IT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME...

OK, fine.  I do have a holiday post in mind, but I have to purge myself of these thoughts first.  Back to politics, but not really politics in the "dirty, smoke-filled back room" way; politics in the way that is a reality of daily life. 

People get all huffy and don't want to "talk politics" and I think that means they don't want an argument or someone trying to convince them of anything or berate them for their political preferences.  Yeah, that gets old fast.  And all those ads.  Nope.  I get it.

But that's really only during election seasons when candidates and issues are trying to get the attention of the electorate.  That is intense.  But politics is actually always, all the time.  Politics is the way we make decisions, the way we negotiate, the way we progress and are heard.  Politics happens at work, at church, in the family.  And most of all in a democracy.  If you want an end to politics, then you are asking for an end to our way of organizing our government.  

It's always been a rough and tumble game and there have always been those who have are in it for their own self-aggrandizement, with little understanding or care for the consequences of their actions; those who have no problem telling outright lies, making misleading statements, doing deals, and forging questionable alliances.  (I won't name names, but I have villians in mind.)  Some people who are in office relish this power game and imagine themselves great leaders.   

But others are in it for more altruistic reasons.  They actually want to work hard, understand the issues, come up with plans, and put up with the compromises they are reluctant but willing to make, to advance the good for the greatest number of people.  They try to be smart, do their homework, understand what is needed and how to get to that goal and try to be honest and fair and in the process.  They are happy when they've won victories for others and may also be proud of themselves in the process.  (I won't name names here either, but I have heroes in mind).

What I'm hearing lately is that many, many people are disappointed in the recent election and are weary, shocked, terrified, cynical, and turning a blind eye to "politics" right now.  OK.  I get it.  It's been a very hard pill to swallow.  It's December.  Let's enjoy the holidays.

But COME BACK soon!  All is not lost.  What I'm also hearing -- and these are the voices I'm listening to -- we are not defeated!  An election we wanted to win was lost.  We don't like it.  We can wish it wasn't this way, but it is.  Radical acceptance of that fact means just facing it and moving forward.   

Last time (2016) we were in shock, in mourning, walking around like zombies with no plan; reacting instead of responding.  Eventually we gathered and marched and learned to organize effectively.  We couldn't stop everything that was happening, but we were able to throw some roadblocks at some of it.  We learned.  We got stronger and more experienced.

This time, I'm seeing, reading, and participating with people and groups who are ready for what's next. What I see and feel is a quiet resolve.  We have the skills honed by trial and error and won't have to spin our wheels to organize.  Incredible national organizations are fully formed. There are many.  I recommend Indivisible, Common Power, and Third Act, all of which I have worked with and/or support.  No one there is ceding anything.  We are not helpless and there is no reason to feel hopeless.  Democracy is not lost; it is damaged and threatened right now, but not lost.  Not yet. 

The incoming president won less than 50% of the popular vote.  In four of the swing states he won,  a Democrat won a Senate seat in those states also.  The margin in the House is one of the slimmest in history.  This was a "soft" win.  Not a mandate nor a landslide as they would want you to believe.  He eked out a win.   

It was a vote against inflation and economic woes more than a vote for him (although overlooking his illegal conduct, cruel policy intentions, and just horrible character for the hope of getting consumer prices to drop was a puzzle to many of us).  This economic concern was reflected the world over where the incumbents facing a post-Covid financial crisis were booted from office.  Once we put our masks away it seems we forgot the immense downstream impacts Covid had on everyone everywhere.  The U.S. economy and jobs growth are the strongest in the world right now, but this didn't show up in cheaper gas and eggs -- for reasons often outside the president's control, by the way -- so out with the old and in with the older.  We'll see: maybe tariffs (which the consumer will pay for) and tax cuts for crony billionaires and corporations really will magically trickle down this time. 

And yes, there is always racism and sexism to factor in his win.  We have work to do.  They are masters of getting people to see a boogey-man where there is none.  They have a right wing media empire to amplify their fear-mongering and finger-pointing and name-calling.  Tragically, people will be hurt by this administration's policies. They have even fewer guardrails this time; the checks and balances the Founding Fathers assumed would reign in a monarch/dictator have been weakened to the point of nearly disappearing.  But nearly is not completely. 

We still have a democracy; we can fight back.  We can slow them down, minimize their "wins",  continue to advocate for all, and demonstrate for everyone what a compassionate, intelligent, and determined opposition looks like.  We become community.  We support each other.  We don't burn out; we take turns.  We don't quit; neither do we lose the joyful spirit of doing the good work of what is right, for continuing to bolster the democracy we cherish.  The real world consequences of their governance will be evident by the 2026 mid-terms.  We aim for that.

One would think I am some Pollyanna type.  I am decidedly not.  I'm generally an anxious worrywart, clutching my half-full cup with the expectation that I'll spill it.  But I absolutely will not allow myself to become despondent (like last time).  There will be hard work, many setbacks, and lots of grief over what's to come.  But there will be no quit.  Just visioning my grandkids' futures is enough to thwart that idea.

Surround yourself with smart, capable, committed activists.  Monitor the click-bait media (yes even MSNBC 😉) for stories that keep you afraid and discouraged and just turn it all off once in a while.  Tap into the strength, experience, and long-game determination of others who have historically been fighting for their freedoms against all odds.  They will show us more privileged people how to do it.  Find your peeps and keep going.  The new year is coming.  My Project 2025 is to stop theirs.  Let's do it!

At least that's the view from here...©

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