I don't talk politics on this blog often, but this week, I feel compelled to. If you're sick of politics by now or don't care about my views on the 2016 presidential election, just skip this post.
Today is Cliff's birthday! I wish I could say that's the reason we got a new car, but that would be a lie. In all honesty, the 2016 election influenced our decision more than anything else.
Cliff and I had been looking at getting a new-to-us car for sometime now. Our old vehicle, a Chevy Cobalt, was starting to have mechanical issues and we knew it was time for an upgrade. We'd done some test driving, but figured we'd wait until the Spring to make our purchase. Then the election happened.
This past week has been emotionally trying for both of us, and for so many of our close friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. To say we aren't pleased that the new President-elect is Donald Trump is an understatement... but slowly, we are trying to accept this fact. Will we ever understand it? I'm not sure.
Here's the thing we do understand: Life is about to change. How much it will change, we aren't sure. But the policies expected to be put in place by Trump and his administration are policies we vehemently oppose, from banning certain groups of people from our country, to the coming war on unions (the Republican platform seeks to gut my beloved labor movement by passing national Right to Work laws) to changes to environmental law. (If you haven't heard by now, Trump is expected to appoint a leading climate change denier to head the EPA). (There are, of course, so many more, but I'm trying to keep this post focused on the car).
The future is unpredictable. Obviously. We don't know what's going to happen to the stock market and, given the right's extreme opposition to unions, it's possible that Trump's presidency will put my day job in jeopardy. Given these factors, and after much discussion, we decided it was better to buy a new vehicle sooner rather than later.
As for the car itself, we'd been considering a Prius from the start. Well, let me rephrase that. Cliff had been considering a Prius from the start. I take public transportation to my day job, but Cliff doesn't have that luxury--he has to drive to get to his. The benefits of the Prius were immediately appealing to him. It took a lot of research, conversations with other Prius owners and yes, this election, to win me over.
Here's why: This is the first non union-made car I have ever owned. Call me old school, but when you're raised in a strong union family like I was, you're taught to support your union brothers and sisters. Straying from that was extremely difficult for me. Unfortunately, I feel like the election made the decision for me. If Trump and his administration do what they say they're going to do -- which is basically open the door to destroying the environment -- I don't want any part of it. Buying the most enivornmentally friendly and maintenance-free car we could find became a no-brainer.
This past week has been emotionally trying for both of us, and for so many of our close friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. To say we aren't pleased that the new President-elect is Donald Trump is an understatement... but slowly, we are trying to accept this fact. Will we ever understand it? I'm not sure.
Here's the thing we do understand: Life is about to change. How much it will change, we aren't sure. But the policies expected to be put in place by Trump and his administration are policies we vehemently oppose, from banning certain groups of people from our country, to the coming war on unions (the Republican platform seeks to gut my beloved labor movement by passing national Right to Work laws) to changes to environmental law. (If you haven't heard by now, Trump is expected to appoint a leading climate change denier to head the EPA). (There are, of course, so many more, but I'm trying to keep this post focused on the car).
The future is unpredictable. Obviously. We don't know what's going to happen to the stock market and, given the right's extreme opposition to unions, it's possible that Trump's presidency will put my day job in jeopardy. Given these factors, and after much discussion, we decided it was better to buy a new vehicle sooner rather than later.
As for the car itself, we'd been considering a Prius from the start. Well, let me rephrase that. Cliff had been considering a Prius from the start. I take public transportation to my day job, but Cliff doesn't have that luxury--he has to drive to get to his. The benefits of the Prius were immediately appealing to him. It took a lot of research, conversations with other Prius owners and yes, this election, to win me over.
Here's why: This is the first non union-made car I have ever owned. Call me old school, but when you're raised in a strong union family like I was, you're taught to support your union brothers and sisters. Straying from that was extremely difficult for me. Unfortunately, I feel like the election made the decision for me. If Trump and his administration do what they say they're going to do -- which is basically open the door to destroying the environment -- I don't want any part of it. Buying the most enivornmentally friendly and maintenance-free car we could find became a no-brainer.
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There's so much more to say on this issue. We know the future is going to be full of heavy conversations just like this one, which is why we have to make room for happier things, too. Like Cliff's birthday... In addition to basically getting a new car for his big day, Cliff also got treated to breakfast in bed, some new sunglasses to go with our new car, a t-shirt that references his hero and a book documenting a classic, storied concert venue in Omaha.
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Yes, it's been a tough couple of days, but now, more than ever, I'm so glad this man is in my life. He's my strongest supporter, my biggest cheerleader, my rock and my best friend. I still remember where I was when Bush was elected to his second term in office -- right by Cliff's side. Twelve years later, not much has changed. He and I are in this together, and that gives me so much hope and comfort. Love you, babe! xoxo
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