I want my country back
Life drawings from February 2, 2025 Pastel on craft paper
This week my daughter was put on reduced hours because of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s attack on USAID. My daughter works for an American company whose main client was USAID. She loved her job. She was a dedicated worker: intelligent, ethical, determined, and an excellent manager. Most of her division was furloughed. She and two other managers were put on part-time hours, but she told me, “Mom, the writing is on the wall.” She expects to be furloughed, herself, in the near future. My daughter is at the beginning of her career. She is newly married, and is working hard to live her best life. That her career is part the collateral damage caused by a ludicrous vendetta against an agency that has done much to assist those in need around the world and at home is ridiculous and unnecessary.
I have written to my representative, Chellie Pingree and Senator Angus King on my daughter’s behalf and on behalf of USAID. Our other senator is Susan Collins, and frankly, I find her behavior so odious, I have to carefully consider what I wish to say before I write to her. She will hear from me, however. I plan to do whatever I can to protest the ongoing assaults against our constitution and the rule of law. I don’t believe that I will make much of an impact alone, but I understand that members of congress are being deluged with calls and letters from constituents, and I want to add my voice to theirs. In addition, I have decided to stop giving my business and attention to Donald Trump’s sycophantic, plutocratic, tech bros.
Recently, I decided to share my new work on-line, so I started posting it on Instagram. My posts automatically went to Facebook. I no longer wish to use any service owned by Meta, so I am moving to Blue Sky. You may find me here: @clmcalisterfineart.bsky.social
The biggest change I make will be to stop shopping on Amazon. I live in a very rural area, and I have frequently turned to Amazon to purchase hard-to-find items. I will no longer be doing so. I have found many excellent products on Etsy, and I can purchase health products from other vendors such as iHerb. Luckily, we have a very good food coop here, and I can make special orders with them for unusual spices. I order my pastels and board from Dakota Pastels, and some of my other art supplies come from Dick Blick. Also, Artists and Craftsman’s supply is in Portland, which is only ninety minutes away.
My actions will probably have no impact on anything, but they represent a decision that I can make for myself despite living in a country where I have been disenfranchised. In a nutshell, if these characters can make decisions that adversely affect earnest, hardworking Americans like my daughter, then I can choose not to engage with them through my attention or purchasing power.