Political commentators and establishment insiders have spent the last century trying to make working-class voters afraid of progressive politicians, with increasingly desperate tactics. Most recently, Stephen Richer typed up a few words to warn Arizonans about a supposedly scary, ominous new trend in local politics: Democratic Socialists are starting to win some elections.

If you were to read some of the breathless warnings about us, you might think we are plotting something truly terrifying for the state of Arizona. So, what exactly is this radical, frightening agenda we are bringing to the Tucson City Council, the Tempe City Council, and the Arizona State Legislatåure?

Brace yourselves: We want all Arizonans to have healthcare; we want to protect Medicaid and ensure people have enough to eat; we want to provide water security and protect our natural resources; we want all people to live in dignity; and we think shelter and housing are a human right.

Usually the first question someone wants to ask is who will pay for all of this, and it’s a good question. The truth is that we are already paying for all of these things (often sending tax dollars to foreign countries with universal healthcare and tuition-free universities); we’re already paying way too much for them, and in many cases it’s our own natural resources or tax dollars that are being exploited to generate the massive wealth of a few individuals. We simply want to take the massive spending we’re already doing and actually make it work for regular people.

We know, chilling, isn’t it? But joking aside, while our political opponents use scare tactics to stoke fear of socialism, we find most Americans want a government that keeps its end of the social contract and responds to the public’s needs. Many people agree that in the richest country on Earth, no one should have to sleep on the street, mothers shouldn’t have to walk over unhoused people on the sidewalks and in parks, healthcare expenses shouldn’t wipe out lifetime savings and pensions, and working families shouldn’t have to spend more than half their income just to keep a roof over their heads.

Why do we feel this way? Because we are your neighbors. We live in these communities, and we spend our time knocking on doors and talking to regular folks. Every day, we hear how incredibly hard it is to get politicians and our current political infrastructure to tackle basic problems. Across the political spectrum, Arizonans agree on a lot more issues than the news would have us believe.

Our platform is resonating with voters, and we’re winning elections, because we’re laser-focused on the material needs of all Arizonans. People want safe streets and fully funded communities. They want relief from the skyrocketing costs of groceries, healthcare, and basic necessities. People want real transparency from their government and elected officials, especially since our governments are spending so much energy surveilling every aspect of our private lives. But time and again, Arizonans have to watch as our government caters to wealthy special interests who relentlessly lobby to keep special carve-outs for the wealthy and disproportionate powers that hold working families back.

Look at the massive data centers popping up all over our state. These facilities are being rubber-stamped with virtually no public input, draining our fragile water supplies and straining our electrical grid just to support corporate tech giants in places where they aren’t even wanted. 

If prioritizing people over profits, demanding corporate accountability, and fighting for affordable healthcare and housing makes us ominous, then we are happy to wear the label. But the truth is, wanting a decent life for everyone isn’t extreme.

Arizona’s government should work for Arizona’s people. It should relentlessly focus on solving Arizona’s problems at every level of government, from city councils and county boards to the state legislature and our federal representatives.

Our ideas scare many in power because, unlike them, we are here to do the work, challenge entrenched power, and build an Arizona where every working family has what they need to thrive.

Miranda Schubert is a Tucson city councilwoman. Bobby Nichols is a Tempe city councilman. Miranda Lopez is a Democratic candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 21.