Ok. The secret is out! I am a Democrat. I would not describe myself as far left, though some of my Republican friends may disagree. I consider myself a moderate and not a progressive but then again, progressive means ‘forward thinking’ but it looks like a movement coopted the term and it means something different.
This is about character.
There is a slate of candidates running for the top three offices in Arizona: Senate, Governor, and Secretary of State. Now, some of my best friends are Republicans, much to the bewilderment of most of my NY friends, who could never vote for or even socialize with a Republican. They even told me that. I call them the ‘bubble people.’ Just as I do not support the AOCs and Omars, I have R friends who do not support the Gaetzes, Boeberts, or Taylor Greenes running for office.
But those people are not on the Arizona ballot, so the choice becomes the Gang of Three or the challengers. But let me be clear. Hate is a cancer and you can’t keep a few of its germs alive to suit your needs. Either you reject it or you embrace it. This is not a menu where you can ask the ‘server’ to hold the racism, bigotry, and xenophobia and still order the entrée’.
Unlike the old days when there were code words and phrases such as ‘close to churches and schools,” to discourage home buying and other terms which have come to be known as dog whistles. While those pr savvy campaign staffers today use words like ‘family values,’ and ‘proud Patriot,’ extremes on either side are wordsmithing to appeal to a certain audience. I have family values and I am a proud American, but somehow, they have been co-opted.
I bristle at friends who embrace these so-called values that discriminate and cheer on a new segregation that is dividing our country. It’s about what ‘kind’ of people do we want to lead and sadly, it’s hate that is the deciding factor. Back in the 1960 presidential election, scores of Americans believed that JFK, if elected, would have a direct line to the Vatican. They did it with Mitt Romney and they certainly did it with Barack Obama.
Frank Sinatra (what? He’s bringing up Old Blue Eyes?!!) did a short film about hate in the 40’s. Despite a derogatory term used for Japanese, the film gave a sober look at the bigoted situation in America. It applies today. Albert Maltz wrote it, later tagged in Hollywood’s infamous Blacklist. I don’t know…trying to respect EVERYONE doesn’t sound like a Communist thing to me.
So, Election Day is one week away and I am very concerned about where we are headed in Arizona. But I may be pleasantly surprised if my friends on all sides pick the ‘best person’ to lead, but the ‘best person’ means different things to different people.
A strong economy, strong education, and combatting antisemitism are just a few of my key issues and I support those who have suggestions or solutions from either side. I have always believed that leadership comes from the heart, not from an ideology based on ‘who is a real American?” I’d like to believe we all are but that’s just a bullshit ‘dog whistle’ used to divide.
A writer named Alison Groder wrote:
“Agree to disagree is reserved for things like ‘I don’t like coffee’ or ‘camping is the best.’ Not racism, homophobia, or sexism. Not human rights. Not basic human decency. It’s not just a difference in opinion, it’s a difference in morality. That is what needs to be looked at.”
Some may say my heart is a bleeding one but the only blood being spilled is a country hemorrhaging on its own warped sense of humanity and freedom. We can be better. We must be better and stand for the things that unite because if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.
From my east coast perch…you seem to be a centrist. And a person who encourages engagement. You are YOU.
KEEP WRITING and speaking your truths.
The best!!
Good luck to us all!
It’s a privilege to vote !
Friend