God bless America a little extra today.

I vividly remember when George Bush won the election for a second term. I was a senior in high school, and I really didn’t care. I wasn’t old enough to vote and I was never that interested in politics, so what did it matter? I had calculus first that morning, and as I looked around Mr. Degitz’s classroom, the devastation on so many of my classmates’ faces was so confusing to me. Why were they so upset? Life would go on like it always had, and come on, you’re basically children, how do you even understand what’s going on?

Today, I totally and completely understand the devastation. Today, I could not stop crying. It was this summer that I first became emotional and began caring about politics. One warm day, Tyler, Coltrane, and I planned to go for a bike ride along the Snake River. We were all sunscreened-up and excited for our little adventure. Tyler mentioned Bernie’s dropping out so briefly, I didn’t really register it at first. But then, the truth sunk in and I thought about the reality of a Bernie-less election. I suddenly started crying, which surprised me, and then I got sunscreen in my eyes, just to add to the burn.

Like in high school, I still don’t really understand politics, but I have come to really understand people. I am actually learning how to read faces and body language to learn more about a person’s state of health, but I’ve gained great insight into personality and character through these careful observations. I also believe that a person’s “vibe” is a real energy that can be identified and used to understand them more fully. Bernie’s “vibe” was healthy, and it jived with mine. His face showed that while a little nuts, sure, he was also a good person.

Hillary didn’t jive as well with me. Her face said she could get the job done, but possibly at the expense of others. But Trump… Trump made me feel sick. His face said he was deeply sad and insecure, and to compensate, he has spent his life searching for ways to “win.” Whatever the game, women, money, or business, he would do/say whatever was required to “win” the game. That’s fine on The Apprentice, or while hosting Saturday Night Live. It’s kind of okay as a CEO as long as the success is achieved through honesty and hard work. But, a presidential election is NOT a game, Donald. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS NOT A GAME. 

The office of President is about service. The president works for the people and represents all of us. When you think of Russia, who do you think about? Putin. Cuba? Castro. Canada? Trudeau (Oh, Trudeau, please don’t judge too harshly). When people from other countries think about America? Donald Trump? Seriously? He’s going to be the new face of America?! I’m embarrassed. Along with aspartame still being produced and non-paid maternity leave, this is an embarrassment. And now that he's won the game, what will be his purpose?

Coltrane and I did our usual routine tonight - we read the “monkey book” and the “sun book,” said our prayers, and then just smiled and hugged each other until Tyler came home from the gym. Tyler’s face as he peeked into the room told me all I needed to know about the election. And I just broke down. Maybe part of it was out of pride, but more deeply, it was for my perfectly sweet little Coltrane. Politics matter when you’re a part of raising the next generation. Which is why, for the first time ever, I actually voted. In Idaho, unfortunately, a non-republican vote is mostly pointless, but I still did it and it was emotional and beautiful and I felt really peaceful about my choices.

Trump is a bad choice. If you voted for him, you made a bad choice. I try really hard to be a nice person. I try not to judge and I’ll even make up stories for why someone behaves a certain way – for example, a person cuts me off on the road probably because their wife is in labor and courteous driving isn’t exactly a priority when your wife is pushing out your baby. I do this because I like to think that people are mostly good and I try to be mostly good and nice and kind. Today, I’m really struggling with being nice and kind. I want to scream and vandalize all Trump paraphernalia, because he is just the worst. THE WORST.

To the next four years, may they be less-than due to impeachment.

For information on my esoteric way of choosing a candidate:

http://www.jeanhaner.com/blog/reading-donald-trumps-face/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Eee8AL4WNI 

(Because of the nature of Conan's show, he makes fun of his guest's ideas, but there is so much truth to what he's saying.)