I think that we have all been thinking a lot about the election this past week. Some are upset about the results and others are ecstatic. Now that we have all had a few days to sit with and process the results of the election, I wanted to post some of my thoughts about many of the things that impacted the 2024 vote. I will be honest, I did not vote for the winner of the election. I am currently a registered Republican, but after January 6, 2021 and the election denial that followed, I vowed I would never vote for him, and I did not. An interesting thing happened however, as I listened to the cases made for each candidate, especially the one I planned to vote for. I realized that the Democrat candidate, (Kamala Harris) and her side of the political divide did not represent me, my views or interests any more - probably less than the candidate on the other side (Donald Trump). I tend towards the middle ground and don’t see the extremes on either side as helpful. The extremes, both right and left, are, from my perspective, dangerous. Apparently, some of the things that became issues for me this election, were also issues for others, no doubt affecting the election outcome.
My faith shapes my world view and opinions, so I cannot agree with abortions at any and all stages of pregnancy - especially when the procedure is for convenience and not medical necessity. I was an “unplanned” baby myself and I am eternally grateful that my birth mother did not consider me disposable for her own convenience. Adoption is an infinitely better alternative than abortion.
Gender is an immutable part of who God created us, as individuals, to be and it cannot be changed. I refuse to go along with the lie that females can become males and that males can become females. I won’t use pronouns that affirm or validate something that is untrue and I believe the surgery and other hormonal treatments to “affirm” gender dysphoria are simply wrong. Men should not unfairly compete against women in sports just because they have changed their “gender identity.” Similarly, men and boys, even those who “identify” as female, should never have access to restrooms and locker rooms where women expect privacy and are at their most vulnerable.
I know that those in the LBGTQ community/Pride movement are very concerned in light of the election. I get it. I have family members in that category, but I will always stand firmly for traditional marriage and family. No one should experience discrimination or mistreatment, but our society is stronger when we have strong traditional families. Children need BOTH a mother and father. I agree 100% with Biblical principles of marriage and family, even as I love and care about those not in such relationships.
We are a country of immigrants and that is and always has been one of our strengths. That being said, we need major reform so that our doors can be open to those most in need, while establishing and maintaining the rule of law. We simply cannot take in everyone who wants to come, all at once. I am not sure at all how to do that, so there needs to be a lot of compassion, compromise and fair limitations.
As far as the economy is concerned, prices have gone up - a lot. We have all seen it. My hope for the economy is that Trump will be able to sustain economic growth increasing affordability. The stock market had a robust week after the news of Trump's win, so hopefully that is a sign of good things to come.
I won’t pretend I don’t have concerns about the incoming administration. I do. I have disagreed with many things Donald Trump has said and done over the years. I would very much have prefered another candidate on the Republican ticket. However, I feel a sense of peace about the election that I did not expect to feel. I am glad that the voting was decisive and that we can move forward without multiple court cases and false claims of voting fraud. I expect that the transfer of power back to Trump will be a return to the American tradition of peace and goodwill. I hope that I am right and for that, I am extremely grateful. Still, as I examine the policies and philosophies of each party, I cannot help but feel that I no longer align with an increasingly leftist Democratic party.
My paternal grandmother had a picture of John F. Kennedy in her kitchen, and I was definitely raised in a family of Democrats. The Democrats my parents liked espoused the values of the working-class American family. As I have thought about the choices of this election, however, I realized that the current Democrat party has gone so extreme that it has left many Americans behind. I am among them. I believe that this is a big reason that the election went the way it did.
It is not my intent to offend anyone with this post. I acknowledge that others don’t see things the same way I do. I respect that and hope that we can always make room for other views without weakening our own. As we enter a new era in America, I am praying for our country, all who lead it, and all of us who love this land.
Until next time,
😊Deb💖
“There is nothing wrong with America
that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”
~Bill Clinton
