The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Participation in our democracy isn’t just a right, it’s a veteran’s duty
I always assumed our greatest adversaries were overseas. Yet, it’s become increasingly clear to me why the oath I swore as a young Army recruit in the Spring of 2001 made mention of a defense against threats both foreign and domestic. We’re a mere two years removed from an insurrection that was fueled in part by a commander-in-chief who refused to transfer power peacefully. Rampant tribalism, hyper-partisanship and a vacuum of leadership have ground our government to a halt. So, with Veterans Day here, let us consider the state of the democracy I and my fellow veterans swore to defend.
For more than three weeks, our nation’s legislative body was in limbo, incapable of even electing a Speaker, never mind a budget or any sort of meaningful legislation. Shameless politicians from both major parties continue to cling to power, even as they face multiple indictments for corruption. Our allies are at war, anxiously standing by wondering whether America can lead and deliver on its promises. In short, Congress is rudderless.
This Veterans Day serves as a warning and an opportunity
Amidst all this turmoil, I’m reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words from his Lyceum address: “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.”
That’s what this Veterans Day is to me, a warning and an opportunity: Participation in our democracy isn’t just our right – it’s our duty. It is our responsibility.
Growing up in poor, rural Kentucky, politics was never on my radar. But as the dust of combat settled, and I returned home, two burning questions consumed me: Why were we there? Why had I lost two fellow soldiers in a conflict few back home seemed to even care about? The pursuit of answers led me on a journey to understand the connection between our country’s warfighters and our policymakers.
What I’ve learned in the time since I took off the uniform is that my country will always need me. It needs all of us, especially those who’ve demonstrated a willingness to serve, to continually show up, to be active participants. During the 2020 election, one-third of eligible Americans opted not to participate. That should be unacceptable to us.
The current threats to our democracy are real and urgent
Dark money, special interests, and closed primaries incentivize the loudest, most divisive voices in the room. Binary and tribal thinking has reduced our politics to a game of winners and losers; of us vs. them. And as the 2024 presidential election looms on the horizon, we’re presented with two potential nominees who are, to put it mildly, deeply unpopular.
I’ve always considered myself a patriot. This doesn’t blind me to America’s flaws, of course, but it does make me deeply hopeful about its potential. My family’s history is intertwined with service; relatives who fought bravely in major conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. For me, service was not about a specific cause; it was about readiness.
If my country needed me, I would be there, oversees and at home
Today, I channel this service-driven mindset into the political arena, working as a campaign advisor. The language of service and sacrifice resonates deeply not just with fellow veterans, but with the voters they aim to win over and represent.
To be sure, military experience in and of itself doesn’t translate to exemplary character, in elected office or otherwise. Just as with any other diverse group, veterans are not a monolith. On the whole though, they outperform their civilian counterparts in civic engagement. They vote at higher rates, volunteer more often and are more likely to be involved in their communities. Research from Brookings’ Elaine Karmak reveals that veterans accounted for 17% of candidates in the 2022 midterms. And while the majority leaned Republican, these individuals were perceived to have wellthought-out perspectives on foreign policy and national security. Their servicedriven approach resonated across party lines, helping to bridge divides.
To my fellow veterans: Your service doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform. Our democracy beckons. Our greatest adversary is our own apathy. Our own disengagement. So please, answer the call. Engage, educate and participate. For in service, we find purpose. And in purpose, we find hope. So let’s get to work.
Chris Costa is a US Army combat veteran and graduate of Western Kentucky University. He currently serves as a Senior Campaign Advisor at New Politics, a bipartisan organization that revitalizes American democracy by recruiting, developing, and electing leaders who have committed their lives to serving our country.