I was going to stay away until December and let things cool down yet due to the horrible backlash against some diarists here I am writing once more. To begin with lest there be any doubt – I voted for Hillary Clinton. I did not want to, I did not send her campaign a penny, did not make a single call for her, and did not tell a single friend they should vote for her. What I did was hold my nose and vote for the least objectionable candidate – just like the Democratic Party counted on. I was not enough.
I supported Bernie in the Primary, I sent his campaign money, told friends they should vote for him, and spoke to strangers excited about him to discuss his proposals and integrity. I did all this because Bernie Sanders offered me something crazy – Hope and Change. The same reason I supported President Obama in 2008. As president Obama was not able to deliver on all his hoped for changes. Six years of republican obstructionism blocked many of his hoped for changes yet he kept trying and managed through executive orders he made many changes blocked by congress. President Obama kept hope alive and working towards change. Bernie Sanders offered more hope and continued efforts at stronger change all while maintaining dignity and integrity. He was rejected by the Democratic Party and reviled by many on this site as were his supporters.
In his place as the Democratic Candidate was Hillary Clinton. What did Hillary offer - “Obamas third term”. No hope for anything more, no change. The selection of Tim Kaine a strong moderate senator did nothing to inspire any Bernie supporter. The democratic platform while holding many progressive concepts and planks had one fatal flaw – it was championed by someone who had within the past year held diametrically opposite positions. Even worse – a champion who had recently proven that she was more than willing to renege on commitments (four debates agreed to in February – fourth debate denied in June).
At the close of the Primary I was told to shut up and go away from this site, was called a liar when I questioned HRC’s integrity, was called a Bernie Bro, and told if I didn’t get behind the chosen one I was a Trump supporter. I left. I came back this morning hoping to see some recognition that there were errors in the thinking of the candidate selection process. Instead I find that I am racist, misogynist, and a hater. Why? Because I honestly believe that Hillary Clinton lost because she offered no hope and no change? No – because a terrible human being actually beat Hillary and many of his supports are racist, misogynist, and haters. Anyone who believes that the Democratic Party and the Democratic Candidate might actually have had something to do with losing can simply be labeled as the worst of Trumps supporters. I’ve told my kids for years you cannot be serious about Christianity and support the current Republican Party – according to what I read here I cannot be a white male over 50 and support the current Democratic Party. It’s a shame.
I’m not planning on spending much time here to keep reading the abuse of people who acknowledge a problem by those who simply want to live in a bubble. I’ll check in from time to time because frankly there are great thoughts here and good writers and truly a number of people who seem to care enough to try to work towards both hope and change. We have a hard four years in front of us and an even harder generation due to the terrible effects of future Supreme Court nominees. Hopefully I can stop my racist, misogynist, hating ways long enough to help overcome some of the damage done in the next four years. Better yet hopefully this site can broaden its outlook and appeal to accept an outsiders view.
Keep in touch.