It has been some time since I have spoken out in my little forum.
I think this is the safest place to speak, no one need read it who doesn't want to, I don't feel I'm shoving things in people's faces, and I am able to openly speak about whatever is on my mind.

Needless to say today is about politics. But for me, many people's responses to the election today have left me broken hearted. I want to believe in people. I want to believe people love... I would like to think that regardless of if we get our way, we will back our country, believe& hope for the best& most importantly keep our focus on what really matters.

America's biggest problem is NOT our president. It is the people. Stop talking sh!t about people who currently have less & start reaching out to the people around you, offering helping hands, open minds& loving hearts is FAR more important than how you "feel" about pretty much anything.
I don't care what party you lean towards or immerse yourself in...
You want respect? You want people to take up your cause, hear your point of view& CARE? Then stop being a self-important jack@ss & start caring about the REAL issues.
I have repeatedly heard people make issue of welfare. Blaming Obama for all the "lazy entitled" people on welfare. Are you serious?

Have you ever asked the person standing in line with food stamps, WIC coupons& their iPhone with their newer car parked outside why or how they fell from where they were to where they are?
Or wondered what it's like to stay awake nights wondering how you'll pay your next phone bill or car payment& praying that something works out so you can not lose one more thing that makes you feel normal?
Have you stayed away nights wondering if the money you're given will keep your kids fed until you can find some other way??
Have you EVER asked the person on medicaid why they can't afford insurance or how they feel handing over THAT card?
Do you have ANY idea what it feels like to stand in their shoes??

I do. It's not fun, &it's anything but easy.
I've cried in front of social workers while answering simple questions to determine eligibility.
I have cringed as I hand over a WIC coupon and people behind me in line stare & look me up & down as if to determine if I truly look poor enough to deserve it.
I have bit my lip to hold back tears when the clerk says "Oh wait that's a food card? Hold on I need to adjust this..."
I've felt my heart start racing while I hope I can get out of the store before anyone else sees me use another form of help.
And I've bit my lip in shame while I begged a doctor I was used to seeing to accept medicaid so my kids didn't have to start over with doctors I didn't trust.
I've lived without sleep because my thoughts are consumed with where I'll find the money to put enough gas in the car to get to my next job interview, or wondered if my low paycheck would be enough to bring my bank account current, or if I can afford childcare so I can spend more time away from my kids trying to make sure they don't feel the stress or realize that Mommy & Daddy have no money...
I have formed excuses for why my kid can't attend activities or birthday parties because I can't scrape enough together to pay the fee or buy a gift.
I've lived what felt like endless weeks, sick with guilt, shame& fear of "what if"... what if I can't fix it this time? What if I don't make rent? What if my kids notice how much of our stuff has been sold to pay basic bills...

Say what you want about the government, but stop assuming you know people living with less than you. Stop acting like we're all taking the easy way out. Sometimes what hurts more than applying and being approved for welfare is dealing with the ignorant masses and their uninformed judgements.

It's with pride I have pulled myself out of this state before. It is the greatest sense of relief after living this life, to walk into a store with CASH, & know that no one gets to judge you this time. It's a feeling that can never come soon enough to the general population taking advantage of the help offered because they have no other choice.

If you've managed to avoid this kind of desperation, I am soo happy for you. Maybe you should be more thankful for what you have& the ability you've been given to earn it, and stop spending so much time judging those who for whatever reason, for however long, haven't had that privilege.

"America is great because she is good, if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Wake up people... YOU, WE, are America. Not just the president.