Thread by @PantsuitPolitic

A few thoughts, as I take this in and reflect on how and why I used to vote for Republicans and will not again:

I'm overwhelmed by sadness that a combination of truly devastating events did not compel more than 57 people to do the right thing.

I'm grateful for those who did do the right thing today, even though it came at the very last minute--much too late. Even though they helped create this and could have done more to stop it. Even though some of them did the right thing when they didn't have much to lose.

I'm grateful for those who made the case for the right thing as though the case mattered. I believe it did, even without a conviction.

I think it's clear that the Senate has been cheapened to the point of wreckage. I will not say "burn it down" because burning it down is what I wanted to loudly, clearly reject today. I'm reminded of "build back better." I'm not a slogan person, but that's a good one.

I'll take that one. I think that's the calling.

What does that mean? First, I think it has to mean that the filibuster goes. The standard today was 2/3--but if you couldn't get to 60 votes today, there aren't 60 votes to be had. I wish it were not so.

That would mean passing some large federal programs that I'm not sure will work and that will be incredibly difficult to evolve or pull back. So be it. Republicans would not stand between the country and insurrectionists. I do not trust them to improve our governance.

I think it means supporting all kinds of structural reforms, and I think it means that everyone should have a tough primary. I think it means continuing to do our work as citizens--not just to donate to the people running but to identify new people to run.

Not just to make our voices heard with elected reps but to call on the people who could do better to lead in this way. Not just to support ideas that are immediate and exciting but to support ideas that makes us more principled.

There are people doing this, and their work is paying off. It's slow and it's unsatisfying on days like today. And still, I'm grateful for them. I'm grateful for all of you who show up as citizens constantly even as American government actively breaks your heart.

I'm grateful for all of you who show up as friends and neighbors even as your friends and neighbors actively break your hearts. -b

PS because I was a teenager in the 90s, I always think of @jeweljk on days like today: "We are tired. We are weary. But we aren't worn out."