrastructure and more will all be whittled away, while we debate immigration. Troops were sent to the border, at a another expensive cost to us, the taxpayer, and the people trying to seek asylum are 900 miles away! It would make more sense to me to use the 50 million dollars it will cost the taxpayer to support social workers, lawyers, and church groups to greet them and provide much needed attention and support until their individual cases are reviewed.

But then, it will takes months for them to get here.

Because this is such a debate, they are all hoping we forget about common sense gun control. AR-15 ban, banning bump stocks, and a national permit to purchase which includes extensive background checks. They are hoping we forget about Medicaid and Medicare and insuring those with pre-existing conditions while also working together to fix the problems with The Affordable Health Care Act. They are hoping we forget about equal rights for all. There are so many issues worthy of your consideration in this election.

Please educate yourself on all issues, and don’t assume that a commercial for a candidate speaks their actual agenda. I refuse to let fear dictate my vote. Pay attention when scare tactics are used.

I think this election can prove to be a powerful statement to those in leadership now. I am tired of the current lies, manipulation, verbal assaults, and incredibly bad policy.

“I am sick and tired of this administration. I’m sick and tired of what’s going on. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I hope you are, too.”-Joe Biden

Words Matter. Truth Matters. Intelligence Matters. Diplomacy Matters.

PLEASE VOTE!

These are just a few of my postcards I have been mailing. I am trying to make an impact and nudge people who might skip the opportunity to make their voice heard. This election is critical. I believe our democracy depends on it. I am also attending a text party. By texting and reminding people to vote I can feel as if I am making a bit of a difference.

This new Neil Young video in concert was just released a few days ago. He connects the shooting of college students at Kent State back in the 60’s to the gun violence of today. At Kent State, twenty-eight guardsmen fired on unarmed protesting students. Approximately 67 rounds were fired over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis. After I watched Neil Young’s video, I thought about other songs that have just as much political significance today as they did when they were released. Listen.

Neil Young-Ohio

“…Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?”

The Beatles-Revolution

“…You say you’ll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it’s the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead…”

Pink Floyd-Another Brick In The Wall

Bruce Hornsby-The Range

“…Said hey, little boy, you can’t go where the others go
‘Cause you don’t look like they do
Said hey, old man, how can you stand to think that way?
And did you really think about it before you made the rules?
He said, son
That’s just the way it is
Some things will never change
That’s just the way it is
Ah, but don’t you believe them, yeah…”

Marvin Gaye-What’s Goin’ On

R.E.M. – Drive 

Bob Marley-Get Up Stand Up

“Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don’t give up the fight”

Bob Dylan-The Times They Are A-Changin’

“…Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin’.
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’…”

Do you have any songs that are significant to you? Please share in the comments. I will listen. Music is so powerful and helps me to cope with the anxiety of this important week.

REMEMBER….