Here’s a thought: Let’s save democracy together

We all witnessed as 2021 evolved into a year of unexpected turmoil starting with a deadly insurrection on our nation’s capital. The COVID pandemic rage continues even with a 95 percent effective FDA-approved vaccination because so many have refused to get the vaccine and help save lives. Daily, we are told of a destructive climate change weather condition affecting other’s lives. We’ve witnessed the tragedy of a war ending. We are experiencing inflation as we rise out of the deepest recession since the great depression.

Within his first year and the slimmest congressional margins, Biden has been able to sign laws offering our society:

• The COVID American Rescue Plan pulling our nation out of the depths of recession.
• Within the first six months of his presidency offered a free, effective, and available COVID vaccine program to everyone.
• A bipartisan infrastructure bill to rebuild and transform our country.
• The best economic growth and lowest unemployment in over 50 years.

Equally hard at work are the Republicans obstructing every congressional effort as their conservative supreme court chips away at our hard-earned laws and protections.

We are watching the attempt to unravel of our democracy. Democracy’s slow demise is not being caused by the Biden/Harris team, as we Democrats have been hard at work trying to give us a society that works for everyone.

Is it possible in 2022 for us to work together to protect and build a democracy for our country’s future as we pass the following bills into law?

• For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Act protecting the precious right to vote in a free and fair election for all of our citizens.
• The Build Back Better Act (among many things) will offer a more level financial playing field to the middle- and lower-income American families as they can enjoy a better American way of life.

Please think about what is happening within our country at this moment of history. Can you imagine living in autocratic Russia? We need to do this urgent work together before it is too late to save the future of our democracy.

Letter from Beth Daisey/Staunton