ARE WE THERE YET?

Surely I speak for all Americans when I say election 2012 can't come soon enough.  Just imagine what our neighbors in the swing states are feeling.  In this day and age of the 48-hour news cycle, and biased and unbalanced journalism, we are overwhelmed, dazed and ready for it all to end.

This election is the first in which I have completely immersed myself.  I feel as if it is a life or death moment for the people of this country.  If a Republican majority holds power in our system of government, we will undoubtedly return to the policies that nearly wiped out the middle class.  Worse, American women will have our rights further peeled away.  Today is the 40th anniversary of Ms. Magazine.  Forty-plus years of progress, brought forth by pioneers of the feminist movement like Gloria Steinem, will be for naught.

Last night, I read yet another Facebook friend's rants and raves and demands regarding the fabricated and completely false allegation that our president ordered American military personnel to stand down in defense of our embassy in Benghazi attacked by the Taliban on Sept 11.  Friends, it is a grave mistake to continue this line of thinking; there are families and friends of the four dedicated Americans that lost their lives that are being completely ignored with this brand of utter foolishness.  To accuse our commander-in-chief of such negligent and malicious behavior is a slap in the face of those loved ones, and indeed, to us all.  To that FB poster, I say, "grow up."  You proudly incited a mob reaction with your ridiculous lie.  Instead, you should be lauding our president's global leadership, and working to ensure he is not only given four more years to complete his tasks, but also given a Congress that comes to the table with bi-partisanship its top priority.  Turn on CSPAN.  Watch our government in action.  Do this, and you won't be fooled by lies again.  If you had been doing this all along, you would know the truth which is that Paul Ryan and other members of the Republican party, voted against allottment of DoD money when the State Department requested beefed up security at that facility in Libya.  Get real, or be a fool.  Your choice.

It has been awkward and uncomfortable watching true colors come out in my friends and relatives.  Ugliness is what I see everywhere I turn, and it is the single most divisive and counter-productive aspect of election 2012.  There are forces at work to divide us over hot-button issues.  And, their work is paying off because we aren't focused on what they're doing while we're fighting amongst ourselves.  It's the age old story, but this time, it has worked quite well for them because of the racist response to the capable, compassionate, brilliant black man in the White House.  Instead of celebrating his accomplishments together, we are in a bitter war that has its poisonous roots in racism.  This is not the America I want for myself, my children or generations to come.  We are better than all the foolishness.  And we better all start paying attention through eyes free of prejudice and fear.

Four days until we know who will lead us into the future.  Personally, I don't want to live in a country where my president's name is Romney.  But, I no longer want to live in a country where my president is re-elected, only to face the hatred, and obstruction to his every move.  I am jaded and tired.  Tired on so many levels.  The obvious physical tired of campaigning, but more than that, I'm tired of the lies, tired of the hate for a man who has done amazing things in the face of great adversity in his first term.  Let it be done, and let my prediction be true.  That Americans are wiser in the voting booth than they ever present themselves to be on FB.   I am, after all, the eternal optimist.  :) 

Peace, Love, Democratic majority!
~Martha