Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Some Leaders with the Courage We Need

It’s been more than a week since Donald Trump won the Electoral College and became the president-elect.  I wake up every morning and my first thought is horror at this development.  With the exception of a seemingly conciliatory victory speech on the night of the election, the news has not been very hopeful.  A steady parade of Republican lobbyists have joined the chaotic and unprepared transition team, now headed by a virulently anti-gay Mike Pence, soon to be our nation’s vice-president.  The potential Supreme Court judges are unthinkably awful.  The choice of misogynist white nationalist Stephen Bannon as a lead presidential advisor is horrifying.  The steady-presence of Trump’s three spoiled and smug children acting as advisors is sickening.

I could go on but I won’t.

What we need is some good news.  In the midst of this mess, we do have leaders and thinkers who will hold the line, stand up to racism and hate, and otherwise show us a better path forward.  And so I offer this list of leaders with both the courage and perseverance to see us through the coming Trump Administration.

These folks are Democrats; my list isn't inclusive.  I'll have a Republican list out soon.  In the meantime, these people make me hopeful about the future.  

In the Senate:
Cory Booker of New Jersey
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Kamala Harris of California(newly-elected)
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Charles Schumer of New York
Tim Kaine of Virginia
Tammy Duckworth of Illinois (newly-elected)
Richard Durbin of Illinois
Sherrod Brown of Ohio
Jeff Merkely of Oregon
Tom Carper of Delaware
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Mazie Hirono of Hawaii
Debbie Stabenow of Michigan
Chris Van Hollen of Maryland (newly-elected)

In the House of Representatives:
John Lewis of Georgia
Elijah Cummings of Maryland
Nancy Pelosi of California
Adam Schiff of California
Frank Pallone of New Jersey
Mike Honda of California

Some impressive Democratic governors:
Jerry Brown - California
Andrew Cuomo - New York
John Hickenlooper - Colorado
John Wisniewski, candidate for Governor in New Jersey

A few mayors not taking any nonsense:
Rahm Emanuel in Chicago
Eric Garcetti in LA
Bill de Blasio - NYC

This is by no means an exhaustive list; it is a nice place to turn if you need hope.  Follow these folks on Twitter; pay attention when they give interviews.  Check out their websites.  Support them.  Know that they have courage and both the ability and willingness to lead us in a better direction, one based in inclusive diversity.  Know also that they will stand up to racism, sexism, xenophobia, and anti-GLBT policies.  That’s gonna matter moving forward.  Liberals, we aren’t alone; not by a long shot.

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