I went to bed when I couldn’t take any more election coverage last night, hoping that I would wake up and things would have turned around, knowing that they wouldn’t. No matter what their political stance, I am stunned and disappointed that my America chose a man who appears to be a racist, misogynist, spiteful narcissist with no experience. BUT, I do understand people’s desperate desire for change, even just for change’s sake. I had no idea so much of America has been feeling so angry and marginalized that they would make this choice. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. I’d say everyone is paying attention now.
My eyes are filled with tears reading Facebook posts and Tweets from my friends and others describing how their children are bewildered at this news. Especially the girls. They’ve heard months of hate spewing from the mouth of a bully and now see that most of America wants this bully to lead our idealistic, beautiful country. It’s a disconnect.
I have the heard the arguments that Trump is the choice to save our economy. Then I watched the world market go into chaos and my 401K take a gut punch as the returns came in. I heard our President-elect talk about wanting to turn our historically wide borders into slits. Then I saw Canada’s immigration website crash because so many Americans were peeking to see how easy it might be to move there. And I got half-serious invitations from friends to move to Italy, Australia, AND Canada. It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world.
And let me say this about the polls and my old stomping grounds, the media, that have almost NEVER had Donald Trump ahead: WTF? I will say that by the end of the campaign, even I was reading and watching my mostly lefty media outlets with a pound of salt. It almost seemed, at times, like they were reporting Donald’s Demise because they hoped it would be true. To my good pal who told me there was NO WAY he was going to win, take a look at the polls, I give you last night and today. If you’ve even been able to get out of bed.
However. Because I always have hope, I am hoping that our new President sees a kinder way to go forward than the one he’s described in the last few months. He has a big, big job in trying to convince me and nearly half the country that his way is the right way and not one that will make us truly an isolated, isolationist place. I’m willing to give him a chance, because, well, I don’t have a choice. And neither do you. Give me a bit to get over my sadness, and I’ll keep doing my part to KEEP America as great as it always has been. Because as much as I love Melbourne and Vancouver and Rome, home is here.
Linda
We agree completely but watching the cabinet posts doesn’t make us feel any better.
barb matuska
Your story is very interesting and I’m so impressed by your attitude and strength. You lost me, however, when you started in on President-elect Trump. The rest of we “deplorables” have lived with that being in OUR White House for 8 years. Without getting into political arguments, I’ll just say I didn’t think you were so pro Hillary, given your appreciation for truth and honor. Best to you, Wendy. I hope you continue to stay active and I look forward to seeing you on TV.
Barb
Feel much the same Wendy. You are one of the reasons America IS already great. We will prevail. I no longer reside in FL (returned to my hometown of Baltimore) but I loved your work over the years at WESH…back in the day when I still went out on the front lawn to watch the shuttle launches. LOL. Keep up the great fight!
Bill Bauman
I got my UK citizenship in the nick of time. But seriously, I think this will be a fascinating four years to watch. Cause he IS going to blow it up.