John,

I held a town hall meeting in Amarillo on Saturday. In a county that voted 80% for Donald Trump, more than 700 people showed up — Democrats, Republicans (in Trump hats too) and Independents. It speaks to the urgency of the moment and the fact that people are looking past party identification for something better for this country.

We talked about big cuts to the VA, to Medicaid and Social Security. School teachers talked about dwindling resources amidst growing need and how it’s going to get even tougher with Greg Abbott’s vouchers draining even more money from local schools.

We listened to each other’s stories, and committed to look out for one another. A young mother told us about how cuts to the program that supports kids with disabilities is going to hurt her 12-year-old daughter who goes to a school in Canyon, Texas. I asked her when the next school board meeting is at Canyon ISD — she told us next Monday at 7pm. I then asked those in attendance — how many of you are willing to join her at that meeting to have her back and ask the trustees to support the programs that help her daughter? Hands shot up around the room.

I’m going to stay on the road — holding town halls no matter how Red or Blue the county. We can’t afford to write anyone off or take anyone for granted. This country is in crisis, and the only way forward is to show up — and get to work.

If you can, please donate $3 to make sure we have the resources to do this work. I don’t take a salary from Powered by People but everything else, like putting gas in the tank, renting event spaces, etc. costs money. Please chip in today if you can afford to.

Keep the faith and keep up the fight,

Beto