Here we go again (What in the world?)

On October 18th, 2024 I posted to my Facebook page. I knew for months leading up to the election that I was going to post and I was only going to do it once.

To my non voting friends...

This is not the time to opt out because you don't like either candidate. It's just not. That's partially how we got here. We all have a shared responsibility in this.

To my republican friends...

Nearly half of trumps cabinet have refused to endorse him. Republican congressman, house members, senators and even Dick freakin Cheney have all said we cannot re elect him.

Generals, defense secretaries, national security advisers are warning us to not vote for him. I feel like I should be able to stop there. He's running on immigration but KILLED a bipartisan bill to fix the actual problem he's running on so let's just not even talk policy. I come from a long line of Republicans. They are no longer republicans. That is what trump is doing to your party.

This is not an election about policy. This is an election about who we are as Americans and more so as human beings. We can vote on policy next time and I'm looking forward to it. That is not today. Trump is an ego driven man being played in a very dangerous game. Don't you be played too.

November 6th. The day after the election -

Hate, Greed, and Ego might have won the White House, but let's be clear: it did not truly win. It will never win.

Today, Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. I am afraid for my country. I hope to God we have enough checks and balances in place to get us through this. I see power hungry people manipulating their way to serious levels of power in our country and its terrifying.

President Biden warned our country in his farewell address to the nation about an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy. I think in time the history books will point to those words as a stark warning that we should have listened to. I know though that will depend on who is writing the history books.

I'm sad that as much as I love the pomp and circumstance, as much as I love the beauty of a peaceful transition of power in our country, as much as I love the poems, the songs, the history, and yes, the fashion. I'm sad that I will miss it all this time because I simply can't bear to watch. Instead on this inauguration day, I'm processing my thoughts. Here's what I know to be true-

Its ok to be angry, sad, defeated. These are beyond legitimate feels. I had hoped we were ready to move in a new direction, but I guess not yet.

So now what, how do we choose to respond:

• We don't forget the incredible beauty of this world amongst the chaos.

• We intentionally think joyful thoughts. Life is still full of them.

• We remember, all of the good in this world still exists. The kind people, the helpers, those that spend their days fighting for and doing good work for mankind. All still there. All still good.

• We stop watching anything that shows us bad over good. It misinforms us and focuses our world view on the negative because it sells. Stop buying it. There are alternatives.

• We be the loving calm rational voice that just doesn't go away.

• We stay curious because anger does nothing, fear does nothing. Work to understand how we got here. Understand what motivated good people to vote for this. Those people we respected before didn't just turn bad. Ask good/hard questions.

• Figure out what action you can do. There is work to be done.

• Buckle up! The road ahead is going to be bumpy at best!

If you do nothing else political in your life - VOTE!

Picture below are Granny Liz and Grandpa John voting for potentially the first African American Female President in the 2024 election. She did not win. She would have been amazing. Someday though. Some day. This was a big step forward even though the election resulted in a HUGE step backwards.