Blue is my Favorite Color

and I'm not ashamed!

It was suggested to me this week that I had, at some point, decided to become a hard-core Democrat and make that my entire personality for the rest of my life.

As one of my literary heroes — Emily Byrd Starr — once said, “I shall try to view this dispassionately! I suppose the way to do it is to consider all that was said of me and decide just what was true and what false, and what merely distorted—which is worse than the false, I think.”

As with most of us, I’m not the best mirror for myself. I sent out a text to several trusted friends, asking them to name 2-3 major parts of my personality (with the promise that honesty would not be held against them). My thought is that I could take those descriptions and compare them to the Democratic Party. Let’s give it a try!

Determined: This word came from a couple of different people, and I don’t disagree. I like to have goals, and I like to reach them. In the same way, the Democrats are intent on protecting the freedom and democracy for all of us in the United States, and dedicated to upholding the Constitution. Personality: MATCH.

Punctual: Not the sexiest descriptor in the world, but I own it. I like to be on time, but I also delight in good timing. That’s what comedy is about, after all! Much in the way that President Biden chose to remove himself from the 2024 Presidential Race after the RNC, I think timing is everything. Personality: MATCH.

Structured: While plenty of children (and adults) thrive in a loosey-goosey, free-wheeling, do-what-moves-you environment, there are a lot of us who blossom in a well-structured environment. In my class, even though students are allowed to move around and have free-choice and make decisions for themselves, they are aware of the clear expectations of the classroom and what is acceptable behavior. As long as learners are navigating within the given parameters, everyone has what they need to thrive. So yes, I’m a fan of being able to have guns for hunting in the home, but having a background check to help keep our communities safe. I don’t think that the wealthiest Americans should have lower tax rates than I do. I’d also like it to be easier for our veterans to obtain the health care and benefits that they’ve more than earned. Personality: MATCH.

Passionate: Are there people out there who don’t know what subjects are near and dear to my heart? Most likely not, since I never shut up about them. I’ve been wearing my bleeding heart on my sleeve for over 40 years now, and I can’t see that changing. It helps that the Democrats historically support my pet passions: education and the arts. Personality: MATCH.

Funny: I adore being told I’m funny, and I enjoy a joke at my expense if it is clever. I have a big, loud laugh, and use it whenever possible because it makes me feel good. The Democrats are running a ticket with senses of humor, and I am here for it. (Have you seen the Tim Walz memes? Of course you have.) Personality: MATCH.

Loving: Love is the starting point, or should be. Being loving includes understanding, generosity, and service to others. If I am looking for compassion in the government, I’m finding Democrats. Dems want every citizen to feel valued. Dems want you to have your rights as they are guaranteed in the Constitution. Dems don’t want to hold you down, push you out, or make you feel less important than other Americans.

I’m far from perfect. I make big, messy mistakes, and so do the Democrats. Sometimes I make errors because of ignorance, selfishness, and an over-abundance of ego… but more often my failures are because I led with my heart and courage and forgot to consult my brain. The goal is always to make life better for those around me, and in that I am supported by my party. I’m proud to be a “Hard-core Democrat.”

My mother would also like to point out that my “look” is something that people want to avoid receiving… and I believe VP Harris has demonstrated a similar one. Personality: MATCH.

Thanks for reading.

Love, Susie