November 2025

I grew up a farm kid in North Central Illinois in the 1950s, the proud son of an Illinois farmer, an owner of a small business as a farmer, who believed that Republicans had the answer. My Dad voted Republican and bemoaned the fact that he voted for John F. Kennedy, a Democrat! At the time, I didn’t feel he had given Kennedy a chance! I guess by default, I voted Republican for Richard Nixon in 1968. Then, kids tended to vote with their parents’ political view. Maybe they still do today. But I liked Nixon opening up our relations with China and taking us off the Gold Standard. There used to be some good Republicans as there were Democrats.

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I can remember the televised announcement on March 31, 1968, when then incumbent U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat) made a surprise announcement during televised address to the nation that he would not seek re-election for another term. I cheered, as I had witnessed McNamara telling so many lies on 60 minutes about the Vietnam war being won, when it was not! I was almost drafted, ending my teaching deferment, not by “bunions as was our President” but for a more potentially serious diagnosis. I am thankful each day that I was not sent to Vietnam and am thankful for those heroes who served and for those who returned.

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I am a World War II baby and invite younger members to educate themselves on World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the “hell America paid for those wars.” Actually France, of which it was a Colony, tried to keep Vietnam, then the U.S. involvement was started by Dwight D. Eisenhower, then Kennedy sent in Advisors, and Johnson tried to win it, and Nixon with Kissinger eventually had to end it in defeat. A fascinating history and I invite our younger members to really try to understand it. “Good Luck.” Suzi and I have visited Vietnam, and it is a wonderful and beautiful country. All they wanted was self-determination. Isn’t that what we all want?

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OK, fast forward to today. Where do I start?

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Somehow a disgraced President four years earlier again won the White House. How could that happen? Let’s face it, it did! There are many reasons that are foretold, but the question is, what can we do?

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I ask the question. Are you better off today than you were on November 5, 2024? Republicans have to accept their record on increased costs to everyday American’s, job losses in the most critical federal government agencies that protect everyday Americans. Using U.S. Military in American Cities, really? How does this make sense? IT DOESN’T!

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In Arizona, we are fortunate to have major elected officials who fight against the current administration’s efforts to introduce Fascism into American society. Who are they? Katie Hobbs, Governor, Adrian Fontes, Secretary of State, Kris Mayes, Attorney General, Nick Morales, AZ State Treasurer, in my opinion, Dr. Theresa Leyba Ruiz as State Superintendent of Schools and Brian Matlock as AZ State Mine Inspector. Jonathan Hill and Clara Pratte.

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At the Arizona legislature level, Eric Stafford and Christina Scianna for Senate and House of Representatives respectively need our support both signatures on their nominating petitions and $5 donations to Clean Elections. The choice is yours. Vote for who you think is best fitted for each position. But vote, as if your life depends upon it. It really does! And donate as if your life depends upon it! It does! Sign nominating petitions for all of them on E-QUAL, the Secretary of State’s website. https://apps.azsos.gov/equal/.

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Donate to Grand Dems Victory Fund and we’ll distribute the funds to where we think they are most needed. We’ve been doing this for years, so please trust your Grand Dems Board. But hey, feel free to donate to candidates of your choice. Just do it. Money matters in political campaigns. And we must win! Did you know that Mark Kelly spent over $100 million on his Senate campaign? A Congressional Campaign will easily exceed $1 million.

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I thank Grand Dems members and friends for supporting our efforts during the past two years. It has been my joy to serve as your President following the successful year of Susan Walling, my spouse and true leader in 2023.

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As I write this letter, America is truly at a turning point, as it has not been before. Yes, we’ve had fascists like Charles Lindberg and Henry Ford, very prominent business titans influencing American culture in the 1930’s, but never in my recollection a President leading a “cult” of authoritarianism.

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I will likely not live in the America of the late 2030’s and beyond, but my wife and children and granddaughters will. What America am I leaving for them?

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That drives me to action, and I hope it does you as well. For if we, at our most powerful place in life, e.g. time, energy and money, can’t leave a better world for them to inherit, what is our purpose in the Grand? Our own self enjoyment and satisfaction?

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So, my fellow Americans, recognize that we still have an important investment in America to make. To approve funding for our public schools, to provide a social safety net for the unfortunate in our society, through supporting food banks and nonprofits who provide assistance and voting for tax increases to provide resources to our veterans, emergency workers and those serving our communities. 

Under the current Republican administration, America’s shining star is dimming, but we can once again restore America to its leadership role in providing the example of altruism not only to help American’s but the World.

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Let it be so.

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Bob Walling, President