I don’t normally provide political commentary on social media or public platforms because I know how divisive such topics can be, and without the ability to have face-to-face dialog on such topics, I try to avoid pushing those hot buttons. 💥 However, there are times when I feel the need to do so – like now. 😜
Growing up, I had a fairly conservative bend to my views. On many issues, I still have a fairly black-and-white, or conservative, perspective especially when it comes to crime and punishment. However, there are probably more issues on which I am either middle ground or liberal, like a woman’s right to decide on anything related to her body or socialized healthcare, etc.
Having lived abroad pretty much all of my adult life, I do not take part in discussions related to taxes or local legislations that I am not involved in. I do not feel that I should have a say as I do not pay taxes in the US and probably never will. 🤷🏽♀️
One perk of living abroad is having an outside perspective 👀 on my country and also seeing it through the eyes 👁 of others. I was in the UAE when our current head of state was elected and I sat in disbelief 😳 as others cried or shared their own bewilderment 🤯 at what the American public had decided.
At the time, I understood how it happened. I even had some sympathy for why it happened. However, after four years of watching, listening, and having dialog with fellow countrywo/men and non, I am disappointed by the state of affairs 😣 and how the Elections of 2020 have shaped up as I observe from abroad along with the rest of the world as my nation continues to fight amongst themselves. 🥺
It has been with a deep sadness 😥 and utter disbelief 🤬 with the lack of decency and humanity that we watch what is being acted out in America. Yet, what is to be expected when the leader of our country constantly encourages rhetoric that stems from selfishness and ignorance? 😡 It doesn’t matter anymore how he was allowed to be in such a position, but it does matter how we move forward. 😏
I learned when I was young that it’s not necessarily in how we behave when we win that shows our character, but it is in how we lose.
I’m not saying that Democrats or liberals would necessarily have behaved any better than the prez or those of his party are now, which is my point.
When, why, how did we lose touch with our humanity? At what point did the rhetoric push us to accept that tolerance, meaningful and open dialog, and the gentlemanly way of agreeing to disagree were no longer part of the etiquette that allows us to live together in peace? 🙏🏽
Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be angry about racism, violence, discrimination, and all the other soap box topics. I’ve got plenty of my own to stand on and shout out about. 💪🏽 What I am saying, though, is that there has to be a humane way of expressing and addressing these issues that don’t lead to peaceful protests turning into violent 🤕 activity causing everyone to forget what the main point was in the first place. Or, there has to be a way that people don’t feel the need to use guns or force to feel safe in their own homes and personal spaces. Or, there has to be a way to speak without screaming and gnashing of teeth. 😬🤔
The reason I did not vote for Trump is not just because of the issues, as there are many things he has done for the country that I would happily consider as positives in terms of the economy.
The reason I did not vote for him is because he is NOT a decent human being and should NOT be the face or human that represents the nation that I love. If I had any sense that there were redeeming qualities about him or that he showed an inkling of humility in his speeches, then I may have considered voting another way.
No one is perfect. No one is the ideal human being. 😇 I have no illusions that previous presidents were faultless, especially with their politics. However, this is what makes them human. The ones that have been loved for their service are those who showed qualities of being human – compassion, empathy, humility, and grace. These are the qualities of leaders that inspire and make others aspire to be like them.
I truly hope that no one ever says to me that they want to be like Trump. I think that says it all.
~T 😀
