I Was Really Hoping....

...that Democrats running for president could rise above the petty snarkiness, finger pointing, divisiveness, and nastiness that the current administration has cultivated, but I keep seeing from the debates and television ads that alas, it is not to be so.  I was really hoping that Democrats could usher back in an era of civility and show how to treat your fellow person, even in a debate situation where stakes are so high, and not devolve into a chocolate mess of infighting and accusation.  Perhaps that's not possible in our current clime of bullying and ranting.  When the person at the top, the (gag) most powerful person in the world normalizes hate, racism, vitriol, and blame, then what does that say and do for the rest of the world?  It says it's okay to act this way because, after all, I'm King of the World.  Oh, and by the way, who handed that title to the orange f*ckwad?  If you're a Republican who supports him, then you did, your senators did, and sending money to his campaign and casting your vote for him did.  Do we really want to live this way?

Before you cast your vote in the most important election of our time, ask yourself:  Are we really better off now than we were three years ago?  Are we a strong nation in the world?  Are we respected worldwide?  Are we combating climate change?  Are we making the world safer for our children and our children's children?  Are we working with other countries to make the world a better place?  Are we treating the planet with respect?  Are we treating all living things with respect?  Are you happy?  Is your bank account comfortable?  Do you have a job?  I would guess the answer to most of those questions is no, unless you're a far right-wing Republican who doesn't believe in science, who has more money than God, who thinks that going it alone in this world is the right thing to do, and who has never once thought about the Golden Rule because you're too busy thinking about what's best for you, not taking into consideration that you're not the only person on the planet.  Take a good look around you.  It's up to you to make this world a better place.  Cast your vote wisely and with the knowledge that another four years of this madness could be irreversible in the long run.

I can't leave on that note.  Enjoy some Mom art.  This is an envelope she submitted years ago for the post office's Graceful Envelope contest.  Hug someone today.  If you have no one to hug or hug you, consider this one from me.