Hey folks,
I joined NewsMax today to talk about something that’s become a real flashpoint in our politics: students and teachers participating in protests, and what that says about where we are as a country. At the core of it, I believe participation in democracy—even when it’s messy—is something we should be encouraging, not dismissing or mocking.
What struck me most in this conversation was how quickly genuine frustration gets waved away as “performative” or “indoctrination.” People are angry because they’re hurting—about violence, about immigration, about the cost of living, about leaders who promised change and haven’t delivered it. That frustration doesn’t magically stop at the schoolhouse door.
At the same time, this is a reminder that symbolism and spectacle aren’t substitutes for winning elections or passing policy. Real change still comes from organizing, voting, and running strong candidates who focus relentlessly on affordability and everyday life. That’s where energy turns into results.
We can hold two truths at once: civic engagement matters, and effectiveness matters more. If Democrats want to keep winning—and actually govern—we have to stay grounded in both.
—Mike
