Merry Christmas

(Sorry, But I can't Stop Thinking About The Importance of Voting, Even Today)

An important insight about voting, to share with folks around you who say Biden is too old or not their perfect candidate: a decision not to vote will have as much force in determining the outcome of the 2024 election as much as voting in it will.

14-year-old Hudson Rowan’s design for an “I voted” sticker won Ulster County, New York’s contest in 2022. People voted and proudly wore them afterwards.

Think your vote doesn’t matter? It definitely does in small local elections where turnout is small. Decisions about who your mayor or sheriff is will definitely impact your life. But voting matters in national elections too. Remember Florida in 2000? George Bush got 2,912,790 votes, 48.8% of the total. Al Gore received 2,912,253, also 48.8% of the vote. The fate of the nation hung on fewer than 1000 votes. Remind anyone who tells you they’re going to sit out the 2024 election of that fact.

Biden will need to win with overwhelming numbers as protection against what will come from Trump in the wake of a loss. We all remember the Big Lie, January 6, and Trump’s ongoing efforts to subvert democracy for his own benefit. Trump wants to be a king, not a president.

Dislike Biden's stance on Israel or any number of foreign policy issues? Think he’s not doing enough about climate change or criminal justice reform. You're going to love Trump's policies in his 2.0 administration. He’s been clear about plans to politicize DOJ and climate change has never even made his agenda. Trump became a laughingstock over his repeated efforts to tee up “infrastructure week.” But it’s the move towards authoritarianism that should get everyone, regardless of their politics, out to the polls next year. Trump has managed to normalize the idea of prosecuting and persecuting people he sees as his political enemies. I woke up to this lovely subtweet. Trump has been explicit that this is part of his plan for debasing democracy.

Yes, it's Christmas and we all need a break, but it's never wrong to share a little wisdom. Give your friends and family the gift of insight. Start planting seeds so they know how important it will be for them to vote in 2024. Staying home is a vote for Trump.

Sorry for the serious note on a day when I hope you are enjoying time with family, celebrating, relaxing, or in the best tradition of my people, eating Chinese. This snippet from Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearing, which my friend Jen Taub reminded me of this morning, never ceases to tickle me.

But voting in 2024 is a serious business, and one I plan to devote much of my attention to as we look ahead to the new year. I hope you will too!

Merry Christmas if you are celebrating and happy day if you are not.

We’re in this together,

Joyce