In a speech last year, I recounted a story in which my husband and I were talking about democracy, and he said something that was so chilling to me that it had been on my mind for weeks. I can say now that his words still echo in my head. He said that democracy will not die on the battlefield, it will die to the sound of thunderous applause. I think we can all agree that the trajectory of America is heading in a direction none of us thought that we would see in our lifetime.

America under the Trump Administration is aligning itself with Russia and speaking out in opposition to our ally, Ukraine. Our government institutions have been wrecked by the hasty and incompetent actions of Elon Musk and his tech team. Not to mention the untethered access to our private information like bank accounts, social security numbers, and information about our children and families. Our elected representatives appear afraid to uphold their Constitutional duty because Musk has threatened to primary anyone that opposes him or Trump. Keep in mind that Musk was being investigated by several of those agencies he is intent on wrecking, for his business practices. Our economy is heading fast into a preventable recession–high unemployment and prices. Especially in WV where we have many Federal employees and many of our supports rely on Federal funding. Democracy is fragile and it can be dismantled in a very short time if the power of the unscrupulous are left unchecked.

The United States is governed by The People, you and me. We have power. These times are calling for us to have courage. Fascism feeds on fear. When we find joy in our life and with each other, we are fighting against fascism, because we are not giving it air to breathe. A small act but a necessary one.

We must support the rule of law and reinforce that no one, not even a President, is above the law. We must speak truth to power and demand that those in power, uphold our Constitution. We must support the Free Press because they are one of the intuitions that hold those in power accountable. We do not want a press that gives into threats. Many of us and our neighbors are going to be hurt by the policies of this administration. We will have to come together and support one another. We will have to bridge the political divide. We have their roadmap, and it is called Project 2025. If you have not read it, do so. It is being implemented at the State and Federal level. We must counter Project 2025 at every step, we must counter every lie, and we must uphold the principles that this country was founded on, and that brave men and women have fought for in each generation for 250 years. I bow to no one. Stand with me.

Mandy Weirich

Randolph County

Democratic

Executive Committee