 We are not the same, and yeah, maybe you didn't know better, but you know now.
I voted for Head Start, Housing for the Homeless, Mental Health Services and Training, School Aides for kids that are struggling or learn differently, Science, including cancer research, Health Care, Veterans Services (from long-term care to mental health, to vision and housing and transition to civilian life and more), Medicare and Medicaid, School Lunches and Breakfasts and Summer Feeding Programs, Food Pantries, and Libraries, for Freedom of Religion that includes Freedom from Religion and a clear separation of Church and State, and for Veterans of every color to be acknowledged for their service, DEI which includes things like ramps for access, and brail, and street lights that make noise. I voted for the Forest Service to have the funds for preventive care, progressive care, and wildland fire emergency service, and for the EPA to have funding and standards that hold big polluters accountable, and for FEMA to take care of communities after devastation from wind, fire, and or flooding. For Social Security, the people have paid into it to be protected. For our place as a Nation to have allies and to be the leader of the free world. For women to have rights to not only their bodies but also their death, and their lives. I voted understanding that we have three coequal parts of Government the P, and Congress, and the Judicial, and the separation of powers, for due process under the Constitution, and I knew that meant every person on our soil is counted in that process under the Constitution, and more. But if you voted for trump, you voted against ALL OF THAT and more, you voted for Project 2025, you voted for someone who continues to lose again and again and again in court because he can't comprehend how executive orders really work, he can't comprehend how everyone has rights, and he put a known drug addict in charge of doge, who has found nothing substantial - if they had, they would be in court prosecuting. We have lost as a Nation Allies, our place at the head of the table of the Free World, and we have lost our ranking of financial trust in the dollar. We are not the same, we are not on the same page, we aren't even on the same bookshelf. And yes, ALL of the things I mentioned and many more have already been cut completely or in part. And all of the things I listed about the maga vote, yes all of those things have already happened, and it's only been about 200 days. It's pretty clear that if there is ANY ROAD AT ALL back for all of us in this country, it must include basic education on empathy, compassion, and forgiveness. I still have my empathy, and compassion -- forgiveness as I continue to watch people suffer and die - I am not there yet.
0 Comments
 One way to realize that people have much more in common than they don't - is to approach political issues, instead of politicians, as what you/they stand for and with. Let me give you some examples of what that can look like. Do you support mental health training for people who focus on mental health care for veterans? If you do, then make sure the people that represent you know that, both when you vote - but also for when they take office. That means contacting the person and saying - I support (or I do not support) mental health care for veterans. You have kept it a topic, you agree or disagree, and you want them to do something about it. You are paying attention, and it doesn't matter if you voted for them or not, because that is who represents you now, and you get to say - this IS or this is NOT important to me. I support due process, (or I do not) due process is the legal right that says you are innocent until proven guilty, and the burden is on the prosecution to prove you are in fact, guilty. And yes, you should still tell them, even if they are already for or against the position you agree with, because that gives them a stronger voice to say, hey my constituents, the people I represent, with my behavior, choices, and my votes want this. And yes that means your local city council, your local mayor, the county supervisors, the state elected officials, including the Gov, and those federal elected officials that we send to DC, and yes even the office of the President and Vice President. Finally, that also gives you a way to post your politics, in a local way, that is not created from division or all the things, but one piece at a time, and no pretzel logic needed. For example, I DO support mental health training and mental health access for all of our veterans. These folks have served our country, served freedom, and I believe they have earned and deserve the very best health care, mind, and body. The current data shows we have 17.6 veterans die by suicide each day - to me, that alone is reason enough to support mental health training, intervention, and care. If you are struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, the National Crisis and Suicide Prevention hotline, or call 911.  |