By James Revels
Around this time in 2020, El Paso Matters published my commentary about 100 days from a historic election. Fast forward to 2024, here we are, once again, approaching a historic election.
In 2020, the nation was grappling with a global pandemic, its economic impact and racial unrest, spawned by the continuing deaths of Black folk at the hands of police officers.
Then, as now, political divisiveness gripped the nation. The incumbent refused to accept the election results, before votes were cast. Russia engaged in disruptive efforts to undermine confidence in the election results, and plans were made to remove the losing incumbent if he refused to vacate the White House.
Following the most important election in our history, several court challenges were launched to reverse the will of the people. All failed. Then, on Jan. 6, 2021, a mob assembled by the loser attacked the Capitol in a failed attempt to halt the certification process. Joe Biden took the oath of office on Jan. 20, as required by law, and led the nation through a successful recovery from the pandemic, and its economic impact.
The Biden years will be remembered for economic improvement that voters continue to deny today.
As a result, in about 100 days, voters will once again be asked to decide who will lead this divided nation into the abyss of the coming challenges ahead. They will be asked to choose between an aging incumbent, diminished by age, and a convicted felon and unfit challenger, who has been found guilty of defamation and fraudulent business practices.
For the first time in our history, a convicted felon has been selected as the Republican Party presidential nominee. Notwithstanding clear evidence of unfitness, Donald Trump’s die-hard supporters continue to support him, as well as the GOP leadership.
While election 2020 was important, 2024 promises to be even more important. If voters fail to re-elect the incumbent, leadership of the free world is at stake. Our allies are already voicing concerns, spawned by Trump’s previous behavior and performance. Without strong American leadership, Russia and China will surely be emboldened to challenge the current world order.
The coming election could not be more important to the survival of our democracy, freedoms and liberties. As a result, it has never been more important to become an informed voter. We all need to take the time to become educated and avoid the appeal of misinformation.
The enemy within is our greatest threat and we all have a responsibility to address this threat. It is time to allow truth to be our guide on this important trek. Refusing to take part in this battle is not an option.
James Revels is a retired Army colonel and former columnist for the El Paso Times who lives in East El Paso.
The post Opinion: 4 years later, we’re right back at another historic election appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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