Tomorrow, the United States will hold one of the most divisive and consequential elections in its history. The outcome may not be known for days, and it may be questioned for weeks or more. The next U.S. President will have worldwide impact.
Many states also have critical ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, and are choosing who they will send to the Senate and the House of Representatives. And choosing to fill state and local community offices.
Once all is said and done, it is really not over. As responsible citizens, we cannot just turn away for another two years or four years thinking "well, I voted, I did my part". That is not enough.
HOLD THE LIGHT
All lead busy lives, but one has to make room to stay if not politically active, at the barest minimum "politically aware". It has taken time for the political arena to evolve to the corruption, the cruel discourse, the mis-and-disinformation so common today, and it is on the shoulders of all, it cannot be laid at the feet of one party or one person. There are those who use it more boldly, loudly, frequently, but all use it. As a citizen and a voter, we can and must hold each and every person we elect ~ each and every person we vote for ~ accountable. We must HOLD THE LIGHT toward them, to what they say, to what they do. Otherwise, that vote was no more that a mark on a piece of paper.
If you live outside the "megapolis" that has become the cities of Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD along the I-95 North corridor toward New York, you may not be aware of the furor that rose recently when the venerable WASHINGTON POST (owner, Jeff Bezos/Amazon) spiked the editorial endorsing Kamala Harris for President. He did this 11 days before the election. He wrote, as did CEO William Lewis trying to justify/explain the decision. Poorly. Causing multiple resignations from the Editorial board and renowned staff journalists, and to date losing over 250,000 subscribers cancelling in protest.
This from the newspaper that won a Pulitzer Prize for "ATTACK" its coverage of the January 6, 2021 insurrection. And has endorsed other candidates in this election cycle.
The WASHINGTON POST banner carries the line: Democracy Dies In Darkness
And it will. Unless each and every one of us HOLD THE LIGHT up to it. As individuals, demanding it from our leaders, demanding truth from the media, not allowing only the deep-pockets to speak for us. I've been a regular reader of the Washington Post for just over 60 years, even subscribing during the years that I lived out of the DC/Baltimore metro area. But many more years have been lived and worked in this area than anywhere else, and I call this home, with pride. And I want to hang onto that pride. Not to see it diminished by politicians and government "leaders" who come to work on behalf of themselves, seeking power and money with no real love of country or their fellow citizens within. So, yes, we must HOLD THE LIGHT up to all in power, or yes, our DEMOCRACY will DIE IN DARKNESS.
