AMERICA ~ Love it ... or ?
WHAT? We have seen hard times in the almost quarter millennium we've been a nation. The democratic republic imagined by our founding fathers is an ideal that is not our natural state, and it requires constant vigilance to grow and to become more true to the original concept - that all men are created equal and have the right to self governance. Our natural state is more along the lines of clans and strongmen. But once you've known freedom, you can't go back. And so, we continue to strive for a more perfect union.
I love that Americans had the fortitude to imagine this freedom. I love that we believe that we can continue to get better, that in the 250 years that we have been a country, we have not given up. We are a hardscrabble people, hard-working and willing to serve - in our military, in elected office, in volunteer activities at home - to teach or build, to do whatever we can to keep the dream alive. We are the legacy of people who have gone before us, against the most awful circumstances, risking life and liberty to expand and defend this beautiful experiment... how can we do less?
The assassination attempt Saturday on a former President and current Presidential Candidate has shocked us all, but it was unfortunately a natural outcome of the violent rhetoric and imagery that the MAGA party has devolved into. That it was (seems to be, at this point) a person from their own gun-loving ideology and party is ironic and yet hardly surprising. The loss of life and the trauma that has been wrought is horrific, and the aftermath of accusations and conspiracy theories has taken the temperature up even further. The fear of an escalation of violence can be overwhelming. But we have to continue to get the word out that there is a clear difference between political parties and encourage people to vote for democracy and against authoritarianism (defined by Republicans in the 900+ pages known as Project 2025.)
Thursday, the 18th, we are back at Four Bullets Brewery! In honor of Independence Day, we are focusing on the right to vote, and we have some great speakers lined up! Justin Moore, civil rights attorney, will be joining us to talk about the importance of Voting Rights. Jenna Royal, former Voter Protection director at Texas Democratic Party, will talk with us about the work needed to protect the right to vote. And Veda Kull, who is working with Powered by People and Reach, will talk to us about registering voters and getting them to the polls! Join us by registering for the event!
We are signing people up for working the election in October / November, so think about how you can pitch in. Would you like to be a poll worker? Poll Watcher? We need to have a strong Democratic presence this fall. Please sign up if you are interested and someone will contact you with more details!
Saturday, the 27th, we return to La Casita Bakeshop to continue our focus on Voting Rights! We are excited to have Louis Bedford, attorney and director of Voter Protection for DCDP, as well as Alison Grinter Allen, the attorney who helped reverse the conviction of Cyrstal Mason on appeal. They'll both be speaking on the importance of Voting Rights. Please join us at 4:30 next Saturday!
SEE YOU SOON~
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