Category Archives: voting

The ultimate count down – 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1- November 3rd!

Posted on by

We have come a long way folks. We are still fighting this deadly virus and World Pandemic. 230,000 people are DEAD! They were our fellow Americans. I do not care if they were American born, foreign born, rich, poor, White, Black, Yellow or if they were Democrats, Republicans or Independents. I don’t even care if they were Atheists, or Agnostics. They were human beings. They could not breathe a peaceful last breath because the virus would not let them breathe on their own. They did not have the strength to even say goodbye to a loved one. In many cases it was the beeping of the ventilator machine that announced their lonely transition. I am painting a grim and dark picture here because some people just need to wake up to the reality that if we do not cooperate and help each other stay safe, there is a possibility (hope not) that one hundred more human beings will die as many more are infected!

The ones who survive will more than likely not have long lasting side effects but many will continue to suffer. Reports from real people say they will have lung, heart and other vital organs affected for possibly the rest of their lives. This is like having another type of cancerous cell in your body. Post-COVID patients will be at risk of being labeled as having pre-existing illnesses that may not be covered by health insurance. They may have trouble getting insured or may see higher premiums and copays to deal with. 

The countdown must be shouted at the top of our lungs. We must do what is right for all the people. We must continue to listen to the experts and scientists. You know – the ones with the higher educational degrees that certify that they actually have the knowledge and experience to tell us the truth and to develop the right protocols, medicines, vaccines and effective measures to combat the virus. It has not gone away. 

My family is facing a difficult moment right now. And although it is not COVID related, I cannot bear the thought that anyone in my extended family might have to suffer from COVID because they have an underlying disease.

I will not rest peacefully until we conquer this viral disease. I will not rest peacefully until we rid ourselves of the deceitful, misleading, and dangerous misinformation that flows from the House of the People. Our democracy, freedom of speech, and civil rights are at stake right now. We need to revert back to the respectful discourse, honesty, and to the values we have cherished since the birth of our free nation. Many brave men and women died to preserve our Constitutions and the laws that protect us. 

Some of you may not agree with my stance but this is the beauty of a democracy. We can disagree. But we must also accept the truth. The Constitution, our Bill of Rights and Liberties must not be trampled or tarnished. Empires and very powerful countries fall when the people get too complacent and allow corrupt leaders to dictate bigotry and hate. This is not the American way. I learned this from my sixth grade teacher. We must work together for the good of all. I beg you. We must work together.

I listened to this song this morning as I witnessed the audacity and determination of a long line of voters waiting to cast their vote early. They started dancing in place to make their long wait a little more bearable. So to end on a high note I want to share this classic. I will be doing the same in my living room when the results come in and tell us we have won our nation back. Stay safe, and God bless America!

We will win and celebrate!

The Countdown Continues – Will Someone Explain Why?

Posted on by

I need someone to explain

what is going on in the hearts and minds

of some people.

Do we no longer believe in the Golden Rule?

Explain it to me as if I were a five year old.

Why are people gathering in closed spaces without wearing a mask?

Do people simply not even love themselves?

Why are we still so cruel to each other after all we have been through these last six months?

Why are so many in denial about this pandemic?

Why are we forgetting that this virus kills and leaves many side affects?

Why do some people think they are above the law?

Why are some people still in denial of climate change?

Do we really not believe in science?

Are we not seeing the results of the fires and storms?

Why are we not understanding

that your rights end where mine begin especially when it is about health?

Why are we not worried about the interference of others in our elections?

Why are some people set on downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19?

The countdown continues. 

So much is at risk.

Do know that empires die too?

The bigger they are the harder they fall?

Why are we willing to destroy our democracy?

I want answers to all my questions. 

I am so tired of the divisiveness, hatred, violence, stupidity, partisan attitudes, conspiracy theories, and the 

LIES, LIES and more LIES.

Do you need answers too?

 

66 DAYS 15 HOURS 41 MINUTES – To be Precise

Posted on by

Fact checkers need to go out, research and be precise;

The urgency of now cannot be over emphasized.

We have now listened to the two major sides

and their multiple points of view.

Some things I heard frankly were not all that new.

This is why now we need some truthful and great sleuths on the ground.

Reputable and true journalists must report soon what they have found.

I will list for you the relevant issues and I hope I am concise.

Shifting blame, name calling, and sheer partisanship will no longer suffice.

I implore you to read and listen for accuracy, and meticulous reporting.

There are only 66 days left to decide who you will be supporting.

Questions should be similar to these and more:

How many billions did the USA actually receive from other countries?

What finally happened to the second stimulus bill?

With all the billions supposedly attained, why are they bickering over how much and when?

Does everyone understand we are in a recession?

Will the COVID-19 Vaccine be safe for human beings?

Has testing for COVID-19 truly slowed down?

What the real time numbers of deaths and infections?

Are medicaid and medicare at risk?

How are the senators and congressmen and women voting on the most important issues?

Will the USPS be ready to deliver mail in ballots?

How are all social media platforms protecting our elections?

I can think of so many more things that need to checked.

I hope you have questions to add to this list.

I am tired of the rethortic and misinformation.

I am tired of some journalists not asking the right questions?

I am tired of the ranting and complaining.

If you are tired too then you know what I am saying.

I am a mother and grandmother first as you may have guessed;

looking out for the future of my family and friends.

but most of all for We the People of these United States.

 

Please submit feedback. Stay safe and stay informed. 

 

Image by pixabay.com

 

 

 

I have provided links that may be useful. 

70 Days – Out of Touch?

Posted on by

Out of touch?

Feelings are not important, right?

Death is only felt by the 177, 000 dead!

 

Out of touch?

Did you eat the conventional three meals today?

Do you know how many did not?

They are thousands of children, American children. Our children.

They are the homeless.

They are even those who have a home.

They are the unemployed.

They are of all colors, all creeds, all political parties.

 

Out of touch?

Many of us are.

This is what is so sad.

 

Out of touch?

We need to come to one realization.

That is, it is not just to say, “It is what it is.”

What it should be is,

What we should ask ourselves is:

What are you going do about it?

Out of touch?

Not me, not I, never again.

 

71 Days 4 hours and 43 minutes – But who is counting?

Posted on by

The world will be watching closely

It will be listening attentively,

as the days go by.

I can only hope fervently,

as hours and minutes tick away,

that all will be said and done,

and that all of us can finally say,

“Free at last!”

Counting are the unemployed,

the sick and dying,

the crippled economy,

the souls who are hoping

they did not die in vain.

 

Counting are all of us,

especially those suffering the pain

of the loss of loved ones.

 

Counting are those,

who wait patiently for normalcy

whatever that may be.

 

Counting are our children

who do not understand

what is happening.

 

Counting are We The People,

because we were promised

in our constitution

that it would insure

domestic tranquility.

We were given rights.

 

I am counting the days, hours, and minutes yes,

but I am counting on you

that together we will secure

for a more perfect union.

Only when we work in unison

will we finally make change.

 

Seventy-four days – Time to write a poem.

Posted on by

This is another found poem of sorts. Please see the attributions.

 

How important is it?

If I had a song,

My very own song,

An earth song,

 

I would be dancing on my own,

without a care in the world.

 

Are you listening?

The magical tune of the river tells us

It is hopeful in a time of confusion.

 

But wait I still hear some craziness.

I still feel like I am in the dark.

 

Wait a minute.

or is it an hour, a year or just seventy-four days?

I too am beginning

to see the light.

 

Photograph by Melba Christie

 

Attributions:

Man of many thoughts,  keithgarrettpoetry

johncoyote

Pat Cagan

Sketchuniverse

Edge of Humanity Magazine

 

 

Seventy-seven days – On a Significant Anniversary

Posted on by

One years ago the 19th amendment empowered women with the right to vote. 2020 so far been a memorable year; it will definitely be remembered for many negatives but there are some positives we need to embrace.

My grandmother was barely 22 years old when the 19th came about. The incumbent president at the time was Woodrow Wilson, a leader of the Progressive Movement; he was the 28th President of the United States (1913-1921).

Warren G. Harding, a Republican, who won by a landslide victory in 1920, taking every state outside the South and dominating the popular vote. He became the 29th president.

I wish she were here to tell me who she voted for at the time and if she actually did get to vote. My great-grandmother was never able to vote. She had passed by the time the 19th had been enforced.

Today, we the women of this great country do have the right to vote and it is so important that we do so on November 3, 2020. We must do everything in our power to get out there and exercise our right to vote and not be fearful. Our vote will count and will be counted fairly. We must believe that our elections will not be tampered with. Our doubts began with the knowledge that foreign entities may try to sway people one way or another via social media. Reliable security sources have made clear interference of that kind will not happen again. So we cannot allow fear, and misinformation to come from any source.

Of course, I may be a tad bias but I believe women are intelligent, forceful and determined to make the world right for their offspring and loved ones in general. You could not intimidate my mother or grandmother. They kept informed. They read fervently and spoke up when they knew something was dramatically wrong. I know that many women are made of the same stuff.

I watched Michelle Obama speak at the National Democratic (unconventional) Convention which was done virtually because of the pandemic we are all struggling with these days. She was eloquent as usual but also spoke from her non-political heart. I heard the sincerity of a mother and patriot who loves her country. It was a love like this that fueled the Suffrage Movement. As my grandmother would say they had “fuego” (fire) in their hearts and clarity in their minds.

https://www.thecut.com/2020/08/michelle-obamas-dnc-speech-watch-video-and-read-highlights.html

We must honor those women by doing what needs to be done. I know I will honor my great grandmother and all those before her who could not voice their opinion or check off a ballot box.

There is too much at stake. There is too much to accomplish. We have come a long way but so much more needs to be done to get the job done better. It is up to us. Who else can do three jobs at once? Who else has the know how to read people and know what is best for their children? The answer is We the Women of these United States of America. God bless America!

President Harding and His wife.

 

It is our turn to make a

difference!

 

Seventy-nine Days – An Open Letter

Posted on by

Dear Fellow Americans,

I hope this letter reaches you in good health. I am writing to you because our United States Postal Service (USPS) may disappear for all we know because we really do not know what is happening. Some sources say there is attempt to defund it. Some say they are removing sorting machines and blue post boxes and closing down some post offices. We cannot allow anyone or anything to destroy a service that has been our most valued asset. We value our military because men and women put their lives in the line of fire to secure and protect our democracy. We value more than ever our essential workers like our fireman, ambulance workers, police officers, medical community, teachers, delivery services and food service workers. They all serve us. They all serve we the people. It is time for us to deliver. It is time for us to STAND UP AND DELIVER.

If you still believe in “WE THE PEOPLE” then that means you believe that the USPS cannot be destroyed, dismembered, unarmed, or somehow diminished. The people who work for the USPS are people from all walks of life. Many are women, African American, veterans and people who work hard to ensure that we get our medications, our social security checks, letters from our families and military members working overseas. Bottom line, they too are “WE THE PEOPLE”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has flipped everything upside down. A record number of people are out of work, more and more people are contracting the virus, and 170,000 people have died. We are going through a recession. Our collective psyche has been affected with too many uncertainties. The economy is suffering. The senate cannot decide on a stimulus package or do not want to come to compromise so that the our most vulnerable citizens can receive economic relief. They need to go back to work. Each one of them represent us the voters, we the people, and nothing should interfere with the flow of mail in ballots, be they absentee or otherwise. Nothing should slow down our postal service. We must come up with creative ways of making sure that people know what they have to do in order to vote if they feel it is unsafe to go vote in person. It is vital that we help the word get out. We must start to use our own oversight powers by making sure the congress and the senate do what they are obligated to do. They too have to STAND UP AND DELIVER! The Postal Service Crisis is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is a civil rights issue. It is an American issue.

We must do whatever it takes to embrace the constitutional and civil rights of all people. STAND UP AND DELIVER! We must secure our precious liberties and democracy. It is up to us. STAND UP AND DELIVER! Do it for your children. STAND UP AND DELIVER! Do it for your elderly parent or the person in your family who has heart disease or diabetes or other compromising health problems. STAND UP AND DELIVER! We the people have the power. The United States of America is not an autocratic or authoritarian regime. The United States is a democracy. The world is watching us, people. The world is listening! STAND UP AND DELIVER!

One hundred years ago the Women’s Suffrage Movement made a difference in our country by demanding their right to vote. “The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. … Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s rights movement.” We cannot let them down. They sacrificed too much. It is our turn to make “good trouble” and STAND UP AND DELIVER like those strong and brave women did. Please do the right thing. God bless America!

Love, Peace and Good Health,

Melba Christie

 

 

 

 

Photos by Pixabay