📢 Why I Stand Firmly with Biden

The debate on Thursday made me fall deeper in love with our candidate and here is why.

As a grassroots leader of a progressive group, I am happy to announce that I will support Joe Biden's campaign for President of the United States. The debate on Thursday made me fall deeper in love with our candidate and here is why:

Here's how I felt before the Presidential debate:

I am here because of Bernie. I'm a fangirl. I found my way into activism because of Bernie. I would not have left Suburbia if Bernie had not inspired me to find my voice and speak out against the injustices in our community.

I, too, was surprised when Bernie immediately announced his support for Biden in 2024. What about the war in GAZA, healthcare disparities, better conditions for working folks, immigration reform, environmental stewardship, and more? How could Bernie or MoveOn be for Biden again when there is so much more progress to be had? 

Because we don't have another candidate. In the 2020 presidential election, 81 million people voted for Biden. Do you know how hard it is to get people to take action? Especially in a politically divided environment filled with crazed conservatives, radical republicans, MAGA cultists, and Russia filling our social media and news feeds with misinformation?

And big NO to a third-party candidate at this moment in time. For any chance, a third-party candidate would have needed to poll at least 20-30 percent a year ago. It's a pipe dream to have someone who polls at 5% achieve the Presidency, especially four months out. So far, America has yet to be inspired (and in some cases fooled) by third-party candidates (and, in some instances, grifters). At this point in history, only a fool would believe that a third-party candidate has a chance of winning the Presidency. 

Elections are not a year of work; they are years of building grassroots and coalitions.

Bernie knows we are progressing inch by inch, and our best chance for progress at this point in history with Joe Biden. Progressives like MoveOn, Center for Popular Democracy, Working Families Party, People for the American Way, Bernie, Warren, and AOC are all pressuring Biden while supporting him for President. We still need to build more progressive power, but we must do so while pushing for Biden's reelection. 

Here's how I felt 5 minutes after the Presidential debate:

I felt disappointed because Biden could have delivered a straightforward message over and over again. "My administration has made monumental progress on (insert issue), and with four more years, we will do more (such as). FREEDOM IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE FASCISM of 91 times indicted, 34 times convicted criminal felon, insurrectionist and traitor, 30000 + lies, sexual assaulter, wife cheater, business failure and fraudster, slanderer, and gas lighter."

Here's how I felt the day after the Presidential debate:

I need a President who inspires action for everyone to thrive, never stops fighting for our rights and freedoms, unites coalitions with purpose, builds a strong leadership team and delegates effectively, takes responsibility for their actions, solves problems with creative solutions, tackles global challenges like COVID and Putin, never claims to “be the best and greatest at everything”, and admits to having bad days but always picks themselves up the next day. And then this video pops up on my feed:

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Words are meaningless without the actions and truth to support them. Morals matter. Values matter. Leading by example matters. Building coalitions matter. And the ability to get back up and fight for our rights and freedoms while the rest of the nation is calling for your head says to me, this is someone I will follow. 

Leading our great nation must be exhausting, especially when constantly under attack by Republicans who gaslight and refuse to take meaningful action in Congress to improve American lives. After years of fighting back against the MAGA cultists, I can't fathom the relentless challenge Joe Biden faces daily, trying to navigate this chaos.

I, too, have experienced moments of being tongue-tied while trying to articulate my thoughts, wishing my words came out perfectly. It's tough to imagine the added difficulty of being judged on your communication while struggling with a speech impediment.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

I am a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. Debates (and polls) will come and go, but actions prove who someone is. Joe Biden is a public servant. He has spent his career championing America to do better and to be better. Trump has spent his lifetime as an opportunist who seeks to enrich himself while feeding his MAGA ego. He lies, spreads misinformation, fails at everything he touches, and revels in transactional moments of hatred and bigotry.

I look at the actions of the two men on that stage, not just on that night of the debate but throughout their lives, and see a stark difference.

In Biden, I know that he has made a real difference in people's lives:

• Jobs Created: 15 million (more than the past two Republican Presidents)

• Lowest Unemployment: Unemployment has been below 4 percent for the longest stretch in over 50 years

• American Rescue Plan: Funded vaccination campaigns and reopened schools.

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Rebuilt roads, bridges, and expanded high-speed internet.

• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson: Appointed first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

• Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: Significant gun violence prevention legislation.

• CHIPS Act: Boosted American manufacturing and created jobs.

• PACT Act: Expanded health care for veterans.

• Respect for Marriage Act: Enshrined marriage equality.

• Inflation Reduction Act: Lowered costs for families, promoted clean energy.

• Marijuana Pardons: Removed barriers for simple possession offenses.

• Protecting Reproductive Rights: Ensured access to reproductive care.

• Climate Action: Rejoined Paris Climate Accords.

• Support for Ukraine: Rallied international support against Putin.

• Affordable Care Act: Strengthened and expanded coverage.

• Criminal Justice Reform: Promoted accountable policing.

• Student Debt Relief: Approved billions in loan forgiveness.

• Diversity: In white house staff, cabinet, administration, and appointments

Besides what a leader has accomplished, I want to know if they have a vision that I agree with, and for me, that candidate is Joe Biden. I believe if we can take the House and Senate, and re-elect Joe Biden, he will sign into law policies that will take our country forward:

• Women's Health Protection Act (enshrines abortion rights into law)

• Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

• Environmental safeguard bills

• Student debt relief bills

• Supreme Court reforms like ethics, expansion, and term limits

• Equality Act

• John Lewis Voting Rights Act

• Freedom to Vote Act

• Immigration reform bills

• Gun violence prevention bills

• Affordable Housing bills

• and make significant improvements to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and our healthcare system.

I have zero confidence that Trump would do anything for anyone but himself. Putin owns him, so our safety would be in danger. I will give Trump credit; he is a master at manipulation and gaslighting. But I am smart enough to know that actions speak louder than words, and Trump's actions have harmed our nation, and if given another four years, he will destroy our country. 

The next President is likely to appoint 2-4 new Supreme Court justices and so far Trump's appointees on the Supreme Court have significantly harmed families by overturning Roe v. Wade, eliminating a precedent of 50 years and restricting freedom of choice. They have also damaged America's environmental protections by overturning Chevron, a 40-year precedent that safeguarded the EPA’s authority. Additionally, the reversal of affirmative action has undermined over 60 years of progress, while allowing cities to criminalize unhoused community members exacerbates social inequities. Furthermore, permitting disguised bribes and giving January 6th insurrectionists leniency endangers our democratic principles and national safety.

Additionally, former President Trump caged children and families, separated babies from their mamas, bragged about it, and used words like "animals" and "poisoning our blood."  He promises to "drill baby drill," deport millions of our friends, families, and neighbors, and he is adamant about cutting Social Security and Medicare while handing millions in tax breaks to his cronies. And if that is not bad enough, he has promised to let states possibly incarcerate women seeking abortions, regulate birth control, and criminalize families seeking in vitro fertility treatments.

Let's also be clear that not voting is a vote for Donald Trump, period. By not voting, you are doing exactly what Donald Trump, radical Republicans, and Maga extremists want you to do. A no-vote is more dangerous because it is a refusal of responsibility. People Power is not about our individual needs; it is about all of us living lives where everyone can thrive, and that requires all of us to commit to carrying out our civic duty.

You are the hero of our American story

I will double down to do the work to build progressive power and push our leaders to do better, and I will support Biden in this election. Why? Americans and Progressives don't quit. People who want world peace and better for our community (with healthcare, education, housing, civil rights, gun safety reforms, environmental justice, and more) don't quit. We roll up our sleeves and do the work to make change happen. And what if Biden steps aside? Kamala Harris will also be a great candidate for President. And you better believe that whoever wins in November, I will be there pushing them for progress. Why?

You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas. -Shirley Chisholm

Keep your head down, let's do the work, and let's get rid of these demagogues.

A hero does what must be done and seeks no other validation. Heroes don't complain; they do something! They are selfless, seeking no glory or limelight. They see a problem and jump in to fix it. They make our lives better just by doing.

That is you. You are the hero of our American story. Will you join me to keep making good trouble?

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Everyone deserves to vote and thrive,

Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests

I am a social justice activist #DoingMyJob to stand up against fascism. Best part of my day is being a mommy and wife!

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