Mamdani may be young and an idealist, but he is also a skilled, charismatic politician who ran a brilliant campaign and has presented himself as a new type of leftist.
Red-state voters are hurt more by Trump policies than blue-state voters, so if MAGA faithful become aware of this, Republicans should not expect those voters to be sheep they intend to slaughter. That is the lesson of Nov. 4.
The question remains whether Gov. Maura Healey will call for the release of a portion of these funds for the intended purpose to benefit citizens at a critical time of need or if politics will become the overriding concern.
I believe we will do everything we can to feed our neighbors, but be very careful about the next step. Do NOTHING that lets our federal government off the hook. Do NOT pass a state or local initiative that allows them to duck their obligation.
The ingenuity and resourcefulness of Andrew Webster and Graphite Studio is a model for all of us who hope to honor the best parts of our history while building a better and more just world.
Republicans control both houses of Congress and the White House. They could end the government shutdown tomorrow if they chose. But they would rather hold low-income working Americans hostage than negotiate with Democrats.
We often hear the adage "it takes a village to raise a child," and it holds a profound truth. Our children are not just our future; they are the individuals who will shape the very fabric of our community for years to come.
Even though I will not have any kids in this school system after my granddaughter graduates, I will not turn my back on the future of all the kids following her.
These are not abstract numbers. They are the students struggling in silence, the parents trying to find help for a child in crisis, the older adults facing depression or addiction alone.
If I had abdicated my responsibility to those who elected me to Congress by participating in Trump's violations of his office, I would have received a slap in the face to remind me that I was an embarrassment to myself and my family.
