For those of you who cynically say,’ it doesn’t make a difference who the President is, both Parties are the same,’ welcome to American fascism.
Do any of you truly believe that a President Hillary Clinton would have signed an executive order, possibly in direct violation of the Constitution, and imposed a religious test for entrance into the U.S?
In President Donald Trump’s first week in office, the African American population of Chicago has been threatened with federal occupation. Seven Muslim dominated countries, who have not terrorized Americans, in the past 16 years, have had their citizens banned from travel to the U.S. because of religion. The President has refused a request, for a look at his financial [tax returns] entanglements, with foreign rivals. Most egregious is the administration is under suspicion of collusion with Russian strong man, Vladimir Putin to influence an American Presidential election.
I got a call at a few minutes past 7am Sunday morning. I slept through the call because of a late Saturday night. When I checked the message, it was from my sister, Sharrin. I could hear a combination of anger, frustration and panic in her voice. You see my sister served 16 years in the Army and I, like her, am proud of her service to her country. We have had a few conversations about the President since the day after his election and more and more I can the sense the betrayal she has told me she feels.
I finally spoke to her in the afternoon. Her question to me was, “what can we do?” It was a plea, not only to me, but for sanity.
I spoke to a friend, who is on the fringes of political interest, who now feels compelled to get involved. Over and over he said, “wh- what can we do, what can I do? The theme that seems to be coursing through the heart and minds of those who want to resist is; “what can we do?” Then it hit me, tell you friends, neighbors, family, your congress people and anyone who will listen ’18 and Change!” The least and worse of world atrocities will end at some point, whether it be the millisecond sting of a pin prick or the agonizing seemingly un-ending torture of slavery or the Holocaust. The answer to all, is not surrendering.
The 2018 midterms are just twenty-two months away and the beauty of America is that it allows us to say to our neighbors across the street or across the ocean, “I am sorry, we can fix it through change.” It will not get done overnight but here is the first step, ’18 and Change. Organize the people you stood shoulder to shoulder with in recent protest and calm the shock to our collective American nervous system by voting in the same numbers. Push to find young electable candidates with common goals. Form contact committees to register those who are too young now but will be eligible in 2018
If you feel the same desperation, of my sister and friend, do not waste the energy and momentum of the moment. Now is the time. I am asking for suggestions, comments and strategies to advance ’18 and Change. I have been witness to the passion and compassion of America women, the scared and the angry. The vocal majority needs to assert its voice too.
Vote 2018, it’s not too late…18 and Change!