Since Sept. 18 through this week, The Star-News has featured interviews with candidates running for local and federal offices.
On many occasions the bulk of the paper appeared to be devoted entirely to political coverage. To some readers the volume may have seemed extraordinary and overwhelming. Too much.
Let me remind you that, to some, 2020 has many times been extraordinary and overwhelming. Too much.
With just two months left in the year the fortunate among us so far have survived a pandemic, wildfires, social injustice and police brutality, business shut downs, unemployment, underemployment, and the general pandemonium of life that exists in the best of times.
There are no immediate solutions to the major challenges we collectively face.
While there are promising developments on the horizon, we do not know when there will be a reliable and safe vaccine for COVID-19. It is on a foundation of good health and safety that the rest of our challenges can be thoroughly addressed.
Not having direct control over overwhelming circumstances can leave us feeling impotent, helpless.
Volunteerism and general acts of kindness toward neighbors, family and strangers may provide comfort. We can, perhaps, take solace in knowing we did something good for the community even if it was just on a micro and local level.
We can also vote. We can participate in one of the most fundamental exercises associated with democracy and freedom.
We can cast a ballot for the people we believe will act in our best interests. Who will offer plans and solutions to getting our lives back in order.
We can vote for those in whom we place our hope and faith.
In the extraordinary and overwhelming year 2020 we face an election season that is unprecedented in generations.
Currently we have a president who would not guarantee a peaceful transition of power should he lose, an administration that has actively sought to limit voting rights throughout the country, and warnings of possible voter intimidation at polling places on Nov. 3.
Voting is a simple act and in less extraordinary and overwhelming times would be viewed as a mere civic duty rather than an act of courage. Vote as if your family’s life depends on it.
