We can’t get complacent now
After four years of hard work, the collective fog has been lifted from the United States. The Democrats now control the Presidency, the House, and the Senate. For the good of our mental health, we need to pause and cherish the moment.
But a pause is all we can afford. The truth is, we came too close to losing our democracy. Gaslighting Republicans have brainwashed many Americans into trying to destroy the democracy we hold dear. Because we organized and fought, we managed to hold on to it. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try again.
There will always be some new evil waiting around the corner. Whether it’s Josh Hawley or someone we’ve never heard of, democracy requires participation. If our goal is to truly fend off another insurrection attempt, then it will take all of us working all the time.
2021 is considered an off-year for elections because the big congressional show is in 2022, but that doesn’t mean there are no races.
Four congressional seats will be fought over in special elections this year—two in Louisiana, one in New Mexico and one in Ohio. We have seen the immeasurable difference controlling a branch of congress can make, and we can’t afford to let any of these seats fall to Republicans.
In addition, there are plenty of local elections every year, and so much of what affects people in their daily lives happens on the local level.
So now is not the time to get complacent. Complacency helped get us where we are, and we know better now. Volunteer for campaigns—you can text/phone bank, canvas, write postcards, whatever you want, there’s a job for everyone. Make your political donations recurring—campaigns need money. Keep yourself educated. And if that’s not enough, by all means, get out there and run for office yourself. Your country needs you.
