Second question: Raul was a wonderful example of a person who did everything he could for this community. Really you could say he gave his life for us, and I wish he had been able to stay longer. One of our sons used to fly often for work and says Raul always flew economy or economy-plus. Another son volunteered with him frequently. Raul was such a welcoming person. He was genuinely interested in you and not just looking for your vote. We will miss him forever.
The new representative has to be aware of the needs of the community, especially the Latino and indigenous communities, and needs to be principled, very communicative, and highly active at home in the way that Raul was. We voted for him for the school board, county supervisor, and Congress, and volunteered with him where we could.
To begin with, what an excellent review of the issues!
Qualities important in the next leader of CD7? That it be a true progressive with the huevos to stand for what they believe in even when the Big Monet is against them. We need a progressive in foreign policy ( ie knows the difference between what israel says and what it does and knows tha american imperialism has to come to an end, etc) and in domestic policy someone who honestly gives a shit about ALL of their constituents, especially those that need their voices amplified because of marginalization and discrimination.
How did he most affect my life? Well, personally, his kingmaking was a nightmare for anyone who ran against his chosen few, no avoiding that and like some kind of idiot i tried it THREE times. Beyond that, and this will not be a popular memory at this time but its true-- when my sons then-girlfriend was to receive an award for being one of the best latina/o students in her graduating class ( and as an insecure but very hardworking student she really needed to hear accolades) and my son was also in the mix ( but not to her level) Raúl gave a speech. This was at 10AM roughly and he appeared to be so drunk that we all noticed immediately that he was completely incoherent. That along with the ceremony being completely screwed up was hardly the accolade anyone needed.
So that fits into "not a perfect human being". But legislatively he allowed me along with many many of us to not have to worry very much about how our rep was voting. We didnt have to watch his every move and have his office on speed dial. He did not use democrats to get him in office so he could side with or suck up to billionaires or aipac or loonie tunes like sinema, kelly, gallegos and volk. That was a huge gift Raúl, HUGE. In that way i don't think he is replaceable by any of the possible candidates mentioned ...
In short, i despised his kingmaking machine and still do, but really appreciated his voting record, sporadic as it was.
Thank you for sharing Betts. It makes no sense that they would not allow you to be on the board, but I did vote for you each time. They turned the TUSD board into a springboard for higher office, and the students still suffer for it.
Great piece, compa. Raul indeed left huge shoes to fill, and remained a devoted humble homie at heart. His wife is a Northern NM native whose relatives have been neighbors of my family for over 45 years. And I have witnessed the decades-long acrimony between Westside progressives and the Grijalva mainstream juggernaut. Personally, it made me sad because I see validity in all points of view and infighting is such a waste of time and talent. I live just over the line in CD6 and we’re being fuqed by a Trump toady. So whoever fills Raul’s shoes, it’s bound to be one helluva lot better than who your neighbors are stuck with!
His legacy is remarkable and like the other folk above mentioned he cared for this community. I agree with Betts that we never had to worry that Raul would sell out our environment, state,or tribal nations to follow the donors. I only hope that whomever is on the ticket, and eventually elected, will bring principle and backbone to the fight—because that is always required.
Principles to actually fight against the great whitewashing and corruption that is unfolding daily right in front of our eyes. It is going to take the wherewithal to fight for decades to undo what those monsters in DC are perpetuating. Southern Arizona needs to build a bench of principled public servants to fight and stand for what is right and just and to never forget that we are planting seeds for trees whose shade we will never rest beneath. My greatest hope is to see more young women in these positions receiving the mentorship and space to share new ideas and perspectives with unwavering dedication to the people and land.
Second question: Raul was a wonderful example of a person who did everything he could for this community. Really you could say he gave his life for us, and I wish he had been able to stay longer. One of our sons used to fly often for work and says Raul always flew economy or economy-plus. Another son volunteered with him frequently. Raul was such a welcoming person. He was genuinely interested in you and not just looking for your vote. We will miss him forever.
The new representative has to be aware of the needs of the community, especially the Latino and indigenous communities, and needs to be principled, very communicative, and highly active at home in the way that Raul was. We voted for him for the school board, county supervisor, and Congress, and volunteered with him where we could.
To begin with, what an excellent review of the issues!
Qualities important in the next leader of CD7? That it be a true progressive with the huevos to stand for what they believe in even when the Big Monet is against them. We need a progressive in foreign policy ( ie knows the difference between what israel says and what it does and knows tha american imperialism has to come to an end, etc) and in domestic policy someone who honestly gives a shit about ALL of their constituents, especially those that need their voices amplified because of marginalization and discrimination.
How did he most affect my life? Well, personally, his kingmaking was a nightmare for anyone who ran against his chosen few, no avoiding that and like some kind of idiot i tried it THREE times. Beyond that, and this will not be a popular memory at this time but its true-- when my sons then-girlfriend was to receive an award for being one of the best latina/o students in her graduating class ( and as an insecure but very hardworking student she really needed to hear accolades) and my son was also in the mix ( but not to her level) Raúl gave a speech. This was at 10AM roughly and he appeared to be so drunk that we all noticed immediately that he was completely incoherent. That along with the ceremony being completely screwed up was hardly the accolade anyone needed.
So that fits into "not a perfect human being". But legislatively he allowed me along with many many of us to not have to worry very much about how our rep was voting. We didnt have to watch his every move and have his office on speed dial. He did not use democrats to get him in office so he could side with or suck up to billionaires or aipac or loonie tunes like sinema, kelly, gallegos and volk. That was a huge gift Raúl, HUGE. In that way i don't think he is replaceable by any of the possible candidates mentioned ...
In short, i despised his kingmaking machine and still do, but really appreciated his voting record, sporadic as it was.
Thank you for sharing Betts. It makes no sense that they would not allow you to be on the board, but I did vote for you each time. They turned the TUSD board into a springboard for higher office, and the students still suffer for it.
Great piece, compa. Raul indeed left huge shoes to fill, and remained a devoted humble homie at heart. His wife is a Northern NM native whose relatives have been neighbors of my family for over 45 years. And I have witnessed the decades-long acrimony between Westside progressives and the Grijalva mainstream juggernaut. Personally, it made me sad because I see validity in all points of view and infighting is such a waste of time and talent. I live just over the line in CD6 and we’re being fuqed by a Trump toady. So whoever fills Raul’s shoes, it’s bound to be one helluva lot better than who your neighbors are stuck with!
His legacy is remarkable and like the other folk above mentioned he cared for this community. I agree with Betts that we never had to worry that Raul would sell out our environment, state,or tribal nations to follow the donors. I only hope that whomever is on the ticket, and eventually elected, will bring principle and backbone to the fight—because that is always required.
Principles to actually fight against the great whitewashing and corruption that is unfolding daily right in front of our eyes. It is going to take the wherewithal to fight for decades to undo what those monsters in DC are perpetuating. Southern Arizona needs to build a bench of principled public servants to fight and stand for what is right and just and to never forget that we are planting seeds for trees whose shade we will never rest beneath. My greatest hope is to see more young women in these positions receiving the mentorship and space to share new ideas and perspectives with unwavering dedication to the people and land.