As this fall’s elections quickly approach, some of the candidates for governor are downright scary, and if we’re not well informed and actually vote, our days ahead may be too.
Only a few gubernatorial candidates are running ads now but it behooves us to attend forums and engage on all levels as our 51 st governor is selected. It’s probably too much to hope for someone who is accomplished, kind, compassionate and sensitive, who listens, and whose commitment to party doesn’t trump what’s best for us, our cities, and this beautiful state. Perhaps a prayer vigil begun now for such a candidate would be in order…
Here’s what I know: (1) Tennesseans are welcoming so we mustn’t let our new governor and elected officials pass laws that disenfranchise our neighbors because of their ethnicity, who they love, or who they want to become. Yes, elect them but say being the morality police isn’t part of the job description.
We, the people, are committed to expansion of health care to the poor, our elders, and children, universal preschool, safer public schools and foster care, sensible gun laws, enhanced rural communities, no tax on food, and we believe elections can be fairly won without rigging/gerrymandering districts.
We will ask who they’ll be listening to—Tennesseans, outsiders, or big money donors.
(2) We must ask these candidates about crime/punishment and life and death issues. We can’t be for capital punishment but against abortion—a life is a life is a life.
I don’t know any women who have abortions because they enjoy them, and trust me, what aid for dependent children amounts to in Tennessee, nobody’s getting pregnant to get a bigger check.
Furthermore, in the justice system we’re led to believe people are innocent until proven guilty but in actuality, too often they get the justice they can afford/pay for. Sadly, even after the prison sentence is served, the innocent-looking application questions, “Have you ever been arrested or convicted?” make it difficult to wash the effects of incarceration away.
When it comes to crime and punishment, governors have immense power over how crime is defined, funded, and punished, and which/how inmates live and die. We need to know what candidates are thinking so we should ask and they should tell.
Finally, (3) during my sociology of gender class early in my doctoral studies I heard a foreign concept: gender is socially constructed. I didn’t understand or buy it—girls play with dolls and boys play with trucks. It’s what we do without any prompting and I’d never heard of “heterosexual privilege.”
A million miles, legalized gay marriage, two careers, and light years later, I understand gender issues are serious and real.
Consider this: homelessness and suicide rates among gay/trans teens is higher than any other group; and as laws vary from state to state, housing and retail discrimination, health care, bathrooms—daily things– present roadblocks that don’t affect us unless it’s us, a friend or family member.
One gubernatorial hopeful’s ad proudly proclaimed companies that still support DEI and transgender issues would find a hostile environment here. I’m guessing a poll somewhere probably told him that’s what Tennessee voters want to hear. It is not.
Tell us about support for public schools, rural hospitals and pharmacies—anything but more hostility and division.
Oh well, the right to vote is sacred and precious so I’ll be at the polls early–rain or shine, but I worry low voter turnout may dash our hopes of electing a governor who appreciates difference, fairness, civility, and respect. Your vote is your voice so please show up and cast your ballot. Not just this time, but every time.
