Counting Our Blessings on the Morning After

Although I am very relieved that President Obama won the election, I woke up this morning feeling anything but happy because Marie Mayor, a strong progressive running in the 20RD, lost the election to a homophobic, good ole boy with a slim resume and the professed desire to protect Sussex County from all the new-comers who want to change it.

After working for months with the enthusiastic and hard-working team of Marie supporters, I felt disappointed and exhausted this morning, unable to rejoice at the many other positive things that came with last night’s election.

As I arrived at synagogue for my weekly meditation group, I felt stunned and tearful. But then something happened that changed my perspective. Our spiritual leader talked to us about the Morning Blessings, the Jewish practice of starting every day by giving thanks, which cultivates a mindset of gratitude. This made me think about all the many things that Sussex County progressives have to be thankful for:

1. Marie Mayor, a strong progressive with excellent qualifications, was willing to run for office in Sussex County, and she got 47% of the vote in a very conservative district.
2. Because they were excited about Marie’s candidacy, a huge number of people came forward who were willing to work tirelessly for months to get her elected.
3. The community that developed during the campaign is energized and ready for next steps. We have no intention of dispersing.
4. While Marie was unable to beat the Republican opponent in the general election, she was able to beat the homophobic, racist good ole boy who ran against her in the Democratic primary.
5. While not everyone in Sussex belongs to the appropriate party – yes, the Democrats have supported racial equality since the ‘60s, gender equality since the ’70s, and support marriage equality now, in case you haven’t heard folks – Delaware is a solidly blue state, and even the conservative 20RD voted Democratic for governor, senator, and congressperson.
6. Sussex County is changing. All those newcomers that Smyk wants to marginalize are bringing new ideas to the area – ideas like equality, diversity, tolerance, education, merit, and rationality.
7. The US at large is changing. Getting the support of straight, white men is no longer enough to ensure success, while demonizing Latinos, marginalizing minorities, disinheriting young people, and waging war on women will surely lead to defeat.
8. The Democratic Party in Sussex County is open and ready to receive the many progressives who I sincerely hope will take it over and push it to the Left. We need a progressive agenda in Dover.
9. Now that the election is over, we will have more time to focus on other parts of our agenda – such as lobbying, organizing, and working on this blog.
10. And we have a bunch of new friends to socialize with! Let’s put the party back in the Democratic Party!!