Upend Trump with your vote!

Upend things at the ballot box! Morten Morland illustration. Courtesy debutart.com

 

The last original blog I posted here was right before the presidential election in 2016, when I nudged you all to not sit this one out.

Why the four-year lapse?

Because ever since that existential election, I have been suffering from a paralyzing case of Trump-induced Writer’s Block (TWB).

My TWB is a condition closely related to Trump Anxiety Disorder, an unofficial term coined by therapists who have seen a dramatic rise in stress among patients across the political spectrum. (Shoutout to my friend Halicue at HOTV for bringing TAD to my attention.)

I have coped with TWB by clinging to the hope that a cure would come — and soon.

Surely moderate Republicans would finally wake from their collective fugue to say enough is enough. Surely the sheer volume of dangerous policies, shocking scandals, prepubescent bullying, unabashed racism and absurd incompetence would finally tip the scales. Surely unanimous impeachment would finally break the dystrumpian stronghold. Surely ever-Trumpers would finally jump ship when the American death toll from Covid-19 skyrocketed due in large part to the ignorance, inaction and arrogance of this president.

Inconceivably, none of these sure things came to pass. And there has been no relief from TWB, TAD, and all related conditions. The emperor still sits atop his throne, and he still has no clothes.

So, my friends, the only remedy is at the ballot box on November 3, 2020, where those who oppose — and we are the majority of Americans — must stand and be counted.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again:

Don’t sit this one out. Make your voice heard. Exercise your right as a citizen of this precious, precarious democracy. Get out there and VOTE!

 

“I’m hopeful that despite all the noise, all the lies, we’re going to remember who we are, who we’re called to be. Out of this political darkness, I see a great awakening.

If you vote, things will get better, it will be a start.””  

~ Barack Obama

 

Here are some things you can do right now to sit this one IN!

1 – Make it official: If you’ve never voted, now’s a great time to start. Think you’re already registered? Double check to make sure.

2 – Have a plan: If you feel comfortable voting in-person, find your polling place now and figure out how to get there, and how to stay safe while casting your ballot. Prefer to vote by mail to avoid the crowds? Your state might already be sending all registered voters a mail-in ballot. If not, apply for one today.

3 – Track your ballot: Each state has a different policy and process for tracking your mail-in ballot. (In my home state of California, voters can sign up for Ballottrax.) To find tracking scoop for your state, search “your state + mail-in ballot tracking.”

4 – Share the election love: Volunteer to help others — especially young voters and those most vulnerable to voter suppression — learn about the candidates and issues, get registered, or get mail-in ballots.

 

Together we can rise above the noise and remember who we are.

Let’s get started!