Another long stress-filled week of 2020 has come and gone. Civil unrest, voter fraud and social distancing suspended while people celebrated a Biden victory across my screen.
As I listened, all I heard was what we continue to see on social media and hear from our peers. It seems we have been conditioned as a society to take things at face value and talk with only a minute amount of information to further our own agenda. This is satisfying until someone asks why or how and you realize you really do not know the answer.
I was contemplating the happenings of the past week and was reflecting on my own emotions toward the situation and how I should move forward, then just like that I started to think about my family and friends. I have many family members and close friends who have served our county and fought for the freedoms and rights that make our country great.
My uncle once said to me, “I fought for your right to vote.”
That has always stuck with me, and I wanted to know how a veteran felt about last week’s election and how it would affect them if voter fraud was committed. I visited with some friends and family who served our country honorably, including prior enlisted Daniel W. U.S. Marine Corps Corporal, prior-enlisted Specialist Ryan G. U.S. Army 3rd Cav, and Dennis G U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class and U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant.
These are men of different faiths and backgrounds, but when asked, their responses were very similar. If voter fraud was committed, it would be a dishonor to our men and women in uniform and be a disservice to our country.
“I think most Veterans want a fair election and the process to be true,” said Ryan G.
Daniel W. stated, “If fraud was committed it would be unfortunate for veterans in so far that they pledged their lives to defend the integrity of our republic and its institutions. To see those things willfully and deliberately disrespected would be difficult to see.”
Veteran or not, I think we can all agree that voter fraud would be a hard pill to swallow, but is it happening?
Many people tend to think voter fraud is happening now on a wide-scale basis and some people deny it, but what should be done about it.
When asked this question Dennis G responded, “Well I think that the individual should be brought up on charges and if it goes as high as the President of the United States or Vice President they should be removed from office.”
Others say they should be disbarred from voting ever again and call it treasonous no matter which side attempts and/or is successful in voter fraud.
The last thing I wanted to know was could voter fraud impact our current and future military service members. I got the same answer, that it could affect the morale.
Dennis G. said it the best, “Just more or less the morale and them not being able to trust our elected officials and our political parties. I am not aiming that at any one party, I am aiming that at all party’s whether it be Democrat, Republican or independent. I am aiming it at all of them. If that service member that volunteered to defend our nation, if they cannot depend on a viable voting system or viable political parties to govern our nation, that could affect the way they do their job.”
I think we can all agree that we want a fair and honest election and the next few weeks will tell us if we’re going to get one or not, but please remember there are men and women who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy all the things this great country has provided. Please take the time to thank all the men and women that have served or are serving in our armed forces.
Thank you to Ryan, Denny and Daniel for sharing your thoughts and opinions with everyone and helping us understand what a fair election means to a veteran.
Author: Michael Donlin
Michael Donlin is married and has a daughter. He lives and works in Sioux Center. He is a member of the Sioux County Republican Central Committee and Sioux County Conservatives.
