Post Election: Red Face Blue Heart

Exhausted on election night, I fell asleep before the West coast votes were counted, Virginia was won or lost, and before concession/victory speeches were made…I woke up blurry eyed around 3:00 AM…so of course, I wanted to peek to see if the election fairy had come…it took me back to the days of checking grades in law school…All I had to do was log-in to see the results but I was afraid to look…Looking at the screen quickly like the words were going to jump out and bite me!  However, it wasn’t the election results that jumped out and bit me…it wasn’t marriage equality or marijuana legalization that offended me…it was, your word…

DISGUSTED

I’ve been disgusted…over murder, child pornography, oppression, abuse, carnage, images of war, injustice, pain, genocide, violations of civil and human rights…

Your political preferences are none of my concern…your views are your own…You chose a candidate to back and so did I…You have your opinions, your freedom of speech and expression…it’s how we use them that define us…There are probably issues that neither of us will ever agree on…BUT

How do we expect the generations to come to respect the man chosen as leader of our nation when we use such words to describe one…

President of the United States…as a kid most of us probably dreamed of one day occupying that office…it’s the loftiest of dreams…one which only a few manage to hold on to…and only a few ever experience…my dreams never included being disrespected, disgusted and reviled…whether you’re on the right or the left – blue or red – green or independent…that office…that office is always occupied by someone who dreamed and dared to try…even Honey Boo boo knows who the president is…kids don’t have political parties…they have presidents, congressmen and senators…there is no right or wrong…there is only a man or a woman who took initiative…so please be careful with your words…

I don’t have all of the answers to fix the financial, healthcare, job market problems in America…and likely neither will just one man on either side of the aisle…I am reminded of the phrase – e pluribus unum – Out of many, one…out of many beliefs, religions, states, cities, towns – we become one nation…

Voting: The Playlist

Today is all about getting out and rockin’ the vote which is why while driving to work listening to the soulful voice of Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men) singing about throwing clothes on the floor and holding me all through the night…I thought to myself…SING IT WANYA…SING IT…because that is hands down one of the best songs ever…and then I thoguht…Ooooohhhhh how about a playlist for the lines at the polls!  Some people are going to have long exhausting waits with hundreds of their friends and neighbors (good and bad)…causing their civic pride to become more like civic doodie…so here are ten twelve songs to keep you pumped, patriotic and smiling!

1. Voting Rap – Smart Songs
2. Coming to America – Neil Diamond
3. Living in America – James Brown
4.  American Idiot – Green Day
5. Love of Our Lives – Indigo Girls
6. (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party) – Beastie Boys
7. Stuck in the Middle With You – Stealers Wheel
8. What’s Going On? – MTV All-Star Tribute
9. Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer
10. If You’re Out There – John Legend
11. Freedom – George Michael
12. Proud – Heather Small

Of course, there are more songs out there but these are the ones I like.  Plus, this is my blog and I approve this message.

Also, if you’re still undecided check out isidewith.com quick like and pick a candidate why don’t ya!!!

You Don’t Own Me PSA – Get out and vote…

“You Don’t Own Me” PSA from You Don’t Own Me on Vimeo.

Women constitute more than half of the population. In 2008, 60% of voters were women. It is estimated that 10 million more women than men will vote in this election. Despite this, women make up only 16% of Congress. Women earn only 70 cents to each dollar men make. Women of color and undocumented women make less than white citizens. Mitt Romney and the Republican Party are determined to overturn Roe V. Wade. Romney has not supported equal pay for women (The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act). Romney has vowed to defund Planned Parenthood. Romney has vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Romney doesn’t want health care to cover birth control. Romney says same sex marriage should be banned with a Constitutional Amendment.

Women, let’s rise up. Our vote alone can win this election. A vote for Obama is a vote for your health and your right to choose. It is a vote for equal pay and equal rights. A vote for Obama is a vote for our families. It is a vote to marry who you choose. It’s a vote to start a family when you choose. A vote for Obama says that we won’t stand for violence against women and that rape is rape. Our vote ensures that our daughters will grow up with the same rights that we’ve had. A vote for Obama sends a message: This war on women must end. We will not go backwards.

This election is shockingly close. Our safety is at stake. Our silence is consent and our vote is our voice. Let’s get active. Let’s get out every vote we can. Let’s make this election a mandate. A mandate to finally ensure women the respect, dignity and equality we all deserve! This is now. This is our call to action. Once and for all, let’s take back the power that is so inherently and naturally ours!

I have been amusing myself with the binders full of women Tumblr …whilst giggling at other people’s artistic and sometimes silly take on Mitt’s binders full of women.  I ran across the above …to me when it comes to voting it doesn’t matter which side of aisle you find yourself on – you just do it!  Enjoy the video and share it! Vote!