The past few months have been absolutely brutal for empathetic people who are trying to push through this valley in which we find ourselves. And I am not going to discuss all the negative things we have seen and heard that have pushed so many of us over the edge, and even broken a few of us.
I have been thinking a lot about the current political landscape and so many things that make me angry or sad about the world. and I have been focused on the upcoming midterms and getting out talking to people about the candidates running that I have come to know and love, as well as the party platform that I have actually had a hand in developing. I have heard from people that "there's no clear message" or that we need to develop one. And boy do I disagree with that. The story we have is strong--what's difficult is not getting sucked down into the negative vortex and keeping your eyes and your story on what's actually important. We as progressives MUST focus on the things we want for our country and what we believe the candidates we support will work toward. For me, that is a very clear list. I don't need to talk about the president or what is happening on twitter to tell you what I believe in and want.
I want
- Clean drinking water and basic amenities like heat and electricity for every American, including not just those in US states, but also those in our territories.
- Every one of us to do everything in our power to protect the environment, which includes protecting ecosystems from collapse due to pollution from commercial endeavors, keeping our air clean, and protecting our natural wonders, our public lands, and our wildlife.
- To move away from the consumption of fossil fuels and toward cleaner sources of energy like wind and sun.
- Laws in place to hold companies and corporations accountable for the damages their operations inflict on the environment and on the people who work for or live near them.
- A global view of trade.
- Secure borders with humane treatment of and reasonable and legal immigration opportunities for refugees who come to our country seeking help escaping desperate circumstances.
- Protection for Dreamers.
- All Americans to have equal access to good educational opportunities, from preschool through college, and beyond.
- Sensible gun laws, including more extensive background checks, waiting periods, laws ensuring that guns stay out of the hands of those with criminal records and histories of violent behavior or domestic abuse, and the removal of assault weapons and bump stocks from the open market.
- The adoption of the ERA into our national constitution, which only needs one more state.
- Equal rights under the law for all citizens of the United States, no matter their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status etc. etc. etc. NO MATTER WHAT.
- Anyone who works a full time job to be able to live a decent quality of life, period.
- To encourage ALL citizens to vote and to make it easier for them to do so.
- To abolish the electoral college so that all votes carry the same weight in national elections.
- To set term limits on ALL positions in the government at ALL levels.
- To support and assist our veterans.
- Universal healthcare.
- A return to common decency in our government.
These are the issues I talk about to anyone who will listen. These are the things the candidates I work to support believe in. This is my personal message to the world. And my plea is--VOTE! Let your voice be heard, and vote like your rights depend on it because they absolutely do.
