Memorial Day is the day we remember those who died for our country. While it commemorates the end of their lives, it evolved into the unofficial first day of a summer, an odd mix of somber and happy. As we seem to have finally gotten Covid under control, everyone is looking forward to the sunshine. But there are dark political divisions that seem to have grown deeper during the year of Covid and the defeat of Trump. Because the Republicans still believe the “Big Lie” of the stolen election, they are on a nationwide campaign to restrict our right to vote. Even though there has been repeated proof from election officials and the courts that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. It’s been called the most secure in history. Republicans didn’t like losing and they want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
The greatest example is in Texas where a new bill will make it the most difficult place to vote in the country. It’s done under the guise that the last election was plagued by fraud and corruption, of which, there is no proof. The bill would reduce polling hours, empower poll watchers to be more aggressive, prohibit Sunday voting before 1pm when many Black voters go to the polls, it would be easier for a judge to overturn an election, eliminate drive through voting, and make it more difficult to get an absentee ballot. Late last night before a midnight deadline, the Democrats in the state legislature walked out preventing a final vote because of a lack of a quorum. Governor Greg Abbott has promised to sign the bill, and says he will call a special session of the legislature to try to get the bill passed. Democrats will try to get concessions, but in the end some version of the bill will get passed. Texas is just one of an increasing number of Republican controlled states trying to pass tougher voting laws.
As we look forward to the beach, the mountains, and barbecues, we can be distressed or comforted by the huge increase in gun sales during the year of Covid. As of 2020, thirty-nine percent of American homes have a gun, up from thirty-two percent in 2016. One-fifth of gun buyers last year, were first time buyers. There are many reasons: people locked down afraid of the outside world, the killing of George Floyd which lead to marches for racial justice that sometimes led to unacceptable looting and violence. It‘s a sign we are afraid of each other and we are willing to live with increased gun violence that’s spread across the country.
We can’t get our elected officials to approve a commission to investigate the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Again, it’s Republicans who are afraid it will reflect badly on them and their cult leader. We can’t seem to agree on some of our basic rights; voting, responsible gun ownership, holding people accountable for their actions, we can’t even agree on facts. This country was built on a foundation that allows us freedom to express ourselves and fight for what we believe in. The Americans we remember today overcame their fears for the rest of us. We should overcome our fears of each other, and reflect on the kind of country those heroes died to preserve.
Leave a Reply