What Happened, and What We Do Next

Dear VID Members and Friends,

I can’t explain this election better than what you find on MSNBC, CNN, or the NY Times. The saddest part of this is that, for the second time, it was beyond our country’s collective imagination to elect a woman as our president.

Yes, there is a lot to worry about. Senate confirmations of right-wing judges. An EPA commissioner who will be in lockstep with the polluting corporations. A possible round-up of migrants that will challenge due process and humanity. A Department of Justice that will implement Trump’s world of retribution. An autocratic president who believes he has a mandate to do anything and a Supreme Court which will protect him.

But we have some very good reasons to smile in the face of the grim news: our Congressional and Prop 1 campaigns produced results, and all the door-knocking, postcarding, and phone banking has shown the Dems that we did our part to flip the House. While we recover our balance, let us hope California's return over the next few days will give Democrats the House majority and make Hakeem the Speaker.

Our VID team has made me so proud, a pride we can all share. Everyone who contributed by organizing, being a bus captain, making calls, delivering palm cards, mailing postcards, designing cards and posters and flyers, knocking on doors, sending campaign contributions, raising funds, going to rallies, tabling, ballot curing, baking cookies, and voting -- thank you for being resolute and diligent, for giving up hours of sleep and putting miles on your feet, and for all your support.

We can also hold in our hearts that the VID family never gave up and always shined in heart and spirit. I, for one, am not bowing down. We lost the presidency, but we have not lost our principles. We will continue to stand together, raise our voices, protect those in need, and fight for those essential values of respect, democracy, equality, and opportunity for all.

Jonathan Geballe

President, VID