Progressives have the opportunity to win the 2026 mid-terms and the 2028 presidential election if they are smart, articulate and strategic in sharing policies that will actually improve lives. I firmly believe that the majority of Americans are sick and tired of the high prices, the incompetence, the cruelty, the cronyism, the corruption, the bigotry, the revenge, the poor policies, the self-dealing, and the rolling back of civil liberties under the Republicans. Life has become harder, not easier, under Republican rule. Personally, I am exhausted by the daily drama. It feels like we are being emotionally attacked every day by hateful rhetoric and sophomoric insults and worse, innocent lives are being lost or ruined because of funding cuts, war, and out of control ICE agents.
This is not how most of us aspire to live. It is not how we want to be viewed by the rest of the world. And anyone with a heart, ears, and a brain can understand that we are in danger of being overrun by “fake” Christian bigots who believe their whiteness, religion, and maleness entitles them to an advantage in this country. Decent people value fairness. They value giving everyone who is willing to innovate and work hard the opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, gender, national origin or religion. Most of us understand that immigration has made us innovative and strong as a country. MAGA Republicans and white nationalists think differently, and they are willing to steal elections to restore the advantages they once built for themselves while subjugating everyone else.
We must acknowledge that we have a few misogynists. We have a few racists. We have some homophobic people. We have white suprematists. We have religious bigots. These people are living among us and they vote. Most are poorly educated, but some of their leaders have an education and have chosen this evil path for selfish reasons. They are not patriots, nor are they actual followers of Christ as they claim. They are brutal criminals at heart who will lie, steal, and kill to feed their ego and greed. We see many of them currently serving in our government because they figured out that making the laws was a good strategy to bend the country to their hateful will. We see them on social media trying to convince others to their demented way of thinking. These hypocrites make laws for others to follow, but excuse, exempt, and even pardon each other of the worse crimes.
Since Trump 2.0, it has become crystal clear where they want to take us. Their agenda is no longer hidden. I firmly believe that the majority of us who value the rule of law, human dignity and human rights will not bend to their will. Most people do not want to be told how to worship, who to love, what to learn, and when to have children. The very idea that these men think they have a right rewrite history, punish truthtellers, and to force women to give birth and to stay married no matter the circumstances is abhorrent to reasonable people. They are actively working to take the vote from people of color and women. It’s appalling to hear some politicians suggest that fining a woman $17,000 for not giving birth by age 30 is a good idea.
The Republicans have become tone deaf to the needs and desires of most Americans. We simply want to live our lives peacefully. We want to be able to afford food, education, healthcare, homes and childcare. We want to be assured that the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink will not kill us. We want to know that the bridges we drive over aren’t going to collapse beneath us. We want to be assured that those who violate laws will be tried and punished through a fair judicial process. We want to have the respect of the international community so we can travel freely. We want to enjoy our friends and family in peace, without conflict over politics. And we certainly do not want to see the name and image of Donald Trump plastered everywhere!
Politicians who can articulate a plan to deliver these basic necessities as well offer a return to basic sanity, integrity, the rule of law, and common decency will easily win future elections. Many of us are missing the days of “no drama Obama”, when dignity, intelligence, and competence were on full display every day.
I’m optimistic that there are candidates waiting in the wings to offer us the stable, yet progressive future for a better life for all. They only need to step forward and show themselves before it is too late. And when they do, no amount of redistricting or gerrymandering will prevent reasonable people and true patriots from electing them. Because I am convinced that there are more of us than there are of them.