In late 2017, the main energy for defeating racist anti-immigrant Republican candidates for governor in Virginia and senator in Alabama came from independent grass-roots-oriented groups. Notable upsets for legislative seats in a number of states also pointed the way. Community-based organizing is the best avenue for pulling the plug on right-wing politicians.
And that's how we elect people who represent stellar goals for the future. From Tim Keller in Albuquerque, N.M., to Randall Woodfin in Birmingham, Ala., to Steve Schewel in Durham, N.C., genuine progressives became mayors of sizable cities after winning elections in late 2017.
Stoking racism, xenophobia, religious bigotry, anti-gay hatred and hostility to the poor have been major implements in the right-wing toolbox that made it possible to elect Donald Trump as president and sustain a Republican majority in Congress. The toxic messaging will be augmented by persistent assaults on voting rights. In the last year, the Brennan Center for Justice reports that "at least five states -- Iowa, Arkansas, North Dakota, Indiana and Georgia -- have enacted bills to make it harder for citizens to vote." Such restrictions must be fought with litigation, public education, lobbying, protests and more.
The oligarchy has the power that comes with vast quantities of money. We have the capacity to organize and mobilize people. Democracy is at stake.
In 2018 and beyond, the last thing we need is cynicism that devolves into passivity. What's vital is renewal of energized idealism -- with realism about the obstacles to actual democracy and determination to help overcome them.
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