Many unemployed
Societal unrest due to social justice issues
Partisan divides running deep
People yelling to get their way
Families divided, and even severing family ties
Friendships strained enough to break
People choosing a news source delivering the narrative they want to hear
Strained relations with long-term international allies
Coronavirus amplifying differences
People cheering illness and death to mock the person
Too many racists in the population
A variety of means of voter suppression
Politics determining disaster assistance
Conspiracy theorists gaining public office
Yes – Keep America great
We shred junk mail with our name on it, but I wish I would have carefully saved more of this envelope. I understand why people want to come to America for a better life, but I also understand why someone would want to leave it behind. I can honestly say that it is on my mind, but I also understand the role of other factors in my decision. First, where to go is one thing, but in the age of COVID, who would let an American enter? Let alone a person in their 60s. I also realize that the grass always appears greener on the other side of the fence – and when jumping the fence, landing in a bigger pile of crap is very possible. Second, I’m not alone – meaning it’s not just my decision. I’m married, and my wife’s 91-year-old father lives in our area. In other words, the decision is not solely mine – which means moving is very unlikely.
After the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, it took only a few hours from the news to run amuck. Long ago I stated that one thing worse than a Trump presidency is the millions of Trumpians remaining after his presidency. Believing in his brand is one thing, selling one’s soul to get something they want is another matter. Yes, I’m very much bothered. Yes, moving is on my mind.
Ahh Frank,
These are tough and bizarre and frustrating times we are experiencing. To think it’s all over the world, though most of the world is looking at the United States and scratching their heads. We can’t understand how you’ve come to this point. Well, we have an idea but still.
When you are at the point of wanting to leave, things are very serious. But, as you said, easier said than done. I feel your angst and frustration, your fear and sadness, my friend.
Perfect song choice.
Sending hugs and friendly love,
Dale
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Dale,
Thanks for your thoughts. I wonder about if America has lost our course or are we charting a new direction. I fear the latter. I know life is much about ups and downs, plus time will tell – but I sure wish my decision was strictly mine.
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Oh man… You have a scary point. Charting a new (undesirable) direction is a distinct possibility…
And I know what you mean. You are not alone and must take that into consideration.
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Yes … a scary thought. Unfortunately, the future isn’t known.
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No, it is not…
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Dear Frank, it is surreal and disturbing.
I’m frightened for future generations, I’m bewildered that we’ve allowed a rogue president to remain in power to corrupt our system of government at every turn. Everything this administration touches turns corrupt from our DOJ to our Supreme Court. Will we continue to destroy our democracy or will we stand up and for what is right. Too many have died for this beautiful country to let a world class liar and reality TV show host destroy it.
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Good Morning Holly,
Although I can’t stand this administration, I have more fear of the millions of his supporters now that they have had a taste of power.
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I put nothing past his rabid cultists. I think the high fence constructed around The Peoples House tells the story.
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Agree. Best interest for the country is not the mantra.
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Cincy
You have to stick around at least until after the Red championship parade, what with their “Nightmare” pitching staff, according to Bauer. After that, may I suggest a few places that would provide you with a soft-ish landing?
Freedonia
Florin
Zubrowka
Lillput
Parador
Of course, you never have to actually leave the contiguous 50 in order to follow through with your exit strategy. But I don’t suggest Texas, seeing as how that would be like going from the frying pan into the slow cooker.
In all seriousness, the luster is lacking in the country I (still) love. All your points are taken with a somber nod of the head as I try and muster some hope for the future. But when I do this I always seem to come up with more questions than answers. And of course, to question or critique such things is demeaned as ‘unpatriotic’ by a contingent who deem themselves patriots because they watch a certain cable (or is it cabal) news channel.
Democracy is there TO be questioned and critiqued. You tinker, repair, you constantly work the thing. None of Trump’s opponents in 2016 challenged his inane slogan that has now been carried forward, Greatness is not a backward moving thing, it’s a forward march. And as with ANY democracy, our greatest days should always be ahead of us.
Don’t leave Frank. We need the smarts, right here at home.
Yours in wine, baseball and angst,
Marco
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Marco,
Thanks for your thoughtful and encouraging thoughts. Democracy can be very ugly – and that is very easy to see at this time. In today’s technological age, I an follow my Reds from anywhere. The suggestion of Lilliput made me smile, but Lilliputians doesn’t seem to have a good ring at the moment. So even if I could go and COVID wasn’t a blockade, “where” is a difficult choice. After all, everywhere has their fair share of issues. On the flip side, there is something to “ignorance being bliss” when not knowing.
Looks like it could be Reds v Cubs next week …. Ugh …. not a good match up.
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I look at it this way. Every empire has its time, and welp, ours is showing its age.
Certain South American countries have a rather favorable cost of living, Of course don’t get sick or require surgery . . and be ready to leave in the middle of the night in the event of an uprising.
Rest easy on that matchup. The 2016 Cubs ain’t walking through that door . . .
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Looks like the Reds drew the Braves … oh boy … they are good.
Bumper Sticker for Central and South America – Just a Coup Away
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The Braves can be had. It seems the only team that looks to be a lock (for what that’s worth) is the Dodgers. But in a short series, you want the pitching and the Reds have it. Question is, can they hit enough when it counts?
I want that bumper sticker!
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I can only hope … But Reds hitting is a HUGE question.
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That’s the whole thing right there.
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Tough loss today … Kept Braves bats in check but couldn’t get key hits
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As you feared.
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Look at Ks in box score
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The Reds batting average as a team this year was .212. Yikes.
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Look at sortable data. … last (30th) in average … 7th in homers …. 27th in runs …. about 61% of runs came via homers,
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Aaaaaaand now they’re out.
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Made the record book though … First team ever to lose a playoff series without scoring a run … And that’s a record that will never be broken!!!!
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Damn if you’re not right about this Cincy!
The Braves won their first postseason series in nineteen years while the Reds title drought reaches thirty years and counting.
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I think their last playoff series win was in 1995, which would be better than the last Bengals playoff win (1990).
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(Sports) God Save the Queen City!
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MSL team is also one of the league’s worst …. Bearcats & Musketeers save the city.
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Where have you gone Barry Larkin? . . . .
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He’s in the organization. … GM says they will try to keep Bauer.
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I hope they keep Bauer. They need his talent as well as the edge he brings.
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Bauer pitched himself into a huge contract – so keeping him will be tough. One thing for sure, he is a free spirit!
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A free spirit who can bring it.
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Bauer comes to play. But he can’t hit, unfortunately.
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We truly have jumped the shark as a nation in these last four years. As you say, it’s one thing to have a Trump, it’s quite another to have so many millions of people who support him, encourage him, and want him doing what he is doing. We truly have lost our mind as a nation if he is re-elected.
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Mark,
We had not only lost our minds, we have lost our moral compass. I’m still not sold on the fact that it is impossible for Trump to win.
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… and even if he does lose, I still have many concerns.
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I believe it’s 50/50. Whether or not people who don’t like Trump turn out and vote will decide it.
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Yep …. and I have no grasp of the “solid-Red” states.
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If the turnout comes, those may be fewer than expected.
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This election is going to be interesting in multiple ways. We’re voting by mail, but will actually deliver the ballots to the Board of Elections.
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Same. Mail ballot that I will be dropping off.
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We are living in very scary times when the someone who should never have been president has been aided and enabled in his authoritarian quest. I can totally understand people wanting to leave, too.
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Merril,
Scary times … uncertain times … turbulent times. The lost of leaving alone is a scary thought – but I fear that I’m actually stuck. Thanks for understanding.
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You are not alone in this. I mentioned something similar to my brother, and he said to me, “If you leave, there will be one less good person to offer a needed hand.”
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J,
I’m amazed at the thought of encountering another person on this post with similar thoughts. Your brother not only has a point, but he also seems to understand.
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Frank, those of us in other countries can only sit and watch the turmoil in your country. I pray and hope that sanity will prevail.
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Quiall,
Thank you. I keep thinking of President Reagan saying, “the shining city on the hill”. I know that goes back to the Puritans, but it is still stuck in my head. I must ask … and where are you?
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Ontario, Canada. I live in a little town called Oakville. Maybe an hour from the New York border.
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thank you
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As you know, Frank my disgust with the political scene does not choose sides. The whole band of devils is to blame. On top of the shoddy political scene, we have unrest to the point of destruction and violence. I read someone actually say that the destruction of businesses and personal property are the costs of reform. I don’t buy the justification and think we are so polarized that even a change in political control is not going to improve the revolutionary mindset. Maybe you ought to move while they still allow Cinci Reds fans out of the country.
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John.
I have long been a supporter of the idea that there are two problems in Washington – the Democrats and the Republicans. Most of the people (and I say “most” as a hedge) … are there to represent their party … not the people … and certainly they favor “party first” over “country first” in their practice. Meanwhile, getting out of the USA is one thing, getting in somewhere else is another matter. Thanks for your thoughts & I hope all is well.
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All is well, Frank. I hope the same for you.
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Dude. You are onnnnnn it. This is one of the worst times in this country. The worst! I can’t understand why people are so blind they don’t see it. The propaganda is working as they’re only tuning into racists fools, who thrive on more racism. Never seen so many out and about in the open. The fact that they don’t listen to facts, or reason, even after faced with it, just displays the amount of ignorance and hate embedded in there. It’s frustrating. Infuriating. Exasperating. So I can see how you’d want to move … with Tom Petty as your soundtrack.
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Guat,
Thanks for your thoughts and understanding. The blind (as you call them) are easy to explain. They are either so partisan they simply back their “team” or they are willing to sell their soul to get something they want. Otherwise, I don’t get it. Interestingly, I didn’t pick the Petty song until a day or two before this post went live.
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Believe me, I get how frustrating it feels to see what’s happening here. You’re not the first to tell me they are seriously considering leaving. I almost feel that way, but always come back to feeling responsible for working to make it better. It is probably a Sisyphean task. As you say, it isn’t just Trump, but his mindless fans and corrupt enablers that are the real nightmare. Can we export them? Please?
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Eileen,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts … and you got me wondering how many people can relate to this post. Several years ago I wondered if we are seeing the seeds of a civil war – and I still wonder. Yes – working to make things better is the right thing to do – but, are the obstacles too great.
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I’m going to remain optimistic for now. An uncivil war is not out of the realm of possibility. Some pundits have declared that we are already in a “cold civil war.”
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Hmmmm … I like the terms cold and uncivil differentiating aspects of a civil war.
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I’m with you but as you noted, no one will currently accept us (how’s that for being a world class country/economy?). I know I cannot fathom another 4 years of this clown and his posse breaking all the furniture and will definitely consider an exit, even if it means quarantining myself in order to get out. This is especially troubling as I’m a naturalized citizen, making the conscious effort to be a part of this democratic republic.
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Monica,
Knowing you are a naturalized citizen, I was hoping you would see this post. I feel your frustration. Thanks for sharing.
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It’s something I think about every day, knowing the journey to get to full citizenship my mom and I had to go through. And how embarrassed we both are these days thinking about the level of position this country has sunk. It’s difficult to accept the fact that we are no longer considered the guys in the white hats.
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Thanks for the powerful statement!
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I understand your frustration, Frank, as I think a lot of people do. I would move if I could. I can’t afford to move my entire family so we’re stuck here, in a country where clearly property and the economy are more important than people. The conspiracy theorists are running amok and it wouldn’t surprise me if that whole business becomes some weird, cultish religion in the U.S. It’s headed that way — and it appears it’s the only thing the alt-right and New Agers can agree on. Given their way, we would enter a new dark age (where the rallying cry is “medicine is a belief system” that has nothing to do with science….ugh!!!).
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Robin,
Thanks … and oh boy … the conspiracy theorists are a hand full. If people only knew that facts and opinions aren’t interchangeable. Then again, logic can be weird … God is love, love is blind, Stevie Wonder is blind, so Steve Wonder is God.
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