Our shared humanity

Kudos to Coralie Koonce for reminding us of our shared humanity.

An obscenely large gang of states has decided to severely limit the number and type of people who can vote in this country. In red states, they’re trying their best to game the system (cheat), severely limit democratic access, and make a very specialized list of “disallowable” voters. (Actual voter fraud!)

They’re hoping that smart, well-informed people will stay home. Mail voters will be a dying breed, as will LGBT voters. They’ll demand 15 forms of ID from the elderly who don’t drive. They’ll probably put armed guards out so folks without ichthus (fish) symbols on their electric cars can’t find a place to park on Election Day. And those of us with simple human compassion will be arrested on sight if we’re caught within 10 feet of the polling place with water bottles and snack bars for others.

Tucker Carlson, M.T. Greene and QAnon, the ree-lie-a-bull news sources, probably think we should also scratch off vegans, women who make their own pie crust, people who don’t replace the TP roll, and intellectuals who read history or science books. I, personally, will be summarily executed for wearing my “T---- is a moron” T-shirt. Yet “patriots” (???) who think President Biden is rationing hamburgers and that Jews have flame-throwing lasers will be led to the front of the line with their MAGA hats, Confederate flags and Uzis and allowed to vote twice for the loser-prez again. (Yes, folks, he lost—big time.)

How long will it be before we all understand that our fragile democracy lies on a bed of engaged, informed participation by all of us—hopefully of good will? And that our government derives its powers from the consent of the governed—every single one of its citizen-voters? No colorful exceptions—period. Cruelty is unbecoming of a great nation.

When will we learn that there is no “them”? There is only “us.”

LINDA FARRELL

Bella Vista