To the editor:
As someone who has long been involved in politics in Jefferson County, I am frustrated by the current state of the local Democratic Party.
It has become a circus of disrespect, exclusivity and backdoor dealings. The Democratic Party in Jefferson County is acting no better than the Republican Party, and this is deeply troubling.
Those who care about women's issues, gay rights or any "minority movement" have been told that these are not the focus of the party and to go elsewhere. If you remove women, LGBTQIA+, the poor, BIPOC, gun reform and climate action, what exactly is left in the Democratic platform?
They try to say they want to focus on "bread-and-butter" issues. If women's issues aren't allowed to be addressed, who does that serve? White men. If the JCDP won't even allow a committee on human rights, claiming "there is no racial disparity or discrimination in Jefferson County courts," then who do they protect? White men.
It's clear that a small group of prominent families and oligarchs think they are running the show, but they are not the majority of the county. When you start banning gender identity or sexual identities from schools, be prepared to be sued, using state Rep. Ron Ferguson's legislation, for using Mrs. or wearing a wedding band in your place of work. Both of these are indications of sexual identity and gender.
The "liberal" oligarchs in Jefferson County are no better than these people by allowing the perversion of the DNC and ODP's platform. Your lust for power will not stop us from mobilizing the youth and excluded communities. Some local Democratic Party members are behaving like children, throwing tantrums and ignoring their own bylaws with special permissions to maintain their grip on power. It's difficult to tell the difference between the Democrats and the fascists who are trying to hurt everyone who isn't a cis-straight white male.
There already has been legislation discussed that would enact forced internal examinations of youth by their schools to allow them to play sports. The radical right has already attacked public institutions for even having a pride flag in their facilities. If the Democratic Party and its minions don't begin acting like adults, without storming out when they get upset, we will face 2024 without them and we will stand up as real Democrats.
It is time to dismantle the injustice, purge these harmful tactics and investigate the pending litigations of involved parties. It's time for the Democratic Party of Jefferson County to get its act together and learn to be inclusive. The people deserve better than this -- 2024 is going to be one of the most important years in this nation's history. It will be a referendum on democracy vs. Christian nationalism.
We need a Democratic Party that is inclusive, honest and committed to the values that we hold dear. It's time to call out the cult that has infected both parties in this county and return Jefferson County to actual decency.
River Hunter Wiley
Bergholz