Beautifully said Mr. Rather (www.occupydemocrats.com – worth a read by all). Dan Rather eloquently writes what terrifies me about this election. I am not one to inflict my political opinion on others but this election year gives no choice.

Let me tell you about an experience at our county fair on my birthday this past September. My husband, children, and I went to see Rascal Flatts. We went early and walked around. In one building, there were Clinton and Trump booths in opposite corners. I went to the Clinton both and was able to get a sign for a $3.00 donation. I considered asking my children (young adults) to take it to the car, but thought better of it. My husband (though he agrees with my choice) gets angry at people easily. So, with this election being so volatile, I felt the slight possibility of being stopped by someone.  Sadly, I was stopped by a woman about my age. She suddenly asked me why I was voting for her. Now it was my birthday and I cut this short. I simply answered, “Because I think she is the best choice.” Her response, “Really?” I then became firm and simply, with as confidence as I could, said, “Yes, I do.”   She looked at me, could tell I was done, and walked away. No one else stopped me. The point being here that I never would have stopped someone carrying a Trump sign. This has never happened to me before (I am 58).

I feel this election has turned into a frightening comical farce akin to Dante’s Inferno. And while the media seems to be trying now to turn it around, they are as much to blame as all of us for engaging the adolescent behavior of adults . We are watching reality TV at the highest level. Is it really what we want? Is it the legacy we hope to leave our children? I want my children to be left a world that respects all no matter sex, gender orientation, race, religion, or no religion. I want all these respected in words (private or public) and in actions (private or public). What you do and say in private reflects more who you are.

My whole family will be voting in November. None of us will vote for a third party this round. The stakes are too high. We are  in a dilemma – between a rock and a hard place. You need to pick your front-runner. I have mine. I’m with her.  And I beg. I pray. We all take more caution in calling people evil, demon, or devil, and in using term the word “apocalypse.” These terms have no place in a debate or a campaign for our highest office (or any public office). These terms cause more harm and paranoia (promoting violence and idea of “holy war”) than help us move in a forward direction. It saddens me to hear theses terms being used by both main parties to more and lesser degrees. Using terms associated with certain beliefs shows bias and preference in a country open to all ideas within constitutional limits. I do firmly believe in the separation of church and state. That does not mean common ground cannot be found on moral and humane issues. I do not see demons, devils, and evil everywhere only people making very poor and dividing choices (though some choices are beyond inhumane).

The feelings I have here I have had from a very young age. They have only grown in their depth of understanding even through the trauma expressed through my poetry. I would describe myself more as spiritual with faith in a higher power that holds us all in His heart as his children.