How You Can Personally Save Democracy and Foil Trump

"Find a House or Senate race that is hotly contested and put your back into it."

by Joel Martin

There’s still a good chance that Donald Trump will be elected President in November. Even worse, polls suggest that Republicans are currently favored to take both the House and the Senate. If that happens, everything that we hold dear is likely lost, be it the environment, women’s rights, workers’ rights, privacy and even democracy itself. In a few years, the United States may be a new “China” run by a select group of party sycophants and billionaires. Forget about being saved by an aggrieved and embittered right-wing Supreme Court much less lower federal courts that are strewn with Trump toadies (as evidenced by Aileen Cannon’s successful attempts to help Trump evade the law). Frightened? Then do something about it!

To save democracy and our republic, we absolutely must have control of at least one house of congress. That’s where you come in. I mean you personally! As the 18th century political theorist Edmund Burke once wrote, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” Don’t be that person, you could regret it for the rest of your life.

Here’s where and how you can make a real difference. Find a House or Senate race that is hotly contested and put your back into it. These races are often decided by a few hundred votes, sometimes by a few dozen votes and your actions could well change the outcome. What can you do? Vote and make sure that your friends and family members do too. Volunteer to call or canvass on behalf of your candidate of choice. Write notes of support on social media and to the newspapers. And, since campaigns run on money, please donate. Your actions really might save democracy this time, please don’t let the opportunity slip away!

A local, hotly-contested race is Mike Levin’s CA-49 Congressional seat. Trump and the RNC have personally targeted Mike’s seat as up for grabs because of the heavy Republican Orange County presence in CA-49. Mike is being challenged by car dealer Matt Gunderson who is positioning himself as a “pro-choice” Republican. Pro-choice? Remember that Republicans, including, in particular, J.D. Vance, want a Federal ban on abortions including in cases of rape and incest. If they need that last one vote to end a woman’s right to choose, what do you think Gunderson would do? Would he be “pro-choice”? Think about the last time a car dealer promised you anything.

I want to talk about Mike Levin for a minute. Sure, he’s brought nearly a billion dollars of federal funds to San Diego since he took office. He also checks off all of the boxes that you care about, women’s rights, worker’s rights, profound concern for the environment, a safe and fair border policy, better healthcare, freedom from gun violence, etc. These are all things you can read about on his website. I want to talk instead about Mike as a person.

I met Mike before he was a declared candidate for CA-49. At the time, it looked like we could finally get rid of that radical right-wing albatross, Darrel Issa. I met with everyone I could who was running or thinking about running. Heck, my friends even asked me to throw my hat in the ring. After I had a chance to get to know Mike, there wasn’t a hint of doubt but that he was the right guy. It wasn’t just his deep knowledge about seemly everything but it was also his calm demeanor, his clear integrity, his devotion to his family, and his willingness to work with those he disagrees with if it means he can get things done. Oh, and his seemingly limitless energy too.

Since Mike’s election victory in 2018, we’ve been in regular contact. He listens and he is willing to debate issues openly and thoughtfully. He cares deeply about his constituents, San Diego, California and the future of the United States of America — and, yes, Orange County too. If you don’t know Mike, come to one of his events and have a conversation. I promise that you will be impressed.

The one thing that I can count on during these dangerous times is that Mike Levin will do the right thing to the very best of his abilities. So, whether you live in the 49th district or not, please help support Mike in any way you can. You, and he, might just save democracy.

*Editors’ note: this piece was turned in before the change in the Democratic race for President.

Joel Martin is a climate activist. He is a scientist, semi-retired biotech entrepreneur, and long-time San Diego resident.