Starting the Discussion

When we were young, most of us heard that you should avoid talking about politics and religion in polite company. I believe the days of staying silent about the things we care about are over. With respect and an open mind we learn from talking to people  and if we're lucky we come to new ideas and new ways to see the world and make it a better place. 

This campaign blog is a step to start conversation based on feedback I've been hearing at events and while canvassing in Riverside and Barrington, as well as an effort to touch on some of the many events going on around us. Please check in and read it from time to time as we head into the elections. 

At our recent Summer Kick-off event we asked attendees to tell us what the issues are that are influencing their votes in 2018 and to tell us what they would like to see the Rhode Island General Assembly address in 2019. We gave folks a Sharpee and asked them to transcribed their answers and below you can see pictures the original poster boards from the event. I was THRILLED to read what people had to say and I'm grateful to everyone who picked up a pen that night. It helps me to know what is on the mind of voters. 

Where you see a * or +1, etc, or (checked),  indicates where someone came to write something but wanted to agree with a topic that was already listed. I've done my best to transcribe the posters which you can see below. 

What issues are influencing your vote in 2018?

• Honesty, Integrity *
• Mendacity (against)
• GUN SAFETY x5
• Clean Energy
• issues around equality + access
• Compassion *
• Represent all constituents
• Make our state a compassionate and safe place for all
• Equity (checked)
• Social justice
• Balanced Budgets
• Reproductive Justice (x2) and Safe Schools Act (+1+2)
• increasing representation of women in office
• Education
• Protection from federal policies
• Candidates who are honest and will speak the truth
• Common sense and compassion

What would you like to see the RI General Assembly address in 2019

• Progressive Agenda
• Reproductive Rights x8
• Equality
• Gun Safety x2, x3, x200 squared
• Rights for women and underrepresented citizens x2
• Living wage x2
• Purity of water supply
• Senior programs
• Prosecuting sexual abuse cases x2
• Pass the Safe Schools Act x2, x3
• Raise the age to 21 to buy a long gun x2
• Limit capacity -HCMs (high capacity magazines) x2
• Protect Reproductive Rights
• Assault Weapons Ban x2
• Protect ACA x2
• Automatic Voter Registration (checked)
• Fix the Fair Pay Act
• Early Voting
• Sexual Harassment Legislation

Some of the issues are concrete and others speak to the culture of governing and how we want our state to function - all are critical conversations for us to have. There may not be time before the September 12th RI Democratic Primary to hit all of the topics in the blog, but all of them are truly relevant and reflect the priorities of many voters I talk to. Let's be sure to talk about politics in polite company and everywhere until we make the world a better place. 

Thanks for reading, sign up for updates from the campaign,  and stay tuned for the next post - 

​Liana

​

DONATE TO LIANA'S CAMPAIGN