by Joe Courter
November 5th is fast approaching and the outcome of it will be important to all of our futures. When I think ahead to Election Day, what worries me is not the voters who will choose to vote for Trump, but the non-voters who, for whatever reason, choose to stay home. It is those citizens who truly have the impact to decide elections, and even as access to voting is expanded in time and method, still they choose to stay home. Who recognizes their significance? Republicans, whose efforts to make voting harder through harassment, misinformation, and registration hurdles strive to keep likely Democratic voters home.
I know why I vote. I want people in office who will make the lives of disadvantaged folks better, who will “promote the general welfare” through better education, better healthcare and stronger human rights to all people. The Democrats ain’t perfect, but they are the better option our entrenched current duopoly offers us, because with them we have a better chance at moving toward healthcare for all, women’s and LGBTQ rights, taxing the rich and other ideals many of us want. This is especially true now with the Republicans becoming the party of MAGA Trumpism. What we face with this election is the specter of Project 2025 being put into action, and the undoing of years of progress in so many ways.
What we are up against is the cultivation of a movement to take us backwards, and it is actively getting people to vote that way. Trump’s creation of scapegoats and vilification of opponents is straight out of the authoritarian, fascist playbook. When the press condemns him for these outrageous claims, it becomes a rallying cry for his base who are in his thrall, and who feel that those criticisms are an attack on them, too. From that he can offer retribution, as both are victims of this attack from the elites, and he is the one to fight back against those elites, as he has said, “I will be your retribution.” As our media sources have lead us into a much more polarized mindset, we have abandoned trying to understand other points of view, seeing people with different views as opponents, or enemies. Polarization trumps empathy and understanding; this is not a healthy state of affairs. (These concepts I got from Arlie Hochschild, author of “Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right”).
This month marks 38 years since this humble little publication started in October of 1986 as a photocopied newsletter mailed out to 600 people; it expanded to newsprint in 1990, with thousands of copies printed, in very much the same form you have in your hands now. It was and is powered by a sense of purpose believing that if people are better informed and learn that positive things are happening, and the opportunity is given to have people plug into these efforts, good things will materialize. It promotes civic engagement and a more vibrant participatory democracy. That has never been more true than right now.
The fact is our democracy is in danger of unraveling with this election. We have an unhinged cult figure running for president, along with his smooth-talking vice presidential candidate who, before the nation’s eyes during the VP debate, refused to acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Vance has said that, had he been in Mike Pence’s shoes, would not have certified the 2020 election. Yes, your vote matters, your friends and families votes matter, your social media’s contacts and co-workers votes matter. We need an overwhelming turnout, and perhaps a bit of luck that the vote counting in the various states goes well.
When I set out to write another publisher’s note in November, I hope it can reflect on an overwhelming rejection of Donald Trump, a defeat of Senator Rick Scott, an affirmation of a woman’s right to control her body, and whatever else we can get through. VOTE!
P.S. Articles in this issue covering voting topics are marked with a large check mark. The Iguana voter’s guide, which lists our voting recommendations, is on page 14. You can cut it out and take it with you to your polling place.