MAGA IS GLOATING

The MAGA folks are gloating over their recent election victories and hoping to make the most (or the worst) of them. They openly express their plans to fund private and religious schools for rich folks, sell off public lands to billionaires, make racism great again, deny people health insurance, and curtail voter’s rights. If the MAGA wing of the GOP has their way, undermining public schools, DEI, Medicaid expansion, and ballot initiatives will be among their highest priorities. You would consider their efforts misguided, unless what you want is to hurt people and weaken participatory democracy.

For example, while Lakeland Schools declares a “financial state of emergency,” the Governor is proposing $50 million for a voucher program that would support private and religious schools. It is ironic that our public schools struggle financially. This is because our state constitution mandates that public education is a priority. To make matters worse, the funding gaps suffered by our State Schools are not note only impacted by a diversion of tax dollars to private schools. Millions more are drained away the inevitable lawsuits that are filed. What makes it even more frustrating is that the Legislature’s refusal to fully fund our public schools is clearly unconstitutional. 

So, what is an upstanding Democrat to do?

THIS IS NOT A TIME TO RETREAT

The MAGA legislators hope you descend into a permanent state of depression that blinds you to their misdeeds and keeps you from taking any action to stop them. Do not let that happen to yourself. Remember that as the minority party, we still have power. So, during these tough times, our focus is to call out their mistakes, hypocrisies, and corruption. This will be is easy compared to crafting and enacting legislation. Plus, with just a handful of votes our Democratic legislators can stymy the MAGA extremists. They have done it before and with commitment and a little luck, they will do it again.

As for you, when key legislation is being considered or up for a vote, we will alert you. Then it will be up to you to contact your legislators to let them know your position. For now, please confirm who your state senator is as well as your state representatives. Add them to your contact list so that you can give your input from your cell phone.

2025 DEMOCRACY DINNER

In the meantime, I hope you will plan to attend the Democracy Dinner on February 15th. This annual dinner and fundraiser will feature a keynote address from former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones. Watch for details about the event in the coming weeks along with a link for Tickets and registration.

And remember, we are in this together. Cheers.