On the Ballot in 2024

While there won’t likely be any specific controversial referenda to vote on in 2024, and the election will mostly be about choosing individuals to represent us in local, state, and federal capacities, there will certainly be a substantial number of critical matters to be decided. The ballot won’t list them, but the political parties will reflect them. Where you stand on the issues should guide which party you should vote for, particularly in the 2024 election.

If you value:

• Women's reproductive freedom

• Governmental action, not theatrics

• Climate crisis reversal

• Election integrity

• Law and order

• Responsible gun ownership

• Responsible investment in technology, infrastructure, education

• Equality and dignity as human rights

• Decency and dignity in the Office of the President

• Moderation and bipartisanship in your president

• Cabinet level leadership with qualifications and integrity

• Holding a president accountable under the law

• Supreme Court ethics

• Continued economic recovery from COVID & Russian aggression

• Global stability and NATO solidarity

• Responsible and equitable deficit reduction

… then the Democratic Party is for you.

If you value:

• Constant chaos

• Destruction of long-standing, vital institutions and laws

• Safe harbor for bigotry, fascism, authoritarianism

• No prosecution for criminals who perpetrated crimes against our nation, and pardons for those already found guilty

• Government gridlock and endless, needless, and pointless investigations

• Rising deficits

• Tax relief for the wealthy subsidized by the middle class

• Culture of cheating

… then today’s Republican Party is for you.

If you have concerns about either party, and prefer a third party candidate instead, consider the consequences of voting for the third party, since you can only vote for one person for a position. Will your vote help to elect that person? Will your vote take away a vote needed by your second choice to defeat your least desired candidate? Could your vote mean the difference between electing someone who represents most of your ideals and electing someone who represents none (or worse)? Beware the wolves in sheep’s clothing (e.g., the No Labels Party and RFK, Jr.).

Governing is serious business, or at least it should be. The last seven years have been marked by a sharp shift toward “governtainment,” a form of (un)reality TV where chaos and discord are features and not bugs. It should not be a surprise to anyone that Donald Trump, a master of that medium, is using it to return himself to the presidency. The reason should be clear: that by returning to the presidency, he can stop almost all prosecution of himself, and continue to dismantle our democracy and enrich himself. It should also not be a surprise that he and his supporters are stacking the deck to try to ensure his win, and setting the stage to delegitimize the election if he should lose.

For the sake of our democracy, vote Blue, at all levels of government, but especially the national level and the presidency. It’s not nearly enough to just eke out a close win; we need a massive Blue Wave to wash away the toxic Red Tide!