@allyn OMG, my heart swells for you, dear magnificent spit fire. You are a hero, warrior woman.
As for your decision that leaving would not be good for the collective around you, my teachers have said the same thing. The day after Trump won the presidency, I attended a silent retreat at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA. I sobbed to my favorite teacher that I wanted to move to Canada. Normally reticent and accepting, she perked up and a fierce look came over her and she said, "I do not approve of that, Jeanne! We need to stay and help this country." Your thoughts are pure, Allyn.
Also I love picturing you in the fields pulling weeds and mending fences. The land sustains you, guides you and will protect you.
@allyn, when I read your wonderful post about staying put to help your family and defiantly standing up to the bullies, I got chills -- the really good kind! I saw Spirit nodding and smiling. And so was I. I'm giving you a big, virtual hug! ?
Americans have been kept stupid and uneducated for a long time. That was part of the GOP takeover strategy. Think of how many of the GOP voters constantly vote against their own self interest.
As day as protest voting, while it usually is a waste of a vote, this year it isn't as much. Those protest POTUS votes will include down ballot Democratic votes and with all the tricks and cheating used to keep Trump in power this election, we need to focus more on the state legislatures and congress than the Presidency. Trump will lose the popular vote and electoral college in a free and fair election. That isn't an issue. This won't be a free and fair election though so we need a backup plan. While he focuses on getting himself reelected, we can take the GOP out of power on all other levels this year. If that happens, even if he is in the White House, we will have more defense against him. With a democratic majority in all other areas of government, local, state, and federal, we can remove him and counteract his moves.
@jeanne-mayell I don't particularly like pruning or cutting down trees either. I usually like to live and let live wherever I can. Living in a city, I sometimes have to in order to keep the neighbors and city happy, and also sometimes to protect my house if the limbs are too close. Strategic pruning can be beneficial to plants and trees so I try to keep that in mind. The ideal would be to make some kind of offering to the tree spirit (often referred to has "dryads") and the nature spirits of the land. If not at the time of pruning then at least periodically throughout the year. I have to admit that with the hustle and bustle of life, I don't always do this as much a I should.
@moonbeam Cool!
Even though I have some minor issues with her, I think she is clearly the best pick of the available candidates.
I wanted Warren as POTUS from the start, but if not POTUS, I think she is much better utilized in the cabinet as either Homeland Security or Education secretary-2 spots that need serious overhaul by a competent and brilliant person like her.
Also will be glad to see Maya Rudolph back on SNL as a regular again. Lol
@moonbeam True, that is a vote squandered. However I am not entirely discouraged because at least they left the house (or filled and mailed a ballot) and voted. So many don't even bother. After having the experience of voting, they may show up again and vote in a serious manner. The problem is the politics in the US is so polarized and there is little anyone reads in common. They almost don't even speak in the same language and everyone has their own myth about the other. I participate in a media outlet with both conservatives an liberal members and we try to dialogue. It mostly works. At times things can get heated but people are reminded to be civil. There are a few Trumpers there but most are Never-Trumpers.
Kamala Harris is VP candidate! I am thrilled. I think she is excellent.
@rowsella Yaaayyyyy!!! I am so excited.... Kamala and Joe.. gonna be a great ticket.