Find Another Gear

Created
Thu, 25/01/2024 - 02:30
Updated
Thu, 25/01/2024 - 02:30
Think outside the box A friend in high state office told a large crowd at a party event over the weekend that this is the most important election of our lifetime. Yes, the last election was too. But really, we mean it this time. (I’m riffing here.) What’s infuriating about that hoary admonition is that it provokes Democrats into adopting a defensive posture when offense is required. Time and again, Democrats play defense. Their idea of finding a new gear is doing the same thing they’ve always done, the way they’ve always done it, just more of it. When it’s the most important election of your lifetime you don’t take chances, don’t experiment. Also, you don’t change, don’t grow. Worried about taking risks? That’s a huge one. “Most important election of our lifetime” makes me grind my teeth almost as much as “voting against their best interests” and the jokey “vote early, vote often.” For Democrats of a certain age, they are unfortunate verbal tics. Democrats may be the party of the left, but thinking outside the box is often in short supply. That’s why I found this clip Heather Cox Richardson posted inspirational. “Democracy is just more fun and inviting when you take it into your own hands.” She’s right. Sofia Ongele’s full November 2023 Ted talk is here. She’s with Gen-Z for Change.