Remember when you were young. An adult told you what to do. You looked at them and said, “or what?” It was an immature challenge to see if the adult was serious. In those old days the adult most likely would have given you a swat across the back side, or even a smack across the face. At that time, we learned fairly quickly the “or what,” a quick consequence for being defiant.
In recent years we have had a lot of “or whats” from adults in power.
There was the red line of Syria releasing chemical weapons against its own people. They were told not to do it, and they did. Nothing really happened to the leaders.
There was Russia invading Crimea. They were told not to do it, and they did. Nothing really happened to the Russian leader.
There was Russia interfering in our elections. They were told not to do it, and they did. Nothing really happened to the Russian leader.
There was the former President who told lie after lie (and still is telling lies). He was told not to do it, and he did. Nothing really happened to him.
Many of the former president’s staff were subpoenaed. They did not respond to the subpoenas, and nothing really happened to them.
The Republicans continue to propagate the Big Lie. They’ve been told to stop doing it. They continue, and nothing has really happened.
We have been in a period of leaders and many in the general public coming to an “or what” moment, being warned if they continue there will be consequences, and then nothing happens.
Because there don’t seem to be any accountability or consequences for bad behavior, the behavior continues. Until we get to the point of answering the “or what” moments with actionable consequences, we will continue to have leaders doing as they wish.
When our leaders do not hold one another accountable, when the courts do not hold our leaders accountable, then it is up to us to hold them accountable. We have the power, at least for the moment, to hold them accountable at the ballot box.
If we don’t step up to vote bad leaders out, and then ignore them on social media and when they appear on the media, we will continue our slide into oblivion.
We’ve always had the power. Let’s step up and use it. If we don’t use the power of the vote, then democracy will die under our watch. Is that what you want?
I don’t! I will exercise my power through my vote, and my voice.
Please join me in defending ethics, integrity, honor, and democracy.
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 