Voters: The Last Line of Defense

There simply is no room for apathy

Over the past decade, the U.S. has faced multiple long-term public health emergencies that significantly increased the demand for mental health services. If you think the GOP candidate with delusions of grandeur who’s already previewed the extensive damage he intends to inflict on us starting on “day one” won’t result in a public health emergency, think again.

• When the Constitution doesn’t matter, little in America will remain the same;

• When know-nothing lackeys are filling Cabinet posts, judgeships and diplomatic positions, the only say they will have is “Yes Sir!”; and

• When every lawmaker who opposes the “dear leader” is primaried out of office, there will be no real representation on Capitol Hill.

For all of these reasons, the highest priority in this year’s election has to be voter registration and turnout. Consider the numbers from our last two presidential cycles. In 2016, the population of eligible voters (VEP) was nearly 231 million. Only 59.2% of them turned out to vote. In 2020, the VEP was 239 million and 66.9% voted. That noteworthy increase in 2020 participation made all the difference, and this year, we need to pump up that percentage even further. 

There simply is no room for apathy with the stakes so high. Citizens must encourage each other to vote. Without exaggeration, we are at a crossroads in American history, and there will be no going back if democracy doesn’t prevail. Should the unthinkable happen, no doubt a public and mental health emergency will be waiting in the wings.

Post submitted by Barbara Holzer, a volunteer with The Union

Note: The views and opinions expressed by volunteer contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Union, a single-issue organization that welcomes all and is dedicated to protecting democracy.

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