Moving Forward… Together?

~ the britchy one

I’m only going to make one post election comment.

On Tuesday I sat at the polls all day as an election inspector. At about 9am the local Democrat and Republican parties collaborated and brought coffee and donuts to all the polling stations in our town.

They worked together and did something good.

It was a joy to see so people actually getting out and voting. We had about a 30% turnout which was piss poor in the district I was working. I live in a fairly small town. I knew a lot of the people who were listed in my ballot books. I’m very unamused by the fact that some of the mouthiest Facebook politicos didn’t turn out to vote.

I didn’t read posts on the day or night of the election. I was working the election for 16 hours and I was burned out by the time I got home to be honest and I just needed to sleep. I woke up on Wednesday to some true ugliness and it’s sad.

On Monday I was friends with you regardless of who you were going to vote for. I was friends with you if you did or didn’t like Indian food, if you rooted for the Giants or the Cowboys, if you liked snow or if you didn’t like Star Wars.

I have been deleted by two people I thought were friends on Facebook in the last couple of days. Other than posting how to check where your polling place is and reminding people dates for registering to vote and to vote, I stay off political commentary. I’m assuming I was deleted because I had followed a few candidate pages. One has posted on his page that he was removing all intolerant assholes from his friends list. The irony is kind of beautiful actually!

My point is this. If you voted on Tuesday, I’m proud of you. If your candidate did or didn’t win, I was your friend yesterday and I should be today. The two local parties worked together to do something good yesterday and we can do that every day.

Treat each other with respect and kindness and be the change you want to see in the world. I want to see your usual posts about life, families, fun and food! Tell me what you’re having for dinner please not alternate crowing or griping!!

Published by the britchy one

A PROUD American Citizen who was born and bred in England and now resides in the US. I’m married to an American who really didn’t have a clue what he was letting himself in for - poor sod! I’m a cranky bitch who loves cats and books and hates chocolate, politics and Dave’s. Oh and mosquitos. I hate those blood sucking parasites but since I’ve already mentioned politics I’m repeating myself! I’m a short, skinny redhead, 3 kids, 2 dogs, not enough cats and a mouth with a death wish. Blood group - certifiable.

38 thoughts on “Moving Forward… Together?”

  1. I have no idea who you voted for, or what your personal political platform is….. and to be honest, I really don’t care. I too, have lost a few friends from rabid FB postings and unimaginable rancor. It’s sad, I’ve always been able to agree to disagree and for years never knew what side of the aisle most of my friends sat on. Now? It’s all anyone talks about…. and look where that’s gotten us.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  3. I agree. In the UK we are still suffering from a Civil war where two groups of people cannot understand why the other side voted the way they did in 2016. Many friendships have ended due to the lack of respect, I NEVER judge friends on who they vote for or how they vote, if they are decent people who respect me, that’s enough for me. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  4. I don’t comment or post on anything political! It’s too vile! I did vote on Tuesday, went at ten and I was the youngest one there and I’m 55! Haha my canidates didn’t win, but at least I tried to make a change here! Have a great weekend!🇺🇸💕🍁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. I had to put on a movie the night before the election because I couldn’t take all the ads on public tv. It seemed as it was getting down to the wire, the ads were getting nastier and nastier. Then the day after the election all the bitter losers and the gloating winners had much to say on their facebook pages. Everyone wants their candidate or party to win. But you know what? Even if they don’t, you still have to get up and go to work, go to the grocery store, see people at your kids’ schools, see people at the gym. Life still goes on regardless. If you don’t like the outcome of the election, do your own part to make change happen in your own community. But you will make more progress if you are an upbeat positive person recruiting help for a better community, than if you are a negative, pessimistic ninny complaining incessantly.
    I’m right there with ya Britchy. If I was deleted by anyone….I don’t even know. Oh well!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  6. I get the impression that some (not all) in America are a lot more passionate about politics than over in England…
    …and from what I see on the Beeb, it seems very divisive at the moment. Well…I do take all news reports with a pinch of salt after having been the subject of false news reports myself!
    Was the working together to accomplish something good the coffee and doughnut run??? You can see why people would become united over doughnuts!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. I think you are right. I think Brexit has been one of the major events in recent years and definitely one of the most divisive of developments.

        I often think how much more limited any one in authority is when there is a such a big divide on everything. Those “in power” do not have the power of yesteryear.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Very well said! I have some friends on FB who do the political ranting – I just scroll through to the next picture of kids or cute puppies. If people could have respectful discussions that would be one thing – but usually both sides are just being mean and hateful without any real desire to have an intelligent conversation. It is sad and I have no time for that. I have cute puppies and miniature goats in pajamas to see.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. Overall the turn out was outstanding from what I can tell. I can understand that 30% may be dismal. But I think more were motived and made time to cast their ballot!!! Thanks for volunteering Britchy!

    p.s. If you want to really piss off some people, post some of my blog posts on your social media and people may lose their minds. Myself included!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  10. I recently unfriended a FB friend because she posted (and I liked) that we should all be tolerant of each other’s political views, etc. On her very next post, she ridiculed members of a certain political party (not mine). Ugh! Thank you for working the polls! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Kudos to you for doing your civic duty and working the polls. America will find its way back to civility. We always do.

    FYI, I declared my Facebook a politics free zone months ago as the that stuff wasn’t doing anything positive for anyone. I posted stories about people helping other people, feel good stories that I thought would help. Most of my friends adopted the same policy afterwards. I felt so much better.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. We’re being so programmed to be “us or them” “left or right” or whatever… and that’s the tactic. We can break that by doing what’s right though!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. I’ve given up on FB. I can’t take it. I had classmates that did nothing but rant…constantly. I even had family members ranting. Egad! Enough already. Is that all you have?

    The old adage…don’t discuss religion or politics. I don’t want to work that hard.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Ugh, I hear ya….it’s really all become very exhausting. I had enjoyed FB when it was just a place to reconnect and stay connected with people I don’t get to see all the time. I liked seeing and reading about the things happening in their lives, etc., but these last few years, it’s really brought the worst out in people. I admit that while I don’t typically unfriend, I use the unfollow feature liberally….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. I experienced that with Brexit oddly enough. It matter’s not to me, what a person’s vote is, it’s their right to vote for whoever or whatever, but it shouldn’t reflect on a friendship, but in many cases it does. Like above, FB’s unfollow feature is a valuable asset to have. However, l rarely use Fb now as it all just gets way too personal at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment