The world has watched in horror Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. It has also watched the bravery of Ukrainians defending their right to self-determination and Russian citizens protesting their country’s illegal action.
Such bravery is in stark contrast to the cowardice of many of our Republican leaders who continue to be mute on or push the Big Lie (despite over 60 failed court attempts to overturn the election and Republican Homeland Security officials calling the 2020 election “the most secure in history”); who try to reframe the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as “legitimate” political discourse; and who are silent about former President Donald Trump’s shameful rhetoric supporting Putin as “a genius” and “savvy guy” for invading Ukraine.
This election, I hope Americans will honor the Ukrainian people and Russian protesters by choosing candidates who defend democracy by obeying the nation’s laws, who understand that storming the Capitol isn’t “legitimate” political discourse, and who support other democracies rather than autocratic despots. As Americans, we don’t have to agree on issues to support our democracy, but we do have to agree on common norms and rules of behavior. Please defend our democracy by voting for candidates who embody and defend those norms.
