For over 105 years, the League of Women Voters’ mission has been to defend democracy and empower voters through nonpartisan voter education and engagement. In 1920, six months before the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, the League was founded to teach women how to exercise their new political rights and responsibilities by educating and informing them about legislation, candidates and public policy issues.
Today, locally, the League of Women Voters of La Plata County is dedicated to educating and empowering all citizens to register and exercise their right to vote, and educating citizens about issues – enhancing democracy.
We applaud all those who took the time on April 5 to rally and march. That’s how citizens actively engage in democracy. As former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, “The most important political office is that of the private citizen.”
Today, millions of Americans are fearful that our democracy is in crisis. Our current administration is executing lawless deportation of immigrants, free speech protest is being criminalized by new governmental policy on college campuses, and imposing tariffs that our constitution says is the right of Congress, not the executive branch.
We watch in disbelief as our national security is breached by Cabinet secretaries, federal workers are fired – not for misconduct, but for ideological history having worked on DEI initiatives – and federal judges are being attacked when they disagree with the administration’s stance on a law.
The use of tariffs is having a frightening whiplash effect on our economy. Thankfully, our 3rd Congressional District Rep. Jeff Hurd (R), is challenging these tariffs and their legitimacy.
The LWV of La Plata County opposes the fact that the bedrocks of our society are being threatened into silence and obedience. We have sadly seen major universities, CEOs of large corporations and prestigious law firms being compliant out of duress. We are at a time when courage and integrity are desperately needed.
It’s said that action is an antidote for anxiety. Here are three suggestions we can do to save our democracy:
1) Stay informed. Even when you feel exhausted and tired. Limit your intake of news, but don’t shut down. Try to stay informed about what’s going on in the government. The legality and illegality of executive orders, i.e., illegal arrests, detentions and deportations. Be aware of the laws that are being broken.
Make sure those you know are also informed. Be selective in what news source you choose to follow. Choose reliable sources of news and information, such as The Associated Press, BBC and AllSides. Read more than one source for accuracy in reporting.
2) Be involved. There are many organizations and news outlets fighting hard to protect our democracy. They need our help. They need volunteers if you have time, and financial support if you are able to afford it.
Get involved in other ways, including all the various groups: book clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, VFW, 4H and other associations. These issues are nonpartisan and those being negatively impacted includes all political parties, every race, gender, religion and age.
3) We need to speak up in any way we can. Write to and call our Congress and senators. They do pay attention to calls and letters. Write letters to the editor, sign petitions and go to rallies. Here’s a good opportunity to thank Hurd for standing up for democracy with his current stance on tariffs. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to defend our democracy. Silence is consent. Speak up and come together. When together, we overcome our fear and find our courage. This is how we defend democracy: Unified. This is a nonpartisan, moral moment. Democracy cannot die over the will of the people.
To learn about the League, join us at our Spring Refresh from 5-6:30 p.m. May 1 at the Durango Public Library. Information and registration is at lwvlaplata.org.
League of Women Voters of La Plata County is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization committed to empowering voters and making democracy work.
