u/Conscious-Badger-492

As I was doing my research on the DE primary, I couldn't find good enough info on some of the candidates. I'd personally like to see someone to the left of Coons get into to office. While checking out Mary Louve, I didn't see the kind of detailed info I was looking for on her site. So I emailed to request a Zoom coffee chat to learn more about her candidacy (what she's trying to accomplish, why she's running, etc). She answered my email herself and set up a Zoom chat for 8/13. I was the only person that showed up, so I spent about an hour chatting with her about her background, why she's running, her policy positions, etc. I just thought I'd share my experience in case anyone else is looking for info on Louve as they consider who to vote for in the primary.

My impression of Mary was that she was very honest, authentic, and willing to share candidly about who she is and what she believes. I learned that she is left of Coons, veering into DSA territory but that she also has a view or two that would not fall into DSA territory. She seemed really practical with experience in project management, writing/reading bills, working as a government contractor, etc. Her website says she's running for "family," which I was concerned was a bit of a maga dog whistle. But after speaking with her, it seems like face value: she has a family, she's experienced giving birth with and without paid leave and what that difference did to her family, and she's concerned about the affordability crisis and how that impacts families.

We talked about healthcare, affordability, the Epstein files, good trouble, seniors, and women. From comments on another post here, I think her website is confusing people a bit. It's not super detailed and it may lack the politician's polish. But after chatting with her, I'm cool with that. She seems like a person that has experience relevant to legislating and governing that got really pissed off about affordability, etc and decided to run. For me, that's a good sign.

I'm glad I emailed. From first glance at her site, I would have written her off.

She's having another Zoom coffee chat on Monday at 6. If you're voting in the democratic primary, I encourage you to go and chat with her.

EDIT: Here's her next Zoom coffee chat on Monday for anyone interested in talking to her.

https://preview.redd.it/hbk1ctmoycjh1.png?width=1545&format=png&auto=webp&s=c9ad1b56659f1f868f2be8bbfabdb78c4def86be

I got a strange email from my bank. It says that an authorization for direct debit was created. (Atorização de débito direto foi criada) for some entity named Easypay- Instituição dePagamento LDA. Oddly, I received the email today 4 July, but it says the authorization was created on 7 July--a date in the future. I haven't authorized anything or taking any actions recently that might cause this to happen. And referring to a future date in the past tense is odd. Has anyone else seen a message like this from a Portuguese bank? Is this a scam?

Is anyone else thinking of just giving up?

Everything an immigrant is supposed to do--I did. Integrate, they say. Learn the language, adopt the customs, celebrate the holidays. Become Portuguese, they say. Pay taxes, but never use public services. Maintain private health insurance, never stress the system or take anything away from the Portuguese. Maintain accommodations, but somehow also don't contribute to the housing crises. Only apply for nationality if you feel you are Portuguese in your heart (and neveeerrr for a single other reason).

I walked this tight rope for five years. My Portuguese friends call me Portuguesa; I speak my native langauge with Portuguese intonation.

This nationality law isn't an inconvenience. I took risks to be here, to become this. It's destroyed all that I've built, everything that I've dreamed.

No one seems to care. Even people I thought I knew hear what's happened, and spew anti-immigrant bullshit straight outta Chega. I've been yelled at on the streets, in cafes. One man identifying himself a judge drunkenly screamed, "Este parque é para pessoas, não para imigrantes."

They tell us to integrate. To become Portuguese. Then spew this hateful shit, and forget that it hurts.

I don't meet the D7 requirements anymore. I expected to apply for nationality, and took the risk to start a nonprofit because I dreamed of helping people. So I earn a normal Portuguese salary. But I expect my renewal to fail. People tell me to fight. To sue.

I don't really have law suit money. But even if I did. What am I fighting for, exactly?

SO my question is: Is anyone just giving up? Cutting your loss and GTFO?

Is it worth fighting to be someplace you're this unwanted?