France Is a Warning: Alabama Must Vote

Opinion by Angela McClure

Look at what is happening in France.

Schools have burned, vehicles have been set on fire, riot police have filled the streets, and widespread demonstrations have disrupted communities. Thousands of arrests have been reported during periods of unrest, and France continues to face deep political divisions.

France is not officially in a civil war, but the images coming from the country should serve as a warning. When citizens lose confidence in their government, political divisions deepen and institutions fail to address problems, instability can move from political debate into the streets.

America should pay attention because no democracy is guaranteed permanent stability. We cannot assume that the institutions protecting our communities and our freedoms will remain strong without citizens actively participating in them.

France has been governed by liberal and left-of-center political forces that have profoundly shaped the country’s policies and institutions. From a conservative Republican perspective, what we are witnessing demonstrates the consequences of years of liberal governance, expanding government power and political leadership increasingly disconnected from citizens who believe their concerns are being ignored. The lesson for America is not that France and Alabama are identical. The lesson is that elections have consequences.

And elections begin at home.

They begin with your school board, sheriff, state representative and state senator. They continue with your governor, judges, attorney general and Public Service Commission. And they determine whom Alabama sends to Washington.

On Tuesday, November 3, Alabama voters will decide races from the courthouse to Congress.

For governor, Tommy Tuberville (R) faces Doug Jones (D). For lieutenant governor, John Wahl (R) faces Phillip Ensler (D). For U.S. Senate, Barry Moore (R) faces Everett Wess (D).

Alabama’s congressional races will also be on the ballot. In Congressional District 1, Republican Jerry Carl (R) faces Democrat Clyde Jones (D). In Congressional District 2, Republican Rhett Marques (R) faces Democratic incumbent Shomari Figures (D), In Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, Dale Strong (R) faces Andrew Sneed (D), giving Alabama voters another clear Republican-versus-Democrat choice in November.

For attorney general, Katherine Robertson (R) faces Jeff McLaughlin (D). Other statewide contests include Caroleene Dobson (R) against Wayne Rogers (D) for secretary of state; Young Boozer (R) against Rosilyn Houston (D) for state treasurer; Corey Hill (R) against Ron Sparks (D) for commissioner of agriculture and industries; Matt Gentry (R) against James O. Gordon (D) for Public Service Commission Place 1; and Jim Zeigler (R) against Sheila D. McNeil (D) for Public Service Commission Place 2.

For State Board of Education District 8, Emily Jones (R) faces Shatika Armstrong (D).

Here in Madison County, Kevin Turner (R) faces Brett Jones (D) for sheriff, while Valerie Miles (R) faces Jeff Taylor (D) for tax collector. Several District Court judgeships are contested as well.

Depending on where you live, your ballot will contain different legislative races. Madison County ballot styles include John Roberts (R) against Rudolph Valentino Drake (D) in Senate District 2 and Rex Reynolds (R) against Forrest Satterfield (D) in House District 21.

This is why local elections matter.

Government does not begin in Washington. It begins in our cities, counties and states. The people we elect today become the leaders who determine the direction of our communities tomorrow.

Conservatives believe in limited government, individual liberty, parental rights, public safety, fiscal responsibility and constitutional government. Those principles mean very little if the people who believe in them stay home on Election Day.

November 3 is only 30 days away.

Make your plan now. Check your voter registration. Study your ballot and candidates. If you qualify for absentee voting and cannot vote in person, do not wait until the last minute. Begin the process now.

France should remind Americans that political stability and freedom should never be taken for granted. We have a peaceful and powerful way to determine the direction of our country.

Use it. Vote November 3.

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