Inauguration Day......just a few more days and we'll see a change in administration and a new POTUS and family move into the White House. (At least I think they are moving in.)
I've voted in every Presidential election since I was 21 (voting age years ago!) and I think I've watched every inauguration....even if my candidate did not win. The peaceful transition of power in the United State of America is something that every American can view with pride.
NPR did a story this morning while I was driving to an appointment, It was part of the BBC news broadcast and I can't recall which country was involved. (A smaller country in Africa that recently held a presidential election.) The current President was saying that the inauguration, scheduled just days from now, should be postponed.....he was challenging the results and refused to relinquish his office. The winner of the recent election had taken refuge in another nearby country to avoid being attacked. The saddest part of the story was that the president-elect's young son died last weekend at eight years of age and his father was too afraid to even come home for the funeral. Can you imagine?
This news story made me think, once again, about how fortunate we are that our elections are peaceful.....and life goes on. At least every election that I can remember has proceeded with pomp and circumstance and very little dissent or confusion.
I have a feeling this Friday may be different.......and I just can't decide if I can bear to watch. It's not just that "my" candidate did not win....it's that I have no respect for the man walking into the position. None. I can't get over his words.....the words hurled during the long campaign and the incredible tweets that he keeps spewing all over in response to just about anything.
Words matter.....and presidential words matter a lot. One of his advisors said we should "ignore his words and look into his heart". ???? Just how do you do that??? Words reflect what's in your heart. "I love you." "I hate you." "You are stupid, ugly, pathetic, fat......" What you say pretty much tells me what's in your heart.
It's scarey to stand up and say I don't support/respect the man who is to be POTUS. I've never put myself "out there"....never marched for anything, never waved a banner, never joined a protest. But now at least I'm now calling my representatives on a regular basis.....they need to know how I feel about issues like female reproductive rights, equal pay for equal work, minimum wage, illegal immigrants (no I don't want a wall but I don't want illegal immigrants either), LGBT rights, public school education, the influence of big-money on our elected officials, affordable health care, social security, hate crime and on and on......
I have a voice and I've decided not to be afraid to use it......I have to use it. We all have to use our voices....in agreement or disagreement.......and hopefully in concensus and positive progress. Otherwise the story from Africa may be echoed in America someday.
To watch....or not to watch....that is my question for today. Ugh.
Linn, once you have been very articulate and your words echo those of so many people. We can only hope that what is feared will not come about and our country will be strong and survive.
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