I was for Hillary from the start. I did give Sanders a look, and although I was curious, I soon decided that his policies seemed fairly impractical. I’m not here to debate him vs. her right now. What I want to diary (blog!) here are some of the things that I have learned during the primary season. First, I learned a lot about Hillary Clinton. And a lot about Sanders, Cruz, Kasich, and, alas Trump, and many of the voting rules in different states.
But I also learned – as I did research on Hillary Clinton and as I experienced some of the campaign – a lot about becoming what I hope is a better and more effective human being. Some of these lessons I still need to put into practice, but I’m already making some progress on the others.
First, despite the loudness of the media, which were talking smack and doom for Hillary all the time -- even Dailykos had many diaries denigrating my candidate (the democratic frontrunner!) -- I discovered that I was not alone in my thoughts, attitudes and perceptions. They could be found at this site, in the threads for Hillary supporters. Not being alone was helpful. It made me feel stronger. And this discovery has made me realize I can find friends and support in other areas of my life as well.
Second, I learned a lot about Hillary Clinton (and the other candidates, of course). I found much more to admire and to respect, from how she still worked with people after getting blocked in one area after another. After failing to get universal health care passed when her husband was president, she compromised and got health care passed for kids. This discovery has made me realize that I have given up too easily after some of my own failures, that I have become too easily discouraged. Some goals are no longer applicable. But I have resolved to go back and try again in the areas where I can make a difference.
Third, the two items above made me realize that I had to step up and make a difference as well, even when I am going to be criticized for it. In terms of politics, I have increased my participation. I’m sending a little bit of money to the Hillary campaign every month. I’ve posted a few blogs here, when the rec list was much more anti-Hillary. And again, this lesson applies to other areas of my life that I want to change, even if stepping forward makes me uncomfortable, even if I expect or know I will be criticized for something. If I believe something is right, I need to just do it, no matter what people say.
Fourth, from learning how effective Hillary is as a team player, I decided I needed to be more of a team player as well, and not just in politics. This is hard for me. I am an introvert. I’m also handicapped by the fact that I tend to live in places where English is not the first language. But there are many more things that I can do in reaching out and connecting to people. We really are “stronger together.”
Fifth, reading about the sexism that Hillary has experienced encouraged me to review some past episodes from my own life. Now, many aspects have been pleasant; my position was often privileged. But I was paid a hell of a lot less than male colleagues several times. Perhaps I should have fought harder, but this was in times – or places – when/where getting equal pay for equal work was not as clear. This has made me a little more charitable towards my own past, and perhaps a little more understanding of what other people and groups have gone through.
Sixth, “small things” can make a difference. I have learned about Hillary’s efforts in getting passports for transgender people while at State, the much more efficient cook stoves promoted by the Clinton foundation which has been a boon in the area of climate change. And I expect that there is a lot more, that I have either not discovered or that has not been reported in the media. These are small things – at least in the amount of the media attention that they have received – but they make a difference, sometimes a big one, for other people. I need to give more attention to some of the small things in my life, without worrying about the impact with respect to personal satisfaction and glory. (In other words, don’t let ego trump my choices.)
Seventh, moving on. Hillary has been insulted more than practically anyone. Well, perhaps we mock Trump more – but he deserves it! A cottage industry exists solely to insult Hillary Clinton and to manufacture CTs about her. Citizens United was created to attack her. The Benghazi hearings (unfortunately funded by us taxpayers) was designed to raise money for Republicans and to depress her favorability ratings. Yet she brushes it off and goes to her core, which consists of love and kindness and helping people. I know that I dwell too much on slights and criticisms. I need to move on.
Eighth, love and kindness. Despite being dragged through real and manufactured scandals, Hillary has kept her core intact. She is not afraid to encourage love and kindness, words that may be perceived as weakness by some while they are really strengths. Wow, do I ever need to incorporate more love and kindness into my life and my attitudes.
So, that’s enough to go on – only to conclude with the observation that I am humbled when I consider my candidate’s achievements and character and compare them to my meager accomplishments and most flawed personality.
If you like, write something that you have learned during this campaign season. Even if you supported another candidate! And thanks for stopping by.