Back when I was a self-loathing pick-me Republican, I did get one thing right, Democratic leadership can be just as arrogant and self assured in all the wrong ways that Republicans can. Yes, back then I thought EVERYONE was arrogant (still do). Mind you, I have been a Democrat now for 11 years and the more I hope to see my now party change, I worry they won’t.
I worry they will keep insulting voters by calling them “lower educated,” “low information voters,” and “cult members”. Yes, some of the MAGA folks are but not all Republicans. And, then talk about how we accept everyone for who they are and value diversity, and THEY don’t. Then I watch the Democrats turn on each other while at the same time rejoicing over Republicans doing the same.
Point being, the beliefs are very different but the style and meanness look almost exactly alike.
I worry the Boomer elites will still live in idealism and not reality; that the younger generations will live in idealism and not reality of different flavors.
I worry Democrats think that they don’t have a version of the Republican “Good ‘Ol Boys” network without realizing their penchant for giving older leadership their “turn” to lead is basically the same thing with slightly less misogyny. I worry Democrats will look at successful local or state campaigns and turn them into formulaic talking points and action plans instead of actually meeting their constituents where they are at with an eye toward the greater good.
Not every community or electoral race should pattern themselves after New York City (even though I love NYC!).
I worry that we will not ever understand that the opposite of love is not hate, it’s apathy.
And while I love all the talk of a huge “blue wave” in November, we can’t take anything for granted. We have to be mindful, purposeful, not reactive.
The country is in a lot of pain. We need leaders to actually do the hard work of leading.
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