The Consequences of Voting or Lack Thereof
Brexit refers to the recent referendum in the United Kingdom that posed the question whether the UK should leave the European Union. The UK voted to leave and immediately markets tumbled, the Pound dropped and voters felt regret and frustration that they had been misinformed by the Leave Campaign, a campaign that immediately started to backtrack on the claims and promises they had made before the vote.
Now that we can look at that referendum in hindsight there are various lessons to learn, lessons that apply to the contest between Clinton and Trump and what will shortly be at stake in America.
Do Not Fall into Complacency by Believing that Trump Will Lose
Yes, Clinton had a strong first debate performance against Trump, and will most likely perform well again in the final two debates. But that is not what ultimately matters. Here is the big lesson from Brexit, regardless of whether you think Brexit was a good or a bad thing:
Leading up to the day of voting in the UK referendum, especially just before the vote came, it was looking like those voting to remain in the EU would win. Then the vote came, the vote was counted and like a shock-wave felt around the world it was revealed that those who had campaigned to leave had won. For many Britons (and others around the world) it was like they had suddenly entered an alternate reality. Not only did they expect the Remain camp to win based on the most recent polling, but instead they were learning that events were set in motion for the United Kingdom to sever over 40 years of membership in a larger European community. However, it wasn’t an alternate reality. It was simply a case of more people turning up to the polls for Leave on the day that counted.
Imagine what it will feel like the evening of November 8 when the electoral votes are counted and if Trump surpasses the 270 required to be elected president. It too would feel like an alternate reality would be commencing; that a man with zero relevant experience for the most important job in the world, a pathological liar, a racist, sexist, misogynistic, thin-skinned man with a child’s level of self-control would soon be leading the most powerful military the world has ever known as well as representing and governing America. However, such a scenario would not be an alternate reality, but rather a very dangerous reality and one that definitely has the possibility of happening. It would be a situation where Americans including Utahns would learn the hard way that elections matter.
Commit Now to Register, Be at the Polls November 8 and Vote for Clinton
Ultimately with elections, as with referenda, it is those who show up to vote on election day that decide the outcome and not the truthfulness, preparedness or decorum of the candidates. In the UK, there was not just regret from many of those who showed up to vote to leave the EU after the negative consequences began, but regret from those who didn’t show up to vote to remain because they simply thought such would be the outcome. There would absolutely be regret in the United States should Trump win, and a deep felt regret in Utah, especially if Utah’s six electoral votes went his way and it decided the election in his favor.
For all Utahns and Americans who wouldn’t normally vote for Clinton but know deep down that she is more qualified than Trump for the presidency, don’t just think or hope that she beats him. Your part is needed. Plan now to register to vote, find where your polling location is and make the effort in November to show up at the polls to ensure Clinton beats him. Do not underestimate the motivation of those duped into thinking that Trump is the man for the job. They will be out in November to vote. Don’t make the mistake that Britons did in their vote in assuming that the highest polling option would win. Don’t wake up to the knowledge of a looming Trump presidency come November 9th.
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