From My Heavy Heart
My Fellow Americans,
How are you doing?
The feeling today reminds me of President Lyndon Johnson’s addresses in the late 1960s. He began many of them with the statement: “Tonight I come to you with a heavy heart.” Then he would update the country about the Vietnam War. The news was always dire. I watched with my parents, trying to understand how what was proclaimed to be the largest, most well-funded, and technically advanced military in the world continued to sustain heavy casualties as half of a small country continued to out-maneuver and best them with deadly results.
If your heart feels heavy and wounded today, you are not alone. About half of US voters chose to reject our vision of America as a place that strives for fairness while offering compassion for the suffering. It’s a vision of America that wields the powers of government to help working families, that builds and rebuilds communities, provides for children, and that respects nature and protects the environment. In a single election, voters refuted what was proclaimed for many decades as the “American Way” of truth and justice.
How can this be? There will be more decades of analyses for what happened. Certainly, the headwinds of the Nationalist movement are stronger than polling suggested. Right-wing Nationalism had already taken power in Orbán’s Hungary, Putin’s Russia, Meloni’s Italy, and other countries. The movement is growing in France, Germany, and the UK. The US Nationalist movement seized on the anti-immigrant paradigm. They likely will strengthen their power while continuing to attack immigrant communities as increasing crime, taking services not available to citizens, and even stealing and eating neighbors’ pets. Yes, losing to lies is gut-wrenching and depressing.
What can we do? First, do no harm. Spend time with those you love (that you are still talking to). Hugs are good. Sharing food and drinks is very good! Do things that you enjoy that soothe your spirit. Please do not lash out at the very people who have worked so hard and long and with our whole hearts to avoid this very world that we are now in. Doing so will further crush our spirits and undermine hope to work for a better tomorrow. Instead, let’s appreciate these diligent people for the everyday heroes they are. Join me in a special thank you to our own heroes who have been there day in and day out, week after week, and month after month-especially Shashanda, Lorraine, Joe, Mike Wieland, Joyce, and Sue. Thank you! We appreciate you.
Second, know that there will be a tomorrow. That better tomorrow will need your hands, your minds, your voices, and some of your financial support. For those of you who have contributed so much already, especially this cycle, your knowledge and experience are irreplaceable for leadership to a better tomorrow!
So, take a moment. Take more than a moment, if you need. Let’s savor our time together. Enjoy the holidays that are especially delightful here in our paradise. You deserve it, but don’t take too long. You will be needed soon.
Our next Coffee Times are Tuesday December 3rd and January 7 at Langostinos on-the-beach 9:00-11:00. Our Next Happy Hour Socials are Thursday December 19 and January 16 at Whiskey Kitchen 5:00-7:00. Our Chapter’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is February 13 at Casita Garden starting at 4:00. PV is hosting Democrats Abroad Mexico’s AGM March 15. It will be 8:00-5:00 with a fundraiser event in the evening. Details will follow later. We need greeter volunteers for the socials and the AGMs. Please help, if you can.
Until then, salud to all of us. Let’s continue to make life as beautiful as we can and be the support for each other. To us and to a better future!
Clint Harris
Chair Democrats Abroad Costa Banderas