Today is August 25, 2024 and I am writing down my thoughts on the DNC Convention. I waited until releasing my thoughts on both conventions together rather than one at a time.

The DNC was held Monday August 19, 2024 to Thursday August 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

I chose to listen to the various parts of the convention via C-SPAN and PBS NewsHour rather than the conventional news media. I then read various online articles with feedback on views as well as listened to various viewpoints via video discussions (think podcasts and snippets / segments).

The whole convention felt like a big party. A celebration of change within the party. There was plenty of support behind VP Kamala Harris for President but there was more support for the Party geared towards the country as a whole.

The wide amount of speakers in attendance varied from 2-6 minutes in their speeches with the bigger ‘headliners’ taking 20-40 minutes in their speeches. Speeches came from a wide variety of people from everyday working class people, gig economy, and even those impacted by global political issues.

The democrats chose an approach that displayed the ‘Big Tent’ that they are as a party rather than a singular voice praising a single individual. The democratic convention even had daily protests outside due to geopolitical politics. These protests were not shunned on nor talked down to. Some may feel they was talked down to though. But the world is a larger place than the places that we live each night. What divides us often is not as clear to one another because it requires someone to see the world through the eyes and perspective of someone else. That is often quite difficult.

The one thing I truly enjoyed was the feeling of love presented by the whole community in attendance towards one another in this journey of electing a president. It was joy not for just for the individual but for the future of the country with the leadership of that person.

One thing regarding the speakers I noticed is there was a group of people from the republicans that expressed desire to ignore the policy differences to speak out against the party that they love. This is often referred to as ‘Country over Party’ or ‘Country over Politics’. I agree with the overall sentiment that the republican party is very narrow and more interested in deregulating the country to allow the free market to take over. The problem with that is there is no profit in taking care of a country. So the free market is not motivated to take care of people.

Overall I found the DNC to be a good presentation to the public. It did not motivate people that are entrenched in their beliefs but to anyone that is open to listening and learning I am sure one can find things to enjoy about the party as a whole.

As I walked away from the DNC I felt positivity and joyfulness because I have hope for a coming together of our country, yet that hope is left up to the voters that casts votes in November. Voter apathy is real and that is the problem that needs to be solved.

Words about the RNC are shared here.

Now, with both parties being done with their conventions the run to November 5, 2024 is off and running. There are 67 days until election day. Please make sure that you are registered to vote now, today, so that you can participate in the election. Your vote does matter, once your vote is cast your next step is to engage with WHOEVER is elected and let your voice be heard. Mail them letters, call their offices, and such. Silence is what they desire from the public and that is how they take our individual power away from us.

Stay safe out there!

-Cal