A little known but Great American, is former CIA agent and 2016 independent conservative presidential candidate Evan McMullin. In a recent New York Times op-ed he wrote that we can no longer assume that all Americans understand the origins of their rights and the importance of liberal democracy. We need a new era of civic engagement that will reawaken us to the cause of liberty and equality. That engagement must extend to ensuring that our elected representatives uphold the Constitution, in deed and discourse — even if doing so puts them at odds with their party. We cannot allow any elected official to normalize the idea that he is the ultimate arbiter of our rights. Those who can will need to speak out boldly and suffer possible retaliation. Others will need to offer hands of kindness and friendship across the traditional political divide, as well as to those who may become targets because of who they are or what they believe. Those who understand the cause are called to the work, which I hope will unify and bless our nation in time.
On twitter McMullin shared a list of 10 things Americans can do in the face of authoritarianism:
1. Read and learn the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Know that our basic rights are inalienable.
2. Identify and follow many credible sources of news. Be very well informed and learn to discern truth from untruth.
3. Support journalists, artists, academics, clergy and others who speak truth and who inform, inspire and unite us.
4. Watch every word, decision and action of the president and his administration extremely closely, like we have never done before in America.
5. Be very vocal in every forum available to us when we observe any violations of our rights and our democracy. Write, speak, act.
6. Hold members of Congress and state legislatures accountable for protecting our rights and democracy through elections and by making public demands of them now.
7. Build bridges with Americans from the other side of the traditional political spectrum and with members of diverse American communities.
8. Defend others who may be threatened by authorities even if they don’t look, think or believe like us. An attack on one is an attack on all.
9. Organize online and in person with other Americans who understand the danger authoritarianism poses and who are also willing to speak up.
10. And finally, in the words of another Great American Abraham Lincoln, have “malice toward none, with charity for all” and never ever lose hope!
He omitted the most important, while you still have the privilege, make an informed VOTE. McCormick Law Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
