The Wild Reed: Election Day USA, 2020

I began Election Day in the USA by joining with my friend Kathleen and about 20 others “bannering for Biden” on the 36th St. bridge over Interstate 35W in south Minneapolis. And, yes, that’s my Marianne 2020 hoodie I’m wearing!

As I’m sure most reading this would know, Marianne Williamson, along with Bernie Sanders, was my preferred Democratic presidential candidate. I remain deeply grateful that both run in the primary and, in so doing, shifted the conversation in important and much-needed ways. Here’s hoping that after Joe Biden decisively wins the presidency, he will find a place for both Marianne and Bernie in his administration.

Actually, my Election Day didn't begin with “bannering for Biden” on that 35W overpass. It began in the very early hours of today, after a time of prayer at around 1:00 a.m., when I shared with friends on Facebook the following message from the heart.

I want more than the defeat of Donald Trump today, and more than the election of Joe Biden. I want an awakening of the American people, an awakening embodied by a record-breaking number of citizens who overwhelmingly vote to reject and defeat not only Trump but all his Republican enablers. Every single one of them: McConnell, Cruz, Graham, all of them. I want Democratic establishment figures like Pelosi defeated by their progressive challengers, and I want new progressive candidates elected to both the House and Senate in overwhelming numbers, rattling the corporatist Democratic establishment to its core. Actually, more than rattling it; shattering it for good.

I want all of this to be tangible evidence of that shift in consciousness which I believe the Sacred is calling all of humanity to embrace and embody. As incredible as all this will be, I know our work will only just be beginning, as there are forces across the political spectrum who will always resist progress and change and instead attempt to lure us back to a delusional “normal” time before Trump. No, there’s no going back. Even with a Biden win (some would say especially with a Biden win), the great challenge will be to resist such a temptation and to forge instead a way predicated on repairing our broken democracy and re-setting our moral compass as a nation.

I want to back-up for a minute, actually to about two weeks ago – to the evening of October 19 – when my friend Kathleen invited me to help her write letters to voters in Florida so as to help increase election turnout. We did this through the organization Vote Forward. It’s not Vote Forward's purpose to ask for support of specific candidates, only to encourage people to vote.

I encouraged the 25 people I wrote to by sharing the following words:

I believe with all my heart in the democratic and humanitarian ideals that inspired the founding of this nation. These ideals live and thrive through our actions as citizens, and voting is the most essential of these actions.

Closer to home, I encouraged two friends of mine to vote in this year’s general election. I also accompanied them to their polling places. I myself, not being a citizen but rather a “resident alien,” cannot vote. It therefore felt good to do my bit to make sure two others voted.

My friend Deandre (right) was one of 95 million Americans who voted early. In his case, he voted yesterday (above).

On actual Election Day today I helped my friend Adnan vote, a process that actually took what seemed like forever. This was because before he could actually vote (which took no time at all), we had to first figure out and find proof of residence for him. We ended up using his phone service statement, along with his passport.

Above and below: All the time spent and the hassles endured were worth that little sticker though!

As I write this, polling stations across the country are beginning to close and the first results of the U.S. 2020 general election are beginning to trickle in. I’m with a small group of friends (including Joseph and Calvin, pictured at right) gathered outside around a fire pit. We’re hoping for a decisive vistory for Biden but know that it could take days before we know for sure the results of the presidential race.

In terms of the Senate, I hope the Democrats flip it. I also hope they keep the House. In this way, even if Trump wins (as he did in 2016) without a mandate but with the necessary votes from the archaic and flawed Electoral College, he will at least be a lame duck president, hopefully for his entire second term.

Time will tell.

Related Off-site Links:
Americans Surge to Polls: “I’m Going to Vote Like My Life Depends on It” – Nick Corasaniti and Stephanie Saul (The New York Times, November 3, 2020).
US Election 2020 Sees All Americans United by One Thing: Anxiety Over What Lies Ahead – Emily Olson (Paper, November 3, 2020).
Retailers Are Bracing Their Stores for Potential Election Unrest – Mario Abad (ABC News, November 3, 2020).
The Rest of the World Has Had It With U.S. Presidents, Trump or Otherwise – Mohammed Hanif (The Guardian, November 2, 2020).
The U.S. Has Been Moving Toward Fascism Since Goldwater – Eddie Conway (The Real News, November 3, 2020).
Lawyers on Standby If Cloudy Election Outcome Heads to Court – Mark Sherman (Associated Press News, November 2, 2020).
What’s the Plan If Trump Tries to Steal the Election? Here's the Plan – Common Dreams, November 3, 2020).
Biden’s Plan to Assert Control – Mike Allen and Margaret Talev (Axios, November 3, 2020).
Mitch McConnell Wins Re-election, as Republicans Battle to Maintain Control of U.S. Senate – ABC News (November 3, 2020).
Sarah McBride Wins Her State Senate Race in Delaware, a Landmark for Transgender Legislators – Matt Stevens (The New York Times, November 3, 2020).
Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones Make History As the First Openly Gay Black Members of Congress – Addy Baird (BuzzFeed, November 3, 2020).

UPDATES:

The Wild Reed

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

Election Day USA, 2020

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