Democrats need to stand proud
To the Editor:
Vice President J.D. Vance recently made a remark about protesters in Washington, D.C., calling them stupid white hippies who are in their nineties and need to go home and take a nap. In addition, he said they have never felt danger in their entire lives.
Imagine dismissing a whole generation of people who lived through the civil rights era and the resultant violence, the Vietnam War and the protests, as well as the Kent State massacre, all of which occurred more than a decade before he was born. How can he know what danger we encountered in those years?
In 1968 I registered as a Democrat, an obvious choice. I identified with the people fighting for civil rights, for voting rights, for women’s rights, for justice for all. There was no doubt in my mind then or now. In my early years I often voted for independents, being a product of the 1960s, but in time I learned that throwing my vote to a candidate that cannot win is not an effective use of my voice. Like it or not, we are a two-party system.
Democrats have let Republicans define them for too long now. We have been called socialists, communists, traitors, pedophiles. When Newt Gingrich became Speaker of the House, Democrats became “the enemy” for the first time. And when Barack Obama was elected president, Democrats were defined as un-American, satanists, un-Christian. Obama was called a Muslim, which should make no difference in a democratic country, but it did.
Now as the current administration runs roughshod over our rights, Democrats seem unable to pull together a united message. Increasing numbers of Democrats are switching to unaffiliated status. Somehow that has become an honorable thing to do when now, more than ever, we people need to come together in opposition to what is happening in our country. That opposition is, and will be, protesting the policies of the administration, communicating with our representatives in Congress, and yes, voting for Democrats.
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Why is it hard to say, “I am a proud Democrat?” Democrats are responsible for equal voting rights, for social security, for Medicare and Medicaid, all social programs attempting to create a balance among rich and poor, old and young, Black and White, men and women, and individuals of sexual and religious differences. In enacting these laws, among many, there have been no qualifications related to political or religious allegiance.
As I think about my party, the Democratic Party, I hope people are paying attention. Democrats are under attack by the current administration. Voicing concerns about crime rates, a Republican president is sending armed military into predominantly Democratic cities. The president is also threatening to send troops to other Democratic cities. Republican governors are sending National Guard troops to these same cities in support of the president’s agenda. Republican cities, and states, with higher crime rates are not on the radar. Every American should be worried by this attack on Democrats.
This is not the America we aspire to. We have lived together in communities, gone to church together, sent our children to school together without being concerned about our voting preferences. We did not worship our president or hate anyone who spoke against him.
I hope you consider coming back to the Democratic Party if you were a member. If you have been independent, I hope you will join us. If you are a Republican who opposes the actions of the current administration, come over to the other side. You don’t have to stay forever.
It is time to quit asking what Democrats can do for us and think about how we can help Democrats overcome the takeover of our country by a singular autocrat wannabe. The kind of division we are seeing cannot prevail in a democracy, and we are in danger of losing the peace we have worked hard for. A president who is creating chaos, pitting Republicans against Democrats, rural people against urban dwellers in his own country doesn’t deserve to be president. Neither do the Republicans under his sway. If Republicans have their way, Democrats will never be able to enact legislation again.
It will be up to Democrats to vote them out. Be one with them.
Margaret Pickett
Highlands
