We don’t have time to wait for the U.S. Justice Department case against Georgia’s racist voting restrictions to wend it’s circuitous way through the courts. Senate Democrats need to end the filibuster and pass the Voting Rights Act now to stop the Republicans’ dismantling of American democracy.
The New York Times reports: “The voting lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, will almost certainly take years to resolve, while Republican-led state legislatures continue to seek new voting restrictions.”
Thousands of minority voters and older American across the country will soon be disenfranchised as Republicans use unjust legislation to steal elections in an attempt to dominate the US House, Senate, and Presidency, and state legislatures. That’s why Democratic voters must demand that Senate leaders do away with the filibuster.
If you thought COVID-19 upended your life with maskless citizens spreading a deadly virus, half a million dead loved ones (and counting) and the millions who lost their jobs in a devastated economy, you’ve not seen the worst.
Were you frightened by the Republican insurrection on Jan. 6 in our nation’s Capitol? Did you watch with concern the recent protests against police brutality?
Now imagine what Trump’s base might do if the partisan GOP election auditors in Maricopa County, Arizona, declare irregularities in the 2020 election totals. Add to that the trouble Republican are stirring in other states with specious claims of election irregularities, demands for 2020 vote recounts and talk of Trump reclaiming the presidency before the 2024 election. Then add to that the outrage of millions of soon to be disenfranchised Democratic voters. All brought to America’s doorstep by the GOP.
If you’re not worried yet, you should be.
Voters, Republican and Democrat, may take to the streets if they believe they have been deprived of their vote and voice. Some Trump supporters may protest or even act violently if they believe Trump needs help retaking the presidency. And it’s a toss up where the anger of Democratic voters may take them.
The behavior of GOP leaders is not brilliant brinksmanship. It is madness that is turning America into a failed state, a state whose leadership is increasingly seen by citizens as both ineffective and illegitimate.
The Democrats have many faults, but the dismantling of democracy is a Republican job. That’s why America can only be saved from the abyss if Republican governors, state legislators and party leaders across the country stop talking about the unproven election “steal,” give up their demands for sham election audits and rescind unjust disenfranchisement legislation.
How long will reasonable Republican voters stand idly by and watch GOP leaders throw stones at a wasps’ nest of resentment and injustice, knowing we will all be stung?
Republican leaders will obviously not forgo a power grab unless a majority of GOP voters open their eyes to see the dangers and act immediately to pressure their leaders to abandon what they are doing. I’m not holding my breath. I’m praying for a miracle.
Republicans have sown the wind with bitter seeds. Our children may now reap the whirlwind of conflict.
Rodney King’s passionate plea for peace at a troubled time should invite us all to choose a path of reason and good will in our time:
“Can we all get along? Can we, can we get along? Can we stop making it horrible for the older people and the kids?”
Will we deprive our children of peace and democracy? Will we, will we?
Eric Hubner
Eric Hubner, Volcano, Hawai’i, received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, as well as a master of social work degree from the State University of New York. He is a retired mental health therapist and school social worker, who also worked in the addiction field and coordinated services for families at risk of child abuse and neglect.