There’s still a lot to be thankful for

Tomorrow is a time to get together with friends and family, and I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving.

While things may seem overwhelming, I'm thinking about how much there is to be thankful for.

I'm thankful we live in a country that is a democracy—not an autocracy.

I'm thankful that we can worship as we choose, gather together as we please, and say what we want.

And that we can criticize our highest officials without being detained, imprisoned, tortured, or disappeared.

I'm thankful that, however much one disagrees with a government decision, there is always an election no more than two years away in which we can fight for a better path.

I'm thankful that we kept the economy from crashing during COVID — there is no government program as powerful as a decent job.

I'm thankful for your energy, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose. We'll need that for the fights ahead — and there will be many — that will determine the future of our democracy.

I know the holidays can be difficult, and my heart goes out to those of you feeling the weight of today.

However you spend Thanksgiving, I hope you are able to connect with the folks who mean the most to you.

Onward!

Jeff