"Tyranny Naturally Arises Out of Democracy"

The title is a quote by Plato, by the way. It has been a rough two weeks. Sorry that I haven't written for a while. I feel like I've been facing the complete and utter breakdown of my country. Also, my wifi was busted. 

By now, you know that half of America voted for a new leader. Half of our population decided to not participate in the outcome of the election, by not visiting the polls. That form of protest isn't receiving enough thought, in my opinion. Is anyone wondering why that many people actually opted out? So, I've been thinking and reflecting a lot about the future. And, in pondering the future, I always return to the past. President Washington is one of my favorite people from history. When a young person, George began copying The Rules of Civility as a penmanship exercise. These rules discuss appropriate behavior. They represent a personal code or creed, by which Washington lived his adult life.  

So, after looking at some of the negative posts on Facebook by friends, connections, and family, I started looking through the Rules of Civility:

           #22: Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another although he be your enemy.

#65: Speak not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, though there         

Seem to be some cause.

So, how do we move on, in the face of increased racism and possible tyranny? And, in the face of such a groundswell of anger on both sides. Well I think that George Washington has some answers to this situation, as well. 

"Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals."

"If the freedom of Speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

So, yes, let's protest the election. Let's continue to speak out. But, we must be in it for the long haul. There are four years ahead. Pace yourself. Watch out to protect the freedoms of those around us. There are a lot of groups to watch out for, I belong to two such groups. As a woman, I will continue to speak out when cat-called, minimized, sexually harassed, or defamed. I am a member of a religious group that was persecuted by the government in the past, and actually forced to flee the country. I will watch out for other marginalized groups. Maybe the whole point of this election, is that we haven't really ever been asked to demonstrate our courage of conviction, and now we are going to need to take a stand, and to prove our worthiness as citizens. In general, I choose to mind my own business. I'm an introvert. But, cross anyone that I care about, and prepare for me to unleash the full force of my personal version of "kara-te"...

In the meantime, I have downloaded some books to my kindle, in order to learn about the present and the future, from the past... We don't always get what we want (I voted for Bernie, as a write-in candidate, because I knew that Hillary would win CA anyway, and I believe that our two-party system has been broken for a long time). Be educated, be aware, don't wallow.