doc w/ Pen

I don’t normally write about politics here. It’s not the intent of this blog. But today, it’s personally imperative for me to say something about last night’s presidential election results.

Those of you who know me well will attest that I am a nonjudgmental, “live and let live” kind of person. But everyone has a breaking point, and Donald Trump is mine. I cannot watch him climb to the most influential political office in the world and stand by, silent. To simply say “I disagree” with this result, and that I simply “disagree” with half of the electorate in this nation, is also insufficient. No. I am terrified and sickened as I contemplate the next four years under the thumb of a man who seems more likely to rule with the principles of tyranny than with those of democracy.

More specifically, here are a few things I want to say publicly, and in print.

As a woman, I refute the misogyny Donald Trump has spewed during this campaign. As someone with friends of many racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic backgrounds, I refute the racism and intolerance Donald Trump clearly espouses. As a future physician, I refute Donald Trump’s positions on health care availability and funding. As a decent human being, I refute Donald Trump’s stance on the provision of social services. As an American citizen, I refute Donald Trump’s capacity to serve as our president.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

I voted. I’m glad I did. But I wish I had done more. Would it have made a difference? Just me, no. Though maybe if a lot of people had decided to do more, it would have.

In four years, in the 2020 presidential election, I’ll be deep in the harried, sleep-deprived life that is medical residency. I’ll have even less time than I do now. I’m not sure what I’ll be able to contribute. But we can’t let this happen again. All I can come up with in this dark moment is that we need to start thinking ahead now.

Who’s ready to start campaigning for Elizabeth Warren with me?