Fighting for What’s Right

 

Politics has never just been about policies and party lines; it is fundamentally about people. It involves families striving to make ends meet, veterans seeking the benefits they were promised, educators dedicated to shaping the next generation, and women fighting for their right to make choices about their own bodies. However, these essential rights and values are threatened under the current administration, and I refuse to stand by and watch.

For years, I have dedicated my career to serving others, whether advocating for veterans by helping them navigate the complexities of VA benefits or training others in wellness and resiliency. I have also spent 15 years educating youth, shaping young minds to think critically about the world they will inherit. Now, I see that world being shaped by leaders who prioritize power over people, corporate greed over climate action, and control over freedom.

A Government That Fails Its People

The current administration has made it clear that they are not here to serve us. Their agenda is focused on stripping away rights, dismantling progress, and promoting policies that benefit the wealthy and well-connected, while leaving the rest of us to struggle. They are severing ties with our global allies and cozying up to the dictators we have historically fought against.

Women's rights are being systematically eroded, with reproductive freedoms constantly under attack. Our environment is sacrificed for short-term profits despite overwhelming evidence that we are running out of time to address climate change. The economy continues to squeeze the lower and middle classes. What happened to prioritize the reduction of inflation? Meanwhile, billionaires and corporations are benefiting from tax cuts and loopholes. This is not leadership; it is narcissism and greed. This represents a betrayal of the American people.

The Cost of Inaction

Every time women’s reproductive rights are stripped away, another woman loses her freedom. Every time a policy is passed that makes it harder for veterans to access care, a family suffers. Every time environmental protections are rolled back, we edge closer to an irreversible climate disaster. Every time wages stagnate while the cost of living skyrockets, hardworking Americans wonder how they’ll pay their bills - me being one of them.

Why I’m Taking a Stand

I have always believed that politics should be about service—making life better for those who need it most. It should promote equality across the board, not widen the divide between the haves and the have-nots. At first, I thought it was pointless to speak out since the people had made their choice. Trump won both the electoral and popular votes. However, we're only a month into his new term, and the destruction and fear he has already caused are unacceptable. Not a week has gone by since Election Day that I haven't cried or yelled at the TV while watching the news due to something Trump has said or done that is completely unacceptable and inhumane.

I can no longer sit idle in my living room, as doing so makes me part of the problem rather than part of the solution. That’s why I am committed to advocating for policies that protect our rights, preserve our planet, and support the hardworking people who are the backbone of this country. I refuse to watch as the current administration undermines everything I've spent my life fighting for. Change doesn't happen by waiting; it happens when we take action. It’s time to stand up, speak out, and fight for the country we all deserve.