📮VOTE!

     Do you remember saving cereal box tops to send away for some fabulous toy shown on the back of the cereal box? I’d save up tops for several months, put them in an envelope and mail them. After 3 – 5 weeks, a toy about one tenth the size pictured on the box, would arrive by mail. Pretty disappointing but the experience of putting something in an envelope, slipping it in the mailbox down the block and then getting a package with my name on it was well, magical.

     In college, mail was a life-line. It delivered care packages from home. Letters kept me from being homesick. All through my life sending and receiving mail has been important to me. It was a tool in my job searching efforts, outgoing resumes and cover letters. It brought cards and packages for celebrations and was a source of news about family and friends.

     As an adult, it brought books from book clubs and music from music clubs. Mail service made it possible pay bills with just a stamp, receive magazine subscriptions and keep up to date on the latest style trends and gadgets with catalogs. (Lots and lots of catalogs.)

     Now, as I get old, the post office delivers necessary prescriptions, retirement checks and important information about Medicare and social security. The post office delivers packages of food and medication for my dog. In this time of pandemic, the USPS is a lifeline to us and so many, many others in difficult times. To do away with the Post Office under the guise of inefficiency and non-profitability is ludicrous.

     Doing away with mailboxes and sorting machines mere months before an election where voting by mail is the best option during a time of pandemic seems inefficient and obstructionist. The post office was set up in The Constitution. It’s been the best and only way to effectively communicate for centuries before the advent of social media. Who remembers getting a letter or package from home and how much it meant and means? Voting is one of your inalienable rights. But staying safe is too. Having your voice heard and counted was hard won. Many, many people marched, protested and died so you can be a part of choosing who represents you and this country. Not to vote is disrespectful to those who gave so much so you could cast that ballot.     

     The pandemic is dangerous and it isn’t over by any means. Being safe, acting in the best interest of others, taking proper precautions is necessary. It is imperative, the right thing to do. Asking anyone to throw caution to the wind and go stand in line to exercise that right just seems cold-hearted. This is an important election. To say the fate of our democracy, our country, is at stake isn’t hyperbole. Every voice must be heard. Allowing election interference to occur again after the fiasco of 2016, well shame on us. Shame on us if we allow it to happen again. To win by any means (even cheating) just proves how incompetent, ignorant and covetous this president is. How “winning” takes priority over everything else is incomprehensible.

     When we are children, we want to win when we play. It makes us feel good to win. Sometimes, as children, we do whatever we can to win even if it means ignoring the rules. However, as children, the stakes aren’t life changing. As adults, the stakes become exponentially higher-sometimes life or death. I wrote to my state senator today, sent an email actually. With the slow down of the postal service, I wanted him to get this Before Election Day in November. He has shown himself to be a supporter of the administration often to the detriment of the people in my state. I said…

     “When I first wrote to you, Senator, I knew we disagreed politically but I respected your right to follow your conscience and moral code. I believed you were an honorable man and hope you still are.

     To win re-election by way of interference with USPS seems desperate, at best. Why would you tie yourself to foolish attempts to win re-election? Don’t for one minute think your constituents are too stupid to realize what is going on. Don’t think they will just give up and not vote. Believe me, the response to the pandemic, the rampant racism, the destruction of our reputation on the world stage means something. We know where to place the blame.

     Please stand up against the president and his efforts to take away the United States Postal Service. The long lasting effects from destroying this entity will further undermine the stability of the country. Why punish everyone who depends on the mails for prescriptions, checks and packages just to win? Show all of us that you still have honor and are not a trump Yes Man. Do the right thing, please!”

     I encourage you to write to your Congress people. Don’t allow this blatant attempt to prevent voter turn out by shackling the USPS through removal of mailboxes and sorting equipment in post offices. I know you have noticed a slowing of mail services. It isn’t just because of the pandemic but an excuse used by the government to restrict voting. Too many persons, men and women, fought and died so their ancestors could get their voices heard. Please, honor their struggle.