Election Day jitters

By Shin Freedman As Election Day draws closer, I find myself reflecting on issues that never troubled me before 2016. There’s a sense of apprehension that seems to permeate this year’s election cycle — a feeling I can’t shake. It’s not just about electing one candidate over another; it’s about preserving something fundamental.

I am deeply concerned about the words and behavior coming from one candidate. Statements like “We became a garbage can for the world,” and disparaging remarks about the other candidate’s intelligence — comments that are increasingly laced with anger and mockery — chip away at our national unity. The tone is divisive, designed to belittle and degrade rather than to inspire or lead.



The 2024 American presidential election looms large, with high stakes and intense anticipation. I fear the potential for unrest and violence, stirred up by claims of victory or fraud even before all ballots are counted. This atmosphere of distrust is not just disheartening, it’s unsettling.

One party seems increasingly comfortable inciting division, repeatedly making derogatory statements, sowing misinformation and shifting responsibility when faced with criticism. This relentless focus on painting segments of the population as enemies feels like an attack on the very fabric of our democracy. It troubles me deeply that any voter would support a candidate who sows fear of “the other" — fear of immigrants, fear of racial diversity and fear of anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow definition of what it means to be an American.

A candidate who incites violence as an option when the democratic process does not yield a desired result is not fit to lead. This candidate has shown, through words and actions, an open disregard for the peaceful transfer of power, which is one of our nation’s most sacred traditions. I cannot forget how that same leader mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leading to a staggering death toll.

The response was not marked by care or decisive action; instead, it was a cavalcade of downplaying the crisis and hoping it would just go away. This was a time when Americans desperately needed leadership, guidance and a plan, yet all we received was wishful thinking and empty rhetoric. This lack of preparedness had real and tragic consequences.

That experience alone is enough to question this candidate’s competence, but sadly, it was far from the only failure. Perhaps most disturbingly, the Jan. 6, 2021, incident has still not been forgotten.

Seeing the violent storming of the Capitol building and hearing chants of “Hang Mike Pence!” echoing through our country’s legislative heart was both shocking and heartbreaking. The event was fueled by a leader once again unwilling to respect the constitutional process. One who incited supporters to act against the democratic process.

The potential for a repeat performance this coming Election Day is a very real fear. I dread what this country might face if similar chaos unfolds, and I am deeply troubled by the possibility that violence could again be used to thwart the will of the people. In these final autumn days, my thoughts are filled with hopes and fears.

I fear, however, that the path to that future will be challenging. I hope that the voters choose a path that reflects our highest ideals rather than our deepest fears. The outcome in seven key swing states could determine the future direction of the country, and this race feels far more urgent than any other past election.

I feel that this time, my entire being is wrapped up in the results. I want to be able to tell my grandchildren, someday, that we proudly upheld the principles of American democracy for future generations. Shin Freedman (shinfreed@gmail.

com) is an author, writer and educator..