In present circumstances, one of the easiest things we can do — and I did — is to contact our Congressional Representatives. Call, text, email or whatever. It makes a difference! The Senate goes back into session today to discuss, probably vote on, a stimulus package. In it is a Republican provision that gives Trump roughly $500 million to dole out big sums of money to his corporate cronies. Another example of “swamp” politics and that is unacceptable.

As negotiations between Democrats and Republicans go on over the size and composition of stimulus package, I see a lot of “Magic Wand” politics from our side of the struggle. I wish politics were that easy. But it isn’t. It’s a contested process and on the other side of the process is an authoritarian political bloc that plays hard ball.

It’s early and I’m watching game 6 of Lakers and Celtics in 2012 (?) where the Celtics and the Big 3 plus Rondo win the NBA championship. Good break from it all. And then there is always Netflix.

In these times in which so much seems to hang in balance, this song sung by the incomparable Mercedes Sosa resonates in a different, but still poignant way.

Gracias a la Vida
Mercedes Sosa
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

It gave me two stars that when I open them
Me dio dos luceros que cuando los abro

Perfect I distinguish black from white
Perfecto distingo lo negro del blanco

And in the high sky its starry background
Y en el alto cielo su fondo estrellado

And in the crowds the man I love
Y en las multitudes el hombre que yo amo
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

It has heard me that in all its width
Me ha dado el oído que en todo su ancho

Every night and days
Cada noche y días

Crickets and canaries, hammers, turbines
Grillos y canarios, martillos, turbinas

Barking, showers
Ladridos, chubascos

And the tender voice of my beloved
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

It gave me the sound and the alphabet
Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario

With the words that I think and declare
Con el las palabras que pienso y declaro

Mother, friend, brother and light shining
Madre, amigo, hermano y luz alumbrando

The soul route of the one I’m loving
La ruta del alma del que estoy amando
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

Has given me the run of my tired feet
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados

With them I walked cities and puddles
Con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos

Beaches and deserts, mountains and plains
Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos

And your house, your street and your patio
Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

Gave me the heart that shakes your frame
Me dio el corazón que agita su marco

When I look at the fruit of the human brain
Cuando miro el fruto del cerebro humano

When I look at the good so far from the bad
Cuando miro el bueno tan lejos del malo

When I look at the bottom of your clear eyes
Cuando miro el fondo de tus ojos claros
Thanks to life, which has given me so much
Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

It has given me laughter and it has given me tears
Me ha dado la risa y me ha dado el llanto

So I distinguish happiness from brokenness
Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto

The two materials that make up my song
Los dos materiales que forman mi canto

And your song that is the same song
Y el canto de ustedes que es el mismo canto

And everyone’s song that is my own song
Y el canto de todos que es mi propio canto

Thanks to life
Gracias a la vida

For some on the left the fight against right wing authoritarian rule, centered in the White House and Republican Party, ranks for the time being a notch or two below the struggle against neoliberalism, represented by the Democratic Party “Establishment” — read moderate and liberal Democrats — and its candidates. Only after the Democrats chose their nominee will the struggle against Trump and the extreme right show up on their radar screen.

In this strategic rendering, the immediate terrain of struggle is the Democratic Party presidential primary and the overarching task is to support the democratic socialist Bernie Sanders for the nomination, while scorching neoliberal Joe Biden and his corporate controlled party. Only when Democrats choose their presidential candidate at their convention in July and move on to the general election will attention of this grouping on the left turn to the task of defeating Trump and his right wing enablers in the Republican Party. This may sound radical and cutting edge, even like common sense, but it’s none of these.

A strategic approach to defeating Trump and the political bloc gathered around him doesn’t preclude struggle within the Democratic Party. But its main emphasis at EVERY phase of the election process is on unity and cooperation among the diverse groups opposing Trump and the Republican candidates. Any failure in this regard only makes the overriding challenge of defeating Trump more difficult.