Many of you reading this already know who I am but for those of you who don’t, I recently became active in the party again after years of sitting on the sidelines. Since my return I have become a member of the Woodbury County Democratic Party's Central Committee and a delegate to both the district and state conventions. A prominent local Democrat once accurately described me as an outsider in the party.
Through the years I have talked to people from all ends of the spectrum in our party and have wondered many times how to bring all the factions in our party together. I was inspired this Easter Sunday morning by Ro Khanna, speaking on Meet the Press, when he said that we Democrats need to “reach out” to a broader section of America—people who may disagree with us on some things, but generally agree that America is spiraling at the moment and that big changes need to be made to ensure a bright future for our nation.
Having a “big tent” is a great idea, but in today’s climate, we need the largest tent that’s ever been built.
Many people I speak to feel as though the Democratic Party doesn’t represent them, that it is no better than the Republican Party and is just interested in the status quo and enriching corporate America. Some of them believe that Bernie Sanders was robbed, Kamala Harris was anointed and Hillary Clinton was an enemy. Whether we agree with those sentiments or not, we can all recognize that these are people we need to welcome into our tent to build the largest coalition in American history to reject the Trump Administration's authoritarian project.
We as Democrats need to give voice to the voiceless, hope to the hopeless and prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that we are the party of the people…all the people.
Failing to do that is what put the current occupant into the most powerful office in the world. Achieving that will bring America to new heights and deeper, more fulfilling unity in the United States of America. Our greatness is in our diversity and willingness to fight for the change that needs to happen to enrich the lives of every citizen and aspiring citizen of our great nation.
It is my hope that seeing someone like me become as active in the party as I am and speaking the language I am speaking will draw more people to us to achieve these goals.