The 2014 midterm election is over and it's about as bad news as I feared. The question is how to find the America I believe in with the worst sort of demagoguery in power?
I confess to clinging to hope that the worst would not happen and that when it did, trying my best to avoid confronting the reality for as long as possible. For me, the irrational Right did not win but apathy did. The Teapublican victory was a grim reminder of what happens when good men and women do nothing.
I use "Teapublican" in part to avoid profanity, but in recognition of what has happened to the former Republican party, one once having room for a Ripon Society and moderate to liberal members. But now, a standard "Reagan Republican" is written off as a liberal menace by those now in control of the GOP.
A clear example is close to home: the current lieutenant governor of Texas, a man by any past measure a knee-jerk conservative Republican, lost in the primary to Dan Patrick, nee Goeb, a recycled mediocre sportscaster with a shady past but a clear identity as a teabagger extremist on every issue. And keep in mind that in Texas, the lieutenant governor has a great deal of power. I suspect Senator Cornyn was only allowed re-election be he has some seniority and seems both docile enough and devoid of his own viewpoint to be manipulated as desired by the extremists.
Finding blame for the election outcome doesn't produce real help, but still I cannot help feeling bitterness for those who don't bother to vote. The same applies to those who vote for a party label without bothering to consider whether candidates actually align with personal values. While I'm at it, this is the first major election since the Citizens United ruling and there is no question that campaign financing without limitations on donors influences outcome.
I'm old and it is tempting to pull up stakes and head to a nice democratically socialist country where one need not fight for human rights on a daily basis and where health care is not a crapshoot. But I have children and grandchildren to worry about, my own and millions of others. I see science being demonized in education and creeping theocracy becoming too acceptable. I suspect that any hope for the American values I grew up cherishing will come through fighting and winning small but critical battles.
This will mean making every rational voice count. When a school board wants to cut pages out of textbooks because they don't align with religious views, speak up. Demand accountability and truth. Make so much noise that you cannot be ignored and armor that noise with facts. Do your homework and use every media tool to get facts out.
Go to local and regional public meeting such as city councils and county commissioners and stand up for your position. Do the homework to present solid evidence and coherent arguments. Comment on local and national news websites and refuse to let lies stand unchallenged.
And vote. Vote in every election and if choices are both less than desirable, at least find the candidate who is least offensive. If you are dismayed by candidates, run yourself or find someone willing to run and trustworthy. Refuse to accept that your vote doesn't count or that any race doesn't matter.
And should it be in your belief system, pray that an America that truly offers liberty and just for all is still possible.