DNC Convention

[Charlize]

It was lovely to see last nights convention. Especially wonderful was to hear mention of the GLBTQ community in a positive and supportive way. I'm going to get my Hillary sign up today. My wife told me it was too early before the convention. We've got some republican friends coming today to pick blueberries. I know these women have already mentioned their support for her. It was an exciting night which is not how i usually feel about politics.

To hear the platform endorsing so much of what Bernie has pushed for was great as well.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Cyndee]

Just think of all we have gained over the last 7.5 years, and then ask yourself that famous question

"Are you better off now" ?

My answer - most definitely.

Regarding money - When GW Bush left in early 2009 this country and most of the world was in depths of a deep recession, the economy in a shambles, the by product of greed and excessive speculation. Today we have a much stronger dollar, we import far less of our energy, the balance sheets of most companies in the SP 500 are far stronger. Interest rates remain low, unemployment has shrunk by nearly half. The stock market trading levels reflects the optimism of today, much as it did under Bill Clinton in the late 90's.

Regarding being trans - This time period under Barack Obama is arguably one of the best for acquiring trans rights and equality, while far from perfect many gains were made under his democratic leadership. This party has a long history of caring about domestic social issues, compared to the republicans. Being trans was no longer considered a mental illness, this layed the ground work for insurance coverage. You could now change your legal gender / sex with the SSA with a doctor's letter. Trans folks can now openly serve in the military, among many other things.

So these factors weigh large in my mind when it comes time to exercise my right to vote in November. I am still listening and watching as the political rhetoric heats up. We spend so much effort and money to elect leadership in the country, it will be a relief when it's over.

What Michelle Obama said last night is so true - We are a great country today, and we have so much to be thankful for. The other side wants you to think it should be the 1950's all over again, they use fear to try and sell to you. I'll take optimism over fear any day, folks in case you missed it, this is the 21st century wake up !

C -

[Carolyn Marie]

Fantastic, inspirational speeches last night. I could see how much Sanders' supporters cared for him, and for his policies and dreams. They aren't dead; they are now embodied in the DNC platform planks. It will be a Herculean struggle for Clinton to get many of them enacted. With Trump in the White House, they will be forgotten completely.

Me? I'm with her.

Carolyn Marie

[Charlize]

I thought i would post this. I love the "equal= equal". I did a painting once with the signs = = =, = =/= > or I don't have a less than on my keyboard but you've got the idea.

Charlize-

Before she told this country that the Equality Act would be her "highest priority"¹ if elected President, Hillary Clinton was championing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) equality around the world as Secretary of State.

And before boldly declaring at a UN convention that "gay rights are human rights,"²Hillary Clinton was in the U.S. Senate fighting to pass Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

And before serving as the first female senator from New York, First Lady Hillary Clinton was fighting the discriminatory treatment of LGBTQ couples in Washington who just wanted to adopt children.³

For these reasons and so many more, the Human Rights Campaign is proud to launch an unprecedented effort to help elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine this November.

Take a look at the video we put together about Clinton's leadership on LGBTQ rights – then share it with your friends and family.

For nearly eight years, the White House has opened its doors to the LGBTQ community and treated the Human Rights Campaign as a partner in advancing our country's most fundamental ideals of equality. That access has led to immeasurable progress for LGBTQ equality.

Now, this election presents a clear choice between moving forward toward a more equal nation and moving backwards toward an era of discrimination, fear, and inequality.

Make sure you watch this video to understand why our choice is Hillary Clinton– then please share it on Facebook or Twitter so your friends see it, too.

You'll be hearing from us throughout the remainder of the Democratic National Convention about the stakes of this election and why we all have an important role to play.

Thanks for your incredible support,

Olivia Alair Dalton

Senior Vice President for Communications

Human Rights Campaign

Hugs,

Charlize

[Briana]

I'm generally republican but I vote independent of party association. I've voted for some moderate and even strangely liberal republicans. I've also voted for various independent and democratic candidates that reflect similar values as me...or ones that I feel to be right for most people. Mostly I look for fiscal responsibility.

I have some issues with Hillary based on her past and sometimes lack of performance but Trump...holy hurricanes! That guy is bad news for this country and I just can't wrap my head around him and his "ideals". And if you listen to him, he really never says much of anything; he talks in circles. I've heard some staunch republican friends refer to him or describe him as Mussolini-like. If we ended up with Trump, NOTHING would get done. No democrat will back him and half the republicans wouldn't either. Congress & senate would less effective and more contentious than they are now.

It will be interesting to see where this all goes for sure. Hopefully as a country, we the people can sort this all out and make the right choices.