If You Ever Trusted Me

Last Call for Democracy

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Dear Friends,

You trusted me when you came to me asking which baby wipes were safest for the planet. When we were in the thick of the early 2010s sustainability movement and thought our personal choices could save the earth.

You trusted me when I helped you find access to the COVID vaccine and offered you data-driven evidence to share with your hesitant neighbors.

You trusted me when you called me for help with a potential anti-trans policy in your school district. When I worked tirelessly vetting candidates across the state to make sure your family would be safe.

For years, when I helped lead the rallies, the marches, the protests, you showed up. You helped support my Democratic candidates in rural PA, Center City Philadelphia, and throughout New Jersey. You paid attention. What I had to say mattered.

We know that all changed on October 7, 2023.

So this is my final plea: I need you to vote to save Democracy - but it is no longer about Blue versus Red.

I have begged you to understand the danger of the DSA. The antisemitic and hateful rot that the broader Democratic party has allowed to seep into its veins. The way they do not just erase the voices of 90% of Jews, but also a majority of Black and brown voters (their voters remain exceedingly white and male.) The way we have seen them shout down queer and trans elders, who put their bodies on the line for whatever semblance of freedom and equity we hold today.

Some of you listened. Many more did not. And we are seeing the fruits this yields with each violent protest in New York’s Jewish neighborhoods, with each vote against progress because it’s “not good enough,” with the pleas of people who look around and say, “this is not what we wanted.”

For every Jew who publicly and loudly leaves the Democratic Party, hundreds more go quietly. Along with their allies.

For every Jew in a keffiyah screaming “anti-Zionism is not antisemitism” to give cover to chaos and permission to bigotry, thousands more stay silent in fear for their safety and their livelihood.

So why should you care?

I don’t care if you care about Jews. I really don’t. I mean, you have already proven that we are entirely expendable and insignificant.

So maybe care about yourself. Because if you don’t think this will come around and bite you in the ass: BET. The far left doesn’t just bring violence and chaos - it props up the extreme right. The Republicans will keep winning. Maybe not the midterms - but in the long term.

This is not a winning strategy. The average normal human being does not want this, but, due mainly to VOTE SPLITTING, these extremists will keep winning.

The Congressional Race to fill Bonnie Watson Coleman’s seat is already a done deal. Nobody gives a flaming fuck that Adam Hamawy was in very close cahoots with the Egyptian Blind Sheikh — who plotted the World Trade Center bombing — and literally TESTIFIED FOR HIM IN COURT.

Even just bringing this up is written off as “anti-Muslim.” How so? Is it antisemitic to hold accountable the close Jewish associates of Jeffrey Epstein? No. Calling accountability bigotry is the racism of low expectations.

But, once again, because of VOTE SPLITTING, he will win by 10 points and serve at the highest level of U.S. Government.

In Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District? Hasan Piker’s bestie and antisemitic conspiracy theorist Chris Rabb will win with flying colors, due in part to (say it with me now) VOTE SPLITTING between an extremely well-qualified Muslim lawmaker who is a friend to the Jewish community and another candidate who is unfortunately unqualified and has no chance.

In Michigan? Stevens and McMorrow may split the vote for El-Sayed and hand the Republicans an easy win in the Senate. In Maine? Damage already done. Enjoy an unqualified internet troll with a Nazi tattoo IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

In the voice of Julia Sugarbaker: HAVE YOU ALL JUST COMPLETELY LOST YOUR MIND?

So, if you do trust me, in any way, shape, or form, to have an iota of a clue about democracy and how this all works out: Do not cast a vote for the far left. Vote for the least harmful candidate with an actual shot at winning.

Because, as of now, I have not had to ask anyone to vote against their core Democratic values — only to care about mine. But if these primaries turn out the way I expect, I won’t be able to cast another vote or utter another word.

Shariff Street was the only candidate in the 3rd Congressional Race to condemn the flying of Hamas flags in this Philadelphia neighborhood, with a large Jewish population, where I raised my children. But go off and “vote against the machine.”