Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
I've been enough of a pessimist since 2016 to feel certain the trump court would overturn Roe v. Wade, yet when I saw the news after work on Friday, it was a punch in the gut. Couldn't eat. Felt sick. Yesterday was my Saturday to work; I slumped at my desk.
It's not about loving children. It's about hating and controlling women, especially women who dare to be without sufficient funds to deal with a crisis pregnancy.
But why has this event even occurred? Democrats, what is wrong with us?
It's well known that the majority of people in the United States support abortion rights. More people voted for Hillary Clinton than for trump. Because of dirty politics, especially in Florida, George W. Bush became president instead of Al Gore. We watched the GOP, led by Mitch McConnell, block Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee yet allow trump to place three liars on the court. We managed to get Joe Biden elected, but The Big Lie hasn't gone away.
Somehow, the Republicans who are evildoers manage to triumph repeatedly. Are we Democrats too kind and compassionate? Do we need to engage in more tricks and lies to make our points? Why isn't the truth enough?
The turmoil in the United States is the worst I have seen, and I grew up with Watergate and the protests against the war in Viet Nam.
I asked Sweet Cheeks last night, What are we going to do if trump is elected again in 2024? We both feel we won't be able to bear it. Nevertheless, we don't know what to do about it other than voting for candidates who share our values and our belief in freedom, donating to candidates we want to see in office, and continuing to speak out against injustice.
In spite of the evidence presented by the Jan. 6th committee, I do not think anything will be done to trump or about trump. We are stuck with him till the day he dies. We are also stuck with justices who said in their confirmation hearings that Roe v. Wade was settled law.
Infinities of love and despair,
Janie Junebug
The extremist far-right have been playing the long game since Reagan's administration. Democrats and progressives must do the same. It will not be a short fight but everything is on the line so it must be fought.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense, Debra. I didn't think of it that before. Trump is a more evil version of Reagan.
DeleteWe need to vote all the time, every election, up and down ballot, if we want change. Democrats seem only to want to vote in presidential years.
ReplyDeleteSee where that's gotten us?
I know where it's gotten us: hell.
DeleteExcept "Sweet Cheeks," I could have written every word of this, but you did it much better than me. I feel all these things, been thinking the very same thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm not alone. I know a majority of Americans agree with me regarding women's rights. But I don't know how to make a fundamental change to what's happening to us.
DeleteI don't know either. We were all just told our vote would make a difference, or that having a Dem president would make all the bad stuff go away. Clearly, neither thing made any difference. But I do know that they want us to feel helpless and give up and that's when we have to fight the hardest.
DeleteWe have our work cut out for us!
ReplyDeleteI know we have to be strong and fight, but right now, I'm so tired.
DeleteI'm tired too Janie. We have been here before. It is my hope that the younger generation will wake up and take the lead on this fight. It will affect them more than us right now, but if other rights are stripped, we will all be in serious trouble. They need to be educated on how far this could potentially go and what it will mean for their future if more laws are reversed.
DeleteIt's not just you my dear. There are things the Biden and the dems could be doing and their not. Like making a call to the US archist to amend the equality rights act. Suzi, a reader of mine explains it somewhat. What Im tired of is the constant call for money and votes at election time on these issues....but yet once in the don't pass it or find a solution. From here on out...no more money till they come through. I also refuse to respect Nancy Pelsoi who still continues to support a anti choice pro gun dem candidate in Texas. She is part of the problem. Dems have had 50 years to codify Roe vs Wade. Now look what their snoozing did.
ReplyDeleteDamn, you go, Mads.
DeleteI agree with MM. No more money until they start doing what we elected them to do.
DeleteIn total agreement with everything you wrote. It's despicable what has happened and I dread it getting worse.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will get worse. They'll go after birth control and repeal same-sex marriage rights.
DeleteMy heart aches for women in your country, and for the awful precedent this will set world wide.
ReplyDeleteI notice that abortion has been banned, but have seen nothing to indicate that support for the children or their mother's has increased. And I despair.
Support for mothers and their children has decreased. Too many men don't live up to their responsibilities as fathers and no one is going to make them do it. Women in the US are on their own.
DeleteThank you, Debra.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the support we receive from our Canadian sisters.
DeleteWhat is next? That is all I could think. This is crazy!
ReplyDeleteI know. That's what I keep thinking about.
DeleteI agree with you. I really hope things don't get worse. The only power we have is to vote. Sadly that's not always enough.
ReplyDeleteI think things will get much worse, and I don't like thinking it.
DeleteCanadians are shocked that something like this can happen in the 21st century! Abortion is a non-issue here and a private matter between a woman and her doctor. I'm so sorry for my American friends and feel your despair. As for Trump, I'll say it again: Why hasn't anybody shot him yet??!
ReplyDeleteI guess the Secret Service and his supporters are too good at protecting him. Actually, I don't even know if threats against him are as numerous as they were against Obama.
DeleteIt is shocking what's going on in your country. I don't even know what to say. As a mother of two daughters, I can't imagine my girls having less rights than I did at their age. That would be horrifying.
ReplyDeleteEvery day I think about the horrors women will face because of the loss of their rights. It will not end with overturning Roe v. Wade.
DeleteDebra is so right about this going back clearly to Reagan. It’s a long siege. May we all survive this round.
ReplyDeleteHow does the Democratic party counteract conservative goals and achieve a cohesive strategy? I have no idea.
DeleteWomen's rights are sliding backwards
ReplyDeleteNext it will probably be gay rights.
DeleteWe are in for a long series of judicial reversals if these last few weeks are indicative
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they are, and it will be especially bad if Clarence Thomas has his way. I'm sure it's been pointed out to him many times that in the past he would not have been allowed to marry his wife.
DeleteUntil the Democrats grow a spine and toughen up, we're at the mercy of the crazy right wing nuts. I've been incredibly frustrated that they seemingly keep rolling over and taking whatever gets dished out without fighting back! What's wrong with our party, indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhere is our Mitch McConnell?
DeleteWe are stuck with the justices, that's true. But I don't think Trump would win again. I'm not sure the Repubs would even run him. (I want to see him and DeSantis savage each other in a primary debate! THAT would be entertaining television.)
ReplyDeleteI think Democrats DO tend to respect rules and play fair, and Repubs are more focused on winning at all costs. But I know Repubs would disagree with me on that.
I also think Democrats need better candidates -- younger, more vigorous, with new ideas and fresh energy that will appeal to a wide spectrum of voters. We've had some good contenders in primaries but they get driven out by established names.
I think the GOP will be happy to run trump and I think he can win again because of inflation and because of the power he has behind him. I believe this in spite of everything we've learned from the Jan 6th committee. I also know he will do absolutely anything to cheat his way back into The White House.
DeleteI feel the same about our current British government. Liars and sleazebags are supported by people too weak or self-concerned to say anything against them. What to do when the media is so powerful and so many believe the lies they are told.
ReplyDeletePeople who are willing to buy into crazy stuff are so frustrating.
DeleteJanie .. I am so sorry for the good and humane people of your country.
ReplyDeleteIt almost seems like there has to be a full throttle civil war to stop the corruption in both politics and business controlled by weird billionaires that have way too much money and far too few honest brain cells.
Canada has it's dirty laundry but nothing compared to the USA. We just can't understand how an obvious criminal with coconspirators who tried desperately to steal the election . That they can live their lives without consequences while the world watches, it is maddening . A country with so much potential seems to be flushing itself down the toilet because no matter the cost , the "rights" of people outweigh common sense and honesty .. I'm sorry I don't mean to go on and on .. as a Canadian I'm just so disappointed in our neighbor south of us and I feel such pity for the people under the thumb of corrupt politicians. I hope the demarcates start FIGHTING in a very real way SOON.