My Apology Letter to America

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

My fellow Americans,

I am very sorry.  To the people in the United States and elsewhere with beautiful brown skin that are now facing more and uglier discrimination than ever, I’m so sorry. To the Muslim people who live here in fear of hatred, I’m sorry. To the white-looking citizens who speak with a foreign accent and are ridiculed by the ignorant, I’m sorry.  To the families that may lose their healthcare because a few who can afford everything refuse to help the many who can afford nothing, I’m sorry. 

To the LGBTQ youth who consider, or god forbid, commit suicide because the progress we’ve made may soon be erased, I’m so terribly sorry.   To the rape victims who may be assaulted because we choose leaders who laugh at the very idea of consent, I’m sorry.  To the pregnant teen who must choose between raising a child while still a child, or giving up that child because the doors have been locked to other choices, I shed tears for you and your baby. To the innocents who will die from the bullets of automatic weaponry that shouldn’t be allowed in civilian hands, I beg your families’ forgiveness.  And to the little girl who gives up her dream of becoming President of the United States, not because she doubts her abilities, but because she doubts that her country would ever elect her, I’m truly sorry.

And for the folks celebrating today I’m also incredibly sorry.  I’m sorry that no one has shown you what great actually is. I’m sorry that your view of this country is so pessimistic or limited that you didn’t already see how great we are in so many ways.  I’m sorry that your mentors failed you by not teaching you that kindness and compassion and diversity are the greatest and most valuable aspects of humanity and religion.

Photo courtesy of jclk888 at Pixabay.com

I’m so deeply sorry.  I should have done more… I should have knocked on doors or written another blog or commented on more nonfactual posts and memes on social media.  I should have done more phone surveys or attended a rally or two.  I should have had more conversations in the break room at work or put a bumper sticker on my car or something!  Because now I can’t believe how sorry I am that I didn’t do more.

My heart is broken.  My patriotism is shattered…  Right is wrong. Wrong is right.  Now all I can do is apologize and seek the light.   

(Feel free to share.)

Dump Trump

Image courtesy of Maialisa at Pixabay.com

Mistreatment of women, people of color, immigrants, or people with disabilities is NEVER okay.  This should not be dismissed as 'speaking your mind' or 'locker room talk'. Aggressive mannerisms, foul language, and violent rhetoric should not be excused.  A history of failed business endeavors should not be overlooked.

If you prefer a rich celebrity in his third marriage over a lifelong partner who chose to 'stand by her man' when that man's dishonorable indiscretion came to public light then by all means vote for Trump.  If you prefer vague uninformed discussion and reactionary behavior over diplomacy and experience when it comes to foreign relations, then please give Trump your support.

If PRA email violations with no legal consequence prove to you that a candidate is dishonest and/or above the law (although these email violations have been ongoing for three administrations including GW Bush) and that dishonesty is more disgraceful to you than sexual assault and four draft deferments then certainly Trump is your man.

Leaders make mistakes.  Leaders make mistakes that sometimes cost lives.  You can blame Hillary for Benghazi, just as you can singularly blame Jefferson Davis for the Confederacy losing the Civil War if you so choose to.  

The arguments I hear against Hillary most often are in regards to trustworthiness, guns, and abortion...

Hillary does not want to 'take your guns away'.  Perpetrators carrying out mass shootings do not qualify as "a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State". Regulating automatic weaponry and encouraging non-lethal police tactics is NOT a 2nd Amendment violation. Requiring licenses and background checks also does NOT violate the 2nd Amendment because these things do not prevent gun ownership.  Regulating the Internet sale of parts and ammunition likewise do not prevent gun ownership and therefore do NOT violate the 2nd Amendment. 

I can't believe how infuriating it is to actually feel the need to spell this out to people!

Should the government decide whether or not to terminate your life support? No?  Then why should the government decide whether or not you are allowed to terminate your pregnancy? Leaving the Supreme Court's decision in tact does not remove your ability to personally be Pro-Life.  You can be anti-abortion and still live in a country that allows individuals to decide for themselves.  America is not a theocracy, meaning the government cannot regulate based on religious views.  (That's what the First Amendment says.)  

If you believe that abortion is murder, then teach that to your children.  Preach that in your church.  Encourage that in your community.  Choose a doctor with views that align with your own.  Teach your boys and girls about consent, body image, gender equality, responsibility, and consequence.  The freedom to chose whether or not a girl carries her rapist's child to term does not affect your relationship with your God.  Period.  You can witness to her.  You can pray for her.  You can offer to adopt the child and pay for its rearing for 18 years. The ramifications of any abortion that is not your own are simply none of your business.  

Iron Wire Fence Image courtesy of worradmu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So there you have it - my view on the election.  Trump is far more dangerous than Hillary could possibly ever be.  Trump is a negative example of a leader and a man.  Trump lacks dignity.  I do not want him in the Oval Office making or preventing decisions for my family and my country.  That is why I signed the petition and that is why I wrote this post.   



#StopHateDumpTrump     #NeverTrump       #Election2016