Yesterday, I Proudly Voted for a Democratic Socialist

Yesterday morning I awoke with a sense of empowerment I have never felt before. Yesterday, it was my turn to speak.

Just the week before I had been lamenting the steady march of a system seemingly bent on making the wrong choices at every turn. One that supposedly cares about it’s citizens, but does nothing while it’s children are dying in the streets of Chicago every day. A system where the interests of corporations are placed above those of the people it’s meant to serve. This is a capitalist country after all, and it’s beginning to feel as though there is no room for humanity in capitalism. I’m tired of a system where we recognize that climate change is an issue, but simply don’t care enough to do anything about it. That seems to be the theme doesn’t it? We recognize the problems exist, but the solutions don’t make good business or economic sense. We’ll pour all of our resources into fighting terrorism abroad, but when it comes to protecting the basic needs of our citizens the money is nowhere to be found.

So, yesterday I voted for a man who cares about me, and who cares about us. I voted for a man who places the interests of the people he is serving above all else. Yesterday, I proudly voted for a Democratic Socialist, but don’t let them fool you, I made the HUMAN choice. I chose the guy they don’t want because he cares about solutions to our problems, not the bottom line. I’m proud to say that yesterday I was part of the ‘reddest state in the union’ making the bluest choice. We may not have many liberals, but those we have are truly progressive.

Yesterday’s outcome may not have been all I had hoped for, but it gave me hope for a better tomorrow for me and my kids. I’m excited that my frustrations are shared by a growing contingency. It will take time, but what Bernie Sanders has started will not be stopped, regardless of who wins this election.

Woody Guthrie said,

“This land is your land and this land is my land.”

This land is OUR land. It’s time we remember that, and it’s about time we take it back.

Willem Ellis
Proud American & Immigrant