A tumultuous few weeks have left many of us unsettled. Political violence and gun violence are abhorrent on their own, but coupled with the crack down on free speech and a blatant cheating scheme to take the House, people are rightly wondering where America is headed. Politics has always been a team sport, but in this hyper-politicized environment we must:
- Continue to condemn violence;
- Fight for free speech; and
- Educate every person we know about how gerrymandering is an inherent injustice to Ohioans and Americans.
The Trump and Dewine/Huffman governments are passing enormously unpopular legislation and the only way they can do it is by cheating.
The Call to Action this week is not to get caught in the trap of team politics (“I’m right and you are stupid”), but to articulate our values while finding commonality. When we discover that we share many concerns, then we can persuade. Educating our family, friends, and neighbors matters. Building community matters. The way to hold our unresponsive elected officials accountable is to make them uncomfortable at home when they are speaking to constituents. Persuasion is the only way we are going to garner enough votes to save Ohio. Let’s go.
In solidarity,
Patty Lawrence
Chair, Clermont County Democratic Party
