Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Me-llennials

Seriously, I am so bloody sick of the Millennials that are too ignorant about civics and how government works.  If you knew how things operated, you would know that it isn't just about you, it is about all of us.  Why do you think that so many people for decades have voted against their own interests?  Millennials seem to lack context.  Is it all your fault? No.  Education in school has lacked teaching about the foundation of this Country.  How did America come to be, how did our laws get created, and most importantly, how do laws get changed?  There are so many holes in education that social media trends and tweets get people riled up whether true or false.  

When Bernie Sanders was drawing huge crowds of Millennials, no one ever questioned how all his huge promises were going to happen.  Not once did I hear any young person question how.  The President can bring forth a bill for Congress to debate, change, and pass.  Did you know that?  Ask President Obama how many spending bills he put forth and Congress voted down.  Look it up.  He presented so many important bills that would've helped this Country, but Congress said, "f**k you."  Spending that helps all of us in this Country, not just the Me-llennials.  Obama most recently sent a bill for more money to research and create a vaccine for the Zika virus.  Congress said, "hell no."  Obama sent a huge spending bill for money for our crumbling infrastructure.  It would've not only helped all of us from crumbling bridges and roadways, but would've created a ton of jobs.  Congress said, "yeah, no."  

So, for the Me-llennials who look at the political landscape and hate Drumpf and don't trust Clinton, it's the future you are shaping.  It's not the now, it's the future.  You are already in college or in debt.  It's the future you are creating.  It's the elected officials in both the White House and Congress that shape the future.  It's not one or the other.  It's the elections in the so-called off years that Me-llennials must make time for and vote.  You can't just show up for the Presidential election years.  It doesn't work that way.  Again, maybe we, as parents and educators, didn't do enough to teach you how important all elections are.  How black people and women shed blood and fought for the rights the white men always had.  

I am way past childbearing so the right to choose has nothing to do with me, it has to do with all the women that come after me.  It is vital.  I haven't voted for the past 30 years for my right to choose, I have fought for your right to choose. I know that may not be the most important liberty for all people, but to me it is indicative of all liberties and rights.  It is the separation of church and state.  It is freedom of religion.  It is freedom of speech. It is all things our Founding Fathers so brilliantly, intuitively, and with great foresight fought for to create this Country.  It is foresight. It is not for now.  It is for the betterment of tomorrow and for our children and our grandchildren and so on and so forth.  Do you get that?  

So as you vote in this election, and I am sure this won't be the last time I say this, make a list of what matters to you.  If it's climate change, peace, the Supreme Court, a woman's right to choose, education, gun reform, etc. the media and social media fog should lift.  The choice should be clear.  But, seriously, don't vote for Gary Johnson and then be surprised and stunned that it is President Drumpf on November 9th.  It will be on you. It will be the future you create.  It's not about me anymore. I am thinking about you. I hope you will think about someone else, too.  Remember, democracy is messy.  It's not perfect. For the most part, elections are the lesser of two evils.  It's the world you want to create for others. It's the world you want to leave behind.  It's evolving our Country for the times and for the future.  

Monday, September, 26th is the first of three Presidential debates. Take the time. It's far too important and, please, don't get stuck on the fantasy of Gary Johnson and Jill Stein.  It's never going to happen in 2016 and all you will get is Drumpf. Think about it.  I really want to have faith in the Millennials.

Sidebars:  It was my birthday yesterday.  Facebook, honestly, has made birthdays far more fun and easy than ever before.  Hearing from friends from high school, college, and all over my life brings such joy and a wide smile.  Now, for me, birthdays are difficult.  It's not an age thing, at all, it's the expectation thing, like New Year's Eve.  With family and friends both near and far, it's joyous.  If for that reason alone, FB is worth it.  Though not having my kids with me is always bittersweet.  --  The Emmys were on Sunday.  I am not going to do a full review, but just to say how bizarre and disappointing "In Memoriam" was.  I don't understand why they can't get it right.  The omissions and the inclusions leave ones head shaking. -- Okay, the new television season has started.  The Voice began it's new season with Alisha Keyes and Miley Cyrus as new judges.  Looks to be another great season.  New series beginning tonight: Bull and This Is Us on different networks.  This Is Us has tons of buzz.  Will give both a try.  -- Looks like San Francisco Giants are pretty much done. I can't see a path to the playoffs.  They have the worst closers.  Can't collapse and lose in the 9th and see October. -- Fall begins this week and I am ready.  -- Life has been a gigantic roller coaster recently so my writing is suffering.  Stay with me and be patient.

Please re-post, re-tweet, and forward to a Millennial.
@DianaPodolsky

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Liars, Liars Pants, Shirt, Shoes on Fire

Honestly, there are so many lies in this campaign season between both Presidential candidates, it is certain to turn people off, but voters, there is so much at stake.  Don't listen to all the ups and downs and ins and outs.  Sit down and make a list.  Refocus what is important to you ideologically and plow through all the rhetoric.  See where each candidate stands.  Forget, all the noise.  There is so much.  

If pro choice is important, then there is only one person to vote for.  If global climate change matters, then there is only one candidate to vote for.  If equality for women is important to you, there is only one person to vote for.  If common sense gun laws matter to you, again, there is only one Presidential candidate to vote for.  I could go on and on.  We each have our own lists of what we care about, so take the time and make the lists.  Don't look me in the eye and talk to me about Gary Johnson and Jill Stein.  Those are wasted votes.  Maybe someday we will have a strong multi party system, but we still only have two true parties that can win. So all the arguments that I hate T***p, I hate Clinton, I can't vote for either candidate is cowardice. Think about what is important for you.  Can't say it enough.  

We have the candidates "we" voted for and an imperfect system, but it is what we have.  I am completely passionate about politics and feel that this election may be the most important Presidential election in my life.  I am terribly fearful that voters are getting turned off and tiring of all the bulls**t, but don't sit this one out. The country is at a crossroads.  We are at the fork.  Which direction do you want to go?  For me, there is no choice than to vote for the Democratic candidate. I care about a women's right to choose and until the other side decides to get out of my uterus, I will never be able to support a candidate that wants to take away that right. Never. Since Roe V. Wade, that conversation comes up in every election.  If the Right could just stop talking about it, they'd be more palatable. That hasn't happened for 45 plus years.  

The utmost important issue in this election is the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court.  If Clinton gets elected, we will get a moderate to liberal Court.  If T***p gets elected, we will incur the most fascist and right wing Court. Our right to choose could certainly be lost.  Citizens United will remain in effect.  So the future is all of ours to choose.  There are issues bigger than either candidates faults and imperfections, so register to vote, don't sit this one out. If you were passionate for another candidate and bitter, I get it. If you're old enough, we've all been bitter before, but don't sit this one out.  There are too many life changing issues at stake for us, our children, our grandchildren, and so on and so on.  

I, clearly, stand with Hillary Clinton.  I haven't always in years past, to be honest, but I know that she will stand by and for all the issues that are most important to me.  No President can get everything they promise done because our system is built with checks and balances. We have the House and the Senate to help or block bills and laws.  Think about that when you go to vote.  I'd prefer that we have all Democrats in power for this cycle.  I'd prefer that the members of Congress actually work for their lifelong salaries and not obstruct and avoid.  I'd like the Democrats to succeed big time or fail big time.  

And again, make your list and check it twice.  This election is far too important. I will keep this mantra until November 8th.  Don't believe all the false equivalencies that the talking heads are spewing.  There are issues on the table that will have ramifications for generations to come.  Do not sit this one out.

Sidebars:  MLB season continues but for us, San Francisco Giants fans, it is getting harder to see a path to the playoffs. :-(  The US Open is midway and there have been some very exciting matches.  Sad to see Venus Williams out.  College Football season began and every year I die a little when it begins.  It is the longest and fully encompassing season.  What used to be a beautiful, fun Saturday filled college football day, now has turned into basically everyday with multiple games for viewing. NFL begins this week and it, too, has blossomed into far more days of the week than years gone by.  Takes the specialness out of all of it. Ugh! --  Rizzoli and Isles had their series finale last night.  Bachelor in Paradise ends its summer season tonight.  Must say the producers made a surprising misstep announcing Nick as the new Bachelor last week, so watching his storyline on Bachelor in Paradise is spoiled.  We know he didn't choose the girl.  America's Got Talent is winding down and it's still not too late.  Also, America Ninja Warrior is thrilling television.  If you haven't given it a go, it won't disappoint.  The athletes are amazing.  -- It's a blustery day in NYC.  Enjoy your week wherever you are.

Please re-post, re-tweet, or forward to a friend.
@DianaPodolsky