Dear Santa, (Bite me).

I guess I’ve been bad this year.

I’d asked for an America that would aspire toward economic fairness.

Instead the GOP passed a tax bill that gives the obscenely wealthy a major handout while shifting debt to working families and future generations of hard working Americans.

I’d asked for an America that honors its elders.

Instead, the GOP passed a tax bill that puts Social Security and Medicare at significant risk of future cuts when our seniors depend upon both.

I’d asked for a peaceful America that remains strong and well-prepared –however always leads with diplomacy and reason.

Instead we have a corrupt, incompetent regime that has angered our enemies and our allies. I see we have strong ties with Guatemala though.

I’d asked for a world-class public education system so America’s children could be well-prepared to face the challenges of a volatile, dynamic and rapidly changing world.

Instead we have Betsy DeVos.

I’d asked for affordable higher education –so our next generation of scientists, engineers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, technologists and planners would not be saddled with massive debt upon graduation.

Instead we have rollbacks on student loan forgiveness and regulations intended to protect students.

I’d asked for an expansion of voter protection, voter registration and vote by mail across America.

Instead we have a Pence-led commission operating in secrecy working to disenfranchise anyone that is not a wealthy white land-owning male.

I’d asked for Women’s Rights. I trust people to make challenging, private decisions with their physician.

Instead we have continued attacks on Planned Parenthood –which provides vital healthcare services, education and prevents unwanted pregnancies from occurring.

I’d asked for LGBTQ rights and protections.

Instead an extreme fundamentalist government is still fighting about which bathroom to use.

I’d asked for an America that celebrates our diversity among people –our races, genders, who we love, what we believe, where we were born.

Instead we have families ripped apart in the dead of night and deported –because the vision of this extreme fundamentalist, racist, xenophobic and misogynist Administration is a white America where we cower in fear behind walls and gated communities.

I’d asked for an America that was working to transform its energy portfolio from polluting and destructive extraction to clean, safe renewable energy.

Instead we have Exxonasaurus Rex, Greg Pruitt, leaking pipelines, drilling in nature preserves, fracking and coal accelerating the harm caused by catastrophic climate change.

I’d asked for an America that made sure that access to high-quality, affordable health, dental, vision and mental health care is a right.

Instead I have Trump/Pence and the GOP working to throw millions of Americans out of the healthcare system.

I’d asked for an America that still honored the right of responsible gun ownership, however also balanced public safety by implementing sensible laws limiting access to guns, assault weapons, rocket launchers and anti-aircraft missiles.

Instead we have the unholy relationship between Trump, the GOP and the NRA blaming children, teachers and concert-goers for being slaughtered because they all weren’t carrying guns.

I’d asked for affordable housing in America –so every person could have a safe, warm place to sleep and call their own.

Instead we have a government that is exacerbating wealth inequality, poverty and homelessness.

I’d asked for an America where parents of any race would not have to worry if their child was going to be shot or killed by those paid to protect them.

Instead we have the militarization of police and an Administration that encourages the use of force.

So bite me Santa.

Sincerely, George

About the Author: George Polisner is the founder of https://civ.works, a non-profit, privacy-protected, ad-free social network built for the resistance and for civic engagement. Prior to founding civ.works he worked for Oracle Corp. for many years (until his infamous resignation letter https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/21/oracle-executive-resigns-ceo-safra-catz-donald-trump), was Chair of the Lincoln County Democratic Central Committee and worked for the Legislative Counsel.