During canvassing today I had a really interesting experience. I canvassed a neighbourhood of mostly retired folks. There were about 45 doors total and I knocked 35 of the doors(registered voters). I talked to people about their concerns, and about what I was trying to do in my campaign. Of the 35 doors, 2 people closed the door when they asked what party I was and I answered "democrat," one person declined any conversation at all. Of the remaining doors over half confided in me that they thought that most of their neighbors were VERY conservative and and cautioned me that I may not find the neighbourhood too receptive a few even implied I may encounter hostility. But I did not. Instead, I encountered primarily people who were eager to share a few moments to voice their concerns. Most people talked about women's reproductive rights, rising costs of groceries, and the hostility and incivility of politics. A few expressed concerns about ongoing wars and inequality. Overall the conversations were positive and my take-away message was that, although Missouri is often described as being "very red" the sentiment expressed by many I speak with instead communicates very different pro-social values. So many of the people are experiencing a sensation of isolation in what many describe as "a sea of red" but my observation is that it is the volume and vehemence of the voices of hatred, prejudice, and moral imperialism cause these sentiments to be disproportionately represented. It is up to the voices of rationality, civility, and peace; to speak more, and with greater emphasis.
In essence, that is why I am here. I believe that there are more people who genuinely desire to see politicians seeking common ground, using science to develop policy, supporting communities over corporations, practicing civil, respectful behaviour, and NOT imposing private religious beliefs onto the bodies of strangers.
But we have to come together, we have to use our voices, we have to VOTE.