So, it was seven days ago that America voted for our next president. Since that time I have felt so many emotions. The day after, on Wednesday, I did a lot of crying. Then I felt a bit numb, and I have gone back and forth in being disappointed in our country and the choice it made, and still confused why people accept him.

As what happened to me the first time we elected him (I prefer not to use his name – we all know who I am talking about) when I went out in public I looked at people I saw differently. I thought in my head: Did you vote for him? Why? You look to be okay. Living a safe, and good life. What caused you to go for the one with no integrity? The habitual liar and cheat?

Maybe you didn’t watch his rallies. Maybe you didn’t hear him put down people all the time. Maybe you didn’t see him present himself as a buffoon. Maybe you thought his name calling was funny. Maybe you felt sorry for him because he had his ear grazed. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

I am still not able to watch much news yet because I just don’t want to see his face and hear his voice anymore. I had hoped that the election was going to take him out of the news, except for when his criminal cases were covered.

I do see some headlines now and then that pop up on my phone about his cabinet and his administration picks. I am not surprised at his choices, but they scare me. He seems to be picking people who I figured he would. These are “yes” people to him. Are they smart? Hmmm. Will they work cautiously within the guidelines of democracy? Hmmm. Will any of them push back when he comes up with some crazy idea? Hmmm.

It’s only been one week and I find myself already feeling sorry for our current Sec. of State Blinkon who has worked tremendously long and hard with leaders in the volatile Middle East and for Ukraine. The time he has put in. The amount of work! Now it will go away. I feel sorry for so many other civil servants, and those in the Democratic Party who have also put themselves out there to work on issues and projects that will now be reversed. We talk about government ‘waste’ but yet we don’t think about how this change will waste all the forward steps, and the talent of so many Americans.

I think about the setback for womens rights, and the setback for the hopes of safe gun control in America. I definitely worry about anyone in our country who is not white or Christian. Will we see an uptick in gun violence? Will it affect those who don’t fit ‘the look’? It’s very concerning to me.

I have seen the meme about the circus coming to town and ‘you know who’ as the head clown. It does seem a possibility. Americans have voted saying they want the one who playfully lies, who seems to wear a disguise of having ‘something’ – I can’t even identify what it is. Really, what does he have? Do you think he has bully power? You like that? Do you think he is intelligent? I mean, really??? Do you think he will lead with any sort of compassion?

It’s one week into this – and my emotions are still all over the place. Sad. Angry. Disappointed. Fearful. I am not feeling that the next 4 years will be a calm time. I don’t think it will a safe time. I don’t think the United States will be a ‘beacon on the hill’ to the world. (Ya’ll love Reagan so I thought I’d throw that one in.)

It’s only one week later. Nothing he does EVER makes each day, or week, better.

I use my musings and my writings as self-therapy. If you are inclined, you can read along.

So much is on my mind right now.

I have maintained a couple of Facebook friendships with women who are deeply MAGA and who voted for Trump on Tuesday. A couple of them have responded to some of my posts with their takes on issues, and they are very different from mine. And, that’s ok. Still, it is hard for me to read what they say, even though I want to know what they are thinking.

And, the sad part is that they comment about issues and fears that are just not true. They say classic lines right out of the Trump and Fox playbook. They have heard over and over the lies and they believe them. They think their fears will be alleviated now with Trump as the upcoming president. It’s too early to say “I told you so” but I think it is coming.

Here are a couple of falsehoods I have read in the past couple of days that I’d like to speak on:

Trump is not going to make medical care and medical insurance better for you. He has no plan. He doesn’t care about your high health costs. He wants to dismantle Obamacare out of spite.

Trump is going to stop ‘forcing’ you to ‘go electric’ and buy an electric-car. Look around. How many gas vehicles are on the road? Millions. Look how many gas stations are everywhere in America. Electric has been introduced as an alternative, and a cleaner option. Nobody, certainly not Democrats, were ever going to force you to buy a new car. Who told you they were?

Trump is not going to lower your food prices. Food costs, along with most goods, have varying prices set by supply and demand, by weather variations to crops, by transportation issues, and more. He will not wave a magic wand and make eggs cheaper. Oh, and by the way, Democrats don’t control the weather.

Trump is going to make you safer from the big, bad immigrants. I actually read a comment from a woman that she is afraid to drive on long trips because the immigrants might get her. She has totally been fed fear and believes it. I’d like to remind her: She has locks on her car doors. She has a cellphone. She certainly has no way of identifying a person that she sees on her trip and knows their status and their right to be here. oh, and by the way, we have some citizens that are unfortunately not trusting types too. Regardless of president we always have to practice basic safe driving options and schedules.

Trump is going to make take home pay better. Again, he has no plan. He has never talked about raising the minimum wage, or incentives for companies who give yearly raises, etc. Did I miss it ? I have listened to way too many of his rallies and never heard anything about helping the hourly wage earner.

Trump will not be a foreign leader hero and stop war. He has no idea of diplomacy and he is laughed at by world leaders (check back to his first presidency), except the enemies who want to destroy democracy. People have told me that they voted for Trump because he is a bully and believe he will stop another Sept. 11th. That awful day was in 2001. That was 23 years ago and we have had both Republicans and Democrats as presidents leading our country since then. Our CIA and FBI continually stop all kinds of sick plots and individuals who are planning harm to America. They do their work quietly and without recognition. It is a non-partisan effort. We owe them a lot.

Trump will make sure our food is ‘cleaner’…. And it’s a wonderful thing to have Robert Kennedy come on board. Well, many of the safeguards and regulations for food and our environment are going to be loosened under Trump. You think that is good? He has promised the fat cats that, and he has told ordinary citizens that it’s a good thing too. There will be less oversight, making it easier for big business and conglomerates, but more dangerous for consumers.

Trump will take care of the small business owners. Well, Harris had a plan. I heard hers. I never heard Trump say how he would help people starting a business. And, let me say, starting a business from scratch is extremely difficult. It takes drive, lots of time, money invested, and then possibly a five year return. It’s not for everyone. And even for those who try many of them fail. Trump can not save a struggling small business.

Trump will show the world that we don’t mess around with anybody… cuz, you know, we are America!! And, at the same time he wants America first, and to make us great again. He plans on tariffs that will cause foreign manufacturers to pass on price increases for anything coming to our country. The retailer is not going to ‘eat’ those increases, so they will be passed on to the consumer. Prices will go up, not down.

To make America great he wants to kick out people as quickly as possible. You know, the ones that are raping, stealing, taking our jobs. Can you name more than 5 that have done that? He has no plan to help those who come to pick our fields and do other manual labor that our citizens don’t and won’t do. Hard jobs. Low pay. He has no plan to increase punishment for the Americans who hire them, pay them under the table, etc. Because, you know, they are citizens so it’s not their fault. (Said with sarcasm).

I truly believe that over 8 years of constant Fox News indoctrination and Trump fear mongering we have come to this place. Way too many Americans have been encouraged to be mad. Mad about everything! And, not to think. Trump will take care of it. And this is Trump, the man who has bankrupted numerous companies, fired endless people on the spot, paid off many others not to talk, and who is an obvious textbook narcissist. He will say anything to look good. To win. And he did. But that does not mean that he is good on his word. In fact, he is the opposite. That does not mean you will be better because he will be your president. He doesn’t care about you. He probably snickers knowing how gullible you have become.

I will end for now saying YOU (not me) elected a felon, a louse, a womanizer, all in hopes for some of what I listed above. He has NO PLANS but pompously says he will do it. And you believe him.

It’s not time to say “I told you so” yet.

I don’t ever want to say it.

PS: You realize Trump could not vote on Tuesday? It’s because he is a felon. As well, Trump can not hold many jobs in our country – and he can not even serve in our military or on a police force. He is an impeached felon. But you elected him president.

The results of the presidential election have made me wonder a lot about how women feel about themselves and each other.

On Election day, while people were still voting, I had a hair appointment. I told my hair stylist/friend, who just had her first baby one month before, that she had now joined a group that is like no other. I told her women bond from all the experiences of pregnancy, child birth, and how feeling the unlimited love for the child is like nothing else. I told her she would now have conversations the rest of her life with women that men will never understand. Right?

Women, called the ‘fairer sex,’ are really extremely strong, and are experts of giving. Love for another, for others, rule their lives. That is, of course, when a mother CHOOSES to become one and make it her life, because then she does everything she can for herself and the baby.

So, I was very hopeful that the bond of women, the belief that women hold to always support each other, would stop Trump from becoming president again. Women know how pregnancies are unique and how all kinds of medical issues can happen. My own daughter was pregnant with twins and she had special needs due to that, and she was closely monitored by medical professionals. Thank God. There are still many miscarriages. Ask any woman. They either had one or know someone who did. There are all kinds of other issues: the fertilized egg implanted in to the fallopian tube. Irregular formation of the fetus. And, sometimes, no heartbeat. I believe that every woman mourns during those times.

Trump purposely put ultra-conservative judges on the Supreme Court. Yes, he had help from the Republicans congress. Women lost their ability to get a safe abortion in many states and since then we have heard incredibly sad stories. Women telling real stories about having to travel out of state. Women having to be secretive. And you know, we have not heard about the ‘back alley’ abortions but you can bet they are happening.

So, I truly thought women would support other women with their vote. But they didn’t.

My other sincere disappointment is how women excused the language and behavior of Trump as it comes to women. We have all heard it. No excuses. We know how vile he can be. Crass. Disgusting. We also know he was convicted of sexual abuse. He paid off call girls. He had been linked with Epstein, who preyed on girls and young women for sex, used them, hurt them physically AND mentally forever.

But, I thought, women are strong – and they can speak through the vote, and they will make a statement. And, a part of this campaign was about reminding women that voting is private. Men don’t have to know. I, along with hundreds across America, wrote out postcards that included the line “your vote in important and private.” They went to people all across the country. Signs popped up in public womens’ bathrooms reminding women that they have power.

Well, I don’t have to tell you how the vote went.

I say all the time “I will never understand.” And, it’s true. I will never understand how women turned their backs on other women. On our teenage girls. On our young daughters. I will never understand WHY this was not an important issue. In fact, why it was not a defining issue on deciding how to vote for Tuesday.

I am a woman. I’m not a crazy over the top feminist, but I want all women to have freedom of choice, and to have equal opportunities, and I get teary eyed thinking that not every woman wants that.

I am sorry that women now have to get through the coming 4 years. But, had we voted together there would have been a different outcome. Women are more than half of all Americans. Women are strong. We just weren’t bonded.

We let each other down.

We often hear in America we have the right to vote. Many places around the world do not give citizens that right, and they are therefore run by one person, or a few at the top, who make all the decisions.

Our forefathers came across the ocean, leaving England, to make sure that where they wanted to live had representation by all the people. For the people. A basic principle therefore is that every single citizen has a right to vote – a vote for who will lead them, and for important issues, and our freedoms.

Tuesday is our day to vote. Yes, some, including myself, already took the time and ‘early voted’ either in person, or mailed it in. But Tuesday is the big day. It’s the deadline to make your vote count.

I have voted in every presidential election since turning 18. I learned early that it was really a gift to me and to all Americans, given by our forefathers so that we could ‘self govern.’ I have always taken the opportunity seriously. And, I have always felt that if I wanted things to be different I could not speak out unless I voted.

Last week I spoke with someone who has never voted. Never. It took me aback when I heard that. Did he not learn about our country’s history in school? Did he not understand the gift we are offered here? Did he not want to be a proud citizen of our country? Did he not want to have a say in who leads us?

It is hard for me to understand how someone gives up this gift. There is no cost to it. Voting only takes a little time and it doesn’t happen all that often. Yes, there are challenges with our voting system. States do it differently. They have rules and options that some others don’t. There is always a teeny tiny chance of someone trying to mess with the system to change the outcome. (We had a big uproar about it last time. I have not forgotten the false claims by you Donald Trump.) People are devoted to getting it right though. Our whole democracy is based on a free and fair election, and a peaceful passing of leadership.

So, consider your vote a gift. It’s something for you to give to our country. Women and people of color have not had the ability to vote as long as white men in America. So, if this is you, then it’s even more important. People before you worked really hard and they struggled so you could vote.

Tuesday – accept your gift! Go and make democracy work!

Go vote.

I have always preferred fun and cute costumes vs. the ones full of blood and gore. There is nothing better than seeing precious little children dressed as their favorite super heroes and princesses!! Thankfully, in movies, the children can still see cartoon people who are good and fight evil. They always win in the end.

So, I say today “Happy Halloween” because in just a few days we will see the blood and gore. Election Day, and the days following, will be a time of real scary life. I am worried about it. I dread how people will react.

I read an article this morning about all the safety measurements being put in place to protect the poll workers and counters. Most of these people are volunteers doing their civic duty. They are people who want to ensure we have a free and fair election. A free and fair election is a founding principle of democracy. Across America the election offices and the polling locations are being fortified. Fear is great that someone will hurt a worker or even worse, and damage buildings.

There is also real concern about the rhetoric from Trump that may lead to violence. It’s interesting. I had a MAGA acquaintance tell me the other day that it is Harris encouraging violence, yet, I have never heard her, or people in her camp, speak of violence in any way. Never. Not once. In fact I hear instead only hopes for a peaceful time and a fair and safe transition of power. So, all I can figure is that conservative media is putting false worries in the minds of those who follow Trump. By doing this they are making MAGA nervous, twitchy, and ready to respond.

They have truly become the party of fear.

The folklore of Halloween says that people wanted to dress up and scare off bad spirits. It was the night before “All Saints Day” when those who had died during the year were to be honored. Halloween night was meant to “fool” the spirits so they would stay away and not cause trouble.

We all have different beliefs on bad spirits, or the devil, or satan, and anti-Christ types. Throughout time many religions have told us of the “fallen angel” who wanted to do harm in the world. It’s pretty heavy stuff. As we look around us we can certainly feel that there are those today who thrive on horrible rhetoric and actions. They are ready to pounce.

Election Day and the days that follow will be those days.

So, as I look to my week ahead, to the days right after November 5th, I think I may hibernate for awhile. Regardless of who wins, it will be a time of volatile emotions, and people slinging words back and forth, and even people wanting to lash out physically.

Tonight, I will enjoy the pictures of my grandchildren and so many other little ones as they dress as super heroes, as princesses, and such. Their joy of Halloween will make me smile! Their innocence to the ways of the world will give me comfort.

The grown up blood and gore is about to start.

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. Just writing that makes me surprised how much time has gone by in my life. Sometimes my childhood seems like yesterday. But, I think about all that has changed since I grew up and I know time does not stand still. It never does and thank goodness.

I never want to be one of those people who says ‘back in my day’ and ‘those were the good ole days.’ I have been known to wear rose-colored glasses but I am not blind.

I truly believe that every time period, every decade, has both absolutely wonderful things about it, and also some pretty horrible times too. That’s life. That’s humanity. That’s nature.

The first time I heard “Make America Great Again” I questioned that statement. The very first time. I thought it was single minded. Very one sided. America has always had amazing times of plenty, and of growth, and of inspiration. Yes! But, America has also had some really dark times. Slavery. Civil war. Mass shootings. The list on both sides is full.

We can’t change history and we should not want to change it. But history is a teaching lesson for us all. By knowing more we can do better.

I believe anyone who tries to control what we can know and learn is against who we are. Remember the book “1984” written by George Orwell in 1949. It was fiction about a country with a totalitarian government. A dictator that controlled everything. Citizens of the country had limited books, music, and videos. Microphones were listening in. We think about now how “Alexis” might hear us (I don’t worry about that. I have nothing to hide.). In “1984” it was ‘big brother’ listening in. We do not want to live with a ‘big brother’ listening and watching us. We certainly do not want any kind of dictator here in the US. We are founded on freedoms to do, say, act like we want to, as long as it does not hurt another person. We do not want censorship.

It is hard to believe we are just weeks from Election Day. Most states have early voting and some have started already. So, now is the time. I told myself that I would use October to push for any way to assure a free and safe election. I will use my voice and my “Marla’s Musings” to speak to those who will listen.

There is such a huge difference in the two candidates and sometimes I just can’t believe how obvious the attributes of each are, but yet ignored or overlooked.

You know, I believe that if Trump wins the election and becomes president again we will see craziness in the Executive branch. I believe what Trump says in his rallies. He has outrageous ideas of kicking thousands of people out of our country. He wants to use his power to do what he can without approval of congress. That is the sign of a dictator. He wants to put his cronies in to help him continue to deregulate important laws in place for our safety…. And to ban rights, and more. He wants to end our connections with Allies. He truly wants to create a caste system of who is in and who is out. This is totally against what America is, a nation founded by the people, for the people. Not just white people. Not just those of European genealogy.

Do I think Harris will be a good president? Yes, I do. I think she respects the limits of the office and she will follow the laws of our land. I believe she has experience in all three branches of government and has devoted her life to being a civil servant. Will she make mistakes? Sure. But, Harris will keep our country steady, and she will work with other countries to live in peace. I believe she really cares about making life better for ALL the people in the US. She will consider ideas of smart minds. She will work with Congress and the various governmental organizations. She will work in the confines of democracy.

So, I always look forward. I have lived a lot of life. I remember the past but I don’t want it back.

It’s October 2024. If you want a bright future and some peace in America, I think the decision is an easy one to make.

Harris and Walz.

Vote for a great America for the future.

We here on the east side of the United States are getting our butts kicked right now. First Helene came through and caused life-changing damage, power outages, and major water issues from the panhandle of Florida through into Virginia. And as we now know the mountains of North Carolina got hit like never before. People are still missing. They are hard to reach. Some are presume dead.

Now we are just hours away from Milton smacking into western Florida, and it going straight across that state with severe winds and rains. Flooding will be a huge issue. Structural damage will be devastating. Thousands have already evacuated from its path, temporarily displaced. Maybe permanently in need of new housing.

The day after Helene I heard how bad it was up in the mountains because I live in South Carolina and many here along the coast, in the lowcountry, have family and friends ‘upstate’ near Ashville, Boone, Chimney Rock, and other towns in the western Carolinas. The mountains are home to many but it is also a ‘cooler’ weather getaway for those who live by the shore.

Almost every state has the possibility of some sort of a natural disaster, be it a hurricane, or a tornado, a wildfire, or earthquake. No place is completely safe. This time it was in the mountains.

It took 2 or 3 days for the nation to hear just how bad Helene was up there. Once the media saw the destruction the attention quickly turned into an emergency situation.

One thing about Americans, we have always been sympathetic to those hit by a natural disaster. Maybe it’s because it can happen to anyone, anywhere. We live on land surrounded by water and the power of storms and quakes can be unstoppable.

You believe that, right?

Because, after the news came out about the flooding, the mud slides, the roads and bridges out, and so many people missing, somehow word spread throughout social media that it was yet another political conspiracy. Memes said that weather can be manipulated. What? Posts from conservative media outlets said the president did not send in help like he should, and that FEMA was not distributing funds.

Lies. All lies.

If you believe it, then I want you to first see a therapist, and then second, go back to science class in middle school. If you are one to perpetrate these very mean spirited lies then I hope you get down on your knees and ask for forgiveness.

Natural disasters happen.

Through the years our country has created federal, state, and local agencies to handle the aftermath of them. We have technology now to often see the disasters coming so people can prepare and get out of the way. We are fortunate to live in a time where communication can get word out for help. And, we have thousands and thousands of first responders, crews, big equipment for reconstruction, and more.

So, you now who is spreading the lies. Right? You know which party has in writing in a book called “Project 2025” their projected plans to eliminate the agencies and associations that help in time of natural disasters?

I have gotten pretty fed up with all the lies, all the time, from Trump and the Republicans who seem to bow at his feet. Lie after lie after lie. So much lying that people have lost a sense of reality. They don’t know what is true anymore. They believe because….. ??? I really don’t know!! It’s scary. And, it is to the point of even affecting the people who reach out in times of natural disasters. Those who go in and help in dangerous conditions. The power linemen and women. The medical professionals. Construction workers. Teams to feed and clothe and house those left with nothing. Some paid. Many volunteers.

It is appalling how much lying there is.

It is disgraceful and it is inhumane.

Dare, I say… it is deplorable.

There is a population of Americans who have felt disrespected and unappreciated all their lives.

The reasons why are many. Some may have had little encouragement as children. Some felt they got lost in the system. Some may have had a traumatic event in their life and they did not get the help they wanted and needed. They became bitter. Some may feel others are taking from them without even a ‘thank you.’ Some were raised with parents with a chip on their shoulder, and that attitude was then passed along.

My opinion: these are the folks who have found Trump. These are the ones who are okay with him being the ‘outlier’ because they feel the same way. They feel a camaraderie with him. They find it alright that he says mean things, because they have thought them too. They like that Trump is irreverent and that others don’t like him. They get how it feels to be unimportant and unwanted.

Trump appeals to them because the normal government never cared enough. They were lost in the cracks. Maybe they were poor but not poor enough for help. (How dare others get assistance!). They were unable to get a proper education – but they feel they turned out just fine, thank you very much. They have a personal strength in being disrespected. You know… it’s an “I’ll show them” attitude.

When Trump went down his golden escalator in his multi-million dollar Trump tower one of the first words out of his mouth was a put down of people who are coming to America. By saying that he immediately appealed to that group who felt ‘used’ for so long and who were tired of getting a raw deal.

The irony is not to be overlooked though. Right? Trump is a man who grew up in a family of privilege with a ton of money. He never knew what it was like to scrimp and to barely get by. His name preceded him everywhere he went and he was arrogant – and it was part of his presentation to the world. It may have even helped him get out of serving in the military – even though the military is a pathway for so many of his now followers. He has even talked against the military, yet his MAGA followers are proud veterans and support him. Yes. The irony.

Trump quickly learned (and maybe truly believes) that if you put groups down it makes his followers feel empowered. It was the first time in their lives they have felt heard. So, MAGA world was created. Others in the same unfortunate situation connected when they heard Trump. It became okay to be openly mean. It was okay to feel the way they do. Others did. And, Trump said it out loud, and they thought that was pretty cool.

That trip down the escalator was how many years ago. I think we are ten years or so into the non-stop “Trump style” politics and as the years have progressed he has continued on with more and more of the same. So much so that his MAGA followers will truly now follow him to the ends of the earth. Trump can say anything, mostly made up, and it doesn’t matter. Lies and lies. but it doesn’’t matter. As I have watched over the years, I see him get more outrageous. I often think to myself ‘he can’t go lower’ but yet he does. MAGA eats it up.

One more thing Trump has also done is inject doubt in to everything. Everything. And, you know this has probably been his most dangerous element. He has used his speeches and his tweets (until he was banned), and then his own social media, to tell his followers that everything else is a conspiracy theory. Everyone else is out to get him – which means they are out to get his followers. That riles them up.

Trump says the judicial system is out to get him. The FBI and the CIA. Judges are corrupt (except for his Supreme Court appointees of course.) Elections officials and election poll workers are out to get him. “The establishment” is all against him. And, the migrants are taking everyone’s jobs and killing people. They sneak across the border to come steal, and rape, and sell drugs. Some are even eating people’s pets.

MAGA believes it.

A perfect example of the doubt Trump has created is the way he has treated the media. He gives them no respect. He says that they ALL are extremely liberal, and he says they are never fair to him. (He loves to tout that he is never treated fairly.) He loves to have his people feel sorry for him when something bad is in the news about him. It has gotten to the point that MAGA thinks anything in the media is untrue, unless it comes from Fox, other conservative outlets, Truth Social, or X.

MAGA now only watches those same media sources.

Remember January 6th? MAGA and the Proud Boys and other conservative groups had listened to Trump over and over about the stolen election. Total lies. But it didn’t matter. Trump prodded them on. He sublimely encouraged violence and a Capitol building takeover. So they did it. There is NO QUESTION that Trump was behind the deadly actions of his followers. Misguided people, brought to a point of rage. Violence had become an act of allegiance.

As I write all this I wish, oh please oh please oh please, that Trump followers would wake up. But unfortunately I have seen over and over again that they are in too deep. They support Trump like he is their savior even though he never tells them HOW he plans to enact changes and improve their lives. He spews horrible rhetoric about so-called bad people, usually Mexicans, sometimes Haitians. Always Democrats because he thinks they are out to get him. He tells MAGA Democrats will destroy this country. Only he can save them!!

MAGA believes him.

One day historians and poly sci students will study Trump and this time in our American politics. They will wonder was Trump truly a mad man, able to control so many? They will rewatch his rally speeches. Pull up old Truth Social posts (in all caps.) Psychologists will teach what a narcissist can do when given too much power. Social Studies will outline how ‘normal’ people can be impacted by hearing what they want to hear with no concern of truth. Media will continue to question their place in news reporting, in fact checking, in manipulation of the masses. When I was in college as a student some of the questions were “Does the news report it – or do they make it?” “How can anyone be totally unobjectionable?” I learned the importance of fact checking and verifying with more than one source. News reporting then was a ‘service’ to Americans, not a business as it is now. Getting it right was the most important thing. It was never opinion. Editorials and opinion pieces were cleared stated as such.

Not anymore. MAGA has banded together under a false prophet. Loyalty beats out truth. Fear is their big instigator… fear of others, fear of losing money, fear of not being heard. Not being respected. Or appreciated. or valued.

I write this on October 1st, just a little over a month to Election Day.

MAGA people won’t change. So it is really important for those not caught up the in their movement to come out on November 5th and vote, and bring us back, away from Trump lies and conspiracy theories. We need to get back to rational thinking, and to leaders working with each other. We need to vote out any who do not seek to work toward a healthy democracy.

Why do people act like choosing a president is like rooting for a sports team? They wear the team mascot on their clothing and they root for the other side to lose.

Why are there public schools in America with less? Shouldn’t ALL public education be equal? Taxpayers should not vote on how much to give schools and teachers in their community.

Why do people only see black and white when this world is made of infinite shades of grey (not that kind! Ha)? Every problem has many options for solutions.

Why do we go to church but still hear God’s words of love and acceptance so differently? Hypocrisy reigns.

When will he ever really go away? Not November 6th. That I can guarantee.

How long can we keep children safe? Keep them as children? Give them a childhood without fear? Never.

Who will accept defeat gracefully?

Why do we blame others so easily? No self evaluation, a big ego, and pride seem to rule.

How much money is enough? Don’t we want everyone to have enough?

Why would anyone think a group of people are stealing pets to eat them?

And, why would anyone believe women have ‘abortions’ after birth?!?! It’s impossible. Or that women WANT to have an abortion in the final trimester?

Why does truth not matter anymore? it still exists but it is hard to find.

How did it happen that we seem to no longer encourage creativity, and change, and new technology? Fear to try something new never makes us better.

Why do people want to Make America Great Again? Going back in time is not rosy. We had some really bad events and bad people back then.

Why do churches stay so quiet?

Why is the word ‘freedom’ used as a fighting word? And what happened to the word ‘patriot’?

Why can’t we put Congressional time limits on ballots?

Why do I still hear it’s mentally sick people not the guns? Even ‘sane’ people shoot people. We have too many guns.

Do people vote selfishly or do they think about what might be good for their neighbor? Hmmm. Happy neighbor makes a happy community, and that can spread to make a happy world.

My biggest questions: how can I stay hopeful? When will all people want a strong, working government for everyone? Can we see the big picture for our country?? Will all the differences turn to violence? Can it get even worse?

Who will vote?

I was raised to always tell the truth. In fact, I never even thought about telling anything but the truth, and I never hoped to ‘tell a fib’ and get away with it. Maybe I did as a little kid but I certainly don’t remember. If I did try to lie I am pretty sure I was called out about it. I was raised with a healthy amount of guilt I guess. And I just knew right from wrong. Lying was wrong.

Because of the way I was raised, not needing to lie, not wanting to lie, well, to this day I can’t lie. really. If I lie it will eat away at me. I don’t want that.

I remember hearing at a young age that telling one lie can lead to telling more lies, and stories get more outrageous. Lies grow. They make life complicated. No thanks. I don’t want to try to keep track of what I say, and worry about ‘stories’ , and that is why I always say I am an open book.

Looking back I don’t remember being lied to about anything consequential. And, because I was around good people, they were people who did not make lying ‘a thing.’ I never had to deal with disappointments from fake stories, and massive exaggerations.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I know sometimes people tell a ‘little white lie’ because they don’t want to hurt someone. I get that. But, living life telling lies, and having no problem with it, and thinking ‘everybody lies’ is pretty foreign to me.

Honesty is a virtue. Honesty is living a true life. Honesty is acknowledging mistakes. Honesty is learning to apologize when needed.

So, this is why lying in politics is very offensive to me. Now, I know both political parties have people who lie. But, statistically ex-president Trump has been, and is, the king of lies. He has lived his whole life telling them without remorse. He lies to help himself. They are not ever for helping others. He repeats his lies so much that I guess at some point he thinks they are true. I believe he has a psychological condition that makes him lie so much without feeling bad about it.

We are at a place and time now where the need to be real and honest, and to have integrity, is needed but hard to find. But I think we need to emphasize it again. I worry about our grandchildren. I worry about living in peace. I fear the endless amount of lies will create constant distrust.

Am I so unusual to want honesty again?

Does it matter to you that are politicians lie so much? Will that make a difference when you vote?