We lost (some of) the black men, the Hispanics, the youth and the first time voters.

[yardwork]

63. I'm not making myself clear.

I'm not suggesting that we call people racists and sexists. What I'm saying is that when I hear someone say something Trumpy, I'm not going to ignore it. I'm going to politely speak up and say that I disagree.

I'll give a recent example. I was at a friend's house for a large celebratory gathering. Her brother in law said that Medicare Advantage plans are bad. A number of us agreed. Then he said, "It's healthcare for all, it's just like Obamacare." This is, obviously, completely wrong. Medicare Advantage plans are a Republican policy that is the opposite of "healthcare for all." But none of us said anything. Didn't want to be impolite. I regret that. I now wish I'd said, "You know, I see Medicare Advantage plans as a giveaway to corporations that hurts people, as opposed to government healthcare, which you are recommending in the form of traditional Medicare." And I wish that I'd also said, "Traditional Medicare, which you recommend, was passed by Democrats and is protected by Democrats, despite Republican efforts to cut it."

Note that I'm not suggesting calling anybody names or labeling them. Nor am I too constrained by having to have every fact correct or I'm afraid to speak up. It's ok to say, "It's my impression that the Democratic Party supports traditional Medicare and the Republicans keep trying to privatize it, as they keep trying to privatize social security." Let them respond with their opinions and even correct my facts. That's a conversation.

We've feared having these conversations and our democracy is going down the drain.