“Always stand on principle … even if you stand alone.” — John Adams
Right now, many of us feel suspended between yesterday and today. This sense of uncertainty reflects the election with consequences that are felt in our own communities and in countries all around the world. We know uncertain times are ahead.
These challenges have made many of us feel unsettled or anxious. Where do we stand when the ground underneath us is shifting? What if the ground doesn’t stop shifting and an acceptable “new normal” never emerges?
We need to look inward and figure out what we stand for. When it feels like everything is changing, it helps to focus on the things that stay the same, the things that need our attention, and where we can make a tangible difference.
We are still in the same country we fell asleep to. So how do we get through the next four years?
- We continue to do the good work.
- We continue to build bridges not walls.
- We continue to lead with compassion.
- We continue the demanding work of liberation for all.
- We continue to dismantle broken systems, large and small.
- We continue to set the best example for the children.
- We do this for those who expect nothing less from each of us.
- We need to look at how we build a movement that can actually weather the worst that others can throw at us.
- And we need to continue listening to those we disagree with and then we need to hear what they don’t tell us, what’s really driving them.
Let us be compassionate, committed advocates for the world we want to see. Our job now is to build the biggest, smartest, best movement the world has ever seen. What this will look like is ours to invent. Let us surprise ourselves with our courage, creativity, and humor.
Here at Iowa Citizen Action Network we have weathered many elections in our 45 years, sometimes we are able to fight FOR things and other times we have to fight AGAINST bad policies and more. We are up to the challenge and hope you are too!
At Iowa Citizen Action Network we are committed to continuing our work, reshaping the conversation around progressive values… the true American Dream, where every person has inherent human worth. We are all in this together. We all benefit from decisions which serve the common good. Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, there is social, racial, economic and environmental justice for all and all citizens are cared for and respected.
Want to help fund our work? https/iowacan.org/donate/
We know profound differences distinguish the two major parties on these and many other issues. We know that elections don’t change the world – only movements do, but elections have consequences. We are grateful for our supporters, allies, partners and affiliates as we focus on the future of our state and country and we will be working to continue building movements powerful enough to take on the challenges facing us.
At ICAN our vision is clear: We live in a great state and country and we are willing to roll up our sleeves and work to keep it that way. And to do that we need YOU.
For some information on how the new Congress works, click https://www.progressivecaucuscenter.org/what-to-expect-from-a-new-congress/#7
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Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) is a grassroots public interest organization committed to creating social change in Iowa and across the nation. ICAN has united Iowa’s progressives for 45 years, and is leading efforts to change the public climate for progressive change. ICAN works in coalition with organizational affiliates from a wide range of constituencies, including religious, community, labor, senior, family farm and environmental organizations as well as with our thousands of individual members.
