Here’s the thing, I really should not be writing a post in my current state of mind. I am barely functioning after just 3 1/2 hours of sleep, after crying a bucket of tears, and with no nutritional value in my system for the past 22 hours, I am, as I said, barely functioning.
It’s a rare thing for me to discuss politics in my writing because well, I just don’t. It doesn’t serve the purpose of our journey with you, our readers. But there are exceptions to every rule and I find myself needing an exception.
Like so many, here on the morning after the presidential election, my first thought is to flee; to escape from the knowledge that millions of my fellow countrymen/women chose to elect a person, to the oval office, who ran his campaign on a platform of hate, bigotry and fear. To escape from the knowledge that for the second time in my adult life, I’ve witnessed an election that resulted in the popular vote being dismissed by the number of electoral votes. Our system is inherently flawed.
I would love to see a viable 3rd or 4th political party in the United States because this two-party system doesn’t work. We have too many people in this country with too many colors and opinions to just have two choices. Society cannot function with just yes or no. We need a maybe or a not so much alternative. And, while I freely admit I am not always able to comprehend the other sides’ point of view, I do respect the right to said view, and, it is the essence of democracy and the freedom of choice. Even when we don’t agree. But, I fear (there’s that word again) that we have crossed an invisible line in the sand when millions of people find ways in which to excuse the inexcusable indecencies against humankind in order to ensure their view prevails. That, I cannot accept – nor respect.
Yes. The results of this election will directly impact our personal lives, not only in moral philosophy, but also in the economics of day-to-day living in retirement. I believe we could willingly adjust and redefine our path if the person newly elected to the oval office was not giving a rising voice to bigotry, which will not only directly impact our extended family, but also the families of millions of Americans who now – more than ever – will live in fear of being different.
To flee is an irrational gut instinct, but of course not the right choice. If I flee, then the platform of fear wins and I cannot let fear dictate my life. Okay, well, my wicked fear of heights keeps me grounded, but this is an entirely different category of fear.
The world in which we live is changing. England’s Brexit was first up, we’ve just had an enormous shift in life as we know it here in the United States, and if you listen to the moderators of world news coverage, there are more potential changes in the wind with the upcoming French and German elections. But, life will continue on for all of us. For many of us, it will never again feel quite the same but we can learn from it, fight against it, or flee. But what we cannot do is let fear keep us from embracing the world around us, or reaching out to others, or remembering that people are inherently good. And, we cannot let fear keep us from traveling the world to find the good in mankind.
So while today I feel as if I’ve been hit by a MAC truck, I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll feel just a little bit better and ready to take on the fight against the platform of hate and bigotry, and to hold on to hope.
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That Mac truck sure got around. I spent Wednesday in total shock and confusion.
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Yes, that damn MAC truck knocked a lot of us over, Gaelyn.
Beautiful Patti. I think I was hit by that same Mac truck. But a small ray of light has been seeing our travel community come together with loving support. I guess that quote by Mark Twain is right “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”. Here’s to hope!
Thank you, Jennifer. It’s a post I wish I didn’t have to write, but yes, hope is worth holding on to.
This entire election cycle has had me unfocused and sick. I cried when the outcome was definite. I keep checking the news hoping this has been a joke, no luck. I really just don’t get it. I can’t imagine 4 years with those two in the highest levels of power with the possibility of 4 more after that. It is unthinkable. We will have a mess to clean up, that is a given. But, we have started over before and we can do so again, individually and collectively. Don’t let the bastards grind you down!
You are not alone in your sorrow and concerns, Vicky. It’s a very scary time for so many people and I completely agree that as a society we will have a lot of clean up to take on.
Patti I have been thinking of you and feel your pain. I am still stunned by this results and just can’t get my head around it. In the news here tonight they were showing demonstrations against him throughout the US, so I think that the American people will keep him in check and not let him get away with any of his crazy ideas. Staying and fighting is the only way.
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Thanks, Gilda. With the results of the election, he has the presidency, the senate, the house and very soon the supreme court. It’s going to be a trying time and many of us fear the loss of the progress we’ve made and having a government with no check and balances. I’m sure, there are common threads to the UK’s Brexit.
I still feel sick but I also feel so f-ing motivated. I will not let my child grow up in a cultural of fear and hate.
Sick is an understatement, isn’t it?
You’ve expressed my feelings well. It is unthinkable, scary, shocking, depressing. And I, too, fear for my extended family – my two mixed granddaughters in particular. My “Hillary” yard sign was probably one of 3 or 4 in our town, so outnumbered by the others. Now I walk to the bus stop with my granddaughter looking around at the other children she waits for the bus with, and attends school with, and wonder who might hurt her feelings, or worse yet, hurt her physically because of the beliefs of their parents. It is just too, too sad for me to contemplate. We all just need to keep on being the people that we are in order to turn the tide… <3
I’m glad I was able to capture your thoughts, Cindy. I’m sorry you have to fear for the welfare of your granddaughters. It’s very unsettling right now and so many of us find ourselves thrust into a new reality. And yes, just keep taking one day at a time.
Beautifully said, Patti. Here in Portugal, I started my day yesterday in tears and disbelief. I spent my entire day, November 9th, in mourning with a sick feeling in my stomach. This morning, the sun came up and promises a beautiful day and, a few hours before the east coast starts to awaken, I’m a bit stronger and able to watch the speeches given by Secretary Clinton and President Obama. In fact, I told my husband that we both will have at least a couple more hours each day where we’re not glued to our computers or TV mired in the toxic soup of politics. I’m dismayed by what so many visualize for our country’s future but realize that one of our best characteristics as a nation is optimism and hope. Fingers crossed …
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Thank you, Anita. I’d like to be in Portugal right now, I have a great desire to just be somewhere else until I can come to grips with it all, but then again, pretty sure that’s not going to happen. And, yes, there is always hope.
I have felt ill all day. Lost my appetite (extraordinary). I fell asleep in the couch yesterday at 10:30 pm after working as a poll watcher for HRC in Philly all day. When I woke up at 2 a.m., I took a quick look at my social media and realized that the unthinkable had happened. I am somewhat comforted by the fact that it looks like HRC won the popular vote. If I could get over my depression about the result, I would probably be thinking that the GOP is about to be very sorry for getting what they wished for. I am sure he will escape (or fire) his handlers soon and revert to his true form.
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Understand the loss of appetite. I think it’s going to be a very long time before we can shake off the depression. Remember the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for?” I think it’s going to bite the Republican party in the collective butt – at least one can hope. Hope for reason and sanity to prevail and hope the carnage will be minimal.
I really feel for you Patti and I too am shocked and dismayed by this outcome and the general trend in the world towards right-wing isolationism and fear mongering. After Brexit I thought that there was no way the USA would make a similar mistake, but I was wrong. The good thing is that there’s a time limit on Trump’s presidency (in comparison to Brexit, which is possibly forever I suppose) but that’s no consolation in the short term, I’m sure. I was watching Before the Flood last night and it was all the more depressing knowing Trump’s view on climate change. I really hope he cannot f**k too many things up while he’s in office. I love your message of taking on the fight and holding on to hope. Take care x
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It does seem to be a trend, doesn’t it Amy? And, from what I read, there is more to possibly come with the French and German elections, I hope they hold strong. It’s a real slap in the face to the greater good for not only the US and the UK, but for the world as well.
It’s hard to move forward, but we have to find a way.
And, we have to hold on to hope.