Though I have always been registered Republican (which might shock some of my closest friends), growing up and living on the left coast of America for most of my life, educated at a university, I realize that I have migrated definitely left of center. Because most of my friends are left of me, it came as a shock that—more than the fact that a Trump-character can be elected this country’s leader—the important and long lasting issue is that there is such an extreme division of fundamental beliefs in this country. This existed before this administration and will persist, long after this administration is gone.

“Elitism” has become a 4-letter word. I certainly had never considered myself an elitist when defined as a priviledged few who think they are better than all the others—I cheer for underdogs. One of the characteristics attributed to elites is that they are university (for example) educated. Since when are education and critical thinking bad things?!

I have avoided political commentary on my blog because it takes too many words to convey the breadth of complexity and nuance of the issues involved; I am not sure I have the eloquence to express  both of these facets, as well as I’d like. I’ve never been a political activist and I pride myself in calling myself an “extreme moderate” (yes, I know that is an oxymoron, which is why I like it). If I am pissing off both sides, I know I’m in the right place. That said, I don’t really like pissing anyone off.  Since, my blog is not very popular, the latter is outweighed by my need to make sense of and express my thoughts about the current state of American politics and, um, yes our “President.”

I try to write, in my blogs, about factually-based or problem-solving topics. The challenge in writing about politics is that so much of the acceptance of facts depends on subjective leanings—an oxymoron, in itself. I have only faced this reality, myself, as I ponder the state of our state. Still, I will try to my attempts to resolve the issues that so many of the people I know are contending with.