I offer my condolences to my friends who were for Bernie. Because that is hard stuff. (Warren person here.) BUT I want to talk about something incredibly important -the rest of the ballot. It matters so very much.

I have a brother who works in state government and knows A LOT about policy-making. (it's his jam.) He has talked a lot about our lives are primarily affected by local politics/races. And yet that is the stuff people ignore/don't show up for.

You want to really shift things -you need to vote for the little things. The city/county/regional/state stuff. GO hard on changing how things are done. Look at who is on the school board (Evangelicals figured that one out YEARS ago.)

Yes even the local dog catcher is a race that matters. Because that is where some real bullies can do damage. You want more/better recycling? Vote the local race. Want to get some better social services? Vote the local race.

SHOW up to meetings and hassle people. (a la Parks & Rec) You can get a park built. You can help get a great preschool created. You can get more books and better hours for the local library. You can actually do this. And vote for rich folks to pay more taxes.

Become a thorn in the side of your congressperson and senator. GET to know who your local state senator/assembly person is. Find out what they are up to. (Sometimes you can end up talking to them directly.) PUSH for better things and then you can get better things up top.

I hope this gives some folks a bit of direction and some hope. Today you can cry, throw things, have a good bitch about what bullshit this is. (because it is.) Then you wipe off your messy mascara, hydrate, and go out there and participate in public life.

My mom who has been dealing with loss since she voted for McGovern in her first election can tell you, it is all about the local stuff. You pick yourself up and figure out how to take your awesome ideas to another spot and make it work. Because it is possible.

And again, I am sorry your person didn't go ahead to the final. That always sucks doesn't it? I hope some of you got to vote for him in the primary. (It's a good feeling.)