Moving forward

Focus on your health.  Mental, emotional or physical.  Last night hearing that the healthcare subsidies will not be extended was a gut punch.  There was no reason to vote to fund the government without having any concessions.  I do not understand why we are paying taxes.  Taxes for what?  We are currently losing rights and services that benefit everyone.  Yes, we should be taxed to secure infrastructure.  But this healthcare loss is huge.  People will lose coverage and die.

As a result, my sleep was basically nonexistent last night.  All of this year I have struggled with sleep.  I realized today that I need to shift my perspective.  These people will do nothing to help us.  They are only interested in funding their own lives.  I cannot rely on them to do the right thing.  Clearly, they choose self-interest over community good each time.  Taking away SNAP benefits from states that have released them is ridiculous.  Truly, they hate poor people.  

I love the hypocrisy of being pro-life.  Pro-life to save every child.  But then you strip away food benefits, childcare, healthcare.  What is the point?  Setting up people for a life of servitude that only benefits the oligarchs.  It is gross.

I need to find a way to wrap my head around what will be coming.  I am healthy, physically.  Mentally, I need to make some changes.  I need to sleep and heal my body.  More meditation since I do not think I can sustain much longer.  Lack of sleep is a real thing.

There have been some positives this year.  I am more connected to my neighbors.  I know more than just their names.  I have shared food with several of them and next week I am co-hosting a dinner.  I have ways to give back to the community that keep me accountable.  I am matching funds from wine lunches and contributing them to the food bank this month.  Supporting local restaurants, coffee shops and walking along Colfax.  If you live in Denver, you know how difficult it is to drive on this street currently.  They are building a bus line in the middle of the road.  They keep changing lanes to build the lines.  I think the project will take two and a half years.  

The road construction is killing local businesses.  There are a few that seem to be thriving--a liquor store and take out Thai spot.  Due to proximity to corner lots and some parking.  I am thankful for the businesses that are open.  A few coffee shops, pizza parlors, sushi.  Support your local spot.  Build your community.  Stop funding convenience.  Be it data, chain restaurants or big stores.  They do not care about you or your needs.  They want your money.  Stop buying into the system that continues to screw you over.

Hope

Finally feeling a little better about life.  Yesterday was more than a glimmer.  It displayed that there are many people who do not agree with this administration or supporting the oligarchy.  That working class people want the government to represent their needs not only tax them to fund tax cuts for the billionaires.  I have attended a few protests in the last year and saw a rupture in the belief in the mandate of November 2024.  

I watched Mamdani's speech last night.  What an incredible human being.  Gifted orator and represents everyone.  I am thrilled that he won his mayoral race.  He will face many challenges, and it will be an uphill battle.  Still, I think he accomplishes more than is anticipated.  

Something about him and learning from other people's mistakes and inability to push through legislation.  I remember in 2008 when Obama won.  Where I was watching the election results and how hopeful I was for his presidency.  I voted for him twice and if he were to run, again, I would support him.  I think he would be able to achieve more now.  I don't know.  I am rambling but hopeful.  Hopeful for all of the women that were elected.  All of the diversity that is visible.  We need representation from each group of people, not only white men.  I am horrified by the number of white women who continue to vote against their own interests.  Not only their interests, but their daughters and granddaughters.  It makes no sense.  Still, my generation doesn't waiver.  There is still 45-49% support for this dipshittery.  The promotion of the Handmaid's Tale.  It doesn't make any sense to me.  Why would you promote stripping rights you have enjoyed from future generations or you moving forward?  Do women not understand the end game?  Putting us back in the home without any financial autonomy?  

Yesterday displayed that people are paying attention.  Denver voted to tax the rich to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.  We should all be supporting this measure.  In every town and city.  We voted for a new direction.  Not more of the same by electing Zohran Mamdani.  By electing women to lead states.  Times are changing and people are willing to support different ideas.  It is not business as usual.  Finally, people are listening to AOC and Bernie.

I had the opportunity to attend their meet up in Denver.  30,000-35,000 attended.  It was amazing.  

Let's build on this.  Make politicians accountable for their votes.  Stop enabling tax cuts for the wealthy because you are afraid of someone you don't understand or know.  They pit us against each other.  They laugh at us for not pushing back.

Why is it that suddenly there is compassion if it affects you directly?  Let's build and be hopeful.

Gratitude

This is the month of gratitude in my opinion.  If you are able to donate to a food bank, please do.  If you are able to share with your neighbors, that is an option as well.  We should be building community instead of trying to remain individualistic.  

I forget that I am not alone.  This past year has proven that.  More and more recently.  There are more like-minded people who do not agree with this current administration or what they are trying to achieve.  Pushing a religious agenda on people.  Taxing the working class and not providing anything that supports the tax.  Why are we being taxed to fund billionaire tax cuts?  What is the end game?  People will stop buying stuff.  How do businesses make money when no one is purchasing?

Better yet, AI is the future, and it is overusing water and electricity.  Taxing the grid but these companies are not confronting this.  Instead, individual consumers are feeling that overuse.  Lack of water, rise of costs and no end in sight.  Who is benefitting from these decisions?  At what point do we stop?  Do we push back and say no?

Why are we allowing these tone-deaf people to continue to rub our faces in it?  Throwing a Gatsby style party while SNAP benefits are cut?  Demolishing the East Wing of the White House when no plans have been approved?  Doing things and not expecting any sort of push back?  When do people push back?  That there isn't support for this corruption.  That not everyone embraces white supremacy.  That diversity isn't rejected.  I drive through small towns that have a church, a post office and depression.  There is no livelihood in these places.  No accepting other cultures or unknowns.  In some ways, I want to be sympathetic.  Maybe you don't know because you don't know any other way.  But, why is that?  Why are you opposed to considering a different perspective, culture, religion?  Why do you think your way is the only way?  

Returning to gratitude, take time to consider how you can be thankful.  I am planning on matching my dining out this month and making a contribution to my local food bank.  Might keep me honest.  Definitely will keep me thankful.