Over the past few months, I’ve written extensively about the changes unfolding in our government. I’ve also discussed their impact on our communities.
There have been drastic budget cuts to Social Security. There is also an urgent need for reform in Minnesota’s disability services. I’ve delved into the pressing issues that affect us all. I’ve also explored the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, highlighting the growing need for advocacy and support.
Amid these discussions, I’ve felt an increasing urge to share more of my personal story. Shortly after the 2024 presidential election, I wrote a piece that I wasn’t quite ready to publish. It was raw, emotional, and an honest reflection on feeling left behind by the Democratic Party. While I shared it with a few close friends, I hesitated to make it public. I wasn’t sure how it would be received—and, frankly, I wasn’t ready for the potential backlash.
I continue writing about the state of our nation and the impacts of policy changes on disability support services. I realize that my personal story is an essential part of this broader conversation.
The emotions I felt in November 2024 still resonate. They affect not just me but many others too. These emotions reach those who feel disconnected, disillusioned, and left behind.
Today, I’m ready to share this piece with you. I’ve made some edits to improve readability and included links to cited sources. My hope is that it resonates with you. I wish it sparks meaningful conversations. I also hope it encourages all of us to think critically about the direction we’re headed as a country.
Left Behind by the Democrats
A Personal Reflection on the Democratic Party’s Disconnect and the Fight for Our Rights
By Levi Dokken | November 7, 2024
I have been sitting here with a lot of feelings—sadness, anger, even rage. Part of me wanted to lash out at the people who voted for Donald Trump. To work through these emotions, I felt the need to sit down and write.
Writing helps me release emotions. It allows me to express my thoughts. By expressing them, they don’t consume me.
The Disconnect Between the Democratic Party and Rural America
Donald Trump has won, and I believe it’s because the Democrats failed. They have failed the people they claim to represent. They are no longer the party of working men and women. Just look at the state of Minnesota. It went for Harris but is still a sea of red. There is only a small island of blue. The party only focuses on the areas where they need electoral votes to win the overall race.
I grew up in a small town in Minnesota. I saw firsthand that most people in my community weren’t necessarily concerned with national politics.
They focused more on day-to-day struggles. They were figuring out how to put food on the table. They were also finding money to cover the mortgage. They worried about what to do if their child needed braces and health insurance didn’t cover it.
Candidates campaigned across the United States. They focused primarily on so-called battleground states and urban areas. They believed these areas would secure enough votes for them.
Small towns across the nation increasingly feel disconnected from the Democratic Party. They believe the party has shifted its focus toward urban and coastal issues. This shift comes at the expense of rural communities.
The Electoral System: A Barrier to Representation
I often wonder if political candidates would pay more attention to smaller towns if votes were delegated differently. They might also focus on smaller states.
Our current electoral system feels outdated. It resembles a relic of an age long since dead. In it, the voices of a few battleground states dictate the direction of the entire country.
What if we had a more localized electoral college system within each state?
For example, if each county were assigned an electoral vote, it might create a more balanced representation. The majority vote within a county would decide how that county’s electoral vote was cast. This system could offer an option to the current popular vote system that most states use to assign their delegates.
Disappointment with Democratic Leadership
Joe Biden announced he was running for a second term. I had a strong feeling he was going to lose.
In 2020, he claimed he would be a transitional president. What happened to that promise? He was unwilling to even hold a primary. I was much more enthusiastic about the possibility of MN Rep. Dean Phillips entering the race. The Democrats, however, dismissed it, holding fast to the tradition that the incumbent automatically runs for re-election.
Watching the first presidential debate, I was floored. Both candidates seemed unfit to hold the highest office in the land.
Biden stumbled with his words and thoughts; at times, he seemed unable to keep his ideas in order. Trump wasn’t much better—he mostly rehashed grievances from 2020 without offering a clear plan for change.
Project 2025: A Threat to Disability Rights
Project 2025 adds to my concern. It is a plan from The Heritage Foundation. The next administration might choose to implement it.
According to the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, this plan proposes changes with deep impacts on programs like Medicaid. It introduces funding caps, stricter eligibility requirements, and time limits.
These changes could drastically reduce access to essential services for people with disabilities. Services like medical equipment, personal care attendants (PCAs), and specialist visits are crucial. They are necessary for maintaining health and independence.
For me, Medicaid covers my specialist visits. It also covers my nearly $50,000 power wheelchair and repairs. Additionally, it covers the cost of my partner, Jason, as my PCA.
How Do We Talk to Those Who Voted for Trump?
How do I talk to my friends and family who voted for Donald Trump? How do I understand their choice to support someone who has assaulted women? He attempted to overturn a fair election. He also incited his supporters to storm the Capitol.
Some of Trump’s supporters hold harmful views. However, I believe most are simply scared, misinformed, or longing for a past they believe he can bring back.
I don’t want to cut these people out of my life, especially when many are lifelong friends or family. We can still be connected; we just may not talk about politics.
What Can I Do Moving Forward?
I’ve shared many things with you. The Democratic Party’s disconnect from rural America is concerning. Our electoral system has flaws. Policies like Project 2025 carry potential consequences. There’s a growing divide among friends and family. I can’t help but feel a mix of frustration and overwhelm.
The future feels uncertain. These decisions could have long-lasting effects. They could also have life-changing effects for myself and those I care about. I find myself sitting here after writing this, asking myself, What can I do?
As one voice out of millions, not much. But I can be part of something bigger. When others raise their voices against the incoming administration’s policies, I can stand with them. I can support the women in my life, the friends who feel vulnerable right now. I can do my part, however small, to work toward a future that protects everyone’s rights and dignity.
Will you join me?
Sources
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (2024, September 18). Project 2025 and the Disability Community. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://dredf.org/blog-post/project-2025-and-the-disability-community/
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