Until November 5, 2024, I firmly believed the majority of Americans cared about something bigger than themselves. I thought they cared about democracy. Many of them claim to be Christians. Shouldn't Christians of all people care about human beings other than themselves? That's a given, isn't it?
But, when given the choice between a self-proclaimed dictator want-to-be, who is also a convicted sex offender and who incited a riot against the U.S. government, and a smart, capable woman who wanted to bring us all together, Americans chose the dictator. And, they also voted to give him the power he needs to do whatever he wants.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. The loss of rights, and the cruelty that is sure to come, is difficult to fathom. Deporting millions of people who live and work in our country, who are here because they are trying to make better lives for themselves is the pinnacle of cruelty. Are children to be ripped from their parents again? Or, worse?
And, women. To lose the right to choose what happens to our own bodies - to face life and death situations without recourse - it's unfathomable. I came of age during the so-called "second stage" of feminism. We women could finally get credit and loans in our own names, and Planned Parenthood satellite clinics were everywhere. It was easy to get health checks, obtain birth control, and plan pregnancies.
We are in danger of losing so many fundamental rights, and the government is getting ready to inflict unimaginable cruelty.
Will this change me? It certainly changes my perception of this country and its citizens. I don't hold with the excuses - last time, I did. I thought, "They didn't know." This time, they knew exactly what they were voting for. And it is mortifying.
My heart is broken.
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