[Open Eyes]

I had this posted in another thread, but decided that it would be better to move it here. I realized that it would probably be more "understood" here than where it was posted. And I wouldn't get more "triggered" by again being in a place that would again lead me to be misunderstood.

I began responding to a comment that was made about how we have gained in technology and no longer use horses and bayonets. And actually that was wrong. I was just going to "leave it at that" but I felt a need to continue in how I reacted overall in viewing this election.

Actually, horses were used in Afghanistan, I noticed that because horses are my passion. And we do still have bayonetts on firearms for our troops. Horses have been so pivital to human beings from the moment we climbed on their backs. They never cease to amaze me in all the ways they have been used by human beings. They have also been a tremdous help to me in my life too.

Yes, I can relate to "voter fatique" I think that a lot of people feel that way, especially in this election because so many people are struggling right now overall.

As for me, as I tried to view this election, not really having a strong feeling for either candidate, I found it "more" challenging. I feel that I looked at this election in a very different way than I had ever before.

But I was also "triggered" a lot and I felt "alone" with that. I had so many flashbacks, and these flashbacks were different. As with others that struggle with PTSD, I often just "reacted" and I didn't really know "why" all the time either. And then I had to "back track" because I know I "got strong minded".

I had so many things come forward this weekend and I thought to myself, how would anyone understand this in me? At the same time I had things that I was called on to do in my life where I didnt really know if I was going to be able to "hold myself together" and do what I needed to do either.

I didn't really realize how much I was so affected by my childhood. I thought I got "past" it all, never really realized I would ever address it again like I am now. All the anger and picking at one another displayed in this election really challenged me. I had so many flashbacks of the terrible school bus ride every single day all of my childhood. And to the depths of me, I remember just trying so hard to understand "why" other children behaved like they did. It was just brutal and they never let up. And it didn't just stay on that school bus ride either. That challenge created even more challenge in my home too.

I had an older brother who I think had some autism. Back then no one "knew" about it and children that had it really struggled and were often very misunderstood and punished for something they could not help.
That is what happened with my older brother as he was constantly "harshly diciplined at home" which only made him worse. Then he was picked on merceslesly on the school bus every day which only added to his struggle. All of that was going to challenge me all my childhood, I was very afraid of him, yet at the same time felt very sorry for him. And I remember his bedroom, how my mother had to make his bed with shower curtains and put them on the floor too. My brother wet his bed and the floor for several years.

When I watched the second debate and saw these two men circling each other, it was very "distrubing'. I remember seeing my father and older brother doing that many times. I especially saw that happen as my brother got bigger. One day they got so bad that they started their heated exchange just outside my brother's bedroom which was near the stairs. And they wrestled and I could see a tremdous amount of determination and anger in both. And my brother was going to finally take out years of anger at my father. And it ended up where my father was thrown down the stairs.
I thought that one of them was going to die that day.

I was always so frightened, and I was always going to pay for my bother's anger in some way too. I was so afraid to tell, because I thought that fighting would get to a point where one of them would get seriously hurt too.

And all the while I am experiencing these triggers, I am also so worried about my daughter. I know I talked about that in another thread. I had to go and comfort her and I was so worried about her. And I was so worried that I would not hold up somehow with her. I was so worried because I was also having so many flashbacks about how I was so challenged in my own marriage. And she is the same age as I was when I had her, and that pregnancy, I did not feel safe. My husband had gone out, got drunk and didn't come home and I was 9 months pregnant. I did not know about "binge alcoholism" and all his friends like to party hardy too. I was considered unreasonable because I failed to see how it is just "acceptable" behavior.

My husband finally sat and talked to my daughter and he was honest. He told her that her mother (me) was the one that raised her, and he was the one that made that extremely challenging for me. He finally told her as she was crying and trying to make the right choice while still feeling love for her boyfriend, who is also a "binge alcoholic". Binge alcoholics insist they can control their drinking, and they can go a while and behave, but they can also just drink into a black out and not come home at all. My husband would do that, he peed our bed and even got up and went to his closet and peed all over his clothes. He was blacked out and didn't even know what he was doing. And it is very hard to talk to them after they "black out" because they do not remember how bad they were.

It is not the way I want my daughter to finally understand her mother's pain. However I do have remind myself that a lot women end up dealing with this problem. I try to tell myself it wasn't my fault that my daughter saw me fix my husband and felt she could do the same.

When I watched the first debate, I ended up washing my kitchen walls at the same time. I had not done anything like that for a while now. So I thought I was getting back something I could not seem to do. Then after a few days and so many other challenges going on at the same time, I realized why I did that. Well, that is how I used to handle it and that goes way back too. I used to "have" to clean my room and try to make it pretty somehow growing up. I realized that as I was so challenged, I tried to make things better by somehow seeing if I could make a better "safe" place for myself. I used to clean for my mother too, somehow I thought it would make things better if her home was cleaner. And in my own marriage, my house was cleaned constantly too. And I put a lot of effort into making my home look so cute and homey.

I would have to say that as I was always "smaller" than others around me, especially the men, I never liked tall men or men with lots of muscles and in the back of my mind I always felt they were time bombs somehow. And my history clearly shows they were. I have a picture of myself in Kindergarten, I am frail and thin and my hair is chopped off. My hair was chopped very "short" because I was so stressed that all night long I used to twittle my hair to try to relax and self sooth. My mother could not comb it out so she cut it off.

The school bus ride, well my brother wanted to pick on someone else, he never could do it back in school so I was his target for that too. A target, wow, I know what that is, that was me in so many ways.

As I watched these two men make angry faces and speak some "untruths" I sure have lots of that in my past. My husband and my brother both did that to me. I had a flashback of one time when my brother threatened me and made me eat ants one day when we discovered them in the sand we were playing in.
I was so little then too. God, I had forgotten about that, it was minor compared to the other things he made me do.

I remember one time on the bus when I got so angry at the other children, I stood up and asked them to stop, please stop, and they completely ignored me and just kept at it.

I think to myself, how will anyone really "understand OE"? I thought that I grew past all of my troubled childhood, I really never realized it hurt me the way it did. This disorder has been such a big challenge, and sometimes I react and it really takes time to realize how it is connected to so many challenging things from my past.

Open Eyes

[Open Eyes]

Well I had a session with my T today, I had a lot to talk about. I talked about how undecided I have been and I tried so hard to pay attention and see if I could make a choice in this election. I explained how I didn't really care for either candidate and
I was actually proud of myself for making the effort.

I told him that it has been so hard because every News Channel leans one way or the other so it just hard to get past the way they "LEAN" and pick on the candidate they don't Lean to. Ugh.

I am so lucky because my T is an Independant too, I didn't know that before and he told me that it "IS" hard and he too wishes there was an "Independant" News Channel to watch. He also told me that this is an "extra" challenge for me because I am an "Independant" with PTSD. He told me that if I had been a Conservative, a Liberal, or a Democrat I would be able to flourish along with the "LEANING" and feel safer because they have News Channels to go to. The way I am now, and having PTSD is a big challenge because people with PTSD don't like the "lieing" nor do they like to feel "unsafe" so for me it really "IS" a challenge and to try to not let it get me down.

What I really appreciated as well is that he didn't even try to talk me into one candidate or the other or even tell who he liked. He did agree that it is disheartening to have to "fact" check after a debate and know "both" of these men had "untruths" to sort through. And again for someone struggling with PTSD who is trying to figure out which man to choose, that is very difficult because for me especially I have had to deal with some hurtful lies in my life.

Well, the only thing I can say about the debate last night is that I could see that Obama really tried to "rattle" Romney and he didn't rattle. IMO, that is what some other leader would do to try to "gain" or "intimidate" .

Sigh.....however it still didn't help me come up with a choice tbh. I am just worn out and I am just going to see if I have some kind of deciding factor for me and if I can do my duty as an American citizen and pull a lever on Voting day.

I talked to my T about what I have posted here and I also got to talk about something else that has been bothering me that affects my sense of "safety" lately too. It is a situation where I don't like a "lie" and I can't just come right out and say it the way I want to and I am not alone in feeling that. He told me that was a challenge too and there should be a better way I can "tell" and be "heard". I should not have to ever feel like I did when I was a little girl. And he knows I have been doing my best to deal with it.

Well, that is all for today, I am really so very tired right now.

Open Eyes

[shortandcute]

this election seems to have been real stressful for a lot of people--on both sides. i know it has been very stressful for me this year, and i have never had so much anxiety about the outcome of an election as i have this year. it seems to have brought out a lot of stuff and feelings in me that i thought i was overcoming, my PTSD has even gotten worse.

[Open Eyes]

(((Shortandcute))),

Well, that is why I decided to put up my own struggle. I had a strong feeling that I am not the only one feeling very challenged by this election. And after discussing my challenges with my T, he confirmed to me that people with PTSD really struggle because their sense of safety is already being "very challenged". And there have been so many "scary" messages going back and forth in this election too.

People may react to me in "OE, this is always what happens in politics" but at this point in my life, I am noticing it in a very "different and deeper way". It is "ok" that both sides are "lieing"? Oh, to top it off, we all vote "subconsciously" and both these parties running "know that" and their "campaigns" are designed to motivate that part of us that "most people have in common". In other words, basically we all want to feel "safe", be able to "work", feel our country is "strong and safe", and have our "right to our pursuit of happiness". Well, that is what all human beings want. So each of these candidates are going to "message" that "need" in each of us. And the hard part is they are also going to "lie" and "act" whatever way they feel will "motivate" us to vote for them. And it doesn't mean that one candidate over the other is really going to "fix" what is broken.

I have been very "undecided" and if I go into any group of individuals that are "decided" and share my questions and doubts, that group will only find ways to actually "dislike" me because I am quetioning "their choice". For example, in this thread, I gave my impression of the last debate where I could see that Obama was making a lot of "effort" to "rattle" Romney. Romney didn't take that bait and did stay calm. Well, an Obama supporter will only see Obama's performance as "domineering" and they will be happy with it. Oh, I am too wishy washy and people who have made up their mind are simply not going to like that and even will consider it a threat in some way. I am still "undecided" and just made an observation. And if I said I liked Obama's performance, well that would mean I am supporting him and people who have decided on Romney would not like that.

Well, I am just being honest about how I feel really, but somehow that is some kind of "threat". And that really goes way back for me. And that is not just "politics" that is also "religous faiths too" as well as cultural, and class as well.

And I genuinely was "puzzled" about Lybia too. And that has "nothing to do with Romney". I just looked at that situation, how it was addressed and it confused me, and it still does. I have not even said "conspiracy" either, I honesly don't know what to think. So am I a "bad" person for wondering about that? Does that mean I am trying to dissuade anyone? No, and there is still more coming forward about that situation that "does puzzle me more'.

However, I did hear Condelessa Rice's explaination on that "kind" of situation and how there is a "process" that takes place to "investigate" it. And she did mention that after the first 9/11 there were changes made to improve the communications to gain a better understanding in a shorter time when something like this takes place.
And what I liked about her explaination is that she didn't "bash or accuse", she just made an "honest" effort to explain it. It didn't give direct answers to what happened in the Lybia situation, however at least I have an idea of how something like that is handled.

Well, ((shortandcute))) I am glad you have a place to express the fact that you have been challenged too. And I can truely understand how it has aggrivated the PTSD you struggle with, me too. However for me personally, I am giving myself permission to recognize where this challenge goes back to places in my personal past. And I recommend you do the same, and just take on these challenges and an opportunity to continue to "self search" and find "resolve". That is what I am doing and I bring it all to my T and I also just allow myself to be "open minded" and to just open up. That is what I am doing here.

And anyone is welcome to share in this, it may be a good way of just having permission to express how you are affected.

And ((shortandcute))), it is "ok" that you feel this way, you are really not alone, try to give yourself permission to just quietly tell yourself, that your "concern" is normal. Also remind yourself that because you have PTSD, you are going to be "more sensitive" and it's ok, you are not alone, there are others that can relate to how you feel. And also try to "not" let your mind bring you to thinking the worst as well. Unfortunately there are lots of those "threatening messages out there too" they are always there when it comes to "human nature".

Open Eyes

[kindachaotic]

Dear Open Eyes, really sorry you've been triggered.
One thing's for sure, you won't have to agonize much longer.
Whoever gets elected I pray things improve for our country!
Voted early today so now we'll wait & see.
Take care.

[Open Eyes]

((kindachaotic))),

Well, I wasn't expecting to react to things in this election the way I did. And actually, it has been good to have a kind of "written journal" here at PC too.
After a few days I can revisit my posts and think about how I reacted, was affected, and "learn about myself" in a deeper way. I noticed that with PTSD, someone can have a need to "express their anger or emotional distrubance" and it can come in a wave of "just having to express with a lot of "determination" too. With PTSD that can come in a wave, and the healing "always" comes afterwards, always. I was tested, that is for sure, and I have come away learning alot about myself from this election.

So, though I really "struggled" and dealt with lots of "triggers" I also learned a lot too.

Open Eyes

[MDDBPDPTSD]

I have been more withdrawn than usual of late, but I do want to add my agreement to this. The election and now this storm, Sandy, are both very stressful and challenging to handle. I hope all of us find a way to come out the other side. Thank you for posting. Just because you do not hear from me, does not mean I am not thinking of you and reading your posts and sending you my concern and prayers. I am just very withdrawn now.

This is why I don't do politics or religion ... Too much trauma and drama serves to trigger me right badly ...

I'll reconsider when I'm in a better space, but for know I don't think it's gonna be the end of the world if I don't participate ...

And, for those who tell me I don't have a right to say anything if I don't vote, I simply tell them that as long as the government is taking money out of my paycheck, I'll have a right to my opinion whether I've cast a ballot or not ...

I feel anxious and oversaturated at this point. I cannot listen to news radio anymore because I become nervous and agitated. The outright lying, selective memory, haughty attitude (completely out of touch) and secretive behavior has gone too far (it hits way too close to home for me and I feel like I want to scream ).

All I can think is thankfully it's almost over, and I never have to hear from certain people again. Hopefully, they will go back to their secluded little lives and play tennis and attend fundraisers and stop pretending to care when they really do not at all (it's really about what's in it for them and how much they can profit, at the expense of others, before they bail out and leave the rest of us to pick up the pieces.)

Yes, it has reopened wounds

[Open Eyes]

Originally Posted by MDDBPDPTSD

I have been more withdrawn than usual of late, but I do want to add my agreement to this. The election and now this storm, Sandy, are both very stressful and challenging to handle. I hope all of us find a way to come out the other side. Thank you for posting. Just because you do not hear from me, does not mean I am not thinking of you and reading your posts and sending you my concern and prayers. I am just very withdrawn now.

((((MDDBPDPTSD)))),

Well, that is ok, really, just listen for a while and "slowly" you will realize that you are not alone in how you struggle. Honestly, that is why I decided to just let myself hang out there. I just somehow knew that others struggled too and that if I just opened up, well, somewhere it might encourage someone else to do the same, even if it is just to say "me too", that is a start. The one thing I have learned while I am struggling along is that it really "is" a challenge and it "is' lonely. But it is not as lonely when you hear someone else saying "your challenges" and also that they were bad and are "gaining".

I can relate to where you are MDDBPDPTSD, I have been there, but I want you to keep trying, give this time and that you truely "can" make gains. It comes slowly, it is up and down, but the days where you manage to find balance, well, they slowly "increase" and keep "self caring" and giving yourself time to work through the PTSD, don't worry, you are not as alone as you think, yeah you are going to make mistakes, but that is ok, you will learn from it every time, just keep giving yourself permission to do that and you will find you will begin gaining.

The brain is an amazing thing, it can heal, if you keep allowing it to, keep self caring no matter what. You say, "I have PTSD, it is very hard, lots of people don't get it, but I am going to keep working at it, take loving care of myself and remember that I "deserve to heal" and I will.

(((Hugs)))

Open Eyes

You are not alone. It is a struggle. Especially at first it is scary and then you realize, you have others that have got your back: that can relate, understand and support.

Ptsd is so challenging and exhausting. The stress, depression, triggers, anxiety, fears, memories. And yet, you are in a safe place - a refuge- while struggling, as well as while celebrating even the smallest milestones. We are there with strong shoulders when you need to cry and marching bands and hugs when what seems like a victory overtakes us with joy. Even (what seems irl to others like nothing) and the smallest gain is huge. We get it.

You have a support team here second to none. There is love, kindness, understanding and unwaivering support. This place is a rare gift...the people I have met angels.

Originally Posted by MDDBPDPTSD

I have been more withdrawn than usual of late, but I do want to add my agreement to this. The election and now this storm, Sandy, are both very stressful and challenging to handle. I hope all of us find a way to come out the other side. Thank you for posting. Just because you do not hear from me, does not mean I am not thinking of you and reading your posts and sending you my concern and prayers. I am just very withdrawn now.

I have definitely been challenged...I had a nightmare that I was kidnapped and woke up in a fit

[unaluna]

that little girl crying on you tube that she just couldn't take it anymore - really a sign of the times, what we're doing to our kids, what we're doing to ourselves. what trauma, what a ratrace, what a treadmill. going nowhere.

[Open Eyes]

(((Rose and Hankster))),

It is important to pay attention to these "triggers" and where they may trace back to.
Make sure you remind yourself to keep working on healing and being in the "present" too.

Human beings have been challenged from the beginning with all kinds of different leaders etc. What is important is "self care' and making sure to appreciate life, inspite of who ever wins in this election.

Open Eyes

[missbelle]

Well its election nite and many polls are closing or have closed. I am so thankful this will soon be a memory. It has also created a lot of anxiety for me as well. Even though I lean towards one person and did vote for him, I will be totally relieved when its over whether my candidate wins or not!

can't wait for the election to be over!

[Open Eyes]

Yes, me too, I am glad it is over too. What bothers me is how "divided" it is and that so many people "do" get upset.

I really didn't have a "passion" for either candidate myself. As I mentioned, I just sat back and watched the process this time. And because I was so open minded, I saw "errors" and "even lies" in "both" candidates. I was also surprised at how "low minded" the interactions got as well.

I said to my therapist yesterday, "We do not want our children to bully each other, but we teach them how to do it, and that it is "accepted". And, we are permitting this behavior with candidates that will "run our country"." I found it "very" triggering tbh.
As I mentioned, I endured so much for many years on a school bus, watching my brother really be "hammered" with "verbal lies and abuse" every day.

I was even "triggered" in a thread and it was hard because even though I talked about being "respectful" for those that are for Romney, it was "ignored". And that is not just here, but it is in many places. I talked about this with my T yesterday too.
I felt that in a mental health support site, it should "not be allowed".

I also talked to my T about the fact that I chose to "put myself out there" anyway and talk about "how it made me feel" because I wanted to show "others" that may not have been able to "express" their "unconfortable" feelings, to maybe "search themselves" as to why, and to just know "they are not alone".

At the "risk" of being "unpopular" on some level for some, I will say my honest opinion this morning.

I did not "appreciate" the "low angry level" this election process expressed. I do not feel that "voting" is about "revenge" in any way. I feel this election served to "divide" this country even more, and has only served to "fuel anger and resentment". I feel that this "tone" will "impede" what we "really need" as well. What we really need is the people we elect to "work together" on getting our country "united" and back on track where instead of being devided, we are really all "working together". I honestly feel that looking "forward" or even "moving forward" will now be very difficult because of how much this election fueled and showed "the strong devide" going on in this country. And nothing has changed in the House and the Senate either, so "progress" along with "a throught of revenge" is not a good recipe for "actual growth and united effort" to really work "together" towards "growth and repair".

Well, some may not want to "hear" what I just said, but as a person who just sat back and thought about what is "a really productive mindset and attitude", I do not see "A United States" or "Government" right now. And to me "that is sad" because we all go out and vote for "productive leadership" in these people that need to "work together" and not have some kind of "mental block for revenge or anger and resentment".

Well, that is my overall feeling this morning. And it isn't to "burst any bubbles" either, it is just how I feel as a person who prefers productive "postive thoughts, verses harbored anger and resentments".

Open Eyes

[(JD)]

Yes, the USA was doomed either way.

[Open Eyes]

Well, JD, I did read about what would happen if Romney won as well, and he too would have a "lot" to overcome. We cannot be productive with this ongoing atmosphere of "anger and resentment" that we have had.

I personally, am commited to doing my best to remain "optimistic" and focus on one day at a time. I know there is not much I can do as an individual but to keep trying to make "some" kind of living if I can. I know all about "resentment" as well because my whole life was so badly damaged by a disrespectful negligent neighbor. I know all about having more debt than I can afford due to that, and trying to feed and care for animals that cannot work to pay their keep and are not something I could even give away due to "special needs".

If my animals were people, they would "expect" to be "cared for", but I also know that while they did their job and helped me grow a business and way of life, I am truely running out of "funds" to fulfill their needs. I have borrowed to a point where I can no longer "borrow" either, so yes, I know all about seeing things slowly "falling apart". And this whole "legal game" that has kept me in this downward state for 5 years and counting is very cold to my reality that I never deserved to have happen to me.

Sigh.....
Open Eyes

I have to admit, I feel angry with anyone who tells me, my sisters, my girlfriends, my mother and half the population what to do with their body. And when people try to force their values and/or religious views down our throats. Those things are a complete turn offs for me.

Sadly, I found that to be quite evident this election which was a huge trigger for me because I grew up with people telling me how to walk, talk, act, think, behave, and those who could not were beneath us (although I knew it my heart that was not true).

I think some anger / frustration was justified. And to not acknowledge that is just sad.

(forget about the rest of the bs)

[Open Eyes]

I understand your anger Rose, and I also know that "these issues" are selling points to get the female votes too so I don't know what "action" will take place verses "promises".

I know you to be a "responsible" woman and I agree with the fact that you do deserve "your rights". What I worry about is not women like you, but women who will take that to the extreme and use "abortion" as birth control or have it even get back to the point where "late term abortions" are allowed again, where, in my opinion, if the baby is healthy in late term and the mother's life is not in danger from delivering that child, there needs to be "protection for that unborn life".

Sigh... we always come to a point of "who will decide" and rights. And even when it comes to child "neglect", it can also get to a point where a mother can say, "I have the right to raise my child the way I deem fit for me". Well, that was said to me by a mother who was locking her children, very young children in a room for hours, a hot room with no fan, while she taught riding lessons. It was awful, and it is so hard to "protect" children and be able to draw the line at times.

Yes, I heard opinions that I didn't care for either as a woman. As I said, I had "no passion" for either candidate in this election.

I sat across from my daughter on my birthday and we talked about a student I had that is now 19. Well, she was a working student and a pretty and nice young lady.
Her parents are now divorced, her father an alcoholic and her parents have done nothing to help her further her education, and get her therapy as well which she needs because she has had her stomach pumped twice now. However, her parents are helping her younger sister get therapy and planning that child's education. My daughter is on the fence about taking her in when she gets her new home and trying to help her and I am now thinking about her using my Mustang to ride and train for another "productive" and "positive" as this young lady is a good rider, if given the chance for that too. I just wish I had "funds" to help, I don't know how it is all going to work. I am not sure she will grab hold of the help and try "inspite" of the neglect and her emotional struggle either.

Hey, I hope Obama does a Clinton and realizes that he has to reach out and be more "bipartisan", I hope "both" parties do that, otherwise, the future looks gloomy, no more "revenge" talk, we need these people in Washington to actually "work" for a change IMO.

Open Eyes

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

I understand your anger Rose, and I also know that "these issues" are selling points to get the female votes too so I don't know what "action" will take place verses "promises".

I know you to be a "responsible" woman and I agree with the fact that you do deserve "your rights". What I worry about is not women like you, but women who will take that to the extreme and use "abortion" as birth control or have it even get back to the point where "late term abortions" are allowed again, where, in my opinion, if the baby is healthy in late term and the mother's life is not in danger from delivering that child, there needs to be "protection for that unborn life"

Yes, I heard opinions that I didn't care for either as a woman. As I said, I had "no passion" for either candidate in this election

(((OE))))

- To your first point, one or two new Supreme Court Justices will make an enormous difference for women's rights. Unfortunately RBG will not be able to stay seated on the Court forever (although I wish she would)

And to Continue moving forward with:
- Support for women’s healthcare and reproductive rights
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
- Equal rights for all (including supporting the right to marry whomever you wish)

(as far as the other point...I do not believe it is any of my business to tell another man or woman what to do with their body or dictate their business -and vice versa). That is between the person and their conscience and/or higher power)

Also, I do believe that claiming you are completely dispassionate about any candidate shows your enthusiasm / passion for the system itself. And you didn't believe in what either one was "selling". But you seem very passionate and seem to feel very strongly about certain issues. So that is something, right?

[Open Eyes]

Originally Posted by Rose Panachée

(((OE))))

- To your first point, one or two new Supreme Court Justices will make an enormous difference for women's rights. Unfortunately RBG will not be able to stay seated on the Court forever (although I wish she would)

And to Continue moving forward with:
- Support for women’s healthcare and reproductive rights
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
- Equal rights for all (including supporting the right to marry whomever you wish)

(as far as the other point...I do not believe it is any of my business to tell another man or woman what to do with their body or dictate their business -and vice versa). That is between the person and their conscience and/or higher power)

Also, I do believe that claiming you are completely dispassionate about any candidate shows your enthusiasm / passion for the system itself. And you didn't believe in what either one was "selling". But you seem very passionate and seem to feel very strongly about certain issues. So that is something, right?

Well Rose, I looked at this election very differently and I was so bad during the last election and the past couple of years as well that I was more concerned about just dealing with the PTSD and the bad situation I have been in.

I was really triggered alot in this election, things caught me off guard as well. Like the town hall debate where the two men were circling each other and Obama's payback. Well, wow, that really triggered me Rose, to bad memories, I wasn't expecting that. I talked about that somewhere, that happened a lot with my brother and father, scarey things, bad flashbacks from that, I was so little then, and so incredibly frightened, with good reason, I wasn't expecting that to happen.

I know that women's rights are important, but I didn't see just that Rose, what good is that if one can't get a job, no roof overhead, no food on the table.

Yes, all those that "depend on government aide" but the government has to have other people working, paying taxes and have funds coming in to pay for these "dependants". It doesn't matter how "deserving" one is if there are no funds to give them this "aide". And there are no funds, we are borrowing.

We think that the "rich" is going to be able to foot that bill? No, there is not enough of them.

Big Bird? Well, he can certainly take care of himself, yes, nice program, but it doesn't really need government funding now, it "can" survive on it's own and still be there to enjoy. Those funds can serve to buy more food stamps, something that is needed so much more.

Vote out of "revenge"? What revenge, is that how we start this next four years, revenge? Well, that is not bipartisnship, that is the "wrong message". Revenge just plays in my mind as such a bad feeling, make the rich angry, make Wallstreet angry, Wallstreet, I told my husband to take our retirement out of investments, I knew this would happen, it just plunged today. Did Wallstreet need stricter guidelines, yes, but there is a lot of "lies" in that market, brokers who don't care either.
Who ends up paying if the market crashes, I did, my parents did and so did many other people who worked hard and "saved" and "invested'.

Bush made mistakes, but two wrongs do not make a right. Our politicians get paid whether we gain or not. Obama doesn't "go hungry" he has a fine roof over his head, he has good health care, and a great retirement plan.

Revenge, well wealthy people and big businesses are "leaving this country", and they will continue to do just that, that will be the revenge they get. Who will suffer? Not Obama, not those on that high hill, but us, you and me and so many other good people.

No, we need to come together as a country, not continue this so called "revenge" between the democrats and republicans, and we already know that just brings "gridlock" and more homeless, less jobs, and more and more debt. Red and Blue, so devided, revenge? No that simply will not bring our country together again. No, I didn't like this election at all, lots of anger, who pays for that?

The billions spent in this election, much too much waste with so many hungry, homeless, jobless.

Well, I like the right to vote, and choose, but this was too long and too much "waste". Billions spent in "Ohio" and they were "pounded" in this election. Well, no one came to my state, yeah my state is in the bag. Although Romney got 47% if I recall. Why?, because people "want bipartisenship" again, they don't want more "girdlock". People are desperate for jobs. Revenge is not going to get jobs, we already know that.

Honestly, I just kept wanting to have a third person there somehow, someone that could rise above this Red and Blue turned into "revenge' and gridlock.

Hearing that word, Revenge, that was it for me and this PTSD brain of mine tbh.

Open Eyes

Sorry you were triggered, OE. I was triggered, as well. We both posted about it.

We just have different POVs and see things differently.

And I do not know what you are referring to when you write about revenge and voting out of revenge.

I hope you feel better. And I am really glad you are watching your finances and pulled your money if that makes you feel safe(r). That is the most important thing.

Rose

[Open Eyes]

Originally Posted by Rose Panachée

Sorry you were triggered, OE. I was triggered, as well. We both posted about it.

We just have different POVs and see things differently.

And I do not know what you are referring to when you write about revenge and voting out of revenge.

Well, then you missed Obama's speach before election day telling voters to "vote out of revenge". And Romney's reply to that statement that we do not "vote for revenge", we vote for "love of country".

Rose, you and I are friends, and I respect your decision to support Obama.

I could not get past his last "revenge" advice, that is not "patriotic" to me. And, I do not like the partisan way he works in government. If we are going to make any headway, that just has to change.

Big government is "expensive" and sure, we want "stuff". Hey, I would like a big house, and get my front porch, I like stuff too, but lots of people "like stuff" and did the "big credit" to have their "stuff" and it lead to ruin. Have we not learned from this? We seem to not have because as a country we still want "stuff" and are in so much debt and are heading for, if not already, a bankrupt country.

So next year, though we are struggling, we will have to either get insurance or be forced to have Obama care. Well, we don't have that extra $3,500 plus to do that. We are "self employed" and hanging on by a thread as it is.

Since my neighbor put us into debt, ruined my credit, and destroyed the animals I use, one was used for our health care expense every year, we have been without insurance.

Now, gas is expensive, and people want me to charge less to drive further away because of who can afford to even hire me now. As "small business owners" Obama's plan the past four years has made it very hard on us. I used to be able to "pay for help", can't do that now, now I do everything myself, and I am always behind.

I hope you feel better. And I am really glad you are watching your finances and pulled your money if that makes you feel safe(r). That is the most important thing.

No, my husband did not do what I asked about switching our investments until "after" the election. Hopefully, the Market will get over the "perceived" disappointment about how this election turned out.

Rose

Well, maybe we have a different point of view. I have said all along that this election has challenged me. As I said, hearing that last statement from Obama, just killed it for me tbh.