The throes of a general election. After a spring and summer of working doing various jobs, mostly the transport of wood for a community of yurts owned by a man named Paul in Hancock; I have begun working for Granite State Interfaith project. Which is a non-partisan group, which leans towards support of the Democratic Party, but through talking about issues with the voters. Not candidates. The work I have been doing puts me mostly in Milford, knocking doors, and asking voters how they feel about the housing situation, the public education system, and their community. The conversations my partner Kath Allen and I have been able to have are thorough, long ranging conversations. Instead of typical political canvassing we are able to have real conversations with the voters about the issues they see in their communities. It is great work, which keeps me out and about for the general election even while working. 

As with the door knocking of my own campaign, conversations we are having with voters at the doors make it clear to me that in order to win a majority in this State - Democrats need less snark, and more policy. We need to criticize the Republicans by showing how our policy is superior, not by solely talking about how bad there’s is. If we bring a message which speaks to peoples everyday reality of rising property taxes, housing and rent costs. The worry people feel about their children and their public schools; speaking to the environment which they don’t see being protected.  

Relaying the reasoning for why the way these issues are the way they are now is important to build context for the vision you are relaying - but in an election, telling people the solution should be the priority. Building a common vision the electorate can associate with your candidacies, one which inspires them to come to the polls on a work day and vote. If Democrats can do that, forgoing their allegiance to the wealthy donors who often times select candidates and decide elections, they will win majorities and elections up and down the ballot. 

Fall is now here. With it the routine of our daily lives after the chaos of the heat of summer. It wasn’t all politics and work for me this month. I got to enjoy a beautiful family wedding, congratulations to Andrew and Nikki; and I got to hike Monadnock with close friends of mine.