Redtree Times

Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.

–Reinhold Niebuhr, The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness, 1944

My belief is that we are looking at what may be the most consequential election of our lifetimes in November. Probably more so than the elections of 2020 or 2024. It may determine whether we can maintain the democracy that has defined us for over the past two centuries.

And that is a necessity, as the words above from the late influential theologian Reinhold Niebuhr point out. As a species, we are inclined toward injustice and inequality, toward our own selfish interests at the expense of all others. Democracy is the willed denial of those darker inclinations, a recognition that each of us is ultimately responsible for the other, that we all hold equal stakes in this grand experiment.

My personal perspective is that one party represents, more than ever, the movement towards those darker inclinations and is hellbent on getting us to that dark end. On the other hand, while not perfect, the other party presents a more just and equitable vision for the future.

That’s all the politicking I will do this morning. You know the stakes and have your own views on issues and what you wish for our nation’s future. But I will ask that you start now by checking your voter info and registration to make sure you are in the game, that you are taking part in this important election.

You can do that by going to vote.org. It’s a site that checks to see if you are registered, if your current address matches up with the info on file, that allows you to register if you haven’t yet, that tells you where you will be voting and the hours for both early and same day voting.

All this and much more– everything you need to know in order to vote and make your voice heard.

It’s a great resource to help keep democracy alive. Use it– while you still can.