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Stacy Boone's avatar

This morning, I've written so many words and torn up just as many pages. I have dug my pen so deeply that the mark is embedded on the pages following. While I searched for something easy to understand pertaining to economic choices, you write it, "A majority of the American electorate has chosen the cost of bread over democracy."

I feel swallowed in darkness, the dim light so far away, and what I hope is that my words, today angry, will settle to pen hope and what can be done on any given day. Otherwise, that loaf of bread will choke us of breath.

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David W. Berner's avatar

Well said.

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Viga's avatar

I kept hoping this wouldn’t happen. Now that it has, like so many, I am in disbelief that America could hand the reins back to this a mysogynistic, corrupt, narcissist whose only real reason for wanting to be president is to escape what he deserved: prison. I am not American, but my daughter and husband live in the US and are beside themselves wondering what the next 4 years will bring. Heaven help America. Trump won’t!

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David W. Berner's avatar

You’re not alone.

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Tom Jackson's avatar

Excellent essay David! Thank you for beautifully pulling together the words to express how so many of us feel today. America as the shining city on the hill was always an illusion. Take care my friend!

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Linda K. Sienkiewicz's avatar

Well said, David.

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Melanie Holmes's avatar

My daughter texted from her work. A staff of all women, one couldn't stop crying. This particular mom has 2 daughters at home.

This essay of yours is the one thing I've read all day, and it's 5.45pm. I stepped away from screens to practice self-care. But thanks for putting into words what I, too, am feeling. The young ones need us older ones to give them hope. Let's try.

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David W. Berner's avatar

My son is still reeling from this. It’s going to take a lot of work.

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Kim Nelson's avatar

I'm working on understanding and loving, too, David. It is vital work that will allow us to repair rather than despair.

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Esperanza's avatar

Yes, my brother that is exactly what is Being brought out Of us. 🌟 Holding vigil with you and many. This I know with unwavering faith regardless of appearances. May All heal & Consciousness, Light, expand, expand, expand.

Here is a share from this morning as well.

Peace & A’Ho brother🙏🏽💜🌟🌀

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pureesperanza8_peace-faith-strength-activity-7259942780469235714--pML?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

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Gail Sawyer's avatar

Thank you for putting my inward thoughts and sadness down on a computer screen. Where watching the cursor after writing each word here is reminding me that I still have a heartbeat.

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Matt Malone's avatar

You are on the mark. It’s not a country worth caring about. Thankful we are retired nomads wandering abroad. Have no interest returning to a county that supports Trump and MAGA. Good riddance!

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David W. Berner's avatar

I don’t think you are alone.

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Matt Malone's avatar

Travels teaches you that “American Exceptionalism” is exaggerated. The election of Trump shows that it is a myth.

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Amazon Anne's avatar

I wonder if the price gouging that the big corporations have been engaged in was a concerted effort to discredit the Biden Administration and help TFG win. TFG has promised to cut corporate taxes. The stock market took a sharp turn upwards; corporations love the GOP. If prices drop after he gets into office, we will know that prices were kept high on purpose.

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David W. Berner's avatar

It’s hard to trust anyone any more.

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WC Turck's avatar

It is inherent in cataclysmic events to feel as though we are alone on an island. The reality is there are sympathiques raising a tentative flag in hope of attracting comrades and allies. When, through the damaging storm, we spy the flag of good-conscience and well-meaning the work to build bridges from that island truly begins... Great piece.

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Peri's avatar

The following could have been written by a MAGA enthusiast on X the day before the election as an explanation for why they were voting for Trump:

“We have become crass. Devoid of morals. Devoid of heart. Less tolerant. More selfish. More ignorant. Less informed. Clueless of history. Devastatingly shortsighted. Rudderless. We are closer than ever to an autocracy, a country soon to be run by felons, con-men, egotistical billionaires, and conspiracy theorists. Intellect does not matter. Intellect is a crime. There is a clear and distinct chasm.”

Listen to yourself. More importantly, listen to your opposition. Try to fathom why someone might consider the price of bread more important than gay rights.

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David W. Berner's avatar

I certainly get the fact that money is tight. And that searching for someone to fix that is motivational. We're all facing it. But bread OR democracy seems a pretty obvious decision. The price of bread will come down eventually when the price gougers stop gouging, the likelihood that democracy lost will return is a much bigger stretch, unfortunately, let alone the rights of human beings.

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