Once upon a time there was a man called Alexander Hamilton. He was enamored of his new country, the United States of America, a new idea, a new world of thinking, one he wished to be sure would continue intact with the best interests of the country secure. A primary concern was to close the door on any possibility of a foreign agent taking over the office of president of the country. The saga of Benedict Arnold, once mentioned as a possibility to become president, loomed in the minds of all concerned. Hence, the Electors.
According to plan, they would be the safety belt and suspenders of the nation. They would be apolitical, no member of Congress allowed to have that position. They would thus be free to choose impartially and wisely, sure to pick a person of "preeminent ability and virtue". Oy!
What would Mr. Hamilton think of the out there thinking and behavior of the states today as they turn the electoral positions into rabid swamps of partisanship and most eminently not quite focused on picking those with the desired traits. Designed to eliminate those such as Trump, a fool, a danger to the country, a man under the influence - control? - of foreign powers, well, here we are in 2022, preparing for 2024. All the while the danger posed to this country via the Electoral College is well into the red danger zone. The pressure is mounting, the chances growing, nearing readiness and inevitability, and what the heck do we do now?
For sure, another rap recitation by Mr. Hamilton might do the trick - at least on Broadway, but not here, in the 21st century. The country has outgrown this Electoral College. It has become perverted, subject to the vagaries of partisanship, politicized to the nth degree all the better to be used as a pathway to overturn unfavorable election results.
Mind you, this comes from the GOP and the alt right. They have added a second line of security for these nefarious plans by giving the supervisor of election, the secretary of state responsible for the security and impartiality of the election process, massive powers to corrupt the very same election, and all via loyalty to a Party rather than to the country.
Is there a song to be found there? I do not think so. Would that it was so simple a cure to be applied to this manifestly dangerous, democracy threatening idea - quite well on its way to become a true, unavoidable existential threat to the very essence of this country. No, definitely no song here. Alas.
This country was founded by quarrelsome people caught up in a quarrel with the mother country, a spat which grew quickly into a fight, into a battle royale, into a wonderful and wondrous noble experiment of mankind. A country where government would be in the hands of elected officials, no monarchy, no House of Lords, a democracy. A breath of fresh air and the world breathed anew, deeply.
A stream of immigrants grew into rivers and oceans of them coming to the land of hope and possibilities. They built this land. They made mistakes, some much more serious than others. And they continued that vein of quarrelsome people, arguing always, but somehow, coming to some compromise which moved us onwards, together, as a nation. As Americans. Always and forever, even if too slowly at times, the errors were corrected, and we moved on. Bruised, but the better for it.
We stood as a role model for the world. We were looked up too, emulated, asked for advice. Today, despite the intense efforts of Biden to overcome the antipathy of the world towards us, a result of four years of a Trump presidency and the continued influences of the Trumpian world on a confused populace, gullible, accepting of wild conspiracy theories, we have a long, uphill battle facing us now, and in the years ahead. The final outcome is not yet definite; however, be aware there is a dangerous possibility of it all ending the wrong way. So much for a glorious dream of mankind. The voices of Hamiton and the Founding Fathers will echo no more on the stages of Broadway. Nor in the atmosphere of the world.
It is upon us, the voters, to gather ourselves and get ourselves to the polls. No longer is a silent majority to remain in peace and apathy, for we, our country, America, as we know it today is quite visibly on the endangered species list.
"Between January 1 and May 5, lawmakers in 42 states introduced 546 abortion restrictions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which researches reproductive rights. So far, 10 states have enacted 37 of those measures, and just over half were in Kentucky alone.
A majority of states also saw the introduction of 86 abortion bans of varying degrees, including a near-total ban in Oklahoma that was signed by the governor in April and is set to take effect in August. Oklahoma and Wyoming have also enacted "trigger laws," which would automatically ban abortion should Roe be overturned. Altogether, lawmakers in nine states have introduced 12 trigger proposals in the same four-month period."
The above states it all. It is not 'only' the right to choose that is in grave trouble, but all the rest that follows, as surely as night follows day. All the rest of the rights to privacy, for people to choose their own lifestyle, to live in harmony with others, to allow people to choose and practice a religion for themselves, to practice tolerance and acceptance - all will go by the wayside. We will find ourselves in an America foreign to us, inimical to life as we know it today. Open for a revolution of such proportions that the shock will shake the very foundations of the globe, be it Atlas or a giant turtle or whatever, whomever, supporting it. No turning back. Road closed.
It is up to us, the voters. It is for us to choose. It is not only the right to choose but all that follows, all that would ensue. It is the right to choose for oneself anywhere, in any field, in any decision. To practice one's chosen religion openly, without fear, without discrimination. It is a nation which will not be afraid to walk into a supermarket or church or synagogue or arena or concert and fear impending death.
It is a nation and future where we will be smart about gun control, where we will educate our kids properly, openly, encouraging thought and questions, instilling a love of country and democracy, ensuring that no race hates another, not whites blacks nor blacks, white, nor Asians nor Native Americans or anyone. Where race, color, denomination will no longer be capitalized for it will not be the focus, a misplaced focus of a country riven by that focus.
It will be the end of those ridiculous questions at doctors' offices, asking one to designate race, religion, ethnicity, even going so far as to ask where your ancestors originated. Really! Why is that so important. We are all Americans. Stop emphasizing differences and go for the similarities. One and all. One for all. All for one. A nation of myriad numbers of Musketeers.
WE can make it work. WE can understand that the Constitution does not lock us into early 1800 mode of thought. It is a living document, one meant to go along with us, rather than hold us back, tied to the lower elements of society, the wrong manner of thought, and misshapen souls. Time to turn aside and away from those who would reshape this country into what it is not, was never meant to be. It will take hard work, uncomfortable at times, but the stakes are great - and permanent.
The right to live free, at peace with society, tolerant, open in thought, clear of conscience - or at the very least, working toward that state of being.
It is the only positive way to a positive future, one replete with hope and goodness.
Let us get to it.
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