To the editor:
Back in the 1970s I had a friend who wore a button that said “Don’t vote. It only encourages them.” I thought it was funny. Personally, I’ve always voted. I get it though, it feels hard to support major party candidates when they don’t reflect our values sufficiently. I understand how some people do not want to vote or want to vote for third or fourth party candidates who have no chance of winning.
Protest can take many forms. I think the “don’t vote for them” protest is a huge mistake. Given the enormously oppressive policies of one of our major parties, not voting for the other major party is a luxury we cannot afford.
I know some of us in Athens County have lives organized in such a way that we are relatively unaffected directly by the actions and policies of the government. Unfortunately, the many people who are more vulnerable are affected enormously. Immigrants, people of color, LBGT+ folks, women, seniors, and those who are poor are suffering. Our climate is suffering. People are dying.
I think it makes sense to fight for our values and for the transformation of our society 364 days of the year. On election day, I think it makes sense to vote for Democrats, even if we know they will not lead the transformation we desire. Too many people are being damaged under the current administration.
So please vote. Not to encourage the current administration – they don’t need our encouragement anyway – because they are motivated by greed and power. They need to be stopped. We need your voice to take a small, if imperfect, step forward.
John Schmeiding
Athens, Ohio