I'm proud to say I vote the same way! I was just having a conversation with my husband last night about how when I vote, I consider others more than myself. I vote for America's future as a whole and not how it will impact, for instance, my bank account (I am not rich), my uterus or whom I love. I vote so others can make their own choices. I can compare it a little bit to how I viewed the pandemic. I wore a mask not just for myself but for others. I vaccinated not just for myself but for my community. I hope more folks bear in mind that sometimes it's better to think beyond themselves this voting cycle, especially this cycle! Here's to returning to an America that's less divisive, more inclusive and with a future of hope!
In addition to voting, subscribing to your Substack was one of the ways I am vowing to become a more informed and engaged citizen. I am also beginning a Deliberative Dialogue group on Wednesday nights in my progressive church in Hoover, AL so that we can learn to talk about the divisive issue in informed and civilized ways. Thank you for inspiring me.
Kelly, I’m tired of non-meaningful conversations, too! Politics doesn’t have to be impolite, and we’re just the ones to prove it. I’m making my neighborhood bunco sheets a veterans’ day theme with suggestions of how to reduce veteran suicide (#2 killer). Talking about it is the first step. Also safe storage and red flag laws.
It makes me so sad that the reasons you are voting can so obviously only be about one of our options. The American people deserved better. My biggest, wildest hope for this is election is truly that America will turn the page on this madness and get back to reasonableness and some sense of cooperation in politics. We need different opinions and viewpoints to make progress. But it can’t look like it has the last few cycles. It has to be better. We all deserve better than extremism and a completely ineffective congress.
I completely disagree with you. How can you be a subscriber here and then be sad when Sharon reveals that she is voting in a manner that is completely consistent with every post she has published in this forum? I think the explosion in first-time donors and volunteers for Harris shows clearly that many American people are happy to have her as a choice; not just due to her own merits, which are many, but also compared to the other candidate. Democrats have long fought against the forces of propaganda, gerrymandering, unlimited money to campaigns, voter suppression and hyper partisanship, all of the things that have degraded our democracy. Dem leaders in the House and Senate worked effectively to manage the business of Congress and get consequential legislation passed for the American people. When Republicans gained a thin majority in the House they were dysfunctional, taking forever to even elect a speaker and then, for the first time in history, getting rid of said speaker. They have flailed against each other ever since, accomplishing almost nothing. Today will be a huge first step in turning the page on all of that and getting back to the serious work of governance.
I agree with you! I guess my post wasn’t clear. I’m not sad about how Sharon was voting. I’m sad that the statements she made can only be applied to one candidate. Like, I’m sad that we don’t have two choices that both want to preserve our democracy and protect our children in schools, and better our education system etc.
I think we need both conservatives and progressives to be reasonable and work together to get things done. We need all different kinds of people speaking up and working together better the country. It makes me sad that this time (IMO) there is only one reasonable choice.
I think that we all need to put MAGA, Qanon, white Christian Nationalism etc. behind us and move forward. I miss when it seemed like both sides wanted the best for everyone and just had different ways of going about it. Vs now one side openly saying it would be better to send us back to when women couldn’t vote and discrimination was legal. And one side wanting to send the economy into a tailspin my deporting millions of people working essential jobs and paying taxes.
I certainly did misunderstand your comment and I apologize profusely! I've just seen too many people on here who say they can't even bring themselves to vote this time because they feel like both choices are so off-putting and that attitude makes me crazy. Ha, ha, that's probably obvious now. Thank you for clarifying for me!
No need to apologize! I totally understand your frustration. I think we are all on edge today. May this race not be close enough for much shenanigans and on to better and brighter days! 🥂
So happy seeing civil discourse on this comments thread; apologies, explanations, kindness! Very different from many online communities! I am SO thankful for this space!
Thank you, Sharon! You have given me (since I became a Governerd) a new perspective on our government and our country. My husband commented, “I have never seen you so involved and committed to politics.” I am an informed voter! 🇺🇸💙
My 40yo was disgusted by this election and wasn’t sure he was going to vote. Thankfully he did. He also said the line this morning was insane! If only every election would have high voter turn out and not just the bananas ones. These things in this post are so important. I’ve never missed an election in my life even if it’s just a one issue extra one, it is always important!
I voted for my grandkids, my nieces and nephews and my neighbors. I voted for my country- and in memory of my family members who fought for it. I voted for sanity, for integrity and for hope.
Thank you for always providing us with facts and reason! You're a true role model during a time where integrity and human decency has been abandoned ❤️
I voted to protect my friends and neighbours, I voted for democracy. I voted for women’s rights. I voted my values. I became a citizen in 2021 so this is my first Presidential election. Thank you Sharon and my fellow Governerds for the wealth of information and the civil forum of this comments section. You. All. Rock!
Beautifully said, Sharon. There was a point years ago at which I said, “I’m just not going to vote. It doesn’t make a difference either way and I don’t like either candidate”. Then, thanks to my sister-in-law, I came across your Instagram as well as SmartHERNews. You both made me realize the significance of having this great privilege to be able to cast our vote and the importance of using our voice. So I was very wrong in saying it doesn’t matter. It DOES matter and it IS important. Thank you for helping me see that in addition to being a voice of reason and fresh air in a world that seems so divided and at odds with one another. ❤️
I'm proud to say I vote the same way! I was just having a conversation with my husband last night about how when I vote, I consider others more than myself. I vote for America's future as a whole and not how it will impact, for instance, my bank account (I am not rich), my uterus or whom I love. I vote so others can make their own choices. I can compare it a little bit to how I viewed the pandemic. I wore a mask not just for myself but for others. I vaccinated not just for myself but for my community. I hope more folks bear in mind that sometimes it's better to think beyond themselves this voting cycle, especially this cycle! Here's to returning to an America that's less divisive, more inclusive and with a future of hope!
I love this mindset! Thank you for sharing!
I voted for the health and welfare of my daughters. For those without a voice. For decency and democracy.
Same here!
In addition to voting, subscribing to your Substack was one of the ways I am vowing to become a more informed and engaged citizen. I am also beginning a Deliberative Dialogue group on Wednesday nights in my progressive church in Hoover, AL so that we can learn to talk about the divisive issue in informed and civilized ways. Thank you for inspiring me.
I LOVE that. We need to get rid of the “it’s not polite to talk about politics” nonsense and get back to real, constructive dialogue.
Kelly, I’m tired of non-meaningful conversations, too! Politics doesn’t have to be impolite, and we’re just the ones to prove it. I’m making my neighborhood bunco sheets a veterans’ day theme with suggestions of how to reduce veteran suicide (#2 killer). Talking about it is the first step. Also safe storage and red flag laws.
I’m in Hoover - will keep my eyes peeled for more about your group! More Governerds around here than you would expect.
You are a breath of fresh air in this crazy world. Thank you!
It makes me so sad that the reasons you are voting can so obviously only be about one of our options. The American people deserved better. My biggest, wildest hope for this is election is truly that America will turn the page on this madness and get back to reasonableness and some sense of cooperation in politics. We need different opinions and viewpoints to make progress. But it can’t look like it has the last few cycles. It has to be better. We all deserve better than extremism and a completely ineffective congress.
I completely disagree with you. How can you be a subscriber here and then be sad when Sharon reveals that she is voting in a manner that is completely consistent with every post she has published in this forum? I think the explosion in first-time donors and volunteers for Harris shows clearly that many American people are happy to have her as a choice; not just due to her own merits, which are many, but also compared to the other candidate. Democrats have long fought against the forces of propaganda, gerrymandering, unlimited money to campaigns, voter suppression and hyper partisanship, all of the things that have degraded our democracy. Dem leaders in the House and Senate worked effectively to manage the business of Congress and get consequential legislation passed for the American people. When Republicans gained a thin majority in the House they were dysfunctional, taking forever to even elect a speaker and then, for the first time in history, getting rid of said speaker. They have flailed against each other ever since, accomplishing almost nothing. Today will be a huge first step in turning the page on all of that and getting back to the serious work of governance.
I agree with you! I guess my post wasn’t clear. I’m not sad about how Sharon was voting. I’m sad that the statements she made can only be applied to one candidate. Like, I’m sad that we don’t have two choices that both want to preserve our democracy and protect our children in schools, and better our education system etc.
I think we need both conservatives and progressives to be reasonable and work together to get things done. We need all different kinds of people speaking up and working together better the country. It makes me sad that this time (IMO) there is only one reasonable choice.
I think that we all need to put MAGA, Qanon, white Christian Nationalism etc. behind us and move forward. I miss when it seemed like both sides wanted the best for everyone and just had different ways of going about it. Vs now one side openly saying it would be better to send us back to when women couldn’t vote and discrimination was legal. And one side wanting to send the economy into a tailspin my deporting millions of people working essential jobs and paying taxes.
I certainly did misunderstand your comment and I apologize profusely! I've just seen too many people on here who say they can't even bring themselves to vote this time because they feel like both choices are so off-putting and that attitude makes me crazy. Ha, ha, that's probably obvious now. Thank you for clarifying for me!
No need to apologize! I totally understand your frustration. I think we are all on edge today. May this race not be close enough for much shenanigans and on to better and brighter days! 🥂
Here, hear! My bottle of champagne is chilling in the fridge!
So happy seeing civil discourse on this comments thread; apologies, explanations, kindness! Very different from many online communities! I am SO thankful for this space!
Thank you, Sharon! You have given me (since I became a Governerd) a new perspective on our government and our country. My husband commented, “I have never seen you so involved and committed to politics.” I am an informed voter! 🇺🇸💙
I’m so happy you are supported as an informed voter.
I wish that sticker was any other color than solid red… 🫣😬
I TOTALLY misread your comment! I am so sorry. I think I need more caffeine, but I am trying to calm my nerves!! Today is going to be a wild ride.
We are all in it together!
Hang in there!! 💙
Sadly that is what our stickers look like in Minnesota.
Whew, that makes me feel better. I just assumed all stickers were willy nilly like they are here in IN…
Yes! I voted for We the People..all the people and animals and plants too
My 40yo was disgusted by this election and wasn’t sure he was going to vote. Thankfully he did. He also said the line this morning was insane! If only every election would have high voter turn out and not just the bananas ones. These things in this post are so important. I’ve never missed an election in my life even if it’s just a one issue extra one, it is always important!
I voted for my grandkids, my nieces and nephews and my neighbors. I voted for my country- and in memory of my family members who fought for it. I voted for sanity, for integrity and for hope.
Thank you for always providing us with facts and reason! You're a true role model during a time where integrity and human decency has been abandoned ❤️
I’m waking up to the news today and petrified. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?
Americans of Conscience has some wise and grounding words today: https://americansofconscience.com/what-we-know-about-thriving-through-adversity/
I voted to protect my friends and neighbours, I voted for democracy. I voted for women’s rights. I voted my values. I became a citizen in 2021 so this is my first Presidential election. Thank you Sharon and my fellow Governerds for the wealth of information and the civil forum of this comments section. You. All. Rock!
Beautifully said, Sharon. There was a point years ago at which I said, “I’m just not going to vote. It doesn’t make a difference either way and I don’t like either candidate”. Then, thanks to my sister-in-law, I came across your Instagram as well as SmartHERNews. You both made me realize the significance of having this great privilege to be able to cast our vote and the importance of using our voice. So I was very wrong in saying it doesn’t matter. It DOES matter and it IS important. Thank you for helping me see that in addition to being a voice of reason and fresh air in a world that seems so divided and at odds with one another. ❤️
I no longer follow the Instagram account, it got to be too much. So grateful you started this space and all you do here. ❤️
Same 🇺🇸