Politics is something I’ve never written about here. Not that I am not interested, it is just that I really do feel it is such a personal choice and decision.
My earliest ‘political’ memory is when I was just over 16 years of age being taken to a political meeting by my Mum. If I recall correctly I was home from school because of toothache. The meeting was a morning coffee type of thing, with lots of housewives and Mums there… and 16 year old me! The guest speaker was the late, Garret FitzGerald. He was a gentleman and a politician. I honestly have no recollection (and I wasn’t probably interested much) as to what he spoke about.
However, I do remember him singling me out after his talk, and sitting chatting to me about politics. I guess I stuck out in the crowd! He’s advice was so sound…. I had no idea who/what/if I would ever vote when I got to 18. He said ‘forget about party politics, and just vote for someone who has the same believes as you.’
the late Garret FitzGerald – both a gentleman and a politician – photo courtesy of RTE Stills Library
And that’s the way I have voted since.
I can’t claim to fully understand the voting system in the USA. Like everyone else outside of USA, I am watching wide-eyed as events unfold.
I naively posted something about the current goings on in USA on Facebook the other evening. The replies and comments were interesting. They came from both American and European followers. So now I am taking this opportunity to air my thoughts. It would be way too long a post on Facebook!
- I get it that Donald Trump won the election.
- I feel sorry for the American voters that they were reduced to a choice of one of two people that polarised them to such an extent.
- I don’t get that so many ‘sane’ people, and in particular, women, voted for such a despicable and uncouth person.
- I don’t get that he can enact laws without Congress’ approval. This screams dictatorship to me.
- I don’t get that he has surrounded himself with such offensive people. Mr. Bannon’s stated goal is to infiltrate the Republican party, destroy it and cause national chaos.
- I don’t get that people can be stopped at the airport from entering the USA because of their country of birth/religion. What next? You can’t come here cos you’ve got green eyes/drive a blue car?
- I don’t get the deafening silence from Capitol Hill. Where are the senators – both Republican and Democratic? Are they not allowed to speak out? Is their role not to legislate?
Looking on from over here…. and, yes, I trust the media reporting on this side of the Atlantic…. all I can think is God help America.
A Year In Redwood 