The Norwegian Nobel Committee sent a brilliant message to those of us who work for democracy all while poking a stick in Trump’s eye. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Marina Corina Machado for her work promoting democratic rights, leading the resistance against an authoritarian ruler in Venezuela, noting that she is “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage … in recent times.” The parallel to Trump is telling, the message is clear as the Committee notes that “democracy is a pre-condition for peace.” We should take this message to heart. We are the promoters of democratic rights. We are the democracy loyalists. We must take a stand in the face of Trump’s authoritarian overreach. We oppose a president who said, “We took the freedom of speech away.” We are campaigning against a MAGA sheriff who is asking our local deputies to work with ICE, who will arrest first and ask questions later. We are standing strong in the face of conservative billionaire Jeffrey Yass as he tries to buy the election by funding MAGA/Project 2025 ads that spew disinformation and fearmongering to scare voters away. Be not afraid. Our weapon is our vote. It is our act of civilian courage. It is our right and our obligation, and we cannot squander it. Our personal freedoms of speech, of assembly, of choice, from unreasonable search and seizure are at stake. We must retain and elect judges that honor their oath to the Constitution. We must elect a sheriff who does not confuse police with police state. We must choose a District Attorney who has a proven bipartisan record, able to unite to protect Bucks Countians from harm. We must VOTE. Too much is at stake, too much is at risk. We are the democracy loyalists, and our time is now.