In the past couple days I've seen a lot of variations of a meme being posted on social media. The wording varies, but it's something like this:
Dear Democrats,
For 8 years we put up with your crappy choice of president. We complained but we accepted it. You are showing us that you are weak, spoiled, and inferior because you do not have the same integrity to do the same thing.
It has taken most of my self-control not to start replying to these, but I know that it is pointless to do so and so I have refrained (and un-followed a few more people on Facebook).
There are many things wrong with this statement in my opinion. The first being the phrase "we complained but we accepted it." I spent the last 8 years seeing people criticize absolutely everything that President Obama said or did. EVERYTHING. I _guess_ you might say that is "complaining but accepting it?" But, if that's what that means, then how is what we "liberals" are doing any different than that? Is it because we're "complaining" louder? Is it because we are protesting and showing more activism? Is that beyond "complaining?" I'd really like to understand what that means.
Second, because we are somehow doing more than "complaining but accepting it," we are "weak, spoiled, and inferior" and have "no integrity." I guess I would make the argument that people who are engaged, show up for protests, stand up for what they believe in, and question our elected leaders, regardless of what party they are (both the leaders and the citizens) show a lot of strength, whatever the opposite of laziness is (so "spoiled" is pretty inaccurate) and sometimes courage depending on the situation.
When I protest or question something, I am protesting or questioning the issue. I may be appealing to or questioning the judgement of leaders who have an opposing view point to mine on the issue, but I am protesting or questioning the issue. Period.
But the thing that really bothers me is that somehow there is an implication that whatever party happens to have the person (in the case of the president) or persons (in the case of congress) that is currently in power or in a majority is there to punish the party that is not in power. Or, conversely, that the citizens who voted for the person who was elected are somehow entitled to punish the citizens who voted for the previous person in power if the power changed hands.
The "us against them" mentality over the course of a presidency or congress is pretty ridiculous when you start to think about it. Statistically, it is impossible or at least HIGHLY improbable that any one person is in COMPLETE agreement or disagreement with the president or with any other elected official they voted for or against, respectively. I've been alive through 8 presidents now, 2 of which I was too young to remember, but 6 I can remember at least something about them, and 4 that I was a voter for. Of those 4, two I voted 4 and two I voted against.
In all cases (and yes, this includes President Trump, even a few weeks into office), I can say that I agreed with some of the decisions of each president, and I disagreed with some of their decisions, and I can cite specific examples. Did I agree more with the ones I voted for? Yes, and it is likely that someone who voted for a president will, in most cases, end up agreeing with them more than disagreeing. But I agreed with some of the things the presidents I didn't vote for did (INCLUDING the current one, yes). And I have never had any wish that any of them (INCLUDING the current one) would not succeed or do a good job. I hope every person elected or appointed to office does a good job and, on balance, improves the lives of the people they represent. I say "on balance" because I understand that no one will always get everything they want, and in our society we have differing opinions on how we solve a problem or an issue.
Am I sometimes skeptical that someone who is elected will do a good job? Of course. Based on what they say and do in a campaign, their past history, etc. I may be more skeptical of some elected officials more than others. But I still hope that they will do their best to serve their constituents.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2017
What's going to happen on November 7th, 2018?
Or November 4th, 2020?
I really don't spend a lot of time thinking too far into the future, or getting ahead of myself. But yesterday I was thinking about what usually happens after an election where some amount of power shift happens, particularly a president of a different party than the previous one, or one or both houses of congress having a different party in the majority.
Right now, there are a lot of people becoming engaged and involved in what's going on in society. Not just in politics, but also generally more involved in their communities, their neighborhoods, etc. And many of these people, like me, are "new" to this kind of thing. I see a lot of people in the younger (20s) age group who have largely grown up with Obama as their president getting motivated to get involved and engaged, and even run for office.
I have felt very motivated to find things I can get involved with that will make a positive impact or progress for something I believe in. I'm not sure I'm the right person to run for office, but that doesn't mean I can't put in some volunteer time, serve on a board or a council, or show up and be a visible support for social issues.
Age and (hopefully) wisdom will keep me focused and motivated to continue to be involved. But what I've been wondering is how long this general surge of motivation in society is going to last. Really, will people (and I'm not excluding myself here) continue to stay motivated if things "calm down" - if in 2018 the balance of congress shifts - if in 2020, we get a new president. Will people stop showing up for protests? Will people not feel as much motivation to be involved in change or progress? Will these 20-somethings motivated to run for local or even state office carry that enthusiasm and idealism past 2020? Will the upcoming generation grow up seeing this kind of involved be "the norm" or will they see it more like I saw growing up, that as long as things aren't too bad, or as long as your candidate wins, "the norm" is ok.
I am not trying to point figures or pin blame on anyone - and in fact if I'm pointing a finger, it's at myself because I need to be the change I want to see before I start looking at the rest of society. But I do wonder if we will see a shift in society where we see it as a responsibility of our citizenship to be engaged and involved, or if we will go back to "being ok" with the norm.
I really don't spend a lot of time thinking too far into the future, or getting ahead of myself. But yesterday I was thinking about what usually happens after an election where some amount of power shift happens, particularly a president of a different party than the previous one, or one or both houses of congress having a different party in the majority.
Right now, there are a lot of people becoming engaged and involved in what's going on in society. Not just in politics, but also generally more involved in their communities, their neighborhoods, etc. And many of these people, like me, are "new" to this kind of thing. I see a lot of people in the younger (20s) age group who have largely grown up with Obama as their president getting motivated to get involved and engaged, and even run for office.
I have felt very motivated to find things I can get involved with that will make a positive impact or progress for something I believe in. I'm not sure I'm the right person to run for office, but that doesn't mean I can't put in some volunteer time, serve on a board or a council, or show up and be a visible support for social issues.
Age and (hopefully) wisdom will keep me focused and motivated to continue to be involved. But what I've been wondering is how long this general surge of motivation in society is going to last. Really, will people (and I'm not excluding myself here) continue to stay motivated if things "calm down" - if in 2018 the balance of congress shifts - if in 2020, we get a new president. Will people stop showing up for protests? Will people not feel as much motivation to be involved in change or progress? Will these 20-somethings motivated to run for local or even state office carry that enthusiasm and idealism past 2020? Will the upcoming generation grow up seeing this kind of involved be "the norm" or will they see it more like I saw growing up, that as long as things aren't too bad, or as long as your candidate wins, "the norm" is ok.
I am not trying to point figures or pin blame on anyone - and in fact if I'm pointing a finger, it's at myself because I need to be the change I want to see before I start looking at the rest of society. But I do wonder if we will see a shift in society where we see it as a responsibility of our citizenship to be engaged and involved, or if we will go back to "being ok" with the norm.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Coffee and "Resistance"
I had the opportunity to join a small group of people today at the home of a friend to have some general conversation about the state of the world, the country, the state, the county, our towns, etc. The Facebook event was titled "Coffee and Resistance" but really, most of the discussion centered around our desire to be more involved in the community and the world. We thought about and discussed several different ways and ideas as to how that might look.
This was a group of people who have a generally similar political outlook, which made it easier for us to discuss what kinds of things we think might be useful or helpful to do or get involved in. But later in the day, as I was thinking about what we were discussing, I was thinking how great it would be if similar little groups were all happening all over the country. Because really, THAT is the first thing we need - people to become more engaged in the community, society, the country, the world.
I will be the first to admit that I have very little idea as to where to even start. I have always liked the idea of "getting involved" and being an "activist" for whatever cause or causes I find need involvement. But often just thinking about that, about where to start, is daunting, and I settle back into whatever else I was doing.
One thing that's been on my mind since the election, and I shared this this morning, is the feeling that we need more, better quality candidates running for office. Not Democrats or Republicans or any party in particular. We need better candidates by the time the choice is narrowed down to 2 or a few in the general election. Which means learning about the political processes for primaries or caucuses in your district and in your state. Which means thinking about these things a year before the election, not 6 or 3 months before. Which means showing up for said primary or caucus. Which means doing some research and reading and maybe even attempting to meet candidates at the local or state level before that. And...and this is probably a difficult one for many people to think about...realizing that voting on party lines or making your goal to "get a Democrat" or "get a Republican" in office does not further the idea of getting better people in these positions.
I've already seen calls to "take back congress" in 2018. Is that really what we want though? Is that going to bring about positive change or progress? Because most of the time, when I go to vote in the general election and vote for an office, I feel like I am picking the least bad option. Not always, but often. What I'd love to see is that by the time the general election gets here, we've already "won" because we have the best 2 or 3 candidates on the ballot for an office.
Learning - the candidate selection processes for state and local offices in Minnesota
https://www.dfl.org/about-our-party/caucuses-conventions/
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/
(There is no single/direct page with the MN Republican party candidate selection process on it, but a friend of mine has shared with me the high-level summary and it's very similar to the DFL's)
This was a group of people who have a generally similar political outlook, which made it easier for us to discuss what kinds of things we think might be useful or helpful to do or get involved in. But later in the day, as I was thinking about what we were discussing, I was thinking how great it would be if similar little groups were all happening all over the country. Because really, THAT is the first thing we need - people to become more engaged in the community, society, the country, the world.
I will be the first to admit that I have very little idea as to where to even start. I have always liked the idea of "getting involved" and being an "activist" for whatever cause or causes I find need involvement. But often just thinking about that, about where to start, is daunting, and I settle back into whatever else I was doing.
One thing that's been on my mind since the election, and I shared this this morning, is the feeling that we need more, better quality candidates running for office. Not Democrats or Republicans or any party in particular. We need better candidates by the time the choice is narrowed down to 2 or a few in the general election. Which means learning about the political processes for primaries or caucuses in your district and in your state. Which means thinking about these things a year before the election, not 6 or 3 months before. Which means showing up for said primary or caucus. Which means doing some research and reading and maybe even attempting to meet candidates at the local or state level before that. And...and this is probably a difficult one for many people to think about...realizing that voting on party lines or making your goal to "get a Democrat" or "get a Republican" in office does not further the idea of getting better people in these positions.
I've already seen calls to "take back congress" in 2018. Is that really what we want though? Is that going to bring about positive change or progress? Because most of the time, when I go to vote in the general election and vote for an office, I feel like I am picking the least bad option. Not always, but often. What I'd love to see is that by the time the general election gets here, we've already "won" because we have the best 2 or 3 candidates on the ballot for an office.
Learning - the candidate selection processes for state and local offices in Minnesota
https://www.dfl.org/about-our-party/caucuses-conventions/
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/
(There is no single/direct page with the MN Republican party candidate selection process on it, but a friend of mine has shared with me the high-level summary and it's very similar to the DFL's)
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Marches and Rallies
One of the first things that happened on this journey of motivational renewal was having the honor of being a part of the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017. I marched in St. Paul, MN, alongside my dear friend Shelley and her longtime friend (and now my friend) Gretchen. Shelley has been a longtime, fierce advocate for LGBT civil rights, including making phone calls during the 2012 election season in support of defeating Minnesota's anti-marriage amendment (and WE WON that one!!!!) More recently it's become apparent that women's rights are being targeted more and more, and I told her now it's time for me to have her back.
I've never been to a protest/rally/march like this in my life. I'm more the "silent" type, and a firm believer that changing hearts and minds comes one heart and one mind at a time, and that it's a long slow process. And I still believe that. I've been out for about 12 years now, and every person I encounter in my life is someone I hope to have a positive impact on when it comes to what they think about LGBT people. That's an ongoing, lifetime process.
But I'm learning the value of "big and loud" now too. Certainly, the Women's March made a huge statement in Minnesota and across the country. In St. Paul they expected 20,000 to show up for this, by the end there were over 100,000. There were similar results across the country. But there is great value in just seeing that you're not alone, by being surrounded by people who think and feel the same way you do and who want to change the world for the better. Since the election I've had a really hard time reading news of what's going on in the world, and what's going to happen. Sometimes I was just sad, sometimes I felt helpless, and most of the time I wonder how things are ever going to change.
But my attitude has changed since the march. I can read the news and be "angry" without being depressed or overly emotional. I don't carry it with me all day long. And I'm motivated to be a part of the solution. I've realized that myself, and probably many people who have similar ideals and beliefs, probably got a little complacent in the last 8 years. It's not necessarily a bad thing - when at least some things actually ARE changing in a positive way, there isn't as much to stand up and fight for, and ultimately that's the kind of world we'd like to see. But I think the abruptness of this change has caught a lot of us off guard. And it's easy to get angry and depressed and bitter - unfortunately social media has made it all too easy to get sucked into back-and-forth posts that result in very little actually getting done.
The following weekend was a rally in Rochester in response to the ban on refugees and travel from predominately Muslim countries. I also attended this rally, and felt much the same way as I did the previous weekend. There were 1000+ people in attendance, which is a fantastic turnout for a city that only has a population of about 110,000. There were some great motivational speeches given, but also some very actionable things that we can do to help. I went away from the rally with a similar boost in energy and motivation.
I am optimistic and hopeful that this will continue, that people will continue to stand up for what they believe in, and be similarly motivated to be the change they want to see. I'll end with a quote from "The American President" (I wish our government looked like it did in that movie).
"We fight the fights that need fighting."
I'm back...and the world has motivated me
It looks like my last blog entry was 3+ years ago, and even then they were very few and far between. It's not that I haven't had lots to write about or talk about, but lack of time (and a little laziness maybe) have contributed to me not actually writing it out and publishing it, even though I've thought about it many times.
But I'm back. There's a lot going on in the world, and besides being involved, I need an outlet to "talk" about things and hopefully even get some discussion and debate going.
Just to catch you up....since June, 2013 a lot has happened:
But I'm back. There's a lot going on in the world, and besides being involved, I need an outlet to "talk" about things and hopefully even get some discussion and debate going.
Just to catch you up....since June, 2013 a lot has happened:
- I got married! Yes, in October 2014, surrounded by MANY family and friends, my husband and I were married. It was a wonderful, beautiful day.
- I moved into a new and interesting/challenging project at work that really aligns with the masters degree I spent two years earning.
- I'm still doing CrossFit :)
- We lost a kitty :( Mr. Fluffy Face passed away very suddenly one night at the age of 5 years and 4 months. We still miss him all the time.
- We got another kitty! (about a year later) Bubby has been a wonderful addition to the family.
- The band I got involved with at the beginning of 2013 continued to grow in popularity and became hugely (locally) successful, we recorded a CD, we played at "Down By the River Side" and "Thursdays on First", played all over the area to great crowds at bars and other venues, and even flew 16 hours to the Marshall Islands and played there for a week. And...we've now retired.
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