marybethlee

[marybethlee]

The Pitchforks

In 2014 I read an article headlined There Will Be Pitchforks in Politico by Nick Hanauer. It was about how we could make things better economically in the US and how, when you study history, you see anytime there’s a huge economic divide, pitchforks follow. It’s like Hanauer had a magic looking glass to the future, and things are definitely getting worse right now. A couple weeks ago, I watched…

[marybethlee]

Your Vote Is Your Voice

Your vote is your voice. It matters every time. And there are always consequences. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota has submitted a bill to abolish the Department of Education. He calls his bill the Returning Education To Our States Act. Someone should let Senator Rounds know education is already largely a state responsibility. The Department of Education ensures student rights and equitable…

[marybethlee]

A commitment to remember

I’m committed to being better about sharing facts on my social media pages. More verified news stories from legitimate sources, less righteous indignation and outrage. I’ll still feel what I feel, but I’ll share the facts. It won’t be easy, but I think it’s important for what we’re going to face. Today’s news about yet another woman dying because a doctor wouldn’t perform a D&C was…

[marybethlee]

Today Could Be the Day

Dad’s appointment with his cardiologist today could be the last one of his hands-on recovery. He’s doing great and he’s ready to be released from regular standing appointments. More than anything, I think he’s ready for independence again. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent with my parents during this recovery, but it’s the perfect time to get back to normal! Fingers crossed and lots of prayers!

[marybethlee]

Say It To My Face

My MAGA mom wanted to talk about Kamala. I closed my ears and started saying mom, mom, mom over and over until she stopped talking and then I said, “Mom, it’s going to be real important that we don’t talk about politics the next four years unless you’re calling to tell me you’ve seen the light and are voting Democrat, but I realize that would mean hell has frozen over, so…..” Mom was on her iPad…

[marybethlee]

Public Schools Will Hurt in Texas

Today I’ve seen the “But if my kids don’t go to the public school, why should I pay for public school” talking point. And the answer to that question is a deliberate misunderstanding of public services. I haven’t used the fire department, but I pay for it. I don’t need the public hospital, but I pay for it. I don’t drive on every road, but I pay for them. The public school is a public service.…

[marybethlee]

Speak Up

In two months when the new administration takes over, it’s a purely anti-government group. They hate the things that stand in the way of making money, and their ability to grow rich is the only thing that matters. They whip up hate wars to cover the grift. They get people focused on fear of and anger at others instead of on what’s happening in their own world. We saw a huge price for this…

[marybethlee]

Hate is a Powerful Drug

I absolutely accept the outcome of the election. I accept that the majority of people in my country chose a criminal, a grifter, a violence-inciter, an insurrectionist over a gifted woman who had devoted her life to her community, her state and her nation. I accept that the majority of my country chose a message of a bullet, a message of white Jesus, a message of hate. But I will not quietly…

[marybethlee]

Resistance Continues

If you voted for Trump, skip this. It’s not for you. Friends,This is worse than 2016. It’s a supermajority and they control the Courts. They already control most of the southern states and the Midwest. So if we focus on the awful it will make us crazy. We must resist. We cannot let hate stand.But we can’t focus all energy on resistance because living and loving is essential. So Choose one or…

[marybethlee]

This is NOT Okay

It does not matter that he is going to be President again. He is an awful man who has put so many people in danger with his hateful rhetoric.Trans people are still people.Immigrants are still people.Teachers are not indoctrinating your children.The public school is a microcosm of Democracy and without it, our Denocracy will not stand.Facts are facts and your opinion about facts doesn’t change…

[marybethlee]

It was Never Just About Roe

Public schoolsInsurance regardless of pre-existing conditionsEqual payRegulations for food safetyRegulations for water safetyRegulations for everything reallyUnions and collective bargainingHealth codesAir qualityChemical storage$35 insulinUkrainePalestineNATOENJPTThe US Postal ServiceCivil rightsTitle IXBirth controlIVFGay marriageTrans rightsThe National Weather ServiceYour rights as an airline…

[marybethlee]

Another?

The doc thinks Mom has a blood clots. So that’s Dad heart surgery, mother-in-law ran over and ankle broken, mom fell three times and now mom blood clot(s) in less than a month. This is hard.

[marybethlee]

Whew

When mom made dad go to the Ear in an ambulance, we didn’t know his pulse was at compression levels. Thank goodness was a pacemaker has made all the difference. It’s not easy in times like this. Dad hates needing help and I’m home every week on my days off and Brian is staying in town all the time until his mom and my parents are recovered. I’m tired. Brian’s tired. Our parents are…

[marybethlee]

Church Thoughts

I haven’t gone to church since the pandemic other than Easter, Mother’s Day and Christmas. Since 2016 church has often been a place I didn’t feel emotionally safe as pastor after pastor proclaimed hateful, unchristian pro-Trump messages. I know that’s not every church, but it was easy to just stop going when going made me angry or sad so often. Today an old friend posted an update out of…

[marybethlee]

Here We Go Again

Just when we’d settled back into empty nesters FW life, my mil was in a freak accident and broke her ankle. We had no idea how bad it was until her doc appointment today, four days after the accident. She’s supposed to stay off it as much as possible and if she has to put her foot down, she has to be in a boot. DH is staying there again until they meet with the surgeon and come up with a plan. We…

[marybethlee]

Sad But Hopeful

I am incredibly sad that President Biden was pushed out of office by big money donors and others. I’m incredibly hopeful he endorsed Vice President Harris and so many people and groups have joined that endorsement. I love the excitement for Harris I’m seeing from people, especially young people. I will donate, knock doors and make calls to work to get Harris elected. Let’s go!

[marybethlee]

1 Hour

I let myself mourn for an hour. President Harris. Let’s do this.