YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

I would like to offer a big thank you to everyone who worked on and attended our Graze and Fundraise event at the Lake City Center. I am excited to say that it sold out! However, I am sorry that we had to turn folks away. The event brought in three thousand dollars that will be funneled directly to the candidate’s campaign efforts.

LET’S WALK ABOUT IT

The Annual Suicide Prevention Action Network 5K Walk is Saturday, September 14 and I am happy to report that the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee is a title sponsor. There is no need to sign up, just show up at Riverstone Park this Saturday before 10 AM to join the walk. (Note: This paragraph was updated to correct an error with the event date.)

MORE NOTES ON THE DNC

As I mentioned last week, I learned many things while attending last month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Perhaps the most moving lesson, amid all the joy and patriotism, was that we seem to have finally found a way to fight the far right MAGA message of fear and hate.

For years, our response has been to address each attack with the truth hoping that it would win out over their lies and insults. Unfortunately, like playing a game of Whack-A-Mole, we learned that the MAGA messaging onslaught was unrelenting. Even though what the MAGA crowd was saying was wrong, shocking, and destructive, nothing we said seemed to stop them. In fact, the more we tried to rationalize with them, the more enraged they got.

But last week, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz showed us that there is an effective way to fight their bullying rhetoric and extremism. The GOP wants to engage us in their pointless bickering and fear mongering. And what we have learned is that the American people are fed up with it. What Americans want is to turn the page on the Trump era. They are ready to create a new vision for America and that is what Democrats delivered at the DNC. It motivated hundreds of thousands of Democrats, Independents, and disaffected Republicans. It also proved the power of hope and optimism, and it felt terrific.

So, when MAGA candidates resort to name calling and race bating, just say “Same old tired playbook. Next question please.”

When MAGA candidates call for imposing their backward views on women’s healthcare, we say, “Mind your own damn business,” and “We will NOT go back!”

And when Trump continues to ignore the laws the rest of us live by, as he did most recently at Arlington National Cemetery, we say, “Enough is enough” and “We will fight for our democracy.”

And to quote Vice President Harris again: “When We Fight, We Win.”

Similarly in Kootenai County, we have had enough of incompetent, uncooperative, and undisciplined leaders who threaten North Idaho College. It’s past time to elect new members to the board of trustees.

We have had it with restrictions on our freedom to read at the hands of the Community Library Network trustees.

We have had it with elected officials like the incompetent County Assessor, the hyper partisan County Sheriff, and the County Commissioners who cover for them.

It is time for us to fight to protect our freedoms and our values.

SO, JOIN THE GOOD FIGHT

November 5th is just seventy-three days away.

How we use each day will say volumes about whether we will fight to build a future of hope and opportunity or continue to endure one of grievance and dishonesty.

In Kootenai County we have the first chance in a couple of decades to vote for Democrats. This year we don’t have to hold our noses before voting for the least of the bad alternatives.

We have 11 fine candidates whose names will appear on our ballots. In the coming weeks, your Central Committee will be spending your donated dollars to support them. We will advertise widely, urging Democrats to vote early and by absentee. In addition, we will work to confirm early votes to minimize last minute GOTV calls, texts, and door knocks that are so time consuming to do and so bothersome to voters.

But this is an all-hands-on deck effort. So, at the very least, vote on election day. Better yet, vote early in-person or by mail (aka by Absentee Vote). To get started, go to  VoteIdaho.Gov. You will find what you need under the “Voting” drop down in the website menu bar.

If you are willing to do more, then speak to your friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Especially, the young people in your life. Make sure they are registered and have a plan to vote. We need to capture every vote possible.

Even better, volunteer to reach out to Democrats by phone or in person. Our Field Organizer, Tamara Lee Poelstra, is leading that effort. To volunteer, email her at kootenaicountydemocrats@gmail.com.

As Democrats you all have loads of good intentions. Your Central Committee has loads of tools for winning. But we have only a limited amount of time.

Future generations will ask “What did you do to stop the right-wing onslaught in 2024?”

Make sure you have a satisfactory answer.