Hook Line, and Sinker (Patreon)

photo credit for image goes to Allan Swart

It's finally here, Election Day. And hell yes we should get ALL election days off how is that not a thing?? And I'm here to say I'm a little ashamed (only a little though, I'm brazen like that).I was in the middle of posting yet another "OMG VOTE R U FUCKING KIDDING ME" style Facebook post when I a story from the glorious Sondra Perry popped up in my feed.  I mention Sondra because she is glorious. Spread the word.

Anyway the post was a filmed radio interview with Marc Lamont - you can watch the entire interview here but essentially Marc explains that despite the fact that he is aware his vote for Jill Stein won't land us a Stein presidency? it sends a message to Democrats that their shenanigans aren't appreciated.

Lamont goes on to explain that he was incredibly disappointed with the Democratic National Convention because they assumed much of the rhetoric and posturing previously seen during RNC's. Furthermore, as Lamont explains the same fear mongering employed by conservatives has been flipped in service of the Democrats who AREN'T willing to talk about the human rights violations at Standing Rock but ARE willing to say "if you don't vote for Hilary you're voting for Trump."

A little background if you will...

I came to my vote for Clinton today kicking and screaming because I was a Bernie Sanders supporter from Day 1. Not a "Bernie Bro" by any means, but a staunch advocate for his message and what he stood for. I was never willing to shit on Hilary because the exact things we tend to dislike about her are the things we either ignore, shrug off, or applaud with male politicians. I've never felt (though often joked) that Bernie was a perfect candidate (because those don't exist) and there was a lot about his campaign that made me wince (at least initially) but nevertheless he was my guy. And as the obvious fuckery started to occur I found myself getting into more and more arguments with Hilary supporters who didn't seem to mind that there was very clear and obvious gaming of the system to exclude one of (and in terms of donations THE) most popular candidates in our country's history.

I was wounded. The  process I had been declaring as legitimate seemed to be anything but. But as long as Trump doesn't make it past the primaries I guess we'll be-

...

I know stating abhorrence of Trump is more or less a given among my social circles, but I have been utterly traumatized his supporters. Trump himself is a joke, his supporters aren't. I have had nightmares about his supporters. Would ANY among us be surprised if there was a mass shooting today/tonight? anyone?

But therein lies exactly the insidious nature of the Election Fear Mongering. 

I don't want to vote for someone because I'm afraid.

I don't want to shut down conversations with folks with valid perspectives because I'm afraid.

I don't want to look into expatriating, arming my household, or finally making Alex a citizen because I'm afraid!

But that's what happened. All of it. And that sucks. To blame Clinton for that is nonsense, but it still sucks.