By: Lora Lucero

Canvassing in Michigan during the month of September confirmed for me that Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is the best vehicle with the right message for this tumultuous moment in our country.

Walking more than 50 miles and knocking on hundreds of doors in the suburbs north of Detroit to speak with registered Democrats about the election, I was reminded that Democrats are diverse and thoughtful, but many feel no connection to the Democratic Party. My canvas list included names of registered but inconsistent voters who believe their political party has forgotten them, except when asking for their vote.

I decided to go to Michigan after listening to Allan Brill’s pitch during a PDA Sunday Town Hall in July.  He wanted to connect volunteers traveling to Michigan with a host family, and he likened the Michigan Summer to Save Democracy (MSSD) campaign to the Mississippi Freedom Summer Riders in 1961. I jumped at the chance, and after Allan vetted me, and I vetted the different campaigns working in Michigan, I signed up for September. (Note: There’s still time to sign up to canvas in Michigan or make phone calls to Michigan voters. Reach out to Allan at michigansummer24@gmail.com)

A careful balance of listening and sharing.

Fortunately, many people were willing to talk with me, an elderly woman knocking on their door, and I learned a lot. My experience in Michigan is summarized on my Substack here, here, here, here, here, and here. I will always be grateful to these voters.

In one way or another, Michigan voters told me that:

• Life is harder today than it was for their parents, and the most important issue for them is the economy. The cost of housing has forced adult children back home because even with a good job, they can’t afford to rent a decent apartment. Many are just treading water to pay for the cost of food, gas and medicine. They are tired.   
• Deep cynicism that government can fix the problems – the constant bickering is a big turn-off. Elected officials don’t listen to them except when they want their vote.
• Disinformation is difficult to wade through and people who aren’t political junkies like you and me aren’t informed. My job was to gently remind them of the accomplishments despite the dysfunctional Congress, and the importance of getting people into the Senate and House who will work with the President to fix what’s broken.  
• Both major parties are captured by money and special interests (the military industrial complex, AIPAC, healthcare industry). I agreed and told them that our power is our vote!
• “Joy and opportunity economy” fell flat with every voter I spoke with. The Democratic National Party and Harris campaign need to learn how to listen to Americans with greater empathy.

We are on the cusp of a new world unfolding, perhaps the biggest changes since the industrial revolution but does the Democratic Party see it? 

We have a climate, an economy, and even an international multi-polar world that will be gone within our children’s lifetime, but our party leaders and most elected officials don’t seem to understand or appreciate how scary these impending changes are for many Americans.  Rather than embracing the inevitable with confidence and purpose, the Democratic Party appears, at least to many voters in Michigan and probably throughout the country, as floundering and ineffectual.

I’m returning to New Mexico with greater confidence and determination that the Progressive Democrats of America has the vision, message and skills to move this country forward. Whether inside the Democratic Party or outside with the electorate, PDA is the source of my optimism for the future.