The Fight for Democracy: 5 Key Issues at Stake in the 2024 Election
Let's be real. This next election isn't just another political cycle. It's not just red vs. blue, liberal vs. conservative, or whatever tired division we’ve been fed for decades. This is about democracy. It's about the soul of our nation and the freedoms we’ve always taken for granted. And if you're on the fence about voting, or if you think your voice doesn’t matter, now is the time to wake up.
#1: Democracy Is on the Ballot
Let’s not dance around the issue. Donald Trump is a fascist in the making. I’m not just throwing that word around for shock value—it’s based on his own words and actions. Remember after the 2020 election when he refused to accept the results? When he said, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol” to a mob, inciting an insurrection? That was not a one-off. He continues to claim that the election was stolen, promoting violence against the very systems that protect us. He’s openly talked about purging the government of officials he disagrees with and placing loyalists in key positions—people who will turn a blind eye to his power grabs. That’s straight-up authoritarianism.
Trump has made it clear he doesn't believe in the democratic process unless it serves him. He has attacked our elections, our courts, our free press, and every institution that stands between us and dictatorship. If you think that’s an exaggeration, look at how he’s modeled himself after authoritarian leaders worldwide. If he's given another term, he will destroy the very foundation of what makes America a democracy.
#2: Women’s Reproductive Rights—A Matter of Life and Death
Trump and his allies want to take away women’s rights over their bodies, and it’s not hypothetical anymore—it’s reality. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, women are literally dying because they can’t access lifesaving abortion care. Trump has openly aligned himself with Project 2025, a Republican plan to ban abortion nationwide, no exceptions. It’s not about states’ rights, it’s about total control. If this happens, more women will die. More lives will be upended. And don't kid yourself that this is where it ends. Once you strip one group of their rights, what's to stop the stripping of others?
#3: Immigration—The Need for Reform, Not Fear
Trump’s immigration policy has always been built on fear, plain and simple. He’s demonized immigrants at every turn, calling them “rapists,” “criminals,” and using every scare tactic imaginable to divide us. But let’s get real. Immigration isn’t the problem; the lack of reform is. The system is broken, and instead of fear-mongering, we need a president who will push for sensible, compassionate reform. We need to secure the border, yes, but we also need a path to citizenship, a system that treats people with dignity—not like bargaining chips in a political game.
#4: LGBTQ+ Equality—We Are All Human
Trump’s rhetoric here is just as damaging. From banning transgender people from serving in the military to attacking LGBTQ+ rights as part of his platform, Trump encourages the dangerous belief that if someone is different from you, they are less than. He’s said that allowing transgender people in the military would cause “tremendous disruption.” He’s fanned the flames of discrimination, legitimizing hatred against anyone who doesn’t fit his narrow view of “normal.” This is the president of the United States—someone who should represent all of us. Instead, he’s leading a charge to divide us, to make some people feel less worthy of their rights and their place in society.
#5: The Economy—The Tariff Trap and Corporate Greed
Let’s talk about the economy for a minute, because we all know it’s not working for the majority of us. Trump loves to brag about his tariff plan on other countries, but what they really will do is raise costs for everyday Americans. His policies are designed to protect the 1% and not the middle class. We’re going to be paying for it.
Trump also loves to talk about inflation. Come on. We are not dealing with inflation because of the current administration. It’s corporate greed, plain and simple. Companies have been price gouging us, using excuses like “supply chain issues” or “increased demand” to raise prices while padding their own profits. Trump isn’t going to address that. He’s all about protecting the wealthy and maintaining the status quo.
We need a president who understands that corporate greed is killing us. CEOs shouldn’t be making 300 times what their average employees make. There need to be caps on executive pay, and companies should be evaluated on more than just their profits. How they treat their employees, how they impact the environment, and their overall social responsibility should all play a role in determining their value. It’s time we hold corporations accountable, and we need a leader who will put people over profits.
Look, I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. I’m here to tell you what’s at stake. This isn’t just about political differences—it’s about the survival of our democracy, our rights, and our future. We can’t afford to sit this one out. We can’t let apathy or disillusionment win. This is a fight, and we need everyone to show up.
This election will define what kind of country we want to be. Do we want to be a democracy where everyone has a voice, where people are treated with dignity and respect, where the system works for the many, not the few? Or do we want to fall into authoritarianism, where one man decides what’s right and wrong, and where only the rich and powerful thrive?
The choice is ours. Let’s make it count.
xoxoxo
-The Not So Common Gal