“Elections determine who is in power,
but they do not determine how power is used.”

~ Paul Collier

Is there anyone in the United States (or anywhere for that matter), other than comedians and talk show hosts, that is loving this 2016 presidential election? After the second presidential debacle… I mean debate, I had to watch old clips of The Carol Burnett Show until I literally howled and cried and grabbed my aching side, and almost forgot about politics. 

There is a vicious polarity about this election that feels like a machete poised to permanently and dangerously divide our country. And thanks to our very social media that provides a never-ending flow of fodder for any side of any argument, it is really easy to get sucked into the fray.

Is it because there is so much at stake? Don’t we say that every election? Or are certain elements of our culture hitting a critical mass? 

• Recent reports have stated that we have passed the point of no return with climate change.
• Racism, sexism and bigotry are STILL a huge issue: #BlackLivesMatter #MuslimLivesMatter #WomensLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter …  
• 16,306 species are on endangered species list (humans should be among them).
• Tensions with Russia are creating a rather familiar icy tone.
• Fracking and pipelines to convey oil are threatening to destroy water supplies and sacred lands.
• Syria is a hot mess.
• For the first time, a few species of bees are now on the endangered species list! (no bees, no food people)
• There are literally millions of displaced people who are searching for safety, food and shelter.
• Glaciers are melting—FAST!
• Haiti just can’t get a freaking break.
• California has had warnings that “the big one” is coming.
• England flipped the bird at the EU.
• Children in the US are being born pre-polluted and with unprecedented rates of behavioral and mental deficits.
• Scary long list keeps going…

I’ve heard a lot of people proclaim they will not get involved and they want to stay out of or above the chaos of this crazy election. Some pronounce that there are no good choices, so they’ll sit this one out. And some are disenchanted because they don’t “feel the burn” for any other candidates, so they too will fold their arms in protest against the rigged system.

I’m not fond of confrontation or hostile debate, but I’ve decided not to keep my mouth shut entirely, despite the unplanned crap storms that sometimes erupt as a result. I think the founders of this country very specifically designed a constitution that not only allows us healthy debate, but encourages it as a necessary part of our national growth process. I’m not sure they intended for it to get so darned ugly and personal, but no doubt they had some rowdy battles back in those early days. Maybe we could learn something from the rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, although I’m quite sure they hurled some insults that were considered low-blows back in their day.

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If you are concerned about climate change…

As pointed out above, there are many critical issues that need our attention, but at the top of this Green Diva’s list is of course climate change. Yes, Jill Stein is obviously a great candidate for these kinds of issues, but I’m a realist and am only going to focus on Hillary and the other dude at this point 

I’m not thrilled with some of Hillary’s stances, including the natural-gas-as-bridge theme, which does of course include continued fracking. But overall, there isn’t really a viable option. Mr. T would have us roll back nearly all environmental progress and of course has publicly claimed his denial of human-induced climate change. See for yourself in this great inforgraphic by our friends at Yale Environment 360… 

Now, you are saying, “but we need to ditch the establishment and get some fresh blood in the system.” I hear ya, but don’t think for a minute a vote for Jill Stein or Gary Johnson will provide that new age of utopia you so richly desire (and likely deserve). I hate to break it to your sweet idealistic heart, but those votes will only put a megalomaniac dictator who’s number one concern is himself and his own wealth and power into the Oval Office. 

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