On Sunday, December 8 the LWVE hosted an event entitled
The Election Has Happened, What Comes Next? Professor Dick Simpson, a retired professor of Political Science from UIC and steadfast good government advocate, spoke to a crowd of LWVE members, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, along with other LWVE supporters.
When the event was in the planning stages, way back when snow boots and hats were drawing dust in closets, many of the planners were looking at the presidential election with concern that the interregnum (the period between the election and the inauguration) might have difficulties, much as it did in the last presidential election.
As it turned out, a peaceful transfer of power was no longer the issue most attendees had on their list of concerns. Over a lovely lunch at Maggiano’s, a nice-sized crowd enjoyed a conversation about the importance of norms and constitutional checks and balances to protect our democracy.
In particular, Professor Simpson spoke about the importance of being the “loyal opposition” to all unconstitutional or illegal measures that might be promoted by the next administration. Traditionally, loyal opposition was used in a partisan context. Having worked with the League for decades, Simpson is very familiar with the fact that the League of Women Voters is nonpartisan. He noted that instead of the former Democratic versus Republican opposition, we are now experiencing major coalition shifts. Instead of being a familiar left/right push and pull, the opposition seems to be focused on institutionalists versus disruptors. No longer a party issue, the contrasts are not based upon disagreements over such quaint concepts as fiscal policy or support for law and order or NATO or Ukraine. So, John Bolton and Nancy Pelosi can find themselves aligned against RFK Jr., Elon Musk, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
The wonderful event was planned and put together by Betsy Soete and Ginny Darakjian. They were assisted by ETHS student volunteer Eva Narducy along with Joan Lakebrink and Mary Kelly.
The success of this event will help us fund our ETHS scholarship. Thanks to Elizabeth Kinney for her dedication to the scholarship program. And, many thanks to all who attended and/or donated to support this event.