In the days and weeks that have followed since that fateful day in November, it has been hard to have hope, to raise my head - to even get out of bed. It wasn't that the Presidency was lost so much, as to the depths of hell that we had descended to dredge up TheCheetoThatWillNotBeNamed and that otherwise good and decent people (along with a whole ton of people who were neither good nor decent) betrayed the soul of our nation and brought this pox upon us.
However, there is little time for crying - in baseball or in politics. Now is the time to fight, and fight, and fight. Fight for ourselves, our families, our friends, for the next generation - even for the people that have gotten us into this mess. There are so many things at stake for so many people. Many of whom, probably didn't consider the full ramifications of the votes they cast.
Last night, well actually early this morning - the GOP lead Senate voted to begin the repeal of Obamacare. This on the heals of the House of Representatives voting to repeal - plus Speaker Ryan saying that he will also defund Planned Parenthood in the process. With all the desperate issues facing our nation, climate change, perpetual war, homelessness, out of control student debt - it needs to be noticed and focused on - that the thing that Republicans will always go after first - hurts women and particularly poor women.
One of the most popular parts of Obamacare has been the contraceptive mandate. I don't know about all of you - but I've appreciated not having the copay every month. Especially, given the amount I already pay for my health insurance. I've appreciated not having to pay a copay to have my well woman exams, something that all women need to ensure our health. But all of that will change if Obamacare is repealed. Beyond the healthcare implications - the economic consequences for women of childbearing age is particularly harmful. We should be better than this as a nation, we shouldn't be asking people to choose between food and medicine, between utilities and birth control.
However, there is little time for crying - in baseball or in politics. Now is the time to fight, and fight, and fight. Fight for ourselves, our families, our friends, for the next generation - even for the people that have gotten us into this mess. There are so many things at stake for so many people. Many of whom, probably didn't consider the full ramifications of the votes they cast.
Last night, well actually early this morning - the GOP lead Senate voted to begin the repeal of Obamacare. This on the heals of the House of Representatives voting to repeal - plus Speaker Ryan saying that he will also defund Planned Parenthood in the process. With all the desperate issues facing our nation, climate change, perpetual war, homelessness, out of control student debt - it needs to be noticed and focused on - that the thing that Republicans will always go after first - hurts women and particularly poor women.
One of the most popular parts of Obamacare has been the contraceptive mandate. I don't know about all of you - but I've appreciated not having the copay every month. Especially, given the amount I already pay for my health insurance. I've appreciated not having to pay a copay to have my well woman exams, something that all women need to ensure our health. But all of that will change if Obamacare is repealed. Beyond the healthcare implications - the economic consequences for women of childbearing age is particularly harmful. We should be better than this as a nation, we shouldn't be asking people to choose between food and medicine, between utilities and birth control.
But once again - women and particularly poor women are going to bear the brunt of this. We have women racing the clock to get IUDs before the Republicans happen. Women are stocking up on Plan B - just in case...with a very strong anti-woman agenda - Republicans can run rampant through the lives of many of us. It is times like this that I am glad I am inching closer to menopause (closer than I'd like to admit), so that I can fully own my body again.
So - gentle readers - what are we to do? We can't just sit here and take this - ya'll don't strike me as those type of people. And unfortunately, it looks like this horrible straight to cable movie is actually going to be aired - I'm not seeing any miracles that will rid us of TCTWNBN - and honestly, Pence is a level of horrible that we all are quite aware of.
So here are my ideas for surviving this political apocalypse:
1) Be kind to yourselves and each other. Lets face it - we are going to need each other. We might be working on a contraceptives underground railroad here soon - so we need to stay friendly.
2) Be vigilant. Be involved. Know who your Representatives and Senators are (also at the state level) - have their contact information, particularly their phone numbers saved somewhere handy. We all need to be prepared to lobby for ourselves and each other. Don't be afraid to call their offices - they work for us. Remember that.
3) Give what you can to organizations on the frontlines. Whether that be time, money, moral support - they need it and they will continue to need it.
4) Support an independent press. An unbiased, uninfluenced press is absolutely crucial to saving our democracy.
5) Nolite te bastardes carborundorum - never let the bastards grind you down. (Gotta love Margaret Atwood - if you haven't read The Handmaid's Tale, consider it your homework)
So how are you coping? (besides wine) How are you continuing the fight? What suggestions do all of you have for surviving this impending disaster? Tell me in the comments!
So - gentle readers - what are we to do? We can't just sit here and take this - ya'll don't strike me as those type of people. And unfortunately, it looks like this horrible straight to cable movie is actually going to be aired - I'm not seeing any miracles that will rid us of TCTWNBN - and honestly, Pence is a level of horrible that we all are quite aware of.
So here are my ideas for surviving this political apocalypse:
1) Be kind to yourselves and each other. Lets face it - we are going to need each other. We might be working on a contraceptives underground railroad here soon - so we need to stay friendly.
2) Be vigilant. Be involved. Know who your Representatives and Senators are (also at the state level) - have their contact information, particularly their phone numbers saved somewhere handy. We all need to be prepared to lobby for ourselves and each other. Don't be afraid to call their offices - they work for us. Remember that.
3) Give what you can to organizations on the frontlines. Whether that be time, money, moral support - they need it and they will continue to need it.
4) Support an independent press. An unbiased, uninfluenced press is absolutely crucial to saving our democracy.
5) Nolite te bastardes carborundorum - never let the bastards grind you down. (Gotta love Margaret Atwood - if you haven't read The Handmaid's Tale, consider it your homework)
So how are you coping? (besides wine) How are you continuing the fight? What suggestions do all of you have for surviving this impending disaster? Tell me in the comments!
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