Over the last year or more, I have largely avoided discussing the presidential race, putting the majority of my focus on the state houses near me — Kansas and Missouri. I made no secret, however, that I put my work and effort into the Sanders campaign in states like Kansas, Missouri, and elsewhere.. which included helping federal candidates and local candidates provide their endorsements for Senator Sanders.
Over the last twelve months, I have known and appreciated people who worked harder on behalf of Senator Sanders than most will recognize. Whether it was walking on his behalf, making phone calls, raising money, or providing on-the-ground support where it was needed, individuals volunteered time to do what they could for Senator Sanders.
When things went well, we celebrated; when not, there were of course, those who were upset. While there was vitriol online, at times, in the real world, in personal meetings, there was harmony. The people who put their real world sweat equity into the Sanders Campaign wanted what we all want, a better nation.
Now, the race is decided. And beginning this morning, the effort that was put into the Sanders campaign must be put into the campaign to retain the presidency and retake state houses everywhere in the hopes of a progressive future.
I have no doubt that in writing this, some of the comments I will receive — in fact, I can almost guess some of the users — will castigate individuals such as myself for never being “pure enough” for Bernie. And, I suppose, that is fine. I always stand by my own resume: judge me by what I do, not by what I say. People, who know me, can disagree with me, dislike me at times, but they also know I work hard for my issues. Those efforts extend not just to the Sanders campaign, but to the delegates who will attend in Philadelphia, and help for their issues around the country. I hope to give them the opportunity in Philly to have their voice heard.
But I will now tell you why, at least for me, there is no choice about what happens next, there is an obligation to support our nominee, and to prevent a Trump Presidency.
An 85% Friend.
There is an old phrase: do not let someone who is 80% your friend become 20% your enemy. In most ways, this is how I look at a presidential election. I was never in the camp of “I hate Hillary,” nor in any of the open attacks upon her. I favored Bernie for a simple reason: I agreed with him more often on issues.
That, however, does not mean I disagreed so strenuously with Hillary to make her an “enemy.” While Bernie and I would agree 90% of the time, Hillary and I would agree 85% of the time. There are issues on which I will disagree, but thanks to the goal of electing a new US House and Senate, I hope to have my voice on those issues heard all the same. And, as always, I will commit to using whatever influence I have to push the issues I believe in.
In this way, the revolution lives on; through candidates who were Bernie delegates now seeking state house office, and issues that will be advanced in congress and the senate.
It is how we promote change.
Trump Is NOT A Livable Option
Of course, I have read many commentaries in my Facebook, Twitter, and other feeds which seem to indicate, “Well, Trump is an option..”
No, in fact, Trump is not an option. Nor, for me, even in a red state, is voting for a third party with no chance as a protest. The reason is simple: I cannot sit on my hands when the result of that action is so morally repugnant for my nation and more directly, my family.
For those of us who have family members who are not lily white, or family members who are disabled, a Trump presidency is morally reprehensible.
Ads like this one speak to me:
And they do so for a very real reason:
When I think about individuals like my son (far right), a young man with a disability, I’m reminded of how the world can work. I’ve seen first hand what those challenges can be when people aren’t always supportive, but we fight on.
I think of my brother, a person with Osteogenisis Imperfecta, and his struggle in the world as both a good man and my personal hero.
My experiences with persons of disability and my outlook for my kids most certainly influences my reasoning, but very few people summed it up as well as a union worker from Dodge City, Kansas.
Turning to the young man with him, Gabriel, Hector motioned, “You must promise me, promise me tonight, that you will vote; it is all I ask of you. I know many of our young have not voted before, but we cannot let that happen again. We cannot let this be our nation’s story.”
Moving Forward
Over the last four years, I have worked hard to try to advance the right causes, where I could, as I could. Whether it was calling attention to the failure of the Kansas government or walking in Ferguson, Missouri when times were not so good.
If I was needed in Parma, Missouri for the first African-American mayor or Dodge City, Kansas for a union, I went. North Carolina; a drive to Texas in a snowstorm; training in Florida; an AME Church in South Carolina; or a disability gathering in Michigan; I made the effort to go... because there are so many things we do not know, until we confront them head on.
Too much commentary for supporters of both candidates has been about online experiences, from Daily Kos, Facebook, Reddit, or elsewhere. Go meet with people who do not hang out on the Internet. Spend a day or two in American cities or working with those at risk. It will change your perspective.
They, however, are not the people we need to convince. They are with us. The case we need to make is to people who are not always focused on politics, but will be directly impacted by this election. Until the convention, I am prepared to serve the Sanders campaign, as I have promised to make sure that the convention manages our delegates and support, in a correct fashion.
But from this point forward, I also know that there is a real, strong, moral obligation to stop our nation from committing to a path that promotes darkness, racism, irresponsible policy, and division. Saying, “I told you so” when others are punished is not an option, at least not for me. Cori Bush, a senate candidate in Missouri from Ferguson and minister had said, “If you are not helping us move forward, the least you can do is to get out of the way…”
I am not someone who can do the least to help others when in need.
I think, for many, feelings will be raw right now. I get that. But ask yourself if, ten years from now, you will be OK saying to yourself: I did the very least to protect those who need it most.