Get Out & Vote!

I tend to be more politically active these days, mainly because I cannot turn a blind eye to the devastation and depravity being wrought by the so-called President of the US and the horrific regime behind its bloviating, useful idiot. I haven't been able to hold back since 2016, when it became clear to anyone with two brain cells that even accidentally bump into each other that there was nothing remotely right or decent or even sane about the state of affairs under this "administration." And no, contrary to every very vocal MAGA assertion, it's not the "Liberal media," or "fake news," or the ubiquitous screech of "TDS!" that informs the resistance to this regime; it's the content of Project 2025 (which has been out there for all to see, and by rights should have been the biggest, brightest red flag to anyone who even claims to be a patriot); it's the absolute vileness of unfiltered Donald Trump, largely via his press and social media releases; it's the tangible results of MAGA policies, such as a needless war with Iran; inflation far in excess of that under the previous administration, which ostensibly spurred so many votes for Donald Fucking Trump; it's the alienation of our best allies and trading partners; it's the stunningly overt favoring of totalitarian policies, exemplified by the admiration of Russia's and (sometimes China's) despots — despite the desperate MAGAT screams that it's the Left promoting "communism" (if only any of them knew the difference between totalitarian "communism" and what the term really means); it's the tearing down of our most worthy institutions, which represented some of the most important guardrails against an autocratic chief executive; it's the blatant grift that is enriching the occupant of the White House (hideously damaged by that self-same occupant) and his degenerate family.

I could go on. And on. And on.

So, yeah, when the organizers of the local No Kings rallies announced a day to show up and encourage people to vote, then yeah, I signed up. It's true that this rally represents protest against the awful goings-on in this country, but the number one message was, indeed, "GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!" At today's event, about 60 people showed up, which for this sized community — and with very little publicity — proved pretty damned respectable. The vast majority of passersby showed obvious support as well, which was heartening.

No one — NO ONE — in this group is some radical who hates America. That's total MAGA bullshit. This is a solid group of very intelligent, very decent, very moral Americans who believe strongly in policies that help more people than they hurt. Religion plays no part in these ideals; no one is espousing the imposition of radical Islam and Sharia law; no, you're thinking of Christian Nationalism, which is closer to Sharia law than any other belief system in this country.

Now, if you're quite happy with the status quo, then by all means, vote your conscience. However, if your conscience isn't mortified by the goings-on of this regime, well, you and I have nothing in common. And you just have yourself a nice day with your head in the sand, you hear?