1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I’m sorry to be writing you such a long critical email because I’ve been a supporter of yours since 1998, but I am so disappointed that Democratic Leadership decided to support Representative Gerry Connolly, a good and honorable man who has served his country well since 1995, who is also a 74 year-old cancer patient, to serve a two-year term as Minority Leader on the Oversight Committee. I admire and respect Rep. Connolly and have appreciated his efforts to hold on to democracy during these horrific times, as I respect other elder Representatives who continue to serve and support. But like millions of every generation since Boomers (greying, aging, about to be unable to drive or do my work due to progressive vision loss, scared, low-income GenX here) share the disappointment, - probably more heartbreak and frustration, really - that Leadership chose this also rapidly-aging, unwell person over the absolutely capable, energetic, promising, female, and *young* Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. I’m not sure if you and other Democrats in the House and Senate are aware of the level of despair out here that the voices and faces of two generations are being actively held back by people we hope to help get us out of this mess. I urge all Democrats in congress to focus on engaging more - and listening to and trusting more - the voices of the ever-growing GenX, GenY/Millenial, and GenZ constituencies who have been crying out for change for The People for over forty years (!) than those dwindling voices suggesting “moderation”. To them, as one of the first GenX generation, I suggest that the strategy of wanting to appear “moderate” in this war against fascism in our own country, and refusing to empower those willing to fight is rapidly losing Democratic voters, and will ultimately lose us this war. I know you and I agree on many things if not most, and one of the things I most respect about you is your support and mentoring of promising young politicians, so I’m beseeching you to share my plea with other members. I beg your colleagues to empower and get behind our best younger democracy-loving and inspiring leaders going forward, loudly, often, and at every opportunity. Thank you.