The following essay was written by Teresa Blundell. Teresa has worked with non-profits and in government agencies providing/organizing services to lift others up including the group Michigan Rising which led efforts to recall Gov. Rick Snyder in 2011 and 2012. She has a BA in Psychology, an MA Pubic Administration, and volunteers with various community groups as an on-going pursuit to improve her life by recognizing her neighbor.
Enjoy.
I am supporting Hillary Clinton.
Do I agree with everything that she has said and done? No. But I have never found a politician with whom I completely agree. If you look deep enough at any candidate’s record and personal life you find words and actions that you don’t agree with. But I do find that Sec. Clinton has a far greater record of working for people, is knowledgeable and intelligent, and knows how to work across the aisle.
Am I troubled about her so-called two faces; public and private? No. Good luck finding a successful person, in the public or private sector, who hasn’t done this. Find that person and we can take up a donation for a statue. I have set in on meetings where those types of discussions have happened. That is the real world. We may not like it but that is the truth. We want everyone to tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth all the time. But that is not the real world. That is not how the real world functions. Some issues are nuanced, some issues are not yet resolved, some issues involve others who haven’t given permission to discuss, some issues would put others in jeopardy if discussed, and some issues are not anyone else’s business.
Regardless of the position the person is running for, some things are simply not our business. Think about it. Would you like to know that the president will fold under pressure or will remain quiet despite the haters? If a candidate folds how you would know that you could trust that person as president to stay quiet when necessary? You couldn’t.
Does that mean that I don’t have concerns about what goes on behind closed doors? Of course not. Asking for answers and transparency is our responsibility as citizens.
If you are truly outraged, then get more involved. Attend local government meetings. Join local environmental or issue groups. Keep up on legislation at the state and federal levels. Contact all your legislators and your governor and share your thoughts, use your voice. Contact the White House when appropriate. Share accurate information with family, friends, and neighbors.
Being angry is easy. Restorative outrage? Now that can be hard work.
[Graphic by Anne C. Savage, special to Eclectablog.]
