Marin Voice: Every race in this primary election deserves local attention

More than 50 years after we first fought for an end to racial discrimination, to promote civil and voting rights, as well as legalizing a woman’s right to choose, we are being forced to do it again.

I believed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most important law of the past century (adopted with bipartisan support), would “make real the promises of democracy,” as Martin Luther King challenged.

Yet, just within the last month, we saw a horrific mass shooting based on racial hatred take place in Buffalo. This hatred is part of the “Great Replacement Theory,” the ugly far-right extremism that promotes White nationalism, White supremacy, anti-immigration, antisemitism and other hateful ideologies.

An evolving America, both socially and economically, has fueled the ultra-partisanship and extremism that is so prevalent in both major political parties.  Bipartisanship is barely talked about anymore. Efforts by the few legislators of either political party who try to achieve it find it brings them punishment and having more radical candidates run against them in primaries.

Government is now expected to enhance political party agendas rather than political parties working toward good government decisions.

In his essay entitled “Extremism, Left and Right,” Robert F. Kennedy addresses the dangers.

“What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists, is not only their extreme positions, but that they are intolerant,” Kennedy wrote. “The evil is not only what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.”

The evil of extremism exists in both parties. Those of the far right in leadership positions are normalizing the hateful ideologies that have become part of our nation’s politics, often found on social networks and heard from members of far-right media, by claiming it is free speech. Some top Republicans fear immigrants are destroying our communities and culture as part of a conspiracy to replace Republican voters.

Those on the far left in leadership positions, when not getting everything on their agenda, refuse to compromise to support the parts of that agenda that have a chance of passage. Members of the Democratic party who don’t support the entire agenda are accused of “sabotage” and efforts to defeat them become a priority.

This year, our democracy as we currently know it is in jeopardy. If we don’t pay attention, we may not be able to count on future elections being conducted fairly or even the results of a fair election being accepted.

Words have consequences and so do elections.

It is important to vote in primary elections, even if candidates for local office are not on the ballot. Primary elections lay the groundwork for the general election in November. Even though there may be mostly candidates for state and federal offices on the ballot, we shouldn’t forget the decisions made at these levels affect us – not only by the votes taken, but by the decisions made by those whom they appoint. The candidates chosen now can make a difference in the general election.

Two current examples of how we are affected at the local level by those we elect to higher offices:

• At the state level, the legislature continues to pass bills that usurp local control over land use and zoning decisions. This cookie-cutter approach makes it difficult to ensure housing is built in appropriate areas with adequate infrastructure.

• At the federal level, the nomination of Supreme Court appointees is based on political ideology that is far from center. The court appears to be ignoring precedent and eroding our freedoms with each new decision they make, whether it concerns civil and voting rights or a woman’s right to choose.

The midterm election in November may be the most consequential one in American history. The candidates we vote for in our primary to be held on June 7 lay the foundation for what happens in November.

This election is not just important because of who is elected to state and federal legislatures. The election of the secretary of state, whose office oversees elections, can also influence public opinion about the integrity of the vote.

Voting is a privilege we fought for from the time of the Revolutionary War. It’s important to use it. Your vote can make a difference.

Phyllis Metcalfe lives in Corte Madera.