Rep Raskin, Dem debate, article and book to read, calendar updates

I’m not going to say much about Tuesday night’s Democratic debate except to aver that it was a dumpster fire of epic proportion, and FFS, the most important thing, Dems, is to beat trump. There is nothing more important. Stop yelling at each other, calmly and proudly discuss your platforms, and Katniss, remember who the real enemy is.

This past Sunday, two dear friends and I co-hosted a fundraiser for Congressman Jamie Raskin to benefit his financial and on-the-ground support of Dem candidates in swing and red districts in VA, MD, PA, and beyond as well as his youth activist program, Democracy Summer. Besides scoring a jar of his Honey Dill Mustard, I know I speak for all who attended when I say that we deeply appreciated his optimism and determination. As y’all might know, Raskin has endorsed Elizabeth Warren (I have too, FWIW) as he believes she would be a profoundly unifying force for the Party. I love her progressive spirit, her incredibly well-thought-out plans, her fire, and her sincere desire to truly care for all Americans.

For those who think her proposals are too far left, too progressive, too anything, consider this: most are unlikely to pass in proposed form due to who actually comprises Congress. Nonetheless, she is helping push the conversation towards an America of greater justice and equality, one in which more and too-often-voiceless voices are heard and valued, one in which more people will live and age better. That is an America I would love to live in. Plus, IT IS TIME FOR A WOMAN PRESIDENT. WAY.PAST.TIME.

During the Q&A with Mr. Raskin, guests offered up a number of organizations in which you can get involved and/or investigate. All are geared towards fair and unsuppressed voting and voter outreach.

NOPE! Neighbors : founded in a DC neighborhood in opposition to the Trump administration and its allies in Congress. DC residents are in the unique position of having no representation in Congress so NOPE focuses on the actions that they can take as unrepresented citizens. They welcome people from DC, Maryland, Virginia and across the country who share their goals.

Movement Voter Project (MVP): serves to funnel donations to small, grassroots organizations working year-round in underrepresented communities.  These organizations generally don’t have access to national fundraising access, but they work year-round on issues important to low-income workers, African-Americans, Latinx people, LGBTQ people, and young people, including registering them to vote and building their political power.

FairVote : Founded in 1992, FairVote is a nonpartisan champion of electoral reforms that give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans. Today they are the driving force behind advancing ranked choice voting and fair representation in multi-winner legislative districts that will open up our elections to better choices, fairer representation and more civil campaigns.

Anyway, the news continue to be hideously depressing, and so I am thankful for friends and family, my garden, exercise, acupuncture, drinks, my cats, that Harvey Weinstein was found guilty on two counts (if you haven’t read both She Said and Catch and Kill, you MUST!), and for good reading. Right now, I’m ensconced in the very gorgeous, fairly mesmerizing Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips, and earlier today, I read this article about and excerpt from the soon-to-be-released memoir by Greta Thunberg’s mother. As soon as I finished, I pre-ordered the book. What an amazing young woman and family.

Lastly, do remember to check the events calendar for a variety of ways to learn and get involved! Your country needs you, desperately.