To my fellow Democrats, Progressives, Liberals & other rational & reasonable thinkers,
In watching the March for Our Lives I had many thoughts among my many tears of joy!
Is there a future of change with the youth/young adults leading the way for all other generations to be invigorated & follow? Can we hear today’s courageous gun violence voices of our fellow Americans of high school age, many of which are or will be voters in months or one year?
Young Americans are so energized now & their voices also are so magically echoing the need to have a life long focus beyond gun control. I am so proud of them & know they will be the creators of the change America needs. They seem to have heard the exhortations of Thom Hartman who is so fond of saying….That Democracy is not a spectator sport and that…“Activism begins with you, Democracy begins with you, get out there, get active! Tag, you’re it”
It seems like an opportune time for generations to come together around the unifying issue of common sense gun control..
This could be the genesis & impetus for a long lasting cohesive coalition among generations to push for a much more progressive looking & sounding Democratic party.
Registration & voting education & sign up AND VOTING in 2018 seems to be the growing message from today’s march.
The issue of the gun violence has energized 17/18+ year olds (Gen Y).
This zealous & enthusiastic progressive voting block coupled with forward thinking progressive Millennials & Gen Xers & Baby Boomers could have a huge impact in 2018, again in 2020 & beyond.
Getting Dems elected in 2018 is the current intent of many of us. But I believe we also need to begin pushing all Dem candidates to be more progressive on the gun issue & others now, while accepting those who don’t move more progressively & vote for them also.
Now & AFTER the 2018 election we need an all out push to educate Americans, red & blue of why the Democrat progressive (prudently used for framing purposes) agenda is truly what will address the vast majority of their issues. An agenda which will help meet their specific needs to have a sufficient wage, healthcare system & public education to aid them in living a healthy, happy & productive life.
A continuation of the social democracy movement, alive & well post-WWII & squashed beginning in the mid to late 70’s & in a full “on steroids” extermination thrust under Reagan, could begin again in 2018!
Both red & blue Americans seem to want what we are advocating, if they hear us!
Thanks for all you do,
Tom Flanagan
WCD Member