The Sins of the Fathers

Early this morning, October 30, 2020, the Ratcatcher was driving to a meeting when something happened that struck like a slap across the face. Coming toward me was a large yellow school bus. As it drew near, it began to stop, turned on its flashing yellow lights and then the flashing reds, meaning, everyone stop! As I watched, a large number of very small children were herded onto the bus by their parents. My guess is that they were no more than ten years old; some were certainly younger. The bus driver waited for them to be seated, turned off the flashing lights, and proceeded; so did I.

As I drove away it hit me. Few, if any, of those children have any idea of the significance of the impending election next week. Some may not even know an election is occurring. Millions of adults across the nation are wringing their hands with worry about the outcome of the election, as well they should, But it is possible that the worst effects of this election will be visited on the children the Ratcatcher watched this morning as they headed off to school.

Former President Barack Obama was fond of gloating that “elections have consequences.” Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell repeated that truth during the Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as a member of the United States Supreme Court. Judicial appointments and executive orders are obvious and high-profile consequences of elections. But so is the ruination of people even though it may be less obvious and less publicized; so are the entrenching of disastrous public policies, the erosion or destruction of rights guaranteed to Americans under the Constitution and Bill of Rights and the subordination of American interests to those of foreign governments hostile to American values.

Before you vote, consider the consequences of your vote if the party for which you cast your ballot prevails. What are the consequences that will be visited on your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – to the third and the fourth generation? Will fewer unborn babies die? Will America engage in fewer wars of adventure? Will the country be further divided along racial, ethnic, gender, and religious bases or grow more united? Will American borders disappear in the service of inclusivity? Will the children the Ratcatcher watched boarding their school bus be saddled with impossible and crushing national debt. And finally, though this list of questions is far from complete, will those children be free to express their opinions without fear of retribution or will they be molded into “good little collectivist citizens?”

Elections do, in fact, have consequences and the responsibility for those consequences lies with us; it lies with people who, with their vote, can direct the future of America. And the responsibility also rests on those who, having eyes too pure to look upon evil, will refuse to vote.

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