A public letter for my representatives
I submitted this as a Letter to the Editor for my local paper.
I'm frustrated with Mary Miller, not because of our policy differences, nor because she's Republican.
I'm frustrated because her newsletters forget about me, and people who share my perspectives on culture and politics.
I respect we lost the election, so some of my policy goals will be missed. I dislike it, but I respect it.
What I don't respect is the 'othering' of people like me, the cheap shots at Democrats, the talking-point-laden newsletters, or acting like trans people are an enemy, like I'm an enemy.
I want safe neighborhoods, good schools, good jobs, clean air, clean water, government accountability, as my neighbors surely do.
I'm not an enemy. I'm not an 'other'. I'm a person in this community. I'm represented by Mary Miller. I respect that some of her goals and solutions are different than mine.
But I don't respect rhetoric that acts like I'm not part of the community she represents.
Democrats are guilty of this too, but Miller is my rep in Congress, and I get her newsletters, so I'm talking about her.
My community is my team, not my political party, not the politicians who represent us. My community is my team. We're neighbors, and it's our job to hold politicians accountable, regardless their party or plans.
Let us be united in this goal, and let our politicians see that we are united. Let us focus on common ground, and work together on the many issues about which we agree, and compromise where things get messy.
Let's respect each others' freedoms, live our own lives, vote, advocate, but most importantly, see that our neighbors are on the same team as us, and truly listen, to understand eachother.
We live in the same neighborhood, under the same city and state policy. We're a team. We're a community.
P.S. I had to cut 43 words! My paper only accepts 300 words.