America! F*$^ Yeah!!

Election Day has come and gone in America.  I have to say, I was VERY nervous about the outcome of the 2012 Presidential Election.  Too many of my intelligent friends were blinded by the lies and hatred spewed by one of the candidates.  I was worried that my list of friends could possibly reflect the popular and electoral votes.  Oddly enough, it did to a point.  Just enough that we still came out with a victory.

I had so many things riding on this election: my reproductive rights, my right to equal pay and employment, marriage equality, my right to healthcare... The list could go on and on.  I remember the last few elections.  I really didn't have much stake in them.  The last one was the first I could vote in, and honestly I just didn't want the man who was originally W's running mate to win.  It would have been four more years of the same policies that started the whole mess we've been in.

This time, however, was completely different.  I actually had to consider what the repercussions would be if Romney were to be elected.  The thoughts that came to mind made me sick with worry and brought tears to my eyes.  What if my brother could never have the chance to get married?  What if I lost my health insurance and was denied coverage due to my preexisting conditions?  Or I hit my lifetime cap because of my migraine and spinal treatments long before things (pain, weakness, etc) became manageable again?  What if I was not allowed to get a loan or financial aide to complete my education?  What if my grandmother was forced to get her medicare with a voucher?  It all hit me when the first few states were being projected in the exit polls.

I tried not to pay attention, I really did.  I couldn't help it though.  I had so many fears and hopes riding on this one.  I was trying my hardest not to cry or yell at someone while working.  Thankfully, I was sent home early and was able to watch at a friend's house with others like me.

You have no idea how overjoyed I was to see Akin and Murdock lose their elections.  Just hearing the definition of "legitimate rape" made me violently, physically ill.  So many of their "qualifications" of "illegitimate" rape hit home with my attack, that just thinking about it now it is difficult not to break down.  To hear someone say that I was not attacked, that I should have no rights made me ashamed to say I was a citizen of the same country.  And when someone says that a woman's body will "shut down" any pregnancy that happens due to "legitimate" rape, makes me realize how ignorant and uneducated some of those we elect to office really are.

My state ballot didn't go well at all.  We did away with Affirmative Action, which is ridiculous.  We also did away with the state Department of Human Services (some think it just restructures it, but if you read, it does away with it unless the governor decides to put something in its place).  Both of these issues are vital; especially when people all over the country are still making racial comments and slurs against our President, of all people.  If we can't respect the highest position in the country, how can you think we will respect other minorities and/or women in every day situations?  How can you do away with something to help our children?  Yes, it needs restructuring, however, doing away with it is not the answer.  We did keep our state Supreme Court seats.  It was nice to learn that those who helped to shoot down the Personhood Bill were kept in their positions.

When the numbers came in for the Presidential election, I finally started to breathe again.  I was overjoyed.  My life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness were not going to be infringed upon!  I was completely surprised to see Faux News reporting it before CNN.  To see them conceding was a huge victory, in my mind.

The best feeling, however, was watching Obama's victory speech.  I was in awe.  I was sitting next to the boy, with my hand in his, with the biggest smile on my face and tears running down my cheeks.  To know that we did this.  We as a country could come together like this and preserve our rights as individual citizens astounded me.  I have never been so proud to be an American.

I'm still shaky.  I'm overjoyed.  I'm safe.

Thank you to all who voted, no matter who or what you voted for.  That is what makes our country great.  Thank you to all who campaigned in whatever way they could for their chosen candidate.

I am off to catch up on some mindless television and fall asleep in my love's arms.

Have a wonderful night!!

Love!!