I woke up this morning to find out that Reverend Warnock won the senate election in Georgia. That made me very, very happy. When I went to bed Walker and Warnock were neck in neck for the win--I was worried, and now it's clear Warnock won which spells promise for our democracy.
I perused the Twitter feed to see what people had to say about Warnock's win. So many were celebrating the many individuals and groups who tirelessly worked for the Warnock win. I agree with that sentiment since I am so grateful for the many, many people in Georgia and beyond who did the hard work of getting out the win, and that list includes the awesome Stacey Abrams, Barack Obama, and Warnock himself who worked day in and day out with civility, respect, and purpose.
Many also pointed to the number of votes Walker got and how disturbing that is. Walker was clearly a compromised candidate who was supported by #Trump/#MAGA big money and propaganda. Walker was a #MAGA #pawn chosen to do their dirty work. Still, so many Americans voted for Walker clearly without considering his evident inability to represent them with skill and will. This is worrisome and something we all have to think about--how do we lift Americans from the bigoted, cultish, hateful, hurtful, suffocating embrace of the #MAGA #leaders--men and women who use hateful propaganda, lies, and violence to promote their will to serve themselves alone?
As I think of this hefty task, I believe the following actions will help us to move away from #MAGA oppression, hate, and harm.
Support optimal education: Everywhere in the country we need to support modern day education, the kind of education that teaches people the skills to think critically and access factual information that will help them make informed choices. Too many Americans are too willing to accept propaganda as fact, and too many Americans are mired in old myths rather than reality of our history, good and bad, and what it truly takes to be a successful democracy--a government by the people for the people.
Increase broadband: It is important that everyone in the country has access to good information.
Legislate to limit and hopefully end the spread of deadly propaganda, bigotry, and lies. Trump and his hateful #MAGA #Leadership team opened the flood gates of propaganda, bigotry, lies, hate, and violence. We have to find ways to limit, or better yet, eliminate the kind or propaganda, bigotry, hate, and lies that are oppressive, deadly, and hurtful to Americans and our democracy. I believe there are ways that we can create laws and policies that put an end to the kind of speak and advocacy that harms and hurts lives.
Hold Trump team accountable. Evidence shows that #trump and his #MAGAteam broke a lot of laws, were unfaithful to their oaths of office, and worked to harm the American people in countless ways rather than serve them. Trump and his accomplices must be held accountable for their terrorist, deadly, hurtful, lawless acts.
Get involved: Every American has to learn all they can about how to get involved in our government. Democracy is not a passive activity, but instead a kind of government that requires people to be involved. The more we learn about democracy and the more we get involved, the better our country and government will be.
Allow youth to vote at 16. Create a country-wide syllabus for a course that teaches students all they need to know about our United States government and democracy, and at the successful completion of the online and/or offline course, students will be able to vote at age 16. That would increase participation of all citizens, and that increased participation will improve our democracy.
Support and elect intelligent, collaborative, people-centered, honest leaders. Too many big-money, self-serving individuals from the United States and abroad have infiltrated our government in deadly, hurtful ways. We have to work against allowing people to do that with new laws and greater advocacy. We have to get behind good lawmakers and leaders who will make that happen and lead our country in all ways that nurture good living for all.
In the coming days I'll think about how I can positively contribute to our democracy in ways that enrich and lift the lives of all. This matters to me--I want everyone to be able to live their best lives. Onward.