Your vote Nov. 6 will show what is in your heart
When the citizens of Sumter County vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6, their vote will reveal what is truly in their hearts. Their vote will tell if they have a genuine concern for other people or if it's just rhetorical gibberish. When I joined the United States Air Force in 1960, my father could not vote in South Carolina. However, that didn't stop me from voluntarily taking an oath to defend America while fulfilling my military obligations. This was during the Civil Rights Movement and before the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Today, there are voter suppression laws that violate the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Our vote must reveal that we care about the voting rights of all Americans and believe in our hearts the words in our Declaration of Independence that "All men are created equal."
Today, America is a divided nation, and a nation divided cannot stand. The end of American democracy is closer than we realize. The present social environment is one of fear and hatred. The current leadership actively promotes fear and violence among Americans of different races and religions. Mass murders and racial confrontations are increasing at an alarming rate. Our vote must reveal that our love of America is much greater than our love for a political party. We must show the world that America is a country of many races and religions. Diversity is the strength of America.
America is at the crossroads of self-destruction. The midnight hours of Tuesday, Nov. 6, will reveal what was in the hearts of Americans. Did we vote for health care for all Americans, even people with preexisting conditions? Did we vote for Medicare, Medicaid and for our Social Security? Did we vote to feed our millions of hungry children, regardless of their race? Or, did we vote with our gullible minds and decided heartlessly to let American democracy die?
God loves America; however, we must demonstrate that we are worthy of His love.
VOTE TO RECLAIM AMERICA
EUGENE R. BATEN
Sumter