One thing has been sorely absent from many high profile GOP Congressmen and Senators who’ve recently stated they will not vote for Trump: the people making the choices that impact our lives the most are often lower on the ballot, and the critical importance of understanding that politics is a team sport. Simply put, winners govern the losers.
When 300 million people are represented by 535 Congressmen and Senators, they must understand the critical importance and influence of their voices.
Too often in recent conversations I have heard individuals state that they are so disgusted by this election that they are staying home and refusing to participate or support either of the Presidential candidates and a Party that has “betrayed” them for one reason or another.
Refusing to vote is both disrespectful and short sighted. Disrespectful because the right to vote and participate in this amazing experiment of self-governance has been paid for by immeasurable sacrifices over the last two centuries. While your freedom encompasses the choice to stay at home, I’d ask that you think of those servicemen and women, including too many of my own friends, who will spend this election cycle and every one hereafter interred in Arlington and other cemeteries across our country unable to exercise the right they died to protect. Short sighted because the races that determine what type of community we live in are found at the bottom of the ticket in every County Commissioner, Mayoral, State House or State Senate race.
Sadly, this election cycle has been dominated by voices loudly proclaiming what to be against as opposed to what to be for.
Regardless of where one falls on the political spectrum there is a candidate or office that offers the chance to support or counter the choices we have at the top of the ticket.
If the thought of a President Clinton instills you with fear for the direction of our country, get behind a U.S. Senate race in order to block her Supreme Court nominations. If Republicans lose the majority in Congress, a President Clinton will have unlimited budget authority…if not, she will have to ask nicely.
If Trump strikes you as either too conservative or not conservative enough, get behind a Congressman that could fight to use the power of the purse to either support or counter his policy initiatives.
Gubernatorial races in New Hampshire, North Carolina and Missouri are seen as “toss-ups” and a potential “pick-up” for Republicans in West Virginia. As Republicans currently hold 31 Governor’s offices, adding 4 more would only increase our ability to fight the choking overreach of our federal government.
In my own home state of Colorado, Republicans are fighting to retain a critical 1 vote majority in the State Senate. Ballot initiatives filed for November include destroying our oil industry through fracking bans, crushing our small businesses with a $12/hour minimum wage, and creating a health insurance program so expensive the estimated cost is more than the entire state budget.
Wherever you are, find a battle tested candidate who shares your values. Help them walk their neighborhoods, make phone calls or help raise money. Here in Colorado, State Senate candidates like Laura Woods and Nancy Doty could be that key victory in order to maintain a check on a Governor with two more years in office. Or perhaps volunteer to support a County Commissioner’s race like the one in Garfield County, CO where under John Martin’s leadership ranks it in the top 2% of all 3600 US counties for fiscal health and responsibility.
Every state has races such as these, each as important or more to show up for as the choice for President. Majorities matter. This is yours to win.
So if you believe as I do in the power of the individual over the state, that less government with responsible governance means more ability to control our own fate, to create the opportunities that lead to better jobs and higher wages with the least amount of government interference, then I respectfully submit that you be for something rather than against everything and #NeverStayHome.
Ben is a decorated (for valor) U.S. Army Special Forces veteran (Green Beret) who completed multiple combat rotations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Follow him on Twitter.