The Hypocrisy of Democrats

Part I: Written a few weeks before the 2016 election:

When I was in law school back in 2004, the presidential election took a nasty turn. I was called an idiot, ignorant, sworn at, yelled at, and dropped as a friend because I couldn’t possibly be that smart and still vote for Bush. 

Eight years ago, in 2008, I was called racist because I didn’t want to vote for Barack Obama. And now I am sexist, homophobic, and a racist because I am thinking of voting for Donald Trump for President.

Am I really all these things? Apparently I am, according to some of my Democrat friends and acquaintances.

The funny thing is, I’m not a Republican. I’m not registered as one and I don’t vote as one. I vote by the person, not the party, and there have been plenty of times where I have voted for the Democrat candidate (and there are several on my list this election that will get my vote again, quite confidently). So what’s the issue? My conclusions:

Democrat thinking: If you’re not a Democrat, there must be something wrong with you. You want to vote for a crazy cowboy Bush? You’re an idiotic, ignorant war hawk. You don’t want to vote for Obama? You must be racist and not want a Black president. You don’t want to vote for Hillary Clinton? You must be sexist and not want a female President. 

If you are a Democrat, then you are wise, caring, sympathetic, a lover of people and animals, against corrupt corporations and governments (and as such, if you’re a Republican, you’re ignorant, stupid, uncaring, boorish, hate people, especially poor and underprivileged ones, hate and want to torture animals, are for corrupt corporations and governments – you get the idea). Think this is outlandish? I and others have LITERALLY been accused of this stuff.

Let me introduce myself. I am a 38 year old female litigator with two small children. I was a SAHM (stay at home mom) for over a year and am now back at the office. I am also an artist and entrepreneur. I am a little hippy; I cloth diaper, co-sleep, carry my kids, and nurse in public. Do I confuse you yet? I believe in recycling and love a good steak. I am against illegal immigration and for greater maternity leave, against unlimited handouts and for greater military strength. I believe prisons should have better rehabilitation programs and that mentally ill people shouldn’t be imprisoned, rather, they should be helped (and that mental illness is a top issue to be addressed). The business tax should be lowered, the tax code needs to be simplified, and we need to start looking at the differences in class rather than color. Long story short, I’m all over the map (party-wise).

In my humble opinion, I try to be reasonable but expect people to take responsibility for themselves and others, but not go so far as to damage yourself. Be reasonable and fair, but have high expectations of others. BELIEVE in others so that they can rely upon you when they don’t believe in themselves. Don’t allow others to become lazy and dependent. It hurts everyone involved, including the next generation. Don’t keep your mouth shut when you should be speaking against bad choices or evil simply because you’re outnumbered.

These are all things about which I have never kept my mouth shut, but some of my Democrat friends automatically go on the defensive when I attack their candidate – this time around my wrath is directed at Hillary Clinton and her supporters.

She is the lesser of two evils, they say. It’s not even a close comparison [between her and Trump], they say. She is not ideal, but she is fit to be President, they say. I strongly disagree. The Democrat party has a dark and sordid history and she is just another example of a seriously corrupt, unfit, self-centered Presidential candidate.

Part II: Written the day after the 2016 election:

Americans are scared… or at least half of them are. They crashed the Canadian immigration website, are spouting nonsense about America turning into the Weimar Republic, it’s a nightmare, they are disappointed to be American, claiming they need to get drunk, and wondering about what to tell their children in the morning (to quote my childhood friend Charles Ornstein, tell them this: “First, lots of Americans voted. Lots. That’s great. A sign that our fellow citizens care. Also, we elected a new president peacefully and will have a peaceful transition of power, unlike many countries. People feel passionately about their candidate on both sides. That’s great. Someone had to win, someone had to lose. Never give up fighting for what you believe in. Ever. And always speak up for what’s right.”).

The day after Trump is elected and Democrats are, again, NASTY, if not worse than before. 

Republicans have now been accused of lying, cheating, and stealing in every way to hold on to power; using voter suppression and gerrymandering to win. Last night, when they realized she was losing, Clinton’s manager told the supporters to just go home. Clinton never gave a thank you speech to her loyal followers and didn't concede until the next day. How arrogant of her. How obnoxious of Democrats. You think Trump and his supporters are immature and venomous? Listen to yourselves and your compatriots’ venom and hatred. Your behavior disgusts me. If for no other reason, that reason would be a good enough one to distance yourself from the Dems.

Calm yourselves, Dems. The sun will rise again. The end of the world is not upon us, nor is it nigh. We aren’t going to be building concentration camps or detention centers. We are simply changing horses and this one is a little wilder than the donkey we were going to put on.

Let me remind you that Republicans felt the same way you did when Obama won the Presidency. No joke. I wasn’t sure that the United States could survive him, his executive orders, and his ability to divide the country and (partially unintentionally) reinforce racism; then I wasn’t sure the country could survive four more years. But we did. WE DID. And we will again.

Did Obama do some good? Sure he did, but the American public is tired of Democrat attitudes and policy and decided to vote for a change. They decided they were tired of being marginalized by the large, arrogant cities; they were tired of jobs being exported; they wanted change. And even Democrats were seriously displeased with their choice as demonstrated by voter turnout in this election as compared to the past two.

Ignore what the media has informed you, what the celebrities have demanded you do, what the international community insisted you MUST do, and read about President Trump’s actual policies (you can start with what he wants to accomplish in his first 100 days). Yes, he is seriously flawed (so was Hillary), but let’s read about what he wants for our country and hope that he can learn as he goes (as Obama had to). If he steps over the line, let's be there. We are the people. Act as such instead of pitching a fit!

[Side note: There are checks and balances and honestly, in day-to-day life, the State is more important and more impactful. Be more upset about who your new governor and state government is rather than your President.]

Will I ever tell who I voted for? I’m not sure. I am strong enough in my convictions and beliefs to be secure in my vote and I simply do not have the patience to deal with those who will call me names. If I voted for Hillary, I supported a liar, a corrupt, self-serving politician. If I voted for Trump, I am racist, misogynist, and anti-immigration. I don’t vote for Clinton just because she’s female and I don’t vote for a Trump just because he is Republican.

As a side note: YES, I retain the right to vote even as I live in Israel. And no, I don’t have to personally “live” with the outcome since I’m in Israel, but I DO have close family and friends there so stop telling me that I’m not feeling the boots on the ground (thanks for that insult). Additionally, having America remain friends with Israel is of vital importance, especially with the UN Security Council. 

The difference is that I have a better attitude than many. I have high hopes. I am optimistic and polite. I think the best of people and of our future. I don’t resort to name-calling, doomsday-promoting, promotion of hatred, and unfriend people because they think differently than me. You worry about your family? I worried about mine.

Part III: Written TWO days after the 2016 election:

Burning flags. Riots in numerous cities where people are getting critically injured. Name-calling. Death threats against Trump and his supporters. Colleges cancelling classes and giving pizza to distraught students. Unfriending people due to different beliefs (um, democracy?). Calling for the Electoral College to go against their instruction next month in order to overturn the election. Refusing to accept the outcome of the election. "He's not my president." Circulating a petition to eliminate the Electoral College (which is IN THE CONSTITUTION). 

I thought it would calm down by now. Some more cool-headed Dems have calmed down and made a call to action, but others have gotten worse. 

HYPOCRISY. These are the same exact people who, the day before the election, called for civility and coming together. That we can get over this divisiveness...  and the second (the SECOND) Trump looked like he was winning, the vitriol came out. The 'F' bombs came out... Democrats did a complete 180 and went off on Trump supporters as stated above.

Please don't get me wrong... I understand people are really scared and freaking out. I get it. You worry about your children, your LGBT friends, your Jewish friends, your Black friends...

But seriously, how can you defend this behavior? Aside from it being downright disgusting, immature, and anti-American, it is counter-productive. What does it accomplish except make you look like spoiled brats who are upset that your (horrible) candidate lost? Grow up. Stop whining - instead, volunteer and/or donate money to causes close to your heart! Most Republicans (and others) voted for Trump despite his idiotic behavior and speeches... accept that as truth because it is. There are idiots out there that used Trump as an excuse to "come out" as racist but they were always there.

Let's come together... President Trump is our 45th President. He's my President and yours. Let's hope for the best and work together. Make a difference - make sure your actions count. Stand for the disenfranchised, the weak. Make sure that the negatives of Trump won't come to fruition. 

We ALL have to do our best to work together. We need to ALL make sure Trump is good for our country. We all have to live with this. Together.

Let's start now.