By Joe Niemiec
I remember the riots of the early ‘60s Civil Rights movement — the late ‘60s antiwar movement — and yet today’s politics of fear, racism, hate, and disrespect are beyond anything I remember in the past.
When I step into the polling booth, (or submit mail in ballot in Washington State), I can’t help but take my religious beliefs with me—they are an integral part of who I am. What I do not have the right to do is use fear and intimidation to try and change the mind of other voters and/or keep them from voting.
In news clips this week, I saw two different candidates have a person of color removed from their rally and a third candidate step away from the mic and allow someone else have their say. So guess what direction I’m leaning?
I spent nine years serving in the Marine Corp and did so to protect the rights of everyone; not just those with whom I agreed. I voted for Nixon twice and then saw him leave in shame…knowing that was the natural course of history. I have never experienced the nationally-accepted disrespect of others that I am witnessing right now.
I hope people do take their religious values into the voting booth — the values taught by the Christ, the Buddha, and Mohammad and not the values of fear, racism and hate.
