Dear Friends,
CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK’S PODCAST:
(01:43) In Alaska, another reminder that the GOP will stop at nothing to steal this election — LISTEN
(24:06) In Serbia and India, student-led movements are defeating authoritarians — LISTEN
(41:34) Climate update: North Carolina’s Outer Banks are in trouble — LISTEN
(48:38) World Food Prize highlights regenerative ag, with Kathy Byrnes — LISTEN
I’ve been involved with politics since 1988. Every election, someone (often someone on the ballot) tells us this particular election is the most important one ever.
Ed and Kathy with Sarah Trone Garriott.
This time it’s actually true.
With President Trump rapidly consolidating power and moving America toward a full-blown authoritarian oligarchy, the survival of democracy is indeed on the ballot.
I’m registered “No Party” and almost never vote a straight ticket. But this time, it’s really important to vote for Democrats.
Especially for the Democrat running for US Congress. I never say this, but this time, even vote for a crappy Democrat over a Republican. A Democratic Congress will at least put a roadblock in front of the corporate-financed bulldozer America’s Grifter in Chief is using to demolish our democracy.
For those of us living in Iowa, we fortunately have three Democrats running for Congress that are anything but crappy.
In Iowa’s third congressional district, we’re particularly blessed with a candidate of the charisma and integrity of Sarah Trone Garriott. I don’t say this lightly, but Sarah is the first Democrat running in the third district in the past 18 years I’ve had any enthusiasm for.
I’ve heard Sarah say many times that it’s important for elected officials to show up. She does that in spades. Every time I’ve contacted her — EVERY TIME! — she responds.
The first time I invited her to be a guest on my show, she said “yes” immediately. (Most Democrats don’t even respond.) She came on a second time, too.
When Kathy and I’ve invited her to our home for various events, she’s come EVERY TIME!
When I invited to her to a casual hootenanny at a friend’s home, last year she and her husband, Will, showed up with instruments and joined in.
Just yesterday, I learned from a friend who works at Carl’s Place (hands down Des Moines’ best dive bar, btw), that after Sarah debated Zach Nunn last week she showed up at Carl’s for a beer, posing for a pic with two of the bartenders.
I’m sure there’s an issue or two where Sarah and I disagree. But I know this: she’s approachable, attentive, compassionate, and very intelligent.
And she shows up.
So I’ve been showing up for Sarah — door knocking, fundraising, spreading the word. If you live in this district, I really hope you’ll show up for her, too.
No matter where you live, even if you’re not particularly excited about the Democrat running for Congress, vote for them.
Bottom line: TRUMP MUST BE STOPPED AND A DEMOCRATIC US HOUSE IS OUR STRONGEST FIREWALL.
Trump has pulled out all the stops to disrupt the election. It seems that every day he and his cronies find one more piece of autocratic spaghetti to throw at the crumbling wall of democracy, hoping to get something, anything, to stick so they can negate the results of the election if it doesn’t go their way.
Don’t let ’em do it. Vote Democratic this fall. Especially for US Congress. Even if it hurts a bit. If we can save democracy, then let’s get to work next year on the election reforms America needs.
Thanks for reading, listening, and taking action. And if you’re a central Iowa resident, remember to support the local businesses and nonprofits that help underwrite this platform.
Ed Fallon
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