Well, #$%!

Well, this week has all but taken me down. It’s sure been a doozy. A real breathe taker away.

The outcome of the election. The blatant Anti Semitic behavior in Amsterdam.A movement of women wanting to emotionally and financially support other women that has backfired. Being assigned to Jury Duty. That has been my week. And, I am the kind of exhausted that hurts. The kind of hurt that every cell in my body feels.

In all honesty, I made some bad choices this week based on my feels….Yup. I shopped. Then I baked and ate junk. Today I ate my way through potato chips. UGH. Not proud.

I walked in on Tuesday to vote. I don’t love being a Blue in a predominately Red State, but I also respect that not everyone sees the world as I do. I knew I was among the very few voting Blue in my rural poll spot, but that does not discourage me nor distress me. I like that our world is a colorful place filled with many view points. I am honored to vote. I truly become emotional. I see the big “Vote Here” waving banners and I always feel optimistic, proud, hopeful. The glory to live in a free country, The glory to be able to vote.

I left feeling at peace. I truly felt that so many people would come out of the woodwork and secretly vote Blue. I felt that we would have a surprising sweep. I thought that sanity would prevail. I really thought that deep down we, as a Nation, would choose sanity over crazy. But, alas….we did not. We seem to prefer the way of social media. You know what I mean…where we hide behind our screens literally and metaphorically and have a nasty way of relating to one another. Threats, Crazy talk, Hate, Fear Mongering.

But, I understand that the world is a crazy place right now. I understand that some people feel passionate about a single issue when it comes to voting. Others stay straight on their party line and have a difficult time not voting that way, no matter what is going on. Others hop around. Nobody is wrong. And we are all so passionate that it is breaking families, challenging friendships. The irony for me is that I am reconnecting with a group of people I went to elementary school with and we are all respectful and understanding of one another. I feel more respected and on the same page with ladies that are pretty much strangers to me, than those who are my true neighbors.

Full disclosure: this election season started off beyond challenging for me. I struggled with Biden. Simply regarding his age and ability. I am also a Zionist and worried about the Democrats position. But at the end of the day I had to vote with my heart. I can not stand negative rhetoric. As a mother, my girls and their rights, as well as my boys and their partners rights are too important for me. Following the law is another one that matters to me. I know politicians are not squeaky clean, and I really do not care what they do in their personal lives, as long as they lead us with a steadfast hand, and are respectful and full of grace ….but, this level of law breaking is a little crazy to me. And then, THEN, there is the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court should NEVER be so lopsided. NEVER. No matter your position. They are the final say on the laws of our land, and we want, actually REQUIRE them to be fair and balanced and impartial. Not one sided.

But, to the leaders of THE Democratic party. It is time to listen. Time to listen to US. BOTH sides of us. It is time to be the bridge. Please stop trying to be everything to everyone. Please stop leaning so far left we are off the road. We do not need to go off the deep end with our feelings. That doesn’t mean to not care or to discount. But we need to meet in the middle.

We need to understand that many of our citizens don’t like our President Elect, but they do not want the super liberal agenda pushed down their throats. Pronouns, Shared bathrooms matter more to them than negative rhetoric. They can tune in or out of the erratic hate speech when they so choose, but they have to have conversations with their little ones why a man was in the ladies room with them.

We need to be more worried about taking back our streets. Supporting our police. Finalizing a plan that allows immigration but has policies and regulations. We need to be more worried about the rights of everyone. Pronouns, while important, pale in comparison to the health needs of all. Whether it be an individuals rights or the cost of medications and hospital stays. We need to get a better grasp on why our citizens are allowed to own guns but about 1/2 of our citizens can not make decisions regarding their own bodies. Stop pushing the country to stand behind trans issues. Some will never. AND THAT IS OK. Just like it is ok for me to never understand some of society not having understanding for trans people and gays. We do not, nor will we ever see eye to eye on everything….but please punish those who harm others, physically or emotionally. Punish those that cause harm on our streets. Punish those that will not help a female with reproductive issues. Punish those that utilize hate speech and threats of physical violence. Those on College campus’ last Spring who threatened Jewish students on campus should have been immediately shut down and punished. Same for those who took over our streets.Think of yourselves as parents. As parents you need to provide rules and expectations with consequences. But, not be dictators. Are you listening to us?

Hello? Do you hear us? Are you truly listening?

Israel has always been our ally in the Middle East. We can not say we support you and then also say this needs to end ASAP, without qualifying that HAMAS must be squelched. Period. Mic Drop. If we literally lose Israel, the Middle East will be an even more troublesome region, as it will be filled with even more chaos. Filled with people using their own people as human shields. We must educate our citizens that Israel is NOT fighting Palestinians but HAMAS and other like minded factions, and they are infiltrating the U.S. Currently this is on land far away, but soon it will be on our land. Then how will we feel? It WILL be too late. Did you know that some educators are actively pushing an anti Semitic agenda? Punish those who are spreading hate to their students on either side of the coin.

Anti Semitism is on the rise globally because of these hate groups as well as because it is now acceptable to say and do mean and spiteful things to one another. I do not hate Muslims. I do not hate conservatives. I hate those that spew hate and intolerance. ON EITHER SIDE. I hate those that say they are Christian but then exhibit zero tolerance for those that differ from them. I hate liberals who pledge love for all but then spew negative dialogue towards those who don’t agree with them.I do not ask that you believe as I do, but allow me to believe and carry on the way I need/want and I will reciprocate. As a matter of fact, I will lead the way to show you I am genuine. I promise I won’t push my agenda on you, and all I ask is that you show me the same grace.

I will allow you your freedoms of choice. Please allow me mine.

My heart is tortured. White women such as myself, who care for all demographics of society and try to be kind and to speak fairly and intellectually and educate ourselves and our children, are being picked up and thrown on to the ground for trying to be empathetic and respectful is insane. WE CAN NOT SEE HATE IN EVERYTHING. We can not be condemned for trying. Nobody is going to be perfect, but be pleased for those that try. Especially when we are basically on the same side!

So, here you see…this has been my week. A week filled with sadness, frustration, confusion.And then today, in my Red State, I have found that from December 1st-March 31st, I am on call for Jury Duty. My emotions on how to be fair, how to listen are exhausted. To know there are 2 sides to every story. To be prepared at a moments notice that I might be called to act on my civic duty when I am so frustrated by the system is too much. To know that my thoughts, my beliefs do not match up with so many here has me in a literal puddle of emotions.

But friends…..if you have made it this far….let me ask you. No, let me plead with you….

DO NOT JUST BEGIN TO HATE THOSE AROUND YOU FOR VOTING DIFFERENTLY FROM YOU. Do not suggest that your area should secede. Everyone is allowed their reasons. We do not have to agree or understand. I am not suggesting you have to be best friends, but do NOT return hate with hate. Don’t hate the other side just to hate the other side. You know what I mean? Have   we stopped to look at the fact that those that voted Red have heard many people state that Red voters are uneducated and unintelligent? We must stop and realize that most likely, this is why we lost. Just because we lost doesn’t give us the right to generalize and hit below the belt. Instead, let’s look at ourselves and see where and how we could have failed like we did. And make the changes.

Friends and neighbors, please do NOT start boycotting musicians, actors friends, neighbors, teachers…..for not seeing the world as you do. What a boring world it would be. PLEASE do not fight hate with hate. Then they win. We will be so divided we won’t ever be able to get past any of this. We will end up being segregated physically and emotionally. If we only support those that believe like us think about all of the good things we will miss out on in life. Nicole Scherzinger is being threatened to be boycotted in “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway? WTF? EVERYONE says her performance is the most magical transformational performance. She is not out spewing hatred. Do you know why there is backlash? She wanted to know where to get a hat that says “Make Jesus First Again”. The hat is in MAGA red and shown by a MAGA supporter..but the message, the message my friends…..

The reason so many of us have such a strong viscerally negative response to our President Elect is because of his hate speech. The bickering. The negativity. SO WHY WOULD WE RESPOND IN THE SAME WAY??? Why would we perpetuate this way of speaking?

We must meet in the middle. My Democratic leaders, YOU must be our leaders. Our beacons of living in the middle. Where true equality lives. My Republican leaders, it is time to return to the way of Bush 1 and 2. Of the way of Dick and Liz Cheney. Of the way of the McCains. Regain the party.

Friends, we must meet in the middle. WE must be the leaders in our everyday lives. Showing the light to our kids. They are watching!

To my Democratic leaders, understand, listen and hear us and keep the focus and begin preparations NOW.

Please start securing a minimum of 4 top level prospectives to run in 4 years. START NOW. Find and groom options for us to get behind.

We rely on you. We need you more than ever to show us the way. Liberal friends. feel your feels. Be sad. Upset. Angry. But do not spew hate. Together let’s get back on track Monday and hit the ground running.

And, I promise starting back on Monday I am tossing out the potato chips!!

Mad love all,

a.-