We don’t have many rules against swearing, just name calling. Hence, I was thrilled to teach my 9 year old the word “enshittification” this morning in regards to a newly non working device. They were delighted.

😭

Please for the love, I just want to stop getting political texts.

I went to his rally yesterday and was impressed- you can read my live thread on my profile if you’d like to hear every point covered. His policy ideas are solidly progressive, pro single payer healthcare, filling in where the federal government is cutting people off, etc. Not perfect, but solid.

It was only hard because I wanted to ask follow ups 😂

Final thoughts: he is a thoughtful guy, who sounds genuine about caring for issues. He’s tying so much to affordability right now, and I think that’s accurate. He’s very anti-Trump and still thinks like a lawyer, but he didn’t connect every premise to that, thankfully. I still think he’s my guy.

He speaks to the contributing causes and isn’t blaming substance abuse, so that’s good at least. I am grateful to hear this viewpoint, since there’s so much incorrect oversimplification about this usually.

Making sure if more money is needed they get it. He also knows the state doesn’t have direct jurisdiction, but promises as governor he’ll prevent an increase in homelessness. He says it costs more money to pull people off the streets than to prevent homelessness, he wants earlier intervention.

Last question is about homelessness. He talks about all of the money being spent with no visible results. He says we are our brother and sister’s keeper. Now he’s talking about the streets being uncomfy for the haves. Don’t love that. But he thinks more accountability for existing programs and

He also talks about childcare costing as much as college, and he wants to expand state childcare and preschool programs. The next governor must realize all programs are to support the next generation.

How to inspire young voters: he wants to know what he and his generation will leave the people coming up. He goes back to his working class parents buying a house here, raising a family, and retiring here. His answer is to talk about affordability for housing and healthcare.

Now AI- workers have a right to have a seat at the table when we’re talking about it. He’s not as anti as I’d like, but he does seem to understand the pain points, especially with energy, water, and the workforce. He clarifies that AI must supplement or support workers, not replace.

But he does bring up how much free covid care was provided. I’ll give him that. We got free masks and tests and vaccines. Not for long enough, but we did get them.

Another question about healthcare leads him to talk about getting bureaucrats out of healthcare to make it less expensive. He also says when he came in 3 9/11s worth of people were dying of covid per day. This is reminding me that I didn’t love how Biden (Becerra) handled COVID…

To be hard. He says we just have to make sure you know that you have family with you that will have your back all the way to the Supreme Court to try to reunite you.

Next Q in Spanish: what would you tell the family member of someone who’s been deported? (Loud sad sound from crowd). He’s answering in Spanish and everyone is fired up. In English he tells us DT is not omnipotent. He wants to use every leverage we have to protect these families, and it’s going

Now education: class sizes need to come down, teachers need better pay (loudest cheer so far), and college tuition needs to come way down.

His healthcare stance is deep, nuanced, and obviously goes way back. He’s quoted his mom and Frederick Douglass. He cares a lot about healthcare for a million reasons and wants everyone to have access.

Next Q is about healthcare, and he comes out of the gate calling it a right. He says we need a program like Medicare for all. He also says people whose healthcare was cut by Trump’s budget should be able to keep it. He also points out it’s fiscally responsible to do so, not just moral.

He wants to expand down payment programs as well, so more renters can afford a mortgage. He says if you’re already paying that much a month for rent, you could be owning if you had that help. Might be a little oversimplified, but couldn’t hurt.

Next question is about unions, and he emphasizes his own union history. He turns it back to the affordability crisis, and the necessity of a living wage. He’s obviously very pro union, but he also says if you’re a carpenter working to build a house, you should be making enough to be able to buy it.

He gave a very brief prepared speech, but now we’re right into questions. First question, en Español, was about ICE. His solution would be to sue, investigate, arrest, and prosecute. He said something in Spanish people laughed at which I think was along the lies of GTFO.

The man himself has taken the stage, and boy, he loves a dad joke.

@ynb.bsky.social introduced his wife, Dr. Carolina Reyes, and holy crap she’s a bad ass. I think the most important thing I’ve heard so far is what a supportive husband he is. That may be silly, but she’s done a lot and feels like he was always there to support and push her forward.

First takeaway: I think this is actually my first candidate rally, much as I’ve always been an engaged voter. It’s weird. They keep trying to get us hyped with random volunteers yelling and cheering, and the audience responding while I look around wondering what’s happening.

Liking him best doesn’t mean I think he’s perfect or without viewpoints I disagree with. He’s the person in the field of candidates I most want to call or write with my complaints. I’m going to try to post to this thread with my key takeaways.

A Becerra for Governor sign with a turquoise California with a golden sunrise on a navy blue background.

A selfie of a white woman with purple hair, pink glasses, and a pink mask standing in front of a navy blue Becerra for Governor banner. She wears a Becerra for Governor button.

Ok, I’m at a @xavierbecerra.bsky.social rally. I couldn’t bring myself to watch endless debate vids and I don’t want to judge just by social media. I’m looking forward to hearing him speak and answer audience questions, but also I’m pretty sure he is the candidate I like best.

This whole comment section makes me regret not suing my neighbors 9 years ago.

For some reason we let the kids (9 & 11) watch the pilot of What We Do in the Shadows tonight. We’re going to parent jail for sure.

Thanks, that really cleared it up for me