This is election day and winter is drawing near. It is time to fold up the canopy and close our voter registration booth until next summer. It has been a mixed year, as most years are. There were the inevitable red district stinkers – like the theocratic idiot calling us baby killers and Satin’s servants, and the dullard who argued that redistricting proposition 50 is unfair to Californians but that the theft of congressional seats by the Republicans in Texas is not unfair (rules for thee but not for me). We were also disappointed by the fact that so few people registered to vote this year. But those negatives not withstanding, this year’s market was a pleasant and productive experience.
Many people, both vendors and visitors, thanked us for being at the farmers market and told us how important it is for us to be visible and available. One gentleman from Ukraine even said that our presence, and our story boards promoting the Democratic Party, our democratic values, and our club were a reassuring sign that our democracy will survive Trump. “America needs Trump,” he added, “because you need to be reminded of how precious and rare your democracy is.” This comment is particularly poignant because it was made by a man whose homeland is in such grave peril. Many of us have been participating in the no kings demonstrations, and the Ukrainian gentleman’s statement about Trump had a real impact on us.
This brings up another subject. In this time when Trump’s frosty Gestapo are terrorizing immigrants, we actually had four people proudly tell us how close they are to becoming citizens. They were curious about our organization and voting. We gladly invited them to attend our meetings. We already have one couple attending our meetings even though they cannot be full members until they become citizens and registered Democrats. When it comes to law abiding people who want to become citizens, there is no such thing as the right or wrong kind. Immigrants contribute to this country, and we welcome them not just because we want them to vote for Democrats when they become citizens but because it is the right thing to do!
This is a time of discontent, but it is also a time of courage and optimistic activism. We cannot, we will not stop demonstrating and working for the greater good until fascism is defeated and the people rest control of their government from the corrupt hands of the groveling sycophants who keep Trump in power!
