The Morning After

Well, it is the morning after. If you know me at all you can probably guess that I am happy with the results of last night's election. Aside from the presidential race, I saw several women elected to congress including the first open lesbian. I saw equality spread to more citizens, it is a slow journey, but it is moving. On a local level I saw schools get much needed money for improvements. And believe it or not, while I fear more stonewalling, I am kind of glad that the House remained Republican and the Senate Democratic. I think when they are different we have more opportunity to find solutions that will help a broader spectrum of Americans.

Unfortunately happiness is not what has driven me to blog on this sunny Colorado morning. I woke up to check out my Facebook feed and I am enraged!

There are people I have kept on as friends for years despite a difference of opinion. Throughout the election, I even followed what they had to say on the chance they might be able to influence me. But with all the doomsday and disaster talk, veiled racism, desperate sorrow for our country and downright anger I am seeing today, I think it is time to start unfriending. The election is done. Now is the time to come together. Those of you who want to move to Canada, go for it. The comments of "I won't support Obama even if he is the President" and "I don't care what happens as long as he fails," are exactly what is ruining this country.

I fear what these people are teaching their children. As an adult I am not sure what I thought of President Reagan or President Bush, but through a child's eyes, they were heroes. The President had the most powerful position in the world and there was nothing cooler. Now we are teaching our kids that they need a permission slip every time the President speaks and it will be on TV at school. We are getting mad at teachers because they ask students to sing a song for the president. Sorry parents, it is not religion. It is the government of our country and we all share it. The more our kids know the better. The more respect they have for those in power, the better. Please don't tell your kids it is the end of the world because the other guy won. Remember, respect does not mean following blindly. Teach them to think on why they agree or disagree, but be respectful.

Instead of bitching and moaning on facebook, write to your congressman when there is legislation you care about. Go do something. I have been inspired by a friend who intends to call our local house representative every week. Will it make a difference? Who knows. But it is a step towards being involved more than once every four years. I suppose if you only pay attention every four years it does make this blow more crushing.

If the election had gone the other way, I had my post ready. I thought long and hard about it. I was going to write, "While that didn't go as I had hoped, I hope that President Romney can lead America in the right direction, and try to bring cooperation between all members of congress." and this morning I can make one edit and say the same thing for President Obama. "I hope that President Obama can lead America in the right direction, and try to bring cooperation between all members of congress.”

The unfriending of me may now commence!