Is anybody else ready for this election to be over? Or not? As we enter the final stretch to Election Day, both sides are worried that a loss will be a loss for democracy. That could be the problem. Whose democracy will be lost?
Today, Americans face a profound choice as they navigate two distinct visions of democracy. The overarching theme on both sides is 'freedom.' As Janis Joplin once sang, 'Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,' a sentiment echoed in the iconic song' Me and Bobby McGee' by the late Kris Kristofferson.
You may interpret that as you may, and over the years, I have wondered what that may look like. I have concluded that an individual who has the freedom to exist as they choose without judgment or consequence as long as they do no harm to others would be a perfect example. Of course, this is just a sliver of the overall meaning.
Republicans have hijacked the word freedom and used it to create their base because they knew that freedom would trigger a mentality of something being taken away. And no one wants their freedoms taken away, right? Their messaging was aggressive and brilliant. Unfortunately, it was based on lies. Nobody wants to take their guns away. Nobody is forcing them to read a book containing material you disagree with. No one is asking them to participate in a gay parade. The Republicans were very good at telling their base that someone else's beliefs and behavior were robbing them of their freedom. So what happened? Freedoms were being stripped away from those who did not look or think like them. To ensure those rights were denied, they filled the courts with judges who agreed with them and elected politicians who would carry their definition of freedom to Washington.
Republicans proclaim that Americans should be free from big government. Ironically, their interpretation of smaller government can fit into our homes and bedrooms. Lobbyists and special interest groups tapped into government to ensure the laws of the land protected their idea of what America should look like. Gone would be the days of free thinking and expression, which is part of the cornerstone of our democracy. Can you imagine climbing back into the closet?
The Democrats have finally recognized the importance of reclaiming the word "freedom" to express what I believe Janis Joplin was singing about. Beyoncé's song "Freedom" serves as Kamala Harris' campaign theme. We long for a time in this country when we can genuinely pursue happiness without fearing persecution. When societal norms are not confined to a single perspective, freedom of expression will be accepted as an individual right. When we embrace diversity as a strength, we will have a clearer definition of freedom.
So, are we ready for November 5? If Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States, what will we do? I know there are a lot of "what ifs." Just thinking about it causes me a lot of anxiety. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the outcome of our election will preserve democracy, whatever that means.
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