Opinion: The election puts a lot at stake
Shravani Page | Staff Writer
There’s a lot going on right now. And here’s a marginally biased breakdown of what that can mean for us.
Now, before I get ahead of myself, I should let you know that I don’t write politics that often. But it’s election season so what the heck let’s do it. Right now, our country is an absolute mess. I mean come on, just between the election, appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, COVID, and the hot mess of a Presidential debate, there is so much to talk about. Bare with me here because this is how we need you to vote.
American political culture is absurd, yet quite fascinating. We are encapsulated in a system where we are being held vulnerable to manipulation and conspiracy. The trick to getting what we want is being able to acknowledge what we actually want. We have to acknowledge and understand the other perspective. That’s how we create a valid opinion- look at me applying that AP Comp knowledge.
This election, if you’re voting or not, you’re going to have to challenge your own beliefs in order to make the choice you think will truly move this nation forward.
For those of you who choose not to vote, I will say this once and once only, please vote. Not voting isn’t a solution right now. Vote for what will lead the world in a better direction, even if it’s not in the way you necessarily want.
The 2020 election year is major and will shape our country for years to come. People are already speaking of 2024. Here’s what’s at stake right now.
Besides the White House, the Supreme Court is also in danger.
After the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump was quick to nominate judge Amy Coney Barrett. Trump is pushing to get Barrett on board as soon as possible. Barrett’s appointment will result in a 6-3 conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court. With Barret’s appointment, we are already susceptible to a plethora of change.
Roe vs. Wade will be brought into question again and women’s rights will be further jeopardized. This will impact millions of women. Along with this, the repealing of the Affordable Care Act has turned into a possibility. Barrett’s appointment additionally raises a red flag for the LGBTQ community as the court is considering to roll back recently acquired LGBTQ rights such as gay marriage.
We are at a critical point in history. Americans every day have to deal with the uncertainty of the election, a pandemic who shows little promise of going away soon, natural disasters fueled by climate change, a faltering economy that has led to the loss of millions of jobs, and racial inequality. And that is just domestic.
Internationally, it’s a whole other ballgame. A ballgame consisting of internal wars, development of new weapons, and election meddling; essentially a competition driven by a superiority complex.
But this election has the momentum to change the course of history. I am not going to say who or what you should support, but I am going to ask you to question everything. Over the past few months, I challenged my notions a lot and I’ve learned that nothing is black and white.
This election you need to vote as someone else. Put yourself in the shoes of a single mother, a son who just lost his dad to COVID, a teenage girl forced to have a child, and a lesbian couple being persecuted. Heck even put yourself in the shoes of a wealthy-white-picket-fence-American Dream-family if you have to. Think about what will happen to each of your options when you vote.
Empathy is key. Feel what they feel. Think not just for yourself, but for other people.
Put yourself in the shoes of a world that is on fire.