The last few years have been like a scary movie playing in my head, even though I’m normally an optimist and non-political. Lately, my dreams have been weird and vivid. I have no idea why, but I’m sure it has something to do with what’s happening in the world and its effects on my psyche.
During my 62 years on the planet, I’ve seen alarming things happen in the world. When I was 10, JFK was shot. I sat in my 4th-grade class stunned like everyone else. For a week I was glued to the TV. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a 10-year-old now watching TV and seeing bodies strewn all over airports, movie theaters and on the streets.
I find it mind-boggling and hard to get my head around the fact that a bombastic buffoon has hijacked the U.S. election and is seriously being considered a nominee. I admit, I’ve always been liberal, but as I grow older, I find myself becoming more moderate. I’ve been through the economic downturn or rather got pummeled by it, and know what it’s like to be a victim of an unstable economy.
Sometimes I want to shout out, “The emperor has no clothes!” to get through to the hordes of people who have embraced and are enthralled by the blowhard reality star. He’s meticulously branded himself to give the impression that he’s a messenger of change, when in reality, he’s an ego-maniac and destructive.
Why would anyone with any intelligence follow a sneering name-caller whose dialog consists of “very, very” and “many, many?” His rhetoric has no substance or truth and only consists of vicious hot air. I realize people are sick of the status quo and want an outsider but how can a self-centered brat, who will never change, be their hero and savior?
I’m angry that the Party allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by someone who doesn’t share even an inkling of their values. He doesn’t give a hoot about a woman’s right to choose, gun rights, immigration or any of the other issues that have been driving a stake into our progression as a nation. Instead, he spouts off what people want to hear and then changes his mind when they disagree with him.
I hope the convention in Cleveland throws him into the lion’s den, eats him up and spits him out. Then, maybe, a decent human being will rise up to compete. That is if there is someone of that caliber who actually exists. Hopefully, it won’t be any of the 17 dimwits who watered down the primary process, to begin with. That should have never happened. Another stupid move by a Party that should be divided into 2 or 3 separate Parties. What does a right-winged, uneducated fundamentalist have in common with a successful businessman or financier? It doesn’t make sense.
It’s laughable to see his articulate and elegant daughter standing behind him on newscasts. She would make a better President. The poor thing looks horrified to be there but has been strategically placed to draw attention from the presumptive first lady, who has some “explaining to do" about her un-first-lady-like nude layout.
The blatant lynching of our standing President by politicians, who have no other agenda other than to thwart him at every turn, is particularly scary. It’s horrifying to think of the hordes of bigoted creeps out there who are not only intolerant but unbelievably stupid.
Not a day goes by without innocent human beings being blown up in the streets in the name of religion when it clearly has nothing to do with it. The perpetrators are organized barbarians with no regard for human life, decency or spirituality. Not only are they inhuman, but they turn ancient landmarks like Palmyra and Nimrud, with thousands of years of history, into dust.
I want this bad movie in my head to end and turn into a comedy. It’s not funny anymore.
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski is the founder of BabyBoomster.com, an online magazine for women over 50 who are passionate about traveling, eating, living well and enjoying life. She also co-hosts the popular podcast 2 Boomer Broads - Life, Love, Laughs and Unsolicited Advice for Women over 50 available on Itunes and Stitcher Radio. For over 35 years, Rebecca has worked as a professional voice actor in Los Angeles with extensive credits in film, television, cartoons, video games, and is best known for her work in the anime genre.