As the sun sets on this day, I find myself reflecting. I have never considered myself a very political person. This year, however, I penned thirty postcards urging people to vote and reminding of the important dates to register, for early voting, and Election Day. I also worked the polls on November 3rd.
Over the last few years, it has been more and more apparent that we have two Americas. It's been very upsetting to come to this realization. Have I had blinders on all these years?
We seem to have one America that feeds the rich and corporate greed. That cares little about science, research, data, climate change, environmental impact and consequences. This America calls names at the other side pitting "blue" states against "red" ones and belittles, degrades, and divides us. This side doesn't seem to care much about correcting the disparity of wealth and well-being in our nation. This side doesn't seem to care much about humanity - about its fellow men/women. This side votes Republican. The Republican party is not what it used to be - certainly not since 2016. It has very plainly become more of a fascist demagogue party supporting advancements to themselves and the big corporations that pay them. I have watched over and over again as they have very plainly put party over principle while ignoring the best interest of the people of this country.
The other side seems to see more of a united nation - not signaling out the different parties or states. They seem to be more concerned about the plight of humanity and the disparity of wealth and health and actually doing something about the issues.
The past four years has had me doing a lot of soul searching into what I believe about this nation and myself. A lot of end opinions have been formed by what I've seen that I do not like and cannot tolerate. The name-calling, bullying, constant lying, and absolute despicable behavior from the head of our country has sickened me. I wouldn't tolerate it in my children nor in my friends so why would this be acceptable in a man who is supposed to represent our nation? The ignorance of science and fact and people who are in positions that they are totally unqualified for has been reprehensible. The blind-eyes and party-over-principle mentality have been mind-blowing to watch and impossible to explain.
I hope today signals brighter times ahead. I feel that our new president will bring back the UNITED states and there will be no more "red" vs. "blue" in the way he leads. I firmly believe that when we take care of the lesser of us, we are ALL better off. I believe this administration will be full of qualified, intelligent, knowledgeable people who will address climate change, health care, environmental issues, our economy, our infrastructure, and, finally, COVID-19.
It's difficult to even wrap my head around the COVID numbers - today with a total of 9,893,570 confirmed cases and 237,034 deaths in the United States. My worry is that in the next months, the out-going president and administration will only concern themselves with trying to finagle a way to stay in office (even though we clearly have a new winner) and will ignore the current crisis we are in. Actually, they're ignoring the pandemic now and have failed miserably in their handling of this national health crisis. Friends have lost loved ones. I haven't, but will I? Will I contract the virus myself?
2020 has been nothing if not sobering. Yes, we have a new president but what about all the people who adored / still adore the out-going one?
Not one of us is perfect and these are my opinions - my reflections. We are flawed but must be willing to see and admit it. If we don't, we can't work on it. And work on it, we must.
I hope 2021 will be a year of healing for our nation. We so desperately need it.
I’ve been listening to Heather Cox Richardson’s history talks which are an extension of a book by Haynes Johnson, the presidential historian, called Sleepwalking Through History. In fact, I’ve read it a couple of times. This movement was a long time in the setup and making, beginning with Ronald Reagan. Education has been dumbed down and with a dedicated “news” media outlet, people are easier to control. The secretary of education has no experience as an educator. It was a long road to get to where we are, and the dedication of Trumpies verges on religious adulation. I don’t know that there is a way out of this since every vote counts, including the far right. It’s created division in my family
Posted by: Sharon Campbell | November 16, 2020 at 01:55 PM