2025-01-22
we have an antidote
By Katie McCusker, Greens Candidate for Sturt
“We love the Oval Office, everything starts at the Oval Office. The wars start and end there. Everything starts and ends in the Oval Office, we love it.” - US President Donald Trump
These words from Donald Trump, immediately following his inauguration last week, were perhaps not the most frightening things he said that day.
But they somehow signify the absolute terror of this moment in history, not just for Americans but for everyone on the planet. The US Republican Party’s lurch towards uber-nationalism and trashing the climate have massive implications for us all.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico, buying Greenland and taking ‘back’ the Panama Canal might appear to be flag-waving rhetoric, but Trump’s ‘Drill Baby Drill’ sloganeering and immediate withdrawal from the Paris Agreement signal a new obstacle to solving the climate crisis.
The conga line of billionaires, led by Elon Musk (who wants to colonise Mars with a US flag), will be waltzing into the White House to serve their own interests while the people of California are being burnt not just by the wildfires but by the insurance industry and their failing healthcare system as well.
It can seem overwhelming, exhausting and hopeless. But I don’t want to compound the fear that the resurgence of the global far-right has instilled in people. The best antidote to this is action.
The Greens have a vision of hope with comprehensive, responsible solutions for Australia and the future of our world. We can be the progressive example of how to do better, everywhere. We can bring hope to people.
We do this by getting out there and sharing our vision and our ability to make real change through politics. We are a people-powered movement.
In 2025, I feel a fresh vitality and excitement on the ground in South Australia. People are coming together and getting out into the community in so many ways: markets, doorknocks, leafletting, community events and more. We’ve had more volunteers out in the community than ever before.
For me, my faith in humanity is restored every time I go doorknocking. People are generous, kind, compassionate and thoughtful. They want a better future for everyone and for the next generation too.
Like everywhere, people in the electorate of Sturt are concerned about matters close to home like the cost of living, housing, and access to good affordable healthcare. They’re concerned about the quality of education for their children and community safety for their neighbourhoods.
People are aware of the growing threat of bushfires and floods and the rising number of threatened species and habitats - and there is an increasing appetite for action.
They are ready for change and there is a lot of love for the Greens out there! It gives me so much hope and restores me to keep going.
If you are flagging under the news of what is going on in the world today, I have a cure for you. Join us and our team of fantastic, fun and hopeful volunteers for a doorknock.