Politically Speaking.

The election is over.  Donald Trump is our new President.  I know, Donald Trump, the man who didn't even believe it himself, was elected President of the United States of America.

I'll admit - I cried when I learned that Trump would be our 45th President.  I shed about 6 whole tears, which incidentally is more than I've shed in about 100 years of existence.  Politically speaking - I don't much care for politics.  And politically speaking - I'm not upset about the politics associated with Donald Trump.  But I am upset that a man ran an entire campaign based in blatant racist, sexist, hateful sentiments - and he won.

I'm upset that people, intelligent, loving, good human beings were so upset with the state of our nation that they were willing to overlook these sentiments and elect this man as our leader.  No, not all voters who selected Trump are racist or sexist - but a vote for Trump is a vote that says "I'm willing to condone how he ran his campaign because of other factors."

And what a luxury that is.  There's a great divide between those who believe a vote for Trump is a vote for hate and those who simply claim they disagree with how he chose to run his campaign but believe in his politics.  And believe me, I get that.  I'm fiscally Republican.  Socially - I lean more Democratic.  Realistically, I should be part of that whole group that has such a mixed bag of views they don't even fit Independents.  I should start a sparkly party.  I digress (as I so often do), what is hard for me to understand is:

1. If you don't believe a vote for Trump is a vote for hate what is your justification to vote for someone who ran a campaign on blatant racist, sexist, and went so far to even mock a disabled person?  Are you a protected class?

2. Now that we've started to "give Trump a chance" as he elects his surrounding team and that he's shown to put some bad people in place - do you still back your vote?  If you do, where do we draw the line?

3. Are you altogether denying that racism/sexism/bigotry exist as a larger problem?

Truly - I'm accepting and open to different beliefs.  I enjoy open discussion and have made a point to understand both sides.  I've had great debate with friends and people I respect who voted for Trump.  And whether I'm wrong or right - I want to understand why as a nation we aren't more concerned about the implications of this type of campaign and Presidency?  I want to understand why groups of people don't feel as passionate about the racist/sexist/bigoted speech and actions.  I want to know why its easy for some to dismiss the concerns of millions and say "get over it".  I'm intensely curious about all of these things.  And I want to see discussion, evaluation, and accountability for all of it. 

At the end of four years - I would love to be wrong.  I would love to see Donald Trump turn into a saint who brings America better and makes us the strongest we've ever been.  But I'm scared we set ourselves back and created a scary place to exist.  And I think it's ok to feel scared.  It's ok to have questions.  Instead of the hateful arguments and accusations and telling citizens how to feel - talk to each other.  Realize the only way we get through this is to respect each other, to communicate, and to be open minded.  Dividing ourselves is not only unproductive its positively stupid.  It's how we destroy ourselves.  Put aside your pride and actively listen to the concerns of others.  We have to exist together and personally I would like to exist in a positive way - the only way to do that is to come together so that we have a majority of open minded people.  To work together so much that the few that are truly bad seeds cannot be heard. 

Politically Correct

2016 is the year of the political expert.  Every other post on Facebook is a political opinion from someone who decided its cool to be involved and thus has to voice their opinion to the masses to keep up.  And we should be politically involved.  But its more important to be politically informed.  There's a lot of what I'm calling the parrot effect going on.  Someone sees or hears something and repeats it with no educational research behind it.  And that's where we get the most dangerous voter out there - the uninformed, do what's popular voter.  The person who has no idea the implications of their vote or the responsibility associated.  I dare to guess a good 50% of these parrots are probably not even registered to vote.

Between the social injustices, political abuse, gun violence, and abuse of power in America right now - 2016 is a critical voting year.  We are also in a Presidential year with two candidates who in my opinion really showcase the dangerous time we are in as a country.  The ramifications from voting in 2016 are huge.  Who we choose to lead us, how we vote on issues big and small is going to shape us for the next decade. 

Now this isn't about how to vote, I'm not going to begin to share my views politically or even open up a discussion on political opinions.  The most important political view I have is to be informed.  Do your research.  I don't care if you're voting on a water tax for your small hometown or on the President of the United States - be equally as aware of what that vote means.  Do not cast one vote without having made an informed decision as to what that vote means to the world around you. 

In a month, in a year, whenever politics become just another part of life and not at the forefront of our minds - I don't want to be living in a world that was decided because it was cool to talk about. 

Now I also want to address another dangerous voter out there - the close minded loud mouth.  This is the person who yells the loudest and has the strongest opinion.  The person who during a political discussion isn't listening - they're waiting for their opportunity to disagree with you - loudly.  How are we ever going to get along, to effect change if we live in a world full of people who aren't open to other opinions?  In a world of billions - you've got an equal number of different life experiences thus billions of different views.  Life experiences shape us and determine our political and social opinions.  It's reasonable to expect that even the most open minded person is still going to have some part of them that sticks to their opinions based on life experience.  However - if we continue to shout arguments at each other and not truly listen to what another person has to say - there will be no change.  And while we will continue to inherently disagree on a lot of issues - we can agree to disagree and determine a course of action that's respectful to both sides.  We've done it before, its not easy, its ugly, it takes time, but it is possible. 

Here's the takeaway for today:

1. Get informed: You're not an expert. Do your research, talk to experts, talk to those that will be most affected - become educated.
2. Open your mind: Stand fiercely behind your values and opinions but keep a piece of your mind open to truly listen to other opinions.  Engage in discussion with people who come from different backgrounds and experiences, do not be afraid to ask questions.  
3. VOTE

I love America for all that it stands for because even our ugliest qualities are things we can change because we have the right to talk about them freely.  Are we the best we could possibly be?  Not even close.  But you have the opportunity to be part of the change, don't ever take that for granted.  Don't ever think your voice and your vote don't count.