It is Our Choice - Our Vote

The measure of each of us is who we choose.

In America, the power of personal choice may be the most sacred right citizens possess. That power should exist in every aspect of daily life, but nowhere is it more critical than in our vote. The act of voting is more than a civic duty; it is a reflection of our values, our priorities, and our collective vision for the future. When we consider the future of our nation, we must evaluate the candidates and policies through the lens of core American values—those principles that have defined our country and have been passed down through generations. Truth, justice, equality, fundamental rights, and the rule of law serve as pillars of American democracy. The leaders we choose will shape our nation according to these values, or they will ignore them, even to the point of destroying them. Let’s consider each value and how each is being challenged today.

The Foundation of Democracy: Truth has been a cornerstone of American democracy since its birth. The founding fathers knew a government built on lies would crumble under the weight of its own deceit. The Declaration of Independence itself was a testament to the pursuit of truth, stating, “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” The Declaration was not just a statement of philosophical intent but a bold assertion that truth, and the quest for it, is non-negotiable in the fabric of American society.

Truth is under siege. We see it every day. Legal Haitian immigrants are eating pets. VP Harris is not black. It is immoral and unbelievable, but millions of Americans swallow these lies like manna from heaven. Following the 2020 presidential election, former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party repeatedly spread the false claim that the election was "stolen" by voter fraud. In fact, no credible evidence supported this, and over 60 court cases agreed. These unfounded claims and lies, amplified through conservative media and social networks, culminated in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Obviously, the erosion of truth in public discourse weakens the very fabric of democracy. If voters can be convinced to distrust the results of elections, the legitimacy of the government is undermined. The continuing propagation of election denialism by many Republican leaders is a direct threat to the value of truth in American democracy.

When we vote, we must ask whether we are choosing leaders who respect truth or those who manipulate facts to maintain power and control. Do we stand by candidates who uphold the truth, even when it is difficult or inconvenient, or do we allow ourselves to be seduced by those who peddle misinformation, outright lies, and conspiracy theories? We know the answer to these questions, don’t we?

The Moral Imperative: Justice is honored and enshrined in our legal system and reflected in our Constitution. In the past, it was upheld by the highest court in the land. In the words of Atticus Finch, justice is not an abstract concept—it is a living, breathing part of the American experience, and it is one of the most critical measures of America’s health.

Renewed calls for racial justice emerged recently, especially in the wake of high-profile cases of police brutality against Black Americans, such as the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Many Democratic leaders have embraced calls for police reform and a more equitable justice system, but many in the Republican Party have resisted these efforts.

Some states, led by Republican lawmakers, have passed legislation to limit protest rights, further undermining the fight for justice. Republican leaders have continued to push for policies like mandatory minimum sentences and voter disenfranchisement for people with felony convictions, which affect communities of color more heavily than others. Project 2025 even advocates for the use of the military to end protests, setting up Americans vs. Americans with one side authorized to use deadly force.

When we vote, we are choosing between leaders who will fight for justice for all or those who will continue to allow systemic injustices to persist. The leaders we choose will either perpetuate injustices or work to correct them.

The Promise of America: Equality is promised as part of the American ideal. We know this goal has never been fully attained. From the struggle for women’s suffrage to the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights, equality has been a constant theme in our national story. However, recent efforts by some Republican lawmakers have aimed to roll back protections for marginalized groups. For example, in several states, Republican legislatures have passed laws restricting transgender rights, including bans on gender-affirming healthcare for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. The Republican goals are to go back to some perceived idealized time of white power and supremacy.

The fight for racial equality remains unfinished. Republican-led states have enacted restrictive voting laws that disproportionately impact people of color. Measures like limiting ballot drop boxes, shortening early voting periods, and imposing strict voter ID requirements affect low-income voters and minority communities more heavily than others. These laws echo historical efforts to suppress the Black vote during Jim Crow and undermine the promise of equality at the ballot box.

When we vote, we must consider whether we are supporting candidates who fight for true equality or those who seek to entrench systemic discrimination. Voting for leaders who promote equality is essential to ensuring that America lives up to its ideals.

The Bedrock of Freedom: At the heart of the American experiment are the fundamental rights granted to every citizen: the right to free speech, the right to religious freedom, the right to privacy, the right to assembly, and, of course, the right to vote. These rights are not guaranteed by chance. Neither are they immune to erosion. These rights must be constantly defended, protected, and upheld by those we choose to lead. The Supreme Court's decision to strip rights for women to control their bodies by striking down Roe v. Wade is one of many examples.

The right to vote is under threat. Following the 2020 election, several Republican-controlled states enacted sweeping voter suppression laws aimed at making it harder to vote, particularly for minority communities. In Georgia, for example, a new law made it illegal to provide food or water to voters waiting in line and severely restricted access to absentee ballots. In Texas, new voting laws limit the use of 24-hour polling places and drive-through voting, measures that voters of color widely used in the 2020 election. These laws are clearly deliberate attempts to suppress the fundamental right to vote, one of the most sacred rights in a democracy.

Our vote is our voice in the defense of fundamental rights. By voting, we express our commitment to protecting these rights for ourselves and future generations. We must elect leaders who will defend the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and work to extend those freedoms to all Americans.

A Safeguard Against Tyranny: The rule of law is another critical component of a soundly functioning democracy. It ensures that no one, not even the President, is above the law. However, recent actions by some Republican leaders have challenged this fundamental principle. Former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, his interference with the Department of Justice, and his refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas during his administration all represent significant challenges to the rule of law. In what may be the most anti-American democratic decision of the last century, the Supreme Court granted the President legal immunity from actions taken as part of the duties of the President.

In addition, the refusal by many Republicans to hold Trump accountable for his role in the January 6th insurrection further undermines the rule of law. These actions demonstrate a willingness to prioritize political loyalty over legal and constitutional principles. If we allow leaders to ignore the rule of law, we risk falling into chaos, where power creates what is right.

In the voting booth, we must remember that we are choosing not just a leader but the future of the rule of law. We must elect leaders who respect the Constitution and understand that their power is limited by the laws that govern this nation.

A Commitment to the Greater Good: True patriotism is a commitment to American ideals and the American Dream. It is about putting the greater good above personal gain and working toward a society that benefits all of its members. However, patriotism is often abducted by political leaders who use it to sow division and promote nationalism.

Too many current Republican leaders have engaged in this kind of divisive rhetoric, using patriotism as a justification for policies that harm marginalized communities. For example, efforts to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools are often framed as a defense of patriotism. In reality, they represent an attempt to whitewash history and stifle discussions about systemic racism.

When we vote, we demonstrate our love for our country by participating in the democratic process. But patriotism also requires us to hold our leaders accountable and strive for a better, fairer America. We must choose leaders who will work to unite the country rather than divide it.

The Measure of Us Is Who We Choose: In the end, the vote is a reflection of who we are as a people and what we value as a nation. The choices we make in the voting booth will determine the future of our country, for better or for worse. Do we stand for truth, justice, equality, fundamental rights, the rule of law, and patriotism? Or do we allow fear, division, and lies to make our decisions? The measure of us is who we choose. It is not enough to vote; we must vote with our values in mind. By choosing leaders who reflect the best of what America can be, we ensure that our democracy remains strong, our freedoms are protected, and our future is one of hope, opportunity, and justice for all.