This is a critical year for Democrats, perhaps the most critical. One year into Donald Trump’s second term, many of the things we feared have played out even worse than expected.
Our Democratic institutions are under intense attack as the president attempts to politicize law enforcement and the courts. Policies are being tilted in favor of the wealthy, making the struggles of the middle and working classes all the harder. We’ve lost standing with our most loyal allies as the president persists in picking fights with them.
And there has been little relief on Americans’ pocketbooks as prices of food and utilities, transportation, and childcare have continued to rise—all in the wake of the president’s promise that costs would begin plummeting on “day one” of his term.
The GOP’s refusal to extend subsidies for Obamacare has put substantial dents in many household budgets. And masked, armed officers with no respect for due process are terrorizing immigrants, including those here legally, as well as American citizens of color and those who speak with accents. The consequences of this agenda have rippled through every community in the U.S.
If we are to rein in this reckless president and his GOP enablers, we must work together strategically and with focus this year to boost Democratic power locally, at the state house, and in Congress.
As the new Chair of the Hancock County Democratic Committee, my priority will be to make sure we team up and take action in the ways we know work best to win elections. We have substantial momentum. The nationwide sweep of victories last November includes many Democratic wins of historic proportions, including in longtime red districts.
But we can’t rest on that momentum. We’ll need to build on it, boost our numbers, and direct our campaigning efficiently, aiming for the most impact and making sure that when November comes we know we did all we could to ensure Democrats are in place to restore our values.
I’m inviting you to step up and help as we make plans for the year ahead. We cannot afford to fail.
Marcia Myers, HCDC Chair
