Bernie best represents me; his vision is closest to my own. I see the need for revolution on the daily and Bernie gets that, plus his “Not me, us” philosophy will serve us well in these days of hate and polarization. I mean, isn’t that the way politics works? One decides based on personal interests who best represent them.

Course, as a proud California High School teacher I remain impartial and present all sides to students which is not easy when certain people don’t believe in certain foundational concepts like facts and science and civility.

It’s time to stand up for what you believe in. No, I don’t mean cancelling that vacation to the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament in Palm Springs because you found out that Larry Ellison, who puts on the tournament, threw a fundraiser for Trump last week. That’s just me, but you do have to figure out where you stand with the candidates and what you will be voting for a short 8 months from now.

Start with your priorities. Abortion, Guns, Climate Change, Education, Health Care, Prisons, Race, Poverty, Infrastructure so many things are broken that we’ve somehow forgotten how to start fixing them. America united does stuff better than anyone. America united solves problems and takes care of people. Decide how important each issue is to you. Yes, go get a pen and paper and take notes, there will be a hugely important test on November 3.

Next, if you don’t already know, find out which candidate mirrors your priorities. Or go to Isidewith.com or one of the many other websites that ask questions and calculate who you agree with most.

Finally, talk with people about what they think and why. Go outside your bubble because we have to start understanding and accepting others. A friend has a yearly President’s Day party complete with costumes and speeches, another holds debate parties with shots every time Warren says, “Here’s the thing…” We spent an entire class brainstorming our story arc in film class the other day and two students were shocked that we were “Just sitting around talking about stuff.” Sit around and talk about stuff more, it’s healthy. And reach across the aisle, empathy is the only way out of the sewer.

And lastly, balance your conviction. Are you a single-issue voter because you know it is the GOAT issue? Great, vote accordingly, but also know that leading a democracy means doing what is best for all people, not just the rich white ones. Is there something about a candidate that you can’t define rationally but gives you a funny feeling every time you think about him? Go with that feeling but also research, talk with others, learn. Prepare for the test.

Then think about 10 years from now and what you want the world to look like. Sure, you might be dead but what do you want to leave as a legacy? What do you want your kids to inherit? Is it a problem that we are playing the short game right now? The coronavirus is a huge global crisis and a big test of how nice we can play together. Until a vaccine is ready, we will unite, support and help or separate, blame and make things worse. The bullies on the playground are not leading but searching for scapegoats, which is very wrong. Plus climate change is on deck and if we can’t work together through this crisis how will we solve the next one before it ends us?

America is dangerously close to losing her Democracy (By the people, for the people), our environment and our way of life and not just because of one guy. Our division is literally killing us and if we let hate grow, divided we fall.

I am for Bernie because I am a teacher. Bernie, like Shepard Fairey, wants to Make America Smart Again. He promotes Science, he wants to make college free, alleviate student loan debt, and return to a time when the government was honest and helped all people.

I am for Bernie because I am a coach. I have coached divided teams and it is a huge problem. The focus becomes interpersonal drama (sound familiar?) and unless the problems are solved, they always grow and polarize the players. People don’t perform well when their teammates don’t have their backs. Are you listening America? There is no I in team. Like my Bernie bumper sticker says, “Not me, us.”

I am for Bernie because I have kids. I live in Sonoma California, where people pay millions to visit and discover a natural environment like no other.  Tahoe, Yosemite, Santa Cruz, we are spoiled by our abundance. I raised two beautiful miracles here and am lucky to ride through vineyards on my Schwinn cruiser down Second Street to work. Play the long game, prioritize people over profits.

I am for Bernie because I want Sonoma to keep producing great wine. Our terroir rocks because of an old river that used to run through the Sonoma Valley and left nutrients unlike anywhere else in the world. We post on Next Door when our neighbors use chemicals, we love when the mustard starts blooming; we work hard to keep our environment clean. The Green New Deal moves us in the right direction.

I am for Bernie because the revolution is really just taking care of people. A $15.00 federal minimum wage helps, changing tax laws to benefit all people helps, healthcare for all helps, and will these things transform us into Sweden overnight? Not a chance. Will we develop a democratic/socialist/capitalist hybrid, which better serves all people? Hopefully.

I am for Bernie because the water is heating and the frog will die if we continue down our current path. We have a worldwide pandemic happening which is causing the economy to tank, increasing estrogen levels from plastic waste is making your penis smaller, we have more guns than people in America and the climate, well, you know the rest. Another four years lobbing turds in the sewer is not acceptable.

But is Bernie the solution? No telling but he has a plan for infrastructure, guns, prisons, education, poverty, drugs, homelessness, wealth distribution and the many other issues that need attention now. And he represents me.

But does that mean I’m not speaking with my colleague because she’s voting for Joe Biden or stopping all communication with my cousin because she still supports Trump? Not a chance, better to explain why I feel like I do, accept that people have opinions different than mine, then be happy that we live in a Democracy where freedom still reigns.