re: #23 EmmaAnne

I know from sad experience that focussing on all the shit I can’t control or affect just makes me crazy and doesn’t accomplish anything. So my resolution is to put my efforts toward things I might be able to affect.

The Republicans have control of all branches of governement for the next two years. I can’t do anything about that, although I will certainly object loudly. I can’t stop legislation or appointments (that hurts to say, but it is true).

What I can do: I am fortunate enough to live in a blue state (Colorado). I will work to keep abortion legal here and to come up with some sort of state alternative to the ACA. There is hope here: Colorado instituted some health care reforms before the ACA past and has defeated personhood bills soundly every time they have come up. And higher minimum wage just passed.

I will support groups that are fighting unconstitutional actions by the administration. I will support investigative reporting. I will support groups helping people who will be hurt the most: immigrants, minorities, LGBT people. Support means both money and time.

I will continue working with the Democratic party. To coin a phrase, it is the worst possible party except all of the others.

I will stand up for people who need it and encourage people trying to do the right thing.

I will discourage circular firing squads on the left. The terms “Bernie Bro,” “baggage,” and “neo-liberal” shall not pass my lips. No person or group that voted for Hillary will be criticized by me for not getting other people who aren’t them to do so also. No one who worked their ass off for liberal candidates and causes will be upbraided by me for not doing it in just the right way to force other people not be lazy or selfish or stupid.

What abortion? Kiss that good-bye: Roe v Wade can be overturned. Abortion can be outlawed by the now majority-GOP Federal legislature.

Your blue state of Colorado is subject to the same Federal laws as my red state of Nebraska.

Deferring personhood bills in Colorado is meaningless if one passes at the Federal level.

Groups fighting unconstitutional actions? A far-right Supreme Court can declare any action to be constitutional (Hobby Lobby, Citizens’ United, name it).

Investigative reporting? Trump has already said he would go after press outlets. And anyway, the press gave up investigative reporting a long time ago.

I faced an uphill task in my village: I got eight whole people to vote for Hillary Clinton, and I am in the goddamn village government. A disabled veteran. A Gold Star Family member. Three generations of military dead in my family. Didn’t matter for diddly.

Those who were telling me here when I knocked on every door in town they were disillusioned about the election and would vote for no one broke for Mr. Trump at about a 98% rate of the village electorate.

I had a delivery driver (as I noted earlier) deliver a package this morning say “Good we can run the liberals out of our state.”

And you think Colorado will be safe from its own wingnuts in Colorado Springs and the Koch Brothers trying to buy your school board elections? Our state governor just bought - bought with a state referendum the restoration of the death penalty.

Your state is no safer than mine from a fascist takeover of the Federal government.