I was going to write a blog last week about the amazing victories Democrats had, but didn’t get around to it.  And I think it makes more sense and is more realistic to include this week, which saw the recent end of the shutdown because eight Democrats agreed to it.

     Politics is, after all, the art of the possible and that’s where we are now.  Last week’s victories were astounding, both because of their extent and their reach into red states.  Two female governors were elected, one in Virginia, which was expected; the other in New Jersey, which wasn’t.  A redistricting win in California, which was expected; others in Georgia, Mississippi, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which weren’t.  It’s rare that everything I wanted to have happen did!

     On the other hand, the defection of a few Democrats over the shutdown makes sense, both because Trump continued to withhold SNAP payments, so many were going hungry, and because of the approaching holidays, when limits on airline flights would inconvenience many.  I’ve already received a few proposals asking that these Democrats be censured or expelled from the party.  I don’t agree with that at all.  Instead I subscribe to the New York Times correspondent Ezra Kline’s position that the party must be a “Big Tent” with sufficient room for competing opinions.  We’ve seen what happens in the Republican party when every member agrees, whether out of belief or fear.  It certainly makes comparisons to fascism more believable.  I think the nation will hold Republicans primarily responsible for the shutdown. Democrats should continue to focus on how healthcare will increase under the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill.

     Trump has not helped his party.  Tearing down the East Wing of the White House to build a giant ballroom, giving extravagant parties while others were deprived of basic foods, refusing to obey court orders, while planning to mint a new coin with his face on both sides will not add to the Republicans’ popularity.

     If I were a Republican member of congress, I’d be running scared.  Elections to the House happen in a year.  A number of Republicans are already planning not to run.  I think others will join them.  When the House re-convenes, Speaker Johnson is going to have to seat Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, whose state is already suing for this. She will provide the final vote to open the Epstein files.  I and others have been surprised that this is the issue that provides Trump’s party with a crisis, but it has.  In recent months, Republicans have not met with their constituents, because when they do, the receptions are hostile.  People boo, come dressed as chickens, or don’t attend at all. 

     In addition, before the mid-term elections –- and I sincerely believe those elections will happen -– there will be at least one more large demonstration against Trump’s government.  Hands Off last spring attracted 3,000,000 participants; No Kings 1, 5,000,000; No Kings 2, 7,000,000.  The next could well be even larger.

     So I still have hope for a better future and will continue to work for it.  I believe many others will do the same.