#gotv2018

“Millenials and the latter half of Gen X (ages 18-45) will be the largest voting block in the 2020 election. This is the most educated, most diverse, and least financially stable voting block in American history. Today, at Donald Trump’s inauguration concert, an estimated 10,000 people attended compared to an estimated 400,000 for Obama’s first inauguration. 200 buses are carrying people from across America to attend the inauguration. 1,200 buses are carrying people from across America to protest it. When you’re feeling down about this administration (and just from the cabinet hearings, you have enough to fret about already), just remember that you’re not alone. People are mad. And we outnumber the people who are happy with trashing the institutions we have in place to make this society function. We outnumber them by a lot. If you’re mad, stay mad, but don’t lose your head. We have fought before, and we can fight again. Keep your goals in sight. November 6th, 2018. November 3rd, 2020. Put those days in your calendar. We can win the day. Make America Ours Again.”

I couldn't get a TX ID in time because I'd lost my social security card and didn't have any other document with my Social on it (some paystubs have them, but mine doesn't); the last time I had to apply for a new ID (not replace an expired one) I was a minor, so I didn't need nearly as much documentation. So I got my birth certificate (proof of age + citizenship), my paystub (proof of residence), my voter registration card (proof of registration), and my PA photo ID (proof of identity), and was all ready to file a Reasonable Impediment Declaration ("Couldn't get a new Social card in time to get an ID"), but it turned out I didn't need all that, just the registration and photo ID.

Off to my last bit of volunteering this Midterm election (my postcarding group wrote 1100 postcards to urge voters to Get out the Vote and I went canvassing many times). I have taken a day off work, because I'm in a position to do that, and this election is that important.

I'll be spending the day in Modesto CA doing whatever it is the local Dems consider need doing to get people to the polls. 

Hopefully by the end of the day, a vision of America that is hope, not fear focused can take shape.

America is not pie. It's not veterans or refugees. It's not American workers or immigrants. It's not healthcare for me or Medicare for you. It's not corporate growth or safety net programs. It's not clean air/water or jobs. It’s not women or men or trans or decline to state. It's not if someone else gets a slice, I'll get none.

It's certainly not worrying about foreign terrorists while white nationalist terrorism is up 60%.

Because America is and always has been a potluck. The more people who show up, the more we have. It is Thanksgiving dinner.

Inevitably, we who hold the meal in which we give thanks for all our blessings, when we revel in the Great Welcome table America can be when we let it, we end up with a casserole dish that didn't own before, and more leftovers than we made in food. Strangely, that leftover may be pie and ice cream.

And yes, I have already voted.