I'm not sure what to say right now. I keep logging on to Twitter, scrolling through my feed, getting sad/tired/upset, and logging back out. I can't deal with the world right now, not its hatred, not its violence, not its nastiness.
In some ways, I feel like an outsider looking in. I didn't vote for Mr. Trump, but I didn't vote for Ms. Clinton, either. As a compassionate conservative, I feared--and still fear--a Trump presidency, but I couldn't get behind enough of Ms. Clinton's policies to really get behind her. Add to that the fact that I think they're both compulsive liars who've broken several major laws, and the last thing I wanted to do was give either one my vote. But I'm still in disbelief. I'm still mourning what I thought was the greater of two unhappy outcomes. I'm still sad/tired/upset.
Where are we supposed to go from here? I thought Ms. Clinton's concession speech and President Obama's come-to-Lincoln moment were noble and inspiring, and even Mr. Trump's victory lap was more gracious than I thought it would be. But that hasn't seemed to make one speck of difference on the ground. Xenophobes are jeering. Protesters are marching. Racists are being racist. (I'm trying to construct a time machine and skip ahead to 2020, but science was never my best subject.)
I'm disappointed in my country, which I think made the wrong choice. I'm disappointed in my state, which had a historic opportunity to reject both major-party candidates and vote for real change. (In the end, we voted for the guy everyone thought we would vote for, the guy who's been saying about Muslims what Governor Boggs said about many of our ancestors when, in 1838, Missouri legalized the wholesale killing of Mormons.) And I'm disappointed by the vitriol that's still flying back and forth. President Obama said we weren't Republicans or Democrats but Americans first.
To be honest, I'm not sure that's true.
I don't know where I'm going with this. I don't know why I'm even writing it. I guess I just want to say we can't keep going as we have. We have to change our hearts and minds if we ever hope to be one nation, or someday, we will fall apart.
9 comments:
Dear Krista,
If that is any consolation, you are not alone.
But seriously, there was nothing compassionate or even conservative about Donald Trump. Look at the way he has led his life. Hillary Clinton has been far more conservative in her life, like her decision to stick with her husband despite his serial marital infidelities. (I think that was non-intelligent of her, but that's neither here nor there).
Mr. Trumps is a radical reactionary. Have you read Prof. Mark Lilla's The Shipwrecked Mind? If not please do. It's absolutley timely.
In the meantime, don't lose heart. Let us not be like him, never be like him. That is a good place to begin, the way I see it.
Hang in there. Re-read a favorite book. Be unexpectedly kind. Play a stupid game with your kids. Be an example.
Know with your contest, and your writing, you are touching people in this world with a generous spirit.
Thank you for being brave and posting.
I jumped back into my writing where I use words to hopefully make a difference and let students who needed to talk know that I stand with them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
We will get through this. It will be hard, and it will take vigilance. Trump is a problem, no doubt, but a bigger problem is the GOP mafority and their platform, which is every bit as bad, if not worse, than Trump. We will need to be loud, loud, LOUD over the next four years.
Sorry, maybe this is inappropriate for your blog. Delete if necessary, and hang in there. We will get through this.
I didn't vote for either of them either and I knew I wouldn't be happy no matter what. But I think I'm only 49% unhappy rather than 51% with the outcome.
Aside from all the bs at the top, WE are still good people. We won't become racist if our leaders are (and I don't think he's racist on an individual level, but foolishly reacts to stereotypes like many people who just haven't "got there yet."
But I 100% believe the country is progressing on social issues, will continue to progress as the old fogies die off and leave acceptance for all in the hands of the young. Social progress is inevitable and I don't really think it should be in the hands of government.
I would like to see the economy improve and I'm pretty confident that would never happen with Hillary. Will it happen with Trump? I think it's possible, but as a business owner, I also understand the businessperson's attitude of go big or go home. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes not so much. Only time will tell.
But take heart. The people have not changed, we still love one another, it's up to us to really make things better at a local level. It always has been, we need to embrace that, share it, let that attitude of caring and sharing take over the world. Then politicians can focus on the things they're supposed to.
This election has been difficult for so many, and I think that's especially true for believers. I found comfort in something Louie Giglio said on Sunday- when we are in circumstances where we want to push the eject button, Jesus is pressing the insert button. It reminds me that my hope isn't in a political person, and that my mission (as a believer) remains the same- to bring honor and glory to God.
The message is here if interested- http://passioncitychurch.com/gathering/king-or-pawn/
Anon, I completely agree--Donald Trump isn't compassionate or conservative. It's the main reason I was frustrated that so many conservatives supported him.
Excellent suggestions, Debbie. I needed to hear them.
Great strategy, Maria.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, JeffO. I only delete offensive and/or inflammatory comments (and I think I've only done that once or maybe twice). People are always welcome to share their point-of-views around here:)
Thank you for this pep talk, GSMarlene. You're absolutely right--at the end of the day, WE make our own decisions. If we continue to choose the right, we'll be okay.
Great points, Dana. Jesus truly is our Savior and Redeemer, and our hope will always be in Him.
Late to the table, but a think or three:
I am delighted to aver I voted for neither of the scurrilous candidates, (although push come to "or else", Trump would have, (ahem), trumped my choice. Appalling scene.
The sickness is long in gestation, a disease and dying of the ages as shown by the history of all great civilizations. The Founders hoped that the trend could be bucked, and gave every effort of inspiration to avert the cataclysm. But all depends on the virtue of the people, and as Adams, Jefferson< Franklin and George all pointedly noted, the near certainty was to be a falling away for the principles that sustain and bolster a Republic, for all rests on the desire of the people to stand on righteous ground. It makes discouragement and worse a companion. yet, we MUST stand and witness, in whatever capacity God has gifted us to stir the waters. My rather pathetic efforts, well, they may be useless. Yet we need always to grab the oar. YOUR effort reaches wide, and will be an influence long past even your own years. Acknowledge what you do.
Remember the "Girl At The Mirror" by Rockwell? She doubts herself, her worth, her beauty. yet as I have told the story, per Mr. Rockwell, the angle of the painting is of her mother peeking around the door thinking, :What a beautiful daughter! what an amazing gift I have given the world!"
And recall the words of E. T Benson, 1978:
"There are a great many of this people who are afraid =o be involved in the fight for freedom, because it is an unpopular fight. But they make a terrible mistake, perhaps fatal, for your eternal destiny is NOT determined by Gallup Polls, but rather by where YOU stand. You will enjoy freedom in the next life only to the extent you will stand for freedom (and by extension, virtue), in this life.
I will hush. Tilt at the Windmills, and save your soul.
Thanks, Dad:)
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