Why I am mad you voted for Trump

As I have mentioned before, until recently I have identified as a Republican.  I have identified this way since High School.  My first ballot for President was cast for Bob Dole.

I live in Seattle.  I love Seattle!  It's my home, now.  Seattle does not have many Republicans.  In fact, I believe I have shared this story on the blog, the first caucus I attended in Seattle, I was the ONLY person there from my precinct.  I cast my vote for John McCain.  Meanwhile, down the street, there were hundreds from my precinct casting votes for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.  

This shows that I am used to being friendly with people with whom I disagree with politically.  My best friends are Democrats.  

So, it's funny that, now, as I find myself in disagreement, not only is it with people whom I share many ideals...but, I disagree with them in a way that is more vehement than I have ever disagreed before. 

I disagree with people all the time.  Seattle, remember.  We elected an open Socialist to the city council.  The state primary went to Bernie Sanders, another self proclaimed socialist.  (Free college isn't actually free, people!)  But, disagreement is ok.  Disagreement is healthy!  I have always done it in a way that is respectful and (for the most part, but not always) that respectful disagreement has been reciprocated. 

Until now.  

I am legitimately mad.  I have been told that I am being a jerk.  That I should respect different opinions.  Shame on me for belittling people just for thinking differently than I do.  

That's not it.  It's not.  You can think differently than me.  I don't care.  Good for you.  I didn't oppose Trump because he differs from me politically.  

However, rather than sum up the reasons why I am mad at Trump voters, I will defer to this quote from Sparrow R. Jones.  I have never heard of Sparrow Jones until I saw this quote.  You may have seen it as well.  It was floating around Facebook for a while.  It very eloquently sums up what my problem is with Trump voters. 

"I am not mad at you that Clinton lost. I am unconcerned that we have different politics. And I don’t think less of you because you vote one way and I vote another. No… I think less of you because you watched an adult mock a disabled person in front of a crowd and still supported him. I think less of you because you saw a man spouting clear racism and backed him. I think less of you because you listened to him advocate for war crimes, and still thought he should run this country. I think less of you because you watched him equate a woman’s worth to her appearance and got on board. It isn’t your politics that I find repulsive. It is your personal willingness to support racism, sexism, and cruelty. You sided with a bully when it mattered and that is something I will never forget. So, no… you and I won’t be “coming together” to move forward or whatever. Trump disgusts me, but it is the fact that he doesn’t disgust you that will stick with me long after this election."

There you go. You want to think I'm a jerk because I have said, "Shame on you for voting for Trump," that's fine.  That is your right.  Just as it is my right to remind you of how vile this person you elected is. 

I feel like I have a personal responsibility to remain vigilant against him.  After all, I have spent years supporting, funding and standing up for a party that allowed this Tea Party, me before you mentality to take over.  Abraham Lincoln would be ashamed of us.  Ronald Reagan would be ashamed of us.  Jefferson, Madison, Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt...they would all be ashamed of us. 

I am ashamed of us.