What keeps me going:
For those unfamiliar, my father, a retired plumber from the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 598 in Hanford, instilled in me invaluable lessons from his years of experience. Among the numerous teachings, he emphasized three fundamental principles:
Hate is the heaviest burden a person can carry.
Shit runs downhill.
Water finds its level.
I added a fourth, equally crucial tenet:
Listen to what people say; it is important to listen. However, also watch what they do because, more often than not, therein lies the truth.
When questioned about how I maintain my optimism and tenacity, I consistently refer to these four straightforward statements. This is why I firmly believe that Rural America holds the key to saving American Democracy.
The weight of hate becomes painfully evident within the Republican Party, especially as party members align closer with MAGA, resulting in heightened chaos. Trump finds himself deeply entangled in legal battles, and the Republican House members are engaging in internal conflicts. The intricate web of lies, deceit, and corrupt conduct has reached such completeness that they are swiftly disavowing their own, throwing each other under the bus at an alarming rate. This all-encompassing hate becomes a paralyzing force, diverting attention away from essential tasks such as effectively governing a country. Currently, the count stands at five Republican members of Congress leaving. Despite its simplicity, the enduring truth remains: goodness will ultimately triumph, as hate proves to be unsustainable.
