February 8, 2028
Dear 2020 Self,
Greetings from February 8, 2028 as President Stacey Abrams is running for election to her first full term of office. I thought it might be useful to know what it is like now. Obviously the 2020 primary is long behind us. It was a tough one, but Democrats managed to understand and rally behind Bernie, knowing he was the best candidate to beat the incumbent. Turnout in the general election for the Sanders Abrams ticket was amazing and to everyone’s surprise it was not even close. Bernie won states that Democrats had long since written off, like West Virginia. It was a trouncing.
Not only that but the coattails for Sanders Abram were long. Mitch McConnell was defeated in Kentucky as were some of the other Senators who had voted for acquittal. Still I recall those two years (20-22) with many in the Democratic majority clinging to their contributors rather than their constituents was challenging. While we easily passed a $15 increase in the minimum wage, decriminalized immigration, codified Roe v. Wade, banned assault weapons and made a number of other reforms, Medicare for All, debt relief, bold climate action and public financing of elections stalled for lack of support amongst Democrats.
In 2022, for the first time in memory, the sitting president gained rather than lost seats in the midterm election. Democrats who didn’t support our agenda lost primaries and others soon fell in line. In 2023 we passed Medicare for All and the rest of our agenda over strong opposition from many major industries.
Despite opposition from corporate interests within the Democratic party, President Bernie won the primary and re-election in 2024 by wide margins. In 2025 Bernie felt the country and his health would be better served by handing the reigns over to his Vice President Stacey Abrams. Since then she and her vibrant administration have worked hard implementing all the reforms that were passed.
Although the full impact from these broad reforms will take years to be fully realized, the feeling in the country is upbeat and hopeful. For the first time in decades, most Americans see a brighter future for their children then they initially had for themselves. Increased money people’s pockets through the minimum wage, health care coverage, debt relief, green new deal and other reforms took a bite out of Wall Street but put billions on Main Street. Every dollar that went back into working families’ wallets immediately got spent and ended up boosting the economy dramatically. Green and small businesses have really flourished. With higher wages and decreased debt and expenses, many parents have been able to spend more time with their children and their communities.
Even more importantly, the country has healed during these eight years. What started out fractious and angry, has settled into a diverse America where most people have hope for the future and trust in their institutions. Bernie was an immensely popular president and Stacey Abrams is already herself beloved. Now President Abrams is expected to be elected to her first full term of office.
I remember how scared you were in 2020 and what it felt like was at stake. I want you to know that you are safe, we are on the right track and that all is well.
Love,
Your future self