This man (Trump) has just told us that he wants to throw away our votes and remain in power – no joke, no gaffe, no excuses – watch the video. If you are planning to vote for Trump this election, and I know that I have those friends out there, I am talking directly to YOU. THIS IS EVERYTHING. This is our DEMOCRACY. This is what our ancestors FOUGHT and DIED for – the ability to vote, to have a government by the people. We have fought fascist dictators before, we have fought for our independence from tyranny. The nature of democracy means that it is long and tough and it requires constant struggle, and our impatience makes it fragile – fragile to one who says that he alone can fix it. However, if you fall for the line, entrusting one person to fix the things you want fixed, you have given up on our democracy, and you have voted in a dictator, as paradoxical as it sounds. If you are voting for someone who you know will do everything he can to stay in power – even if that includes not counting our votes – then I suggest you reconsider. Also, remember that even YOU may not always be in the dictator’s good graces. You may think that he works well for you today, but when he doesn’t, tomorrow, you have lost your right to a government by the people.
Me, personally, my ancestors have fought for this country all the way back to the Revolutionary War. I would be ashamed to let this democracy slide into a dictatorship on my watch without at least voting against it and speaking out. I am outraged, you should be outraged, WE THE PEOPLE should be outraged that this man wants to destroy our democracy. Now is the time for everyone to speak up.
I have wondered how I can sing when our nation is on the brink of self-destruction? I can feel guilty enjoying anything knowing that American democracy is on the line. On the other hand, how can we not? “It is our nature”. We find enjoyment in what we can, as have humans throughout history in more difficult circumstances. This quote from C.S. Lewis on the brink of WWII puts it into perspective beautifully and so I put it on a pretty background to share. We continue and hope. So I will continue to create, but with that being said, I want to state my recognition of the severity of current circumstances - people hurting badly (some truly fighting for their lives) and our nation on a path of self-destruction. Another four years of this will endanger the freedoms that we hold dear and that are so easily taken for granted. The right to fight for our country’s direction, this rather young experiment, will not be the same - not my original thoughts but those of history. Through every song I write or note I sing, know that I have not forgotten the gravity of the challenges we now face- quite the opposite. I hope that our common celebration in humanity will allow the best parts of ourselves to prevail in a better and more just nation and world.