I am filled with trepidation when I think of what's at stake in the mid-term elections. Perhaps never before has our democracy been so on the line.
I belong to no political party. My agenda has always been on the liberal side of things. I believe in the simple truth that you can only judge how successful a country is by how it takes care of its most vulnerable members. Based on that, this democracy is failing. Our children are poorly educated and it's a fight to get them fed, clothed and medically sound if they are in the lower income brackets. Our mentally ill people do not get treatment, they get arrested. I could write an entire manifesto on how public health has always failed this class of people. And lastly, we warehouse our elderly people in disgustingly inappropriate care facilities where they are abused, robbed and sometimes killed. America's report card is not so great.
But I am also optimistic that if we all come out of this ridiculous malaise we've been in for decades, not holding our elected officials accountable, things might get better.
The mid-terms will define where we go as a nation. I am hoping that women, ALL women, will realize that overturning Roe vs. Wade means we are once more relegated to second class citizenry. I hope my sisters will come out and vote. If we lose body autonomy, we lose everything. I do not believe abortion is a good method of birth control. I do believe preventing pregnancy is a relatively simple thing. Still, my body - hands off.
Everything is riding on the mid term elections. I am cautiously optimistic that the females in this country will not let me down, that we will realize what a powerful voice we have with our vote. Then I hope future generations of young women are encouraged to go into politics, to grab a seat at the table. It's not just enough that we vote the rich old white bastards out of office, we need to replace them with smart, savvy women of every color.
I am sick to death of politicians being elected to Washington, tying on the feedbag and gorging themselves at the public trough. Everytime I watch someone elected to the house or senate, I will see a picture of them 3 years into their term and they will have gained 30 pounds. Term limits, campaign finance reform and equal representation (do you hear me Wyoming and Montana) would go a long way in convincing me this country has a chance..
Meanwhile, I'll be looking at Belize, Costa Rica, France and Canada as my potential next home should things fall apart (even further) here.
