A Message to Joe Biden

As Biden is going to be the Democratic nominee, I will do what I can to support him. Biden was not my first or second choice, but months ago, I told myself I would vote for any Democratic nominee, except for Bloomberg or Gabbard. I fault Biden for Anita Hill, his past stance on bussing, voting for the Iraq War, and a bankruptcy bill that permanently destroyed many lives. I also realize that people are human and make mistakes. Those who are smart see the errs of their ways and change. That is humility, and humility is a sign of strength, something that is sorely missing from our pathetic, current president. I will give Biden the benefit of the doubt and believe that he now has more compassion and empathy for women, lower-income Americans, people of color, and the majority of the country that, for years, has barely made ends meet.

For me, spending $250 on any one campaign is not in the cards. There are too many down-ballot races I care about and would rather make small contributions to a variety of candidates. When the general starts to heat up, I will happily phone bank or go to Nevada and canvas. Trump is an existential threat to our planet and anyone who is not a cisgender white man. The GOP is the party of religious and industrial fascists. I believe that the Democrats, especially now with a robust left-wing, can defeat Trumpism. Most of the country is center-left on the issues — health care, abortion, gun control, student debt, climate change, tax policy, civil rights, etc.. and I suspect that as Gen Z becomes more politically active, the leftward shift will continue. Yet there is one thing that is crucial to our survival, above all else, and that is doing a 180-degree flip on our environment and agriculture policies. Incremental change won’t cut it.

I would appreciate it if those who might have Biden’s ear would push The Green New Deal. It makes sense on every level. The crisis we see right now will pale in comparison to water wars and mass refugee crises that we will face in the coming years. We owe it to our children to create a more equitable and habitable world than what American late-stage capitalism has created. I’m encouraged that Joe has reached out to younger people and is now talking more seriously about student debt. I also hope that this pandemic will make him seriously consider expanding Medicare coverage, not only to American citizens but all who toil in the vineyards, clean homes, wash dishes and contribute to our economy and social fabric. This country needs large scale systemic change, and should he get elected, I hope Biden would see it as his legacy to follow in FDR’s footsteps, this time with an economic plan that is structured around bringing our planet into balance, and prosperity to the many, not the few