Blue Notes from a Red Zone

Choices

Yesterday I got an e-mail urging me to contact Congressman Jim Davis's office, and to pass along a request regarding the expedition of sexual assault prevention funding through the House Energy and Commerce Committee. By a strange coincidence, I was having lunch with Rep. Davis that very day, so was able to relay the message with unusual efficiency and effectiveness.

Having lunch with Congressmen from around the state is not in my normal realm of activity, but meeting Democratic gubernatorial candidates is not so strange. They come up to the Panhandle because they don't want to be accused of ignoring the entire region, but there aren't that many people to recruit to their cause once they arrive.

I have mentioned elsewhere that I remain an optimist, even though it is often difficult in the environment in which I live. Recently the ability to hope despite experience has been more in the forefront than usual. I am convinced that we have finally reached the point where building a homeless shelter is a viable option, and setting up a rape exam clinic is within reach. And it is absolutely possible to elect a Democrat for governor in Florida.

So is Rep. Davis the one we want? I have too little data to know for certain, but he seems on first pass to be more than presentable, and to share the passion for social justice that marks my world view. He got his start in public service by working in a homeless shelter, and thinking that a systems change was necessary to make the way out of despair a little easier for our more vulnerable residents. He looked out over our lovely harbor, and vowed to protect our shores from drilling. And he promised an end to the special interest tax loopholes, to free money for education and health care. He never once suggested that the answer to all our problems is more prisons, which has seemed to be the raison d'etre of our current administration. He seems to be less inclined to run the same campaign as is Senator Nelson, which fits the pattern of "Republican lite."

Well, it should be an interesting campaign, and one I am likely to learn a great deal about as time moves forward. It is a time for hope.

posted by Lenore Wilson @ 5:52 AM