Seven months I spent working for the campaign - from the beginning of March to the beginning of November. I know the battle's lost; I know the war's far from over.
I'm afraid that I can't keep up the fight for now; I finally, finally may have a job that pays a marginally living wage, one that will take up almost all my time for the foreseeable future. If I have money to spare, I'll try and contribute that way; if I can find a little time, here or there, I'll see what I can do to help, but I think my days on the front line of the battle for America are done for now.
I feel bad, almost like a deserter, and damnably selfish for feeling any gratitude over my good fortune in such horrifying times, but there it is. All I can really do at this point is ask if someone who's been hanging back would be willing to step up, and to make one last plea:
Remember what the right wing has forgotten, what the reactionaries are attempting to deny with all their might: in the end, this is as much our country as it is theirs, that we are as much Americans as those who would pack us up in crates and ship us to France or India or Alpha Centauri.
If we prevail - or rather, when we prevail, for no reactionary movement lasts forever - let us not fall into the trap of treating our adversaries as they have treated us. Let us remember that they are Americans too, that though they would deny us our heritage, they have a right to theirs.
Jefferson was speaking to all of us, after all, when he declared that we all are created equal, that we all have the right to life, to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But at the same time, if we have to continue to fight to be acknowledged as Americans, then let's make it a fight such as they'll talk about a thousand years from now.
The reactionaries are strong - on November 2, they proved to be stronger than us - but that doesn't make us weak. We've grown strong, and we'll continue to grow stronger - they may have blind faith on their side, but as their mistakes come back to haunt them, reality will become our staunch ally.
Sooner or later, people are going to look to us to help bring this country out of the darkness and into the day.
Let's be ready when that time comes.