Sunday, October 2, 2016

Much on my mind on this Sunday................


Lets start with a photo of Fall flowers, a beautiful gift from a good friend.  I am in a mood so I am warning you about it right now.  I am over this election as many of you are.  The unbelievable disrespect for women in this election is putting me over the edge.  I am a Feminist, and I say that proudly.  I am an advocate for equal rights for women in all areas of life.  Women should be treated equally and have all the opportunities men do.  And frankly in 2016, in the United States of America, that is sadly not the case.  We are paid 78% of what men are paid.  Women make up only 19.4% of the seats in congress and as we very well know there has never been a woman president.  If you think that is because no woman has been capable you are sadly mistaken.  I found this amazing site Status of Women which tells us how individual states rank in terms of economic equality, health care, etc for women.  Florida gets pretty bad grades, which is not a surprise to me.  Ranking 37th in employment and earnings for women, and 30th for health care. 

Being a full fledged Feminist does not mean I am anti-men, it means that I demand equal rights for everyone of every sex, color, religion and culture.  The word Feminist has some how gotten a bad reputation, it shouldn't.  Many, many women have fought over the years to get us this far and we still have a long way to go.  Equal pay helps reduce poverty, which in turn cuts down on government dependence.  Equal pay helps grow the economy, such a simple thought that some how gets left in the dust during our election cycle.

I think that Hillary Clinton, with her knowledge and her background is an amazing woman.  If you say she is a liar you must look at her opposing candidate, you must listen to all the lies he says.  She takes all the hits thrown her way with grace, that much can not be said for her opponent.  In terms of gender equality, can you imagine if she had interrupted her opponent in the debate over 50 times?  Can you imagine if she had talked over her opponent and the moderator as much as her opponent did, or even less than he did?  She would have been called all sorts of things that her opponent was not.  Can you imagine if she went on a Twitter storm and called a man horrible, degrading names and made issue with his body?  She is held to a completely different standard and is judged by her looks, not smiling enough, smiling too much, or being, "over prepared."  Frankly I want my president to be over prepared on all issues, whether my president is male or female.

 I am not asking you to change your vote, your vote is entirely up to you.  What I am asking is for you to fact check when you hear something, not just assume it is right. Fact check on a non-partisan site so you get a true answer, not one that is in favor of either candidate, it is just the truth.  Politifact is a great site that will let you know the truth on both candidates.  I am asking you to think of your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and the little girl next door.  I am asking that you think of the world you want them to live in, that we give them the equal rights they so deserve.  That they, like everyone else, should be treated with respect in their communities, in their work place and in their homes.  What kind of a world do we want to leave our children, our children of every sex, color, religion and background, that is how you should vote.  I know you all love Little Buddy, he is an amazing little boy.  I think of how he will be treated in life and I want him to have equal opportunities also.  I want him to be judged by what he has to offer, not be shunned by his disability.  I have raised two young men that I have taught that they are not special because they are male, or Caucasian.  They are special by who they are and what they can contribute.  They have been taught that they must treat everyone equally, every single person, not just who is convenient and who has the same belief system as them.  Every. Single. Person!  That includes the person they don't like and don't agree with.  That is the world I want Little Buddy to grow up in.  A world where everyone is equal no matter your sex, color, religious belief or background.  That is who a Feminist is, not a women lover at the expense of men, simply a lover of all.


I may lose many of you with this post, so sorry about that but I cannot hide who I am and I am a proponent for equality in all forms.  Don't you think Little Buddy deserves a better world?  I do.

51 comments:

Caffeine Girl said...

I'll be surprised if you lose any of us. I can't agree with you more. I'm trying to tune out most of the election news because it is so frustratingly anti-woman. We can early vote next week, so that's what we're going to do.
For me, the anti- middle-clas/low-income slant is also very frustrating. One candidate things tax cuts for the rich are the answer. Really? That's been going on since Reagan, and the poor just get poorer. I am not the biggest Hilary fan on the planet, but I can easily see that she has intelligence and experience. I'm 100% sure that her gender works against her -- just as Obama's skin color did.
Let's hope the American people make a wise decision!

Babajeza said...

My favourite candidate is Jill Stein. But nobody listens to me anyway. 8th of November? Hugs, Regula

busybusybeejay said...

We,I the UK,have a female Prime Minister.The First Minister for Scotland is female and how about Angela Merkel in Germany.Come on USA you need Hilary Clinton!

Anonymous said...

I think we ALL deserve a better world.

Jennifer Hays said...

I appreciated reading your thoughts on this election and all the issues we need to deal with as a country. I will not be voting for either of these candidates because I have personal issues with both of them, but I am hopeful that whomever we elect will do what it takes to bring our country back from what it is quickly becoming. I hope you're having a good weekend, Meredith. :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I am with you all the way on this one!! I am a feminist and proud of it also. We have a long way to go in equal rights for such a 'progressive' country. Yes Little Buddy and all our children and Grandchildren deserve a better future!
Hugs!

Christina said...

I love how you are so outspoken and principled Meredith. It is surprising how big the gender gap still is, after years and years of feminist action. We need more feminists in the world. I am grateful for all those women and men that have fought for the rights I enjoy now. To a good future for all of us. xx

linda said...

Lovely flowers Meredith and I am with you 100% ! :) xx

Judy S. said...

Well said, Mere!!!

Teresa Kasner said...

You not only will not lose me but you have gained even more respect from me. Equality for all is a dream worth pursuing. Our work on this earth during our life should be to make it a better place, not go backwards. Our choice in this election is paramount in striving for a better future for us all. Not voting and making the best choice of what we have is allowing others to determine the course of our country.. and the world, actually. I'm with YOU. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

CJ said...

A great post Meredith. We have the same issues here - journalists who should know better commenting on how female candidates look and what they are wearing. They wouldn't dream of doing it when it comes to the male candidates. I hope for a future of equal treatment for all, but I sometimes fear it will take a long time to get there. Bit by bit we will though. CJ xx

Jo said...

I love my varied Sunday night blog reads and yours was a corker. Hoorah! to you and what you stand for. Love from Jo x

Rose said...

Yes, yes, and yes!!

Una said...

I don't have a vote as I live in another country. But the result will affect the whole world. My friends shake their heads in disbelief and the general opinion is "how can a country with millions of citizens and an election campaign that seems to go on for years produce such worrying candidates?"

Araignee said...

All the way to the fiber fest last weekend I drove past a zillion Trump signs in people's yards. I honestly have nothing to say about it because I can't wrap my mind around anyone's reasons for voting for him. I listen to lots of international radio and the whole world is laughing at us. I thought is was a joke at first too but now I'm just scared.

Amy at love made my home said...

Whether I agree with you or not - I do! - is a moot point because I cannot vote for either. The most important thing I always say, in any election, especially as a woman, is to VOTE. It doesn't really matter who it is for in a way. Women fought so hard to have the right to vote and we cannot say that women don't get their voices heard if we don't vote. So whoever it is for, in whatever election, exercise your hard earned right to vote and put your cross or tick, or whatever it is you have to do in the box for someone! p.s. only skim read this, so not commenting on anything else! xx

Betsy said...

I can only echo what Jennifer said. For the first time since I became of voting age I really don't think I''ll be able to vote in good conscience for either of these candidates because of moral issues I have with each of them. I, too, can only hope that whoever is elected can get this country on a track to love and appreciate each of it's citizens, no matter their gender, color, religion or political party. You would never lose me as a reader Meredith. I love and appreciate you.
Blessings,
Betsy

Maureen said...

Yay Meredith! I'm Canadian, but if I were able to vote in the US election, I would be voting for Hillary.
Like Amy said, women worked hard to get the right to vote. I tend to get up on my soapbox at election time about honouring that fight by going out to vote.
I must say, I thought our election last year was bad, but yours is worse. We ended up with a Prime Minister who identifies as a feminist, and when asked why his cabinet was 50% female, said because it's 2015.
Take care, and hoping for the best come November.
Maureen

Lulu said...

i love those flowers ,the colors are amazing..how wonderful it would look in crochet or knitted..
i agree with your post completely...

Sandra said...

Well spoken Mere! I too am sickened at what is going on and yes Feminist is a good positive word. Those who fear it worked hard to smear it and those of us who identify with it. Hillary is to be commended on her strength and intelligence and yes, she will contribute to a better world for all of us and our little ones.

Look how happy Buddy is and growing up so fast!
Thanks for sharing.....I needed to hear this today...

bittenbyknittin said...

Well put! Thank you!

Nance said...

We all deserve a better world than the one that the republican nominee would toss our way. And to those who are voting for a third party candidate, they may be symbolically casting a ballot against the two majority parties, but in reality, they are merely handing a vote to the republicans by default. That's not a judgment; that's a reality in this election, since no third party candidate has any chance at all of winning. Not a single chance, period.

This election is critical; it is a vital one to our future. Are we really going to hand the United States of America to a reality television personality and someone who has the personality of an eight-year-old classroom troublemaker? What good is a Third Party Vote Message then?

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint, Meredith!. I shun labels, but I am for equal rights for every person including those inutero. I aim to speak the truth in love, and especially want those in authority to try to do so and inspire us each to grow in compassion and service to one another. No one is perfect, but of the two major candidates, Hilary Clinton currently has my vote.

gigi knits said...

You have just said everything I have been thinking . I just can't believe ppl believe the things he tells them.
Can't imagine what will happen to our country if trump is elected .
It will be a very sad day for Americans . Remember every vote counts .
And you will not lost any followers but should gain new ones .
Thank you for putting it out there!!

Unknown said...

Well said! You will not lose me even if I disagreed with you (I don't). You wrote a great post. I can't stand Trump! I don't like arrogance and he is full of himself. He has no respect for women, the disabled, or anyone who doesn't agree with him.
Little Budding always looks so happy! I hope the world becomes a better place for him and everyone else in the future. I worry about the young ones and what they will face later in life.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

It's your blog, Meredith, and thanks for your opinions. This election year has been a long and tiring one, can't wait til it's over. I thought Trump was joking at first when he said he was running for president! I truly wish it was but nope...am still thinking about it all. We need leaders who are there to help the people who live here in the USA, no matter who they are. God bless us all! Your flowers are lovely and Buddy is blessed to have a mother like you!
Hugs!

Mamacooch said...

Her, Here Meredith! I agree with every word and will be voting for Hilary!

Val said...

Well said Meredith. We in Great Britain have a woman Prime Minister (by default) but in essence the country is still run by men. We still have a gender pay gap and face the same issues as the USA when it comes to the media. Our National Health Service is still a beacon of light in an otherwise increasingly greedy and self serving culture but even that is under threat by gradual privatisation paving the way for inequality in healthcare once again. I share your concerns about your election and stand amazed at how anyone can intelligently vote for a reality TV person. At first it seemed like a joke, now it's not funny any more. Sending love to you and your family.

mamasmercantile said...

I don't have the right to pass an opinion on your candidates that is for your own citizens to decide. However, I do know that I want a better world for my family where it doesn't matter about your sex, colour, religion or sexuality and definitely one where disability and different opinions are treated with respect. Hopefully everyone will use their vote and choose the right candidate.

Fiona said...

Thank you for being honest enough to share your views. I'm based in Europe and have been watching what is happening in your country with disbelief, I don't understand how it has got this far, it really is very worrying. How does anyone decide which way to vote? I only know what my dear mother told me and my sisters many years ago, women fought long and hard to get the vote so you have to use it and make your voice heard. It seems to me that to not vote may be letting the worse side win as happened in the UK recently. To those of us watching, it has to be the lesser of 2 evils but let's see what happens. I wish you luck for your country's future. X

Anonymous said...

I whole heartedly agree with everything you said. I can not believe anyone would even think that Donald Trump would make a good leader of our country. To think that someone like him even has the possibility to become president scares me to no end. Kathy

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

A fabulous post my dear and I'd be surprised if you lost any followers. I've been watching with political trail with mild interest. If I was American and there was a chance of emigration quite a few years back I'd like to think Hilary would get my vote. Love and deep breaths to you all x

Bridget said...

First of all, those are amazingly beautiful flowers.

Secondly, YOU GO GIRL!!! I totally agree. I am frustrated by those who say they are not voting, because they do not like either candidate. First of all, it should never be a popularity contest. Also, when others have died for the right to vote, and some in the world have never had the opportunity, I think you should swallow hard and make a choice. I also think that a non-vote is a vote for That Orange Man Running for President. VOTE PEOPLE! It's a privilege and also your duty in a democratic society.

OK, I'll stop now and just say that no one had better EVER not give Little Buddy the same chances and respect that they give everyone else. Because I think if we found out, they'd have a world of hurt on their hands. ;-)

Thanks for your thoughtful post, Meredith.

Ksunshine52 said...

Well said! And please vote! No candidate is ever perfect but too many women suffered so that you could vote! And if you don't, you cannot honestly complain for the next four years!

AnnieOBTextiles said...

I agree whole heartedly with you Meredith and congratulate you on sharing your honest, articulate views. It is not for me to comment on another country's elections but frankly I shudder when hearing the abusive rhetoric. I agree with Amy too, we must all use our vote as it was so hard won. By opting out we allow the bullies to win and we need to stand up and stand firm for a better, equal society.

Debbie said...

Lovely flowers & wise words. Thank you!

kathy b said...

Meredith

Agree agree agree. Hilary has a complex working knowledge of our Political system . She is the best candidate in my opinion.

Vera said...

Well said Meredith! And, yes Little Buddy - and ALL of us - deserve a much better world. Love his Zebra patch and your pretty flowers at the top of your post.

Chris K in Wisconsin said...

Totally agree with you. It is a travesty what the Orange Man has done. He belittles women, people who are handicapped, AND our country. He tells us the land we live in is horrible. He tells us we are hopeless. He says he wants to make us great again. I think he means he wants to take us back to the 1950's where the little ladies met the big strong husband at the door wearing pearls, high heels, and offered a drink in her hand. I still don't know what is great about that.......... but I am sure those big strong smart business men do. They can then sit in their den and figure out ways to pay less ~ or NO ~ taxes at all. Unbelievable. As we know, the rest of the world thinks we have lost our minds. So sad. And ridiculous.

Karen51 said...

How can any rational person disagree with your view points!?! I agree with you 100 percent.

Zuzu's Petals said...

Bravo Meredith!👏👍

handmade by amalia said...

Little Buddy certainly deserves a better world. As do all children. I wish there were some easy answers out there.
Amalia
xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hear, hear! I'm totally with you on every point. And Araignee is right, the world is laughing. No one can believe that Trump would even be considered a candidate much less in the running. When all the information we know about either candidate comes from the media, how can we even be sure what's true and what's not? The only sure truth, plain and simple, is that Trump has not a clue, and Hillary does. My oldest boy sent me a screenshot from my aunt's facebook page and apparently she has lost her mind (probably along with the rest of that side of the family). How anyone can truly believe that such a person is capable of leading the country with common sense and vision is beyond me. Big hugs for Z Man! :)

Danette Bartelmay said...

This is BEAUTIFUL My Dear Friend... and my respect, which was already great for you, just went even higher. I love anyone who knows and speaks his or her mind and stands behind their convictions.
I believe we were created to be EQUAL... no matter what sex, race, color, belief system or background we have {are}.
This is America.
We don't have to cast the same vote to be in agreement on this profound issue. It's time women, especially recognize that many, many women have gone before us and fought long and hard to gain us so many rights... even the right TO VOTE... to have a VOICE.
We DO need a better world for our little ones.
You are a HERO and I love and admire you,
Danette

Lynne said...

Bravo and well said. This election has turned into a giant reality TV show.

elns said...

Thank you. I don't know how feminist or feminism became man-hating or anti-man. It's equal rights. JUST THAT, which apparently is a lot to ask for. I think this false definition just comes down to us as a society embracing sound bites -- we just want to hear someone validate our feelings. As John Oliver says, "Feelings are not facts". I think it's hard for people to realize why they might be identifying with someone if what most of what they have to say is, false. That would take a lot of self awareness that people can't necessarily handle. As a woman of color in a very progressive part of our country, I'm still disappointed. Disappointed but not surprised.

The Well Fed Wheel said...

I'm right there with you! I can't imagine anyone in their right mind voting for that awful man. I'm for Hillary and I pray everyone else is too. Other wise I'm afraid we are all in for a world of hurt.

kate b said...

I am late reading this post but wanted to comment anyway. I live in the UK and don't know anyone here who would want Trump to be president. Our media consistently reports on him unfavourably (could there be anything positive to say after all the awful things he has said?) and we are all in fear of him winning. I am a feminist too, I share your sentiments completely. Love to you and the beautiful little buddy.

Toni said...

Well said!!!!!!!!!!

Jodiebodie said...

I think you will gain more readers than you will lose, Meredith.
The rest of the world is watching the USA election campaign closely.
While your statistics about the disadvantaged positions of women in society are deeply disturbing, I can't say they are much better in other countries, including Australia. I can't believe that after so many years of struggle and campaigning for equal rights, that we don't seem to have got much further in the past 30 years. In many ways, I see society going backwards as many countries become more 'conservative' in their outlooks.

Be encouraged to know that in the New South Wales parliament in Australia this week, a motion was passed unopposed, agreeing "with those who have described Donald Trump as a 'revolting slug' who is unfit for public office". The only query about this motion was whether the term "revolting slug" amounted to unparliamentary language! Otherwise the motion was passed by all sides of politics - conservatives, Liberal, Labour and Greens - without dissent.

The ABC report is here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-13/nsw-parliament-denounces-donald-trump/7929456

The article quotes: "It's clear that all reasonable and decent people find Donald Trump's behaviour obnoxious and that the world is hoping American voters reject his politics of hate."

So even if you don't want to vote for Hillary, don't vote for Trump - think not of the sake of your own country but for the sake of the rest of the world! (if that makes it any easier)

Good luck all of you in America - make your vote count! The worry is that many people will not vote at all because they don't like *both* candidates, but it is important to vote for the 'other' or the one you really don't want is in with a chance of default.

Jodiebodie said...

I agree with so many of your readers that, as women, we all need to utilise our vote or nothing will change. It annoys me when people don't want to vote, or don't treat their vote carefully and then complain. Those who choose not to vote use it as a way to try and avoid responsibility. How often have you heard people say "Don't blame me, I didn't vote". Well, I DO blame them, because their voice isn't being heard and it results in someone being elected that isn't representative of the entire electorate.

It is a privilege to have a vote - not voting, to me, is not appreciating the privilege we have.

Beware of the protest vote for minor parties -Australians felt that they didn't like either of the major candidates one election and the parliament ended up a mess of independents and there was more politicking than legislation being passed in that term. Many people described it as dysfunctional and there were concerns that parliament might need to be dissolved.

Women make up approximately 50 percent of the population. How powerful that statistic could be if EVERY WOMAN had the courage to exercise her hard-fought right to vote on election day?

Good luck everyone - the rest of the world waits with hearts in mouths.