What We Must Do Now
I’ve spent most of this day after in a state of depression. I certainly knew Bush’s election was possible (I refuse to call it a “re-election”) so I was not at all shocked as much as disappointed.
I am saddened and disheartened by the hypocrisy, mean-spiritedness, out and out racism and homophobia, and abject stupidity and pandering to fear that has swept over this nation. Narrow-minded bigots who have barely seen the world nor interacted with anyone who didn’t look like them, speak the same language or believe as they do, have acted on their base insecurities and returned to office a man without an enlightened world view, who sees other nations and people only as potential conquests or insignificant bumps in the road.
Yesterday’s elections will only empower them to move further towards a theo-political fanaticism the likes of which we may not have seen since Nazi Germany. Those who voted for this administration themselves may be totally unaware of how far this bunch will go, nor the full ramifications of their policies. Heaven help us all.
But now that the election is over, this is truly no time to sit dazed and confused. Progressive people mustn’t allow our disappointment to paralyze us. As sure as I write this, the other side is already strategizing for how to turn this year’s win into more wins over the coming years. We must do the same.
Keeping in mind the off-repeated refrain, “All politics is local” 2005 will see local elections all across the country. Lacking the national spotlight of a presidential campaign, they often suffer from lower voter turnout. But we must begin to plan now to avoid that type of occurrence, because these are the elections that lay the groundwork for national campaigns every four years. The newly registered who showed up this year have to be convinced of the need to vote every year, and for the right causes.
Progressives must organize and mobilize candidates and voters to win city council races, mayoralties, and county and state seats next year, as a way of putting in place the foundation that delivers direct governmental services to the people and lobbies the feds to shape national priorities. I am heartened by a race up in my old stomping grounds of a reform-minded District Attorney candidate who ran and won Tuesday against a strong local political machine. His victory has allies preparing now to win more seats next year.
Here in New York City, 2005 will see races for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, the five Borough Presidents and most of the city council slots. The year after that, we will vote on a new Governor.
If we are angry and disillusioned by the Bush win, we must channel it into action and that has to begin now. If we want to influence opinion and redirect American thinking towards a more inclusive and just agenda, we must counter top-down public legislation with bottom-up grassroots efforts.
Inaction, passivity, and apathy at this time, will only result in more defeats.
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This is a great message. I'll have to come back and read it later when I am able to truely embrace its wisdom.
Right now I am stuck - angry, hurt, betrayed and I need that energy to recharge to do just what you have outlined.
Thanks for being a voice a reson.
Posted by: Prime (AKA Mike) at November 3, 2004 4:28 PM