The Party’s Over

I count myself among the millions of us personally responsible for inching the rudder of the ship of state. Today Doug Jones was sworn in as the Senator from Alabama; the advantage reduced to 51 to 49. Don’t think the phone calls, the post cards, the background noise were of no use. Every pebble tossed into the water starts half a hundred ripples on the move.

Those are the ripples we see. Never discount the ripples of kindness. A helping hand. A firm opinion.

The party’s over; the new year is rung in, the work is begun. Several time’s I’ve mentioned the American’s of Conscience ActionChecklist; a weekly summary published by Jenn Hofmann, of things to do this week. Check out the current issue, pick one job and do it. Subscribe and see how easy it is to help magnify the ripples.

My two issues this week were opposing the appointment of Thomas Farr to the US District Court. In all fairness, half of my senators already are opposed, so I can ring Portman’s phone twice as often and nick him on a laundry list of issues he needs persuasion of.

The other issues are national voting by mail and DACA. This last will never go away until it does.

Ms. Hofmann began the current newsletter by advocating being kind to yourself. She gave a list of self affirming  actions, and I will double my efforts on my favorite one—lunch with a friend! I’m with Bilbo on this one. There is nothing wrong with two breakfasts in one day, and surely nothing wrong with lunch with two friends. Or two lunches with two friends.

You see what I mean. Let’s get busy again, or I’ll be playing Joe Hill in my posts. Forty four weeks to midterm elections.