West Side Forum

Think not lightly of good, saying, “It will not come to me.” Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good. — Dhammapada 9.122

Think for a moment about November 2016, November 2017, and November 2018. From being WOKE in 2016, to electing a progressive Democrat as Albuquerque’s Mayor in 2017, to sweeping New Mexico’s midterm elections with Democrats in 2018, we are in a movement that, drop by drop, shows signs of trending blue. (more…)

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“Where wise actions are the fruit of life, wise discourse is the pollination.”
Bryant H. McGill

Leading up to November 6, voters in neighborhoods/precincts across the nation are forming opinions about candidates and issues and those opinions will be shaped by messaging received between now and then. We do not have much time to help people get accurate information and engage in civil discourse. With less than 30 days to go, the big business of buying opinions is hard at work. One of their tools is telemarketing testing of false and negative messages. (more…)

“Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” Ernest Hemingway

We have just witnessed an important moment in history. The passing of two pivotal figures in one week is not, in and of itself, extraordinary but the national climate upon which their ceremonies alighted is stirring uneasily over the rise and normalizing of ignorance, crudeness, and inhumane behavior. Echoes of those eulogizing the great and noble lives of the Maverick and the Queen of Soul reverberate and call us to take heed and accept the challenge of making extraordinary steps to impact this remarkably extraordinary time. As Barack Obama so eloquently stated at John McCain’s ceremony, “…the willingness to get in the arena and fight for this country is not reserved for the few, it is open to all of us.” (more…)

“The perfect is the enemy of the good.” Voltaire

Dear Democrat,

Have you noticed that our national sociopolitical system is flawed and seems to be taking us down a dangerous path? Every week, I work alongside people who are concerned about that path. They are working diligently and, thankfully, they are not waiting for the perfect solution; they are simply doing work that they know is good. And that good work is forging new inclusive paths. (more…)

As increasing sociopolitical tensions pull people to further extremes, the hope for common ground between us fades, creating seemingly unbridgeable chasms. Going back in time is not an option, nor should we want to, but our way forward, our common goal, has yet to be defined. This is where you come in. (more…)

Adults are happiest when they’re learning. Patricia Boverie

Last year the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County mobilized a massive get out the vote (GOTV) effort for Albuquerque’s municipal runoff election. I helped organize Ward 23A, which meant taking responsibility for connecting a few hundred voters in five precincts with information about our two Democratic candidates, Tim Keller and Cynthia Borrego. Fortunately I had helpers, but I still spent the better part of many days knocking on neighborhood doors that I had never knocked on before. I learned that talking to people about voting often creates space for very meaningful conversation. I discovered what my Democratic mentors have known for years: canvassing is key to building grassroots power. (more…)

I have a dream and I believe you do, too. And although I do not know all the specifics of the dream, I believe it entails more and more citizens exercising random acts of democracy. With increased acts of democracy, comes increased community. Increased community is a dream worth working toward. (more…)

“Knowing I can’t save the world can be overwhelming but believing I can help save just a piece can be inspiring.”
—Karlyne Nordholm

The Democrats I know and work alongside in this movement are Democrats who care in inspiring ways. They are Democrats who care enough to say, “Here I am, send me,” and then they seek out ways to contribute their time, skills, and effort working for the greater good. Democrats like Karlyne are helping save pieces of their world and I am very inspired because their actions speak so much louder than words. (more…)