Please say you voted. If you didn’t vote, you don’t get to bitch about the outcome. Simple as that. If you did vote, thank you. Democracy only works when it is participatory.
It is likely the election results will not be known for some time. We can expect outcomes in close races to be challenged. Voting disinformation will abound. Efforts to undercut the integrity of the election process will challenge legitimate outcomes. It is far from over.
Now is not the time to think that you did your part because you voted. Now is not the time to throw up your hands in despair and check out. Now is not the time to listen to whatever comes over the airwaves as fact. Now is not the time to be a bench sitter. Be big, be bold, be loud. Be faithful. Being involved in the public sphere is an act of faith. It is the belief that our country can change when we vote our conscience and vote for the good of all people.
Free and fair elections depend on people who work the polls, count the ballots and register the outcome. Write to your Secretary of State and say thank you for doing their job with integrity. If there is a kerfuffle about counting all the votes in your state, be outraged and write to your Secretary of State about that.
Actively work to put disinformation to rest. This means you must be an informed citizen (something we should be all the time). Depend on reliable news sources for your information. Encourage family and friends to not succumb to the craziness that is out there.
Christian nationalism is a real and present danger to our democracy. People of faith (all faiths), and people of no faith who have a conscience have a duty to speak their truth. Remember, the religious right is not a majority; they just have the biggest mouths and a lot of money. They form power blocks and ingratiate themselves to politicians in a constant quid pro quo. If you have been silent, now is the time to speak up.
Write to your local and state legislators, even if the outcome of their election is uncertain. Say what your expectations are on crucial issues. Remind them they are servants of the people.
A senator once told me that he hears from less than fifty people on any given issue. A few phone calls, a few letters, a few e-mails and THAT IS IT! Our legislators cannot represent us if we don’t tell them where we are at. They will be guided by their own beliefs and their inner moral compass. This is not, as we have seen, always a good thing.
Thanksgiving and Christmas may be interesting this year. If we remain silent, falsehoods and misinformation will go unchallenged. It is important to remember that disagreeing does not have to be a knock-down, drag-out screaming match. Disagreement can happen politely and respectfully. It’s time to stop being afraid. It’s time to stop being apathetic. Our disagreement may not change another’s mind, but we can never underestimate the power of planting a seed.
It’s time to pray, protest and participate.
Check out the new book recommendation, How to Heal Our Divides
The Irreverent Reverend 