First I want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for your passion, enthusiasm, energy, love and optimism. You are the new generation of voters that will guide this country into the future. It makes me misty eyed as my children are of your generation. You represent hope and a brighter future. Do not forget that.
Senator Sanders is a good man and has fought for the working people, civil rights and a kinder place for all for his entire life. What happened because of you is a crowning achievement in his long career of trying to push for change for the better. Do not forget this either. It will carry you through the tough times.
The government we have today is a culmination of over 40 years of effort by the hateful extremist rightwing of the Republican party. It didn’t happen overnight and it won’t be undone overnight. The pendulum of democracy swings slowly, but it does swing. I wasn’t sure if I would live to see the end of this country’s march to the extreme right. Things seem to be looking up in that department!
Now the GOOD NEWS!! Senator Sanders helped shape the party platform. THE most progressive party platform I have seen in my entire life. Mrs. Clinton is actually running on this platform. She is pitching the wage increase, climate change action and other great things. She will truly fight for these, because it will be her legacy. She will not win all of these fights. President Obama has had a much smaller amount of success than he would have liked. The government was designed to make change hard. It takes decades to move the government. It takes involvement and unrelenting effort on all of our part to make the change happen we want to see.
You have to be vigilant. You have to support LOCAL candidates and help get them elected. Work for the government you want to see. It may take you your entire lifetime, but the next generation will stand ready to finish the work you start.
Do not be discouraged. You won. You really, truly did. I would ask that you carefully consider for whom you give your precious vote to. It is your sacred right and duty as a citizen of this great country.
I found my reason to vote for Hillary Clinton. It isn’t just “well, it’s not Trump”. I am doing it for my deceased mother. She was a fierce feminist who would have crawled over broken glass to vote for her. I can do it with a glad heart if only for that reason.
Make hay while the sun’s shining! There is too much work to do to despair. The country is way past ready. LET’S DO THIS!