Marking my 7000th post (I missed)--We can't put our guard down
Like most of you, I feel such a relief to have a real president and administration heading our nation finally. The last four years have felt like twenty.
Unfortunately, many of our fellow citizens are damaged. The tools used by the right, and Trump especially, have caused such a schism that we still have an uphill and exhausting battle ahead. We bump into 'the other side' everywhere--within our family, our community where we live, at the store, driving down the street, on-line, and even when we deal with professionals (realtors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.).
It is easy to tune things out on television and on-line (thank gawd for DU), but not so easy when we find ourselves dealing with a completely indoctrinated individual while seeking the services of a professional. Sometimes we may find our medical specialist is a kook, or that person who helped us refinance. We can be taken by surprise and either have to confront the situation or hope they get a clue if we don't respond in kind. It seems, their assumption is that they are normal and so are their views and comments. Pointing out that they majority of the country does not think that way is not helpful.
We live on Hawaii Island after moving here from Washington State. We thought we were moving to a blue state, but find ourselves surrounded by a local population of subjugated right-wingers. It doesn't help that there are way more 'churches' per capita than we are used to and that there is a huge local nationalist movement. Some of the friendliest people, but then they readily reveal their opposition to vaccines, masks worn properly, and even new technology. It is certainly a stunner when they say Biden will sell us all out to corporatists.
So--we need to be thankful that people voted and proved our democracy still lives, but we have our work cut out for us each and every day--still.
