ISLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATS: May 2022 Newsletter
The Island County Democrats publish a monthly newsletter, which we are posting here. We believe that the statements made by the leadership of each party is of general public interest.
Message from ICD Chair, Joseph Busig
Hello ICD,
May has been a challenging month, even as it closes out. I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and keeping hope in spite of everything. I must admit, in writing this I feel several emotions at once. I feel heartbreak for the precious people who lost their lives to gun violence this year, but especially in the last two weeks. Those families will never be the same. Those communities will never be the same. At the same time I feel numb, desensitized, and upset that I am as such.
I remember going to high school at Oak Harbor High School where I graduated in 2018. A thought that lingered in my mind was “Is this the day?” I always hugged my mom tightly in the morning even though she would leave for work by 5:00 A.M. just in case it was the last time I’d see her. “Is this the day?” was a question on the minds of many classmates. Whenever we would practice lockdown drills, shelter in place drills, or even how to escape and hide should you be in proximity to the active shooter, I wondered if I would ever have to use these skills the next class period or even the next day. I carried this fear with me to college where the threat lingers as well. This violence, this fear, and this trauma is the reality for an entire generation of people.
I remember when the shooting at Parkland happened. I protested in my city, I helped and knew the organizers of our school walkout. Surely, I thought, this would be when action was taken. In our state, thankfully, after the hard work of people demanding safety. But federal lawmakers did nothing but say their buzzword and soundbite filled lines and go back behind the curtains. Many shootings have happened since Parkland, whether in schools, stores, homes, places of worship, events, or by police brutalizing precious siblings of color and Black siblings. Despite all the protests, despite a resounding cry by people across our country against this, the best that could be done is “thoughts and prayers” followed by symbolic gestures with platitude instead of action to prevent.
The U.S. is the only country where this happens. Lawmakers and pundits alike scratch their heads, asking how it can happen here. The truth is that any society which produces and perpetuates white supremacy, violent masculinity, militarism, and is beholden to industrial capitalist interests instead of people is, in fact, where it can and will happen. Repeatedly. Excruciatingly.
100 Senators stand in the way of common sense gun reform popular with the majority of Americans. The filibuster and their corporate interests, however, hold more value than us. Than children. Than the rights of people to live. Even Democratic leadership in the U.S. House like Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn actively campaigned for Henry Cuellar in Texas, the only Democrat in the House with an “A” rating from the NRA and only anti-choice Democrat, over Jessica Cisneros who couldn’t be farther from that in terms of values and commitments. They would rather defend someone who is under an FBI investigation, who takes massive amounts of corporate money, and has one of the most Republican voting records of the Democratic caucus. On the day of a mass shooting no less and weeks after the SCOTUS leak regardingRoe v. Wade, Democratic leadership rallied for a pro-NRA and anti-choice incumbent under FBI investigation. Robocalls, fundraisers, get-out-the-vote efforts, all of it. Keep in mind that the district is a safe Democratic seat. But I urge you to go beyond electoralism and keep in mind how bought interests would rather defend corporate margins than, again, your rights. Our rights. It’s a failure of leadership. It is something by which any manner of articulation would fail to capture the emotions felt.
Whether it is the right of bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, inhabiting a livable planet in loom of the climate crisis, living without fear of being victim to a mass shooting, having clean water, being guaranteed healthcare as a right, criminal justice reconstruction, housing justice, and so many other issues that impact us, entrenched interests are bought and paid for by way of politicians in both parties. Make no mistake that there is a certain caucus peddling hate, yet also bear in mind the party who is supposed to counter that, who has control, seems to be idling by only giving performance politics and not true action. It appears our woes, suffering, oppression, and exploitation are products of bipartisan consensus.
I’m just sick. Too many lives have been lost. Too long has inaction been the status quo. To do better we have to demand better. Because the people deserve better, and many of the talking points and promises of yesteryear should have already been enshrined rights. As I finish this I think of the lives robbed. Not just by the callous people who commit acts of violence, but by those who stand by and do nothing. Those children at Robb Elementary in Texas, those worshipers at Geneva Presbyterian Church in California, those shoppers at Tops Supermarket in New York had lives ahead of them. Families left behind. Communities now devastated. Just in one week.
My heart goes out to everyone impacted. Who lost friends, loved ones, and neighbors. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. For their sake, our resolve must be strong. Our action can’t only be at the ballot box. While voting is a tool, it isn’t the only one we should use. It has to be in the streets. We have to march, protest, demonstrate, strike, and walkout. We must organize.
Please stay safe, stay well, and don’t lose hope for a better future.
In solidarity,
Joseph J. Busig
Chair, ICDCC
News from ICD
I would like to thank the DEI Committee for hosting our first webinar of the year which was around mental health policy. I’m very grateful to our speakers: Jerri Clark, Kathryn Clancy, Fe Mischo, Sen. Joe Ngyuen, Rep. Dave Paul, and the organizer as well as facilitator of the event Rachel Colston. Thank you so much for an informative evening where people got to hear presentations and ask questions about what has been done and what needs to be done regarding mental health from a local to state level. This is a great way not only to shed light on issues, but connect with our community and start those important conversations. I look forward to more informative webinars in the future!
Respectfully,
Joseph J. Busig
-he/him/his-
Chair
Island County Democrats
Next E-Board meeting
Next ICD E-Board meeting is Thursday June 9 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Contact Chair, Joseph Busig for an invite icdchair@gmail.com.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Memorial Day is one of the most important days in which we commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Armed Forces Day where we honor those currently serving our nation was the third Saturday in May and come November, we have the opportunity to honor our veterans. This weekend is Memorial Day, the day we acknowledge that many paid the ultimate price in service to our nation. We also recognize not only those who died in combat but our honored veterans who have passed from this life. For some, like my father, they held tight to their memories of serving in the military. My dad spoke of the camaraderie of his shipmates. He also spoke, although rarely, of loss as he remembered friends lost in WWII and Korea. He shared quietly of his life as somehow remarkable when he told the story of the ship that replaced his ship in the South Pacific being bombed with all hands lost. I think of my cousin who died only recently. A Vietnam Vet exposed to Agent Orange, he was a fiercely independent man who cared deeply for his family and died young of exposure related illnesses. I think of my grandfather and his brother, both who returned from WWI but one only a shell of his former self. I think of the many men and women who suffered what is now called PTSD. And I think of those we lost to suicide and addiction. We must be better. We must have programs and services for our veterans. We must honor those who served with our words and our actions. If you wish to join me this weekend, I will be in the Coupeville Memorial Day Parade. I would only ask that if you join us, remember why we are there. I will also be honoring our veterans in a graveside ceremony in Oak Harbor, a “Service of Remembrance” at Maple Leaf Cemetery 10 am to 12 pm.
Janet St. Clair, Island County Commissioner District 3
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
In the South Whidbey Record yesterday, we learned that in a recent Old Goats meeting Rick Hannold called Janet St. Clair an “evil woman” and also said that what the Island County Board of Commissioners needs is a man.
The paper went on to describe how Rick and Tim Hazelo stand on things—and they admit they see eye-to-eye on 99% of things. They oppose the county providing affordable housing (“that is not our job”). They don’t want us to do any more land conservation projects (“we have more than enough property in conservation”). In other words, pretty much anything Democrats support, they oppose.
Please get involved in Janet’s campaign. Donate, doorknock, make calls. Wave signs. I like Rick as a person, and Tim’s always been cordial. But I do not want either of them as my colleague on the Board of County Commissioners. It would end my ability to keep the momentum moving forward at the County.
Please help get Janet re-elected. She is a really great commissioner, an extremely smart and dedicated woman who works very hard on the issues that matter to you.
Melanie Bacon, Island County Commissioner, District 1
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Friends,
In case you missed it, I have some updates on our ferry system. I am disappointed to learn that Washington State Ferries was not able to negotiate a fair price for the construction of five new hybrid-electric ferries.
I’ve been working closely with local shipbuilders like Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, and I know they’re ready to participate in a fair bidding process. I encourage Washington State Ferries to move quickly with this process, so that we can rebuild our fleet with hybrid ferries. I’m excited that the next generation of Washington State Ferries can be built right here in the 10th District.
These new hybrid ferries will not only reduce pollution, but hybrid ferries will significantly reduce operating costs as they do not need to rely solely on diesel fuel.
We also have some exciting events coming up in June—have you taken a look?
Paella Party– June 9th
Have you secured your ticket to our upcoming Paella Party? Join us on June 9th at 5pm for world famous paella, catered by David Day and bayleaf. Space is limited–get your tickets now!
[Ed. Note: ticket link omitted]
House Party– June 7th
Calling all Friends of Dave Paul in Mount Vernon! Jere LaFollette will be hosting a house party for Dave on June 7th, at 5:30 PM, in Mount Vernon. Light refreshments will be provided by the host. To RSVP, please email Marie at [Ed. Note: email link omitted].
Arlington Flash Forum– June 3rd
Dave will be at Arlington’s Terrace Park on June 3rd at 6pm, ready to answer your questions and address your concerns. Team Dave will also be doorbelling the surrounding neighborhoods to let folks know their State Representative will be in the park to speak with them– email [Ed. Note: email link omitted] to join us!
We hope you can join us at these events. Email [Ed. Note: email link omitted] with any questions.
As always, it’s an honor to serve.
Dave
Message from 2nd CD Congressman Rick Larsen
The 2022 election season is upon us, and I want to let you know that I am running for re-election to continue representing Northwest Washington in Congress.
Our people-powered campaign is already hard at work spreading our message and earning every vote – and I want to share a note of thanks to the friends and supporters who turned out to lend their passionate voices and positive energy to our Island County campaign kick-off earlier this month at Dancing Fish Vineyards.
Once again, we face a high stakes election year, and it is critical we get it right. Our team will remain focused on building a large grassroots movement that can keep and expand our majority in Congress. That is the only way to ensure that leaders in D.C. focus on issues that matter to working families rather than big money special interests – including the gun lobby. Unspeakably tragic events like the shooting in Uvalde, Texas make it painfully clear that elections have consequences.
Special interests who oppose reform may try to outspend us with their big money but they will never outwork us. We are going to work from the ground up, growing our campaign voter by voter, neighborhood by neighborhood. I want to encourage grassroots fighters like you to keep showing up and stay involved. We must continue our fight for gun violence prevention, a sustainable environment, reproductive freedom for all women, a workforce that works for everyone, and lower costs for health care, housing, childcare, and gas. Thank you for your support and see you on the campaign trail!
Rick
Committee Reports
As mental health awareness month comes to a close after two devastating, jarring, confusing, and angering tragedies, we are reminded of how systemic and structural violence impacts us all. After years of white supremacist and anti-Asian and Pacific Islander violence targeting folks in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, we are reminded of what rhetoric is echoed from those in power and how terrifying and brutal it can be when hate is embodied in action. What multiplies the violence is that some survivors do not have accessible mental health care to turn to after surviving events like these. Over these two years, there have been numerous opportunities for our politicians to pass human-centered legislation that would reduce access to firearms, provide publicly funded healthcare, and drastically improve public education systems which all have been shown on a global scale in countless countries to reduce interpersonal violence.
Collectively, everyday people have the power to continue to pressure their government to stop systemic violence. In the DEI committee’s mental health education panel earlier this month, we heard stories of how our current systems are failing those who are most disabled by mental illness and the possibilities we have to focus on this. The panel demonstrated that with the support of person-centered legislation, not oil, pharmaceuticals, and weapon manufacturing corporation-centered legislation, we can collectively heal from centuries of systemic violence. We no longer have to be lonely, isolated survivors of interpersonal violence. Through better education, we can have a better understanding and acceptance of human diversity and public health. If we experience something difficult, we can seek mental health support. We have the potential to live in a system where we pay into person-centered government.
We wish for the loved ones of those lost this month everywhere rest, peace, and healing.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Donate
Your generous contributions will directly help ICD:
- Host local community education and information events
- Coordinate local Democratic Party volunteers activities
- Train and inspire PCOs to action
- Provide tools, materials and space for local Democratic Party planning and organizing
For the biggest bang for your buck, mail your checks to:
[Ed. Note: donation information omitted]
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