I’m tired of reading that people who are marching today probably don’t have jobs and are on welfare, probably didn’t even vote, and aren’t giving Trump a chance.
I’m not marching today, but it is not because I disagree with the sentiment of my many friends who are. I’d be there if I could. I’m there in spirit. But of my friends who are marching today, I know this:
● all of them have jobs,
● all of them voted,
● all of them read newspapers,
● none of them are on welfare,
● I’m pretty sure none of them are smashing windows,
● and none of them are under the delusion that marching, even in the numbers we are seeing today, will reverse the outcome of the election, or unseat Trump as President.
They are marching because they are concerned, even afraid, and want to be heard.
They are marching because from what they have seen so far of Trump’s behavior and the people with whom he associates (including aids and Cabinet picks), under a Trump administration, they stand to lose a lot. Health care. Equality. Dignity. Consumer protection. Freedom of religion. Freedom of the press. Even the right to have their vote counted.
They are marching because they are concerned over what the ruling party has promised - PROMISED - to do to this country: destroy Social Security and Medicare (I was rather looking forward to retiring), voter suppression, more carbon in the air, selling of our national assets to private parties, reversing reproductive rights (no, I’m not even talking about abortion - birth control itself is under attack), bullying the press into submission.
Just to name a few.
So they are marching because they want to send a message that if Trump truly intends to be President of all the people, he needs to stop referring to his critics as “enemies.” He needs to stop taking victory laps and act like a public servant. He needs to grow a thicker hide and focus on the nation's concerns, rather than on reacting in denial and derogation to every unflattering remark.
And he needs to stop telling us that America isn’t great. Because it is.
So yes, we have no choice but to “give Trump a chance.” He’s the President. But people are marching today because Trump’s already shown his hand. He has bragged about grabbing women inappropriately. He has mocked the disadvantaged. He has publicly suggested that an unfriendly foreign power hack his political opponent. He has endorsed violence against those who disagree with him. He has ignored ethical standards that every other modern President has adhered to, both for himself and for the people in his administration. And, ironically, he made a name for himself by questioning the legitimacy of a sitting President.
All of this is of some concern to us.
I’d love to think that President Trump will grow into the role, and truly be someone who puts country above all else, above even winning. But leopards don’t usually change their spots. And this cat has a lot of spots.
So we are concerned.
And we march.
● all of them read newspapers,
● none of them are on welfare,
● I’m pretty sure none of them are smashing windows,
● and none of them are under the delusion that marching, even in the numbers we are seeing today, will reverse the outcome of the election, or unseat Trump as President.
They are marching because they are concerned, even afraid, and want to be heard.
They are marching because from what they have seen so far of Trump’s behavior and the people with whom he associates (including aids and Cabinet picks), under a Trump administration, they stand to lose a lot. Health care. Equality. Dignity. Consumer protection. Freedom of religion. Freedom of the press. Even the right to have their vote counted.
They are marching because they are concerned over what the ruling party has promised - PROMISED - to do to this country: destroy Social Security and Medicare (I was rather looking forward to retiring), voter suppression, more carbon in the air, selling of our national assets to private parties, reversing reproductive rights (no, I’m not even talking about abortion - birth control itself is under attack), bullying the press into submission.
Just to name a few.
So they are marching because they want to send a message that if Trump truly intends to be President of all the people, he needs to stop referring to his critics as “enemies.” He needs to stop taking victory laps and act like a public servant. He needs to grow a thicker hide and focus on the nation's concerns, rather than on reacting in denial and derogation to every unflattering remark.
And he needs to stop telling us that America isn’t great. Because it is.
So yes, we have no choice but to “give Trump a chance.” He’s the President. But people are marching today because Trump’s already shown his hand. He has bragged about grabbing women inappropriately. He has mocked the disadvantaged. He has publicly suggested that an unfriendly foreign power hack his political opponent. He has endorsed violence against those who disagree with him. He has ignored ethical standards that every other modern President has adhered to, both for himself and for the people in his administration. And, ironically, he made a name for himself by questioning the legitimacy of a sitting President.
All of this is of some concern to us.
I’d love to think that President Trump will grow into the role, and truly be someone who puts country above all else, above even winning. But leopards don’t usually change their spots. And this cat has a lot of spots.
So we are concerned.
And we march.
