Everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.  That was a phrase my mom used to say when she was frustrated with people complaining about big issues that they had no idea what to do about, or any intention of trying.

I feel that frustration now because I seem to be surrounded by people complaining, but not willing to do anything.  Is it apathy? Laziness? Complacency? Is it a little bit of history repeating?  Maybe, but the result is the same.  We seem to be paralyzed by each breaking news headline, pounding news cycle, conspiracy theory, and pundit prognosticating.  These are updated but time-honored tactics used by politicians, dictators, and oligarchs to overwhelm the public into doing nothing.  Violence, corruption and incompetence are being normalized, and all people can muster the energy to do is complain a little, post a meme, comment or tweet.

So, what is going to be the line in the sand that people are going to draw and refuse to cross?  Bribery, massive theft, rape, murder, war, draft reinstated, so far don’t seem to be the limit, but gas prices, now that has got everyone’s attention.  Maybe we can use that to call people from complacency.  A lot of people don’t pay attention to anything until it happens to them.  So maybe now pain-at-the-pump is the key.

Whatever happens now is going to require grassroot involvement.  It is going to take a lot of effort and time to make change from the mess we find ourselves in and hold accountable those who have created, supported and fostered this mess.  The civil rights movement took 10 years before real change happened with voting rights and equal rights.  It will take at least that long to see real change now.  But we must make change.  The Republic, the environment and planet depend now on us to make things right.  Our founding fathers established inalienable rights that we seem to have abandoned.  Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We cannot afford to live; our liberties are being trampled every day and America is way down the list of happiest countries.

So, what is a distracted, overwhelmed American supposed to do?  Well, do more than complain.  Demand that elected leaders get a backbone and do their job.  Write letters, make calls, go to every march, protest and assembly.  Volunteer to get out the vote, come to events and help set up and talk to people, hand out flyers and yard signs, learn how to guide people to register to vote. Become an election judge, poll watcher, or courier. Take a voter to the polls. Donate food and funds to Dem events, support candidates with canvassing and town hall attendance.   Participate in phone banks, postcard writing events and speak out at every possible opportunity. Most of all, get young people involved.  None of the movements in the past succeeded without the 18–35-year-old participation.  This is their future, and their fight, more than us gerontology bunch so they must take an active role in leading the charge.

More than anything we must get people, especially young people, to register and vote in all elections like never before in history.  That is where true and lasting change can begin. Change won’t happen from the outside in, but from the inside out.  Getting strong leaders in place that will stand for Democratic values, hold accountable those chaos agents who have disrupted our Republic and trampled the Constitution, and pass legislation that helps all Americans, not just the ultra rich will make a bright future for us and the world.

This brings me to a conversation I had this week with other Dems.  What kind of events or activities can we hold that will attract the attendance and participation of young people?  How do we reach them, get them involved and get them to care about the future and their own self-interests?  I know they may not have funds to donate easily, or time if they are working heads of households, but we need to find ways in which they can contribute and feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.  Ideas and suggestions are welcome here.  We need to find a way to get young Dems involved and also to find aways to invite unaffiliated voters to also get involved with Dem causes and activities.  They seem to be a group not interested in commitment but nonetheless are also interested in making change.  They could be great assets if approached and engaged in appropriate activities.

Speaking of great activities, the Century Club event was a great success that netted the party over $6,000.  We were so glad to be able to welcome, honor and thank Dave and Mary Young for their years of public service.  We also had several other candidates in attendance that made short speeches.  Our thanks goes out to all who helped with set-up and clean up, those who brought food, and all who attended.  Special thanks to Julie Elmquist, our events chair, for all her hard work and coordination.  As always, our events committee could use more helping hands.  This was a very nice event, and we hope to do more events in the future.  We have several parades, booth events, fund-raising dinners and election events that will need help.  Please fill out the volunteer form on the website if you can help with any of these upcoming summer events.

Bev Wallace, Vice Chair