After discovering the results of this past election, I felt hopeless and distraught. The man elected represented none of my beliefs. Everyone and their mother has been posting online about the results. From the Democrats crying in anguish to the Republicans gloating victory with a wide range in between of people telling others not to cry or gloat. But the most alarming thing I have seen is Republicans crying out about why they feel persecuted for who they voted for.
An article published at Gonzaga University caught my eye, especially because it was published prior to the election. The woman wants people to know that being a Republican is an act of bravery, something which I would highly disagree with. I would concur and state that being part of the LGBT community, a racial minority, or even minority religion would mean that you are brave. Someone fighting for equality in a time when our country has begun to take away rights means that you are brave. Proudly declaring yourself as a Republican does not; you will not be denied marriage, a bathroom, or even the right to wear the clothes that represent your beliefs.
A quote from the article is, "I believe in marriage equality. I believe in feminism. I believe in racial equality. I don’t want to defund Planned Parenthood. I believe in birth control. I believe in a woman’s right to choose. I believe in welfare. I believe more funds should be allocated to the public school system." This all is a response to her defining what she identifies as and wants people to know. But she also writes that she does not want women to choose abortion, that we should be able to bear arms, we should be privatizing as much as possible, and we should be disestablishing affordable healthcare.
The claim is that they are not their stereotype--they do not all want a wall between the United States and Mexico, and they do want equality for religion, gender, and race. Yet, this is not the experience I have had with Republicans. I have heard them gleefully talk about imposing a wall and making Mexico pay for it, something Trump promotes. Check out Trump's campaign platform about immigration here. Let us consider that the United States was founded by illegal immigrants.
Trump wants to bring work home, yet he outsources for cheaper labor. He wishes to increase our military size and invest in a missile defense system--something that reminds me of World War I and II when the German military had to be dismantled because large militaries implies that you have a better chance of taking over another country.
I have always attended private institutions and my parents paid their taxes so that other children could attend school. An education is a right, not a privilege. I do not believe that charters should be removed, because private schools are not affordable. While, yes, Trump wants to increase spending for education so it is more accessible, he also has no information on how he is going to make education accessible. The taxation rates do not benefit the poor, once you reach $225,000 in a joint marital income, you pay only 33%, yet the rates vary below that. The tax break means that at $224,999 the taxes paid are more than a year's tuition at Marist, literally one fourth of their income. But, Trump wants the wealthy to pay their share. Perhaps lower tax rates for lower income families could be beneficial and high taxes for those with extremely high wages could be implemented?
Trump wants to improve our constitutional rights, yet I do not see any plans that help the minority communities who are being prejudiced against. A transgender person should be able to use the bathroom for their identified gender, yet legislation has been passed to disallow this. People are unable to be hired based upon religion, gender, and color. How are you going to help me get a better job in the workplace, Trump? I have already heard men shouting out "grab her by the pussy" many times since you have won your position. Maybe I am sensitive, but being a woman does not mean you can control me by grabbing my genitalia. Or maybe it is just the fact that Republicans can so easily shout this or claim that only a Democrat being a poor sport because Hilary lost would shout this.
I think maybe one of the biggest issues I have is calling an illegal immigrant an illegal alien. But I guess I missed the fact that it hurts to be called racist and homophobic, yet not an alien. That you do not seem to care about issues unless they benefit you. Perhaps if you were a major minority of sorts, you would seem concerned. But you are not.
Speaking as a millennial, you disappoint me. You do not look for the benefit of all residents of the United States but for the monetary gain you can "promise" yourself. When 2020 rolls around, I hope that you, reading this right now as a member of the public, make more informed decisions about who you are voting for.
