Joyce Krawiec serves in the North Carolina Senate. She represents Davie County and Forsyth County, NC. Christian, wife, mother, small business owner, and conservative.
As I was preparing to write this week, I received an email from Dr. James Dobson. He was writing about the upcoming election. Since early voting begins this week, it’s time to focus on what this election means. Dr. Dobson posted an email from a friend that says it all.
“This is not a junior high or high school popularity/personality contest. I’m not voting for the person—I’m voting for the platform!
I’m voting for the Second Amendment. I’m voting for the next Supreme Court justice. I’m voting for the electoral college. I’m voting for the Republic in which we live. I’m voting for the police and law and order. I’m voting for the military and the veterans who fought and died for this country. I’m voting for the flag that is often missing from public events. I’m voting for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored for it. I’m voting for secure borders. I’m voting for the right to praise God without fear. I’m voting for every unborn soul that is at risk of being aborted. I’m voting for freedom and the American dream. I’m voting for good and against evil. I’m not just voting for one person.
I’m voting for the future of my country!”
Every election, we hear that it’s the most important of our lifetime. I believe that’s true. It seems that every election cycle, our country is in a bigger crisis than the one before.
Violence has been happening in cities around the country. Law enforcement has been under attack. And there are threats of more violence if the election doesn’t turn out the way some want.
Leadership means standing up for something. Even if you’re the only one standing. But leadership does not mean turning a blind eye and excusing away bad behaviors. A lie left unchallenged becomes “the truth that everybody knows”. Violence left unchallenged becomes the end of the rule of law.
When legitimate peaceful protests are overtaken by violent mobs, freedom of speech is no longer possible. The violence overpowers the voices of reason and those voices are drowned out.
We are so fortunate here in our area, that these riots and violent behavior have not been present. Kudos to our leadership in our community for keeping peace.
There is no excuse for the activity that has happened in cities around the country. Communities have been burned down and businesses destroyed. Some cities allowed the mobs to take over complete sections of the city. In many cases, the businesses were taken over. This is what happens when law and order is ignored and mob rule is allowed.
This is not the America that anyone wants to live in. And the communities that are being destroyed are the communities that are already struggling and can least afford to rebuild.
One city that has been under constant assault since May is Seattle. Communities have been destroyed and lives lost. Police were ordered to “Stand down” and the violence has been consistent. It began with citizens exercising their rights under the First Amendment to “petition the government for a redress of grievances” over the death of George Floyd. Their protests were quickly hijacked by the violent mobs.
It’s also worth noting that when the “protest” spread to the mayors neighborhood, the rules needed to be changed. The mayor wants her neighborhood protected, as it should be. She should also be concerned with other neighborhoods in her city. They too deserve protection.
The First Amendment guarantees our right to free speech. But who will protect that right when the mob silences those voices.
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Joyce Krawiec serves in the North Carolina Senate. She represents Davie County and Forsyth County, NC. Christian, wife, mother, small business owner, and conservative.