CULTIVATING COMPASSION
As I write this in early February, here are some of the shocking de - velopments we’ve witnessed just since the beginning of the year: ● The DOJ has demanded sensitive voter roll data in over 13 states. ● The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has demanded that Minnesota turn over voter rolls in exchange for removing ICE agents from their streets. ● Republicans in Congress unveiled a bill called the Make Elec - tions Great Again Act that would impose the most extreme fed - eral voting restrictions in our nation’s history. ● In January, on the world stage in Davos, Switzerland, the president of the United States openly declared his intention to abuse the criminal justice system to destroy electoral democra- cy in our country. ● In a December interview released in early February, Trump called for the Republican party to “take over” voting and “na- tionalize” elections, stating that he intends to start this with 15 blue states. ● In February the FBI raided a central elections hub in Atlanta, seizing ballots and voter data from the 2020 election; Trump even directed the National Intelligence Director to be present, coordinated her actions with the FBI, and openly congratulat - ed them all on the theft. Days later, MAGA insider Steve Ban - non expanded on the threat to take over elections by calling for ICE to patrol pollings sites in November. Trump has made it clear — he will do anything to subvert this year’s elections. His own party hasn’t tempered his lawlessness and overreach, Con - gress hasn’t reined him in, and the U.S. Supreme Court has granted him license to do just about anything, even if it means running rough- shod over the Constitution. The only thing holding Donald Trump in check right now is the very real likelihood of significant power shifts in Congress and state governments, even the possibility of a blue wave. And that’s something he simply won’t allow. So we need to be realistic about what lies ahead. Empowering vot- ers and increasing turnout is absolutely essential in 2026. We must, each of us, do something. At the same time, we must acknowledge the extremes to which he will go if left unchecked: He has told us what he plans to do — believe him. But most importantly, we cannot let that reality pull us off course. “The Power of Turnout is Within the Margin of Effort” I stole this line from commentator Robert Hubbell, and it’s become my lodestar for the year. Yes, decisive turnout will be hard, but it can be done. And it’s not just about turnout. The more people who are engaged in the democratic process, even “just” at the level of voting, the loud- er the collective voice of ‘We the People’ will become. In our current state of affairs, it’s not an exaggeration to say that voting feels more like a form of resistance than a civic duty. And helping to inform and motivate others, helping people believe that their voices matter, is one of the best ways of preserving what John Lewis so aptly called our “sacred right”. Voting matters. Right now it matters more than ever. It is no longer hyperbole to say that this is the most critical election in our nation’s history . If Trump has his way, it might be the last, at least for a very long time. Our charge is clear. We are called to defeat voter suppression, to expand the power of the vote, to protect free and fair elections, to hold power accountable, to resist authoritarianism, and to continue the work of rebuilding our democracy.
Brenda Murphree is the founder of Indivisible Asheville/WNC (https://indivisibleavl.org/) and remains an active Board member, serving as organizer with the WNC Votes! voter outreach coalition (https://www.wncvotes.org/). A writer and semi-retired marketing professional, she lives with her wife and a passel of animals in the country near Asheville, North Carolina. continued on page 38
— About the ‘Cultivating Compassion’ Column — Cam MacQueen, MSW, is the creator and curator of ‘Culti - vating Compassion.’ She is dedicating this year’s 4 columns to various forms of activism, resistance, and dissent necessary to save our democracy and progress toward a more perfect union. Cam encourages ‘Cultivating Compassion’ readers to jump in now and get involved — there are so many opportunities: Make sure you’re registered and that you vote!! While you still can, register friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers. Join a canvassing team and go door-to-door to register voters, remind them to vote. Volunteer for a candidate. Candidates need canvass - ers, office support, etc. Signup for phone-banking, which you can usually do from the comfort of your home. Plug in to online orga - nizations such as MoveOn, Democracy Forward, League of Wom - en Voters, Common Cause and many others. Contact your area’s Board of Elections and learn how you can work the polls. Your help is sorely needed and most likely, you’ll find the experience richly rewarding. Plus, you’ll be paid. The more active you are, the more people you meet, the more support you have, and the greater your determination becomes. It’s a positive feedback loop. Tune in to Democracy Now! Co-host Amy Goodman is a great source of trustworthy, independent news. Knowledge is your founda - tion and your motivator. Apathy is no longer a luxury we can afford. What’s certain: in this critical midterm year, your participation is profoundly crucial to safeguarding our fragile democracy and maintaining our republic. Your civic engagement is greatly appre - ciated! A huge thank you to those who are already doing the work! Havethoughts/ideasforcolumntopicspertainingtothisyear’stheme? Please send your suggestions to Cam at ncm.advocacy@gmail.com.
PATHWAYS—Spring 26—37
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