Why would anyone but a sociopath, stay with the GOP?
You probably know some of my story Dave — the parts about piloting BlackHawk helicopters in Iraq, being shot down and losing my legs. You probably know I have two wonderful daughters, the youngest born just months ago.
But there’s more to my story. It’s true that I’m a working mother and a Veteran. I’m also the daughter of an immigrant mother and a Veteran father. I’m the product of a family that was once almost homeless and relied on food stamps to make it through. Like most people, my story is more than just the one event that everyone knows about. Some might think it takes a strong person to get through all I’ve faced, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get scared sometimes.
When I talk to Americans, they tell me they are scared about the direction this country is going. They’re scared they’ll lose their health insurance if Republicans succeed in repealing health care reform. They’re scared they won’t be able to pay their bills, find a job or save enough to put their kids through school.
I tell them: It’s ok to be scared. It’s understandable to be worried about the damage President Trump and his Republican enablers in Congress are doing to our democracy. I’m worried, too. They’re replacing thoughtful foreign policy with impulse-driven tweets. They’re unraveling carefully-crafted policies and protections for affordable health care, access to education and our environment. They’re replacing the American ideal of inclusiveness and equality with hate and vitriol.
We need to harness that fear and turn it into motivation — motivation to speak out and act against all the policies that scare us. It’s the only way we will be able to preserve the progress we’ve made and push back the tide of Trump’s misguided policies.
I got this far in life by never giving up. I know politics these days can be discouraging, but I’m asking you not to give up, either. Stay strong. Stay active. Stay motivated. November will be here before you know it. Let’s make sure we’re ready to score big victories across the board.
Tammy