Bernie is winning on Facebook and in public attendance, but (supposedly) losing. Why?

This is the face of integrity.

Bernie Sanders is plastered all over Facebook. Why? Because on Facebook, we have the ability to post the truths that conventional media doesn't tell us about. And yes, we look it up to verify authenticity. Or at least, I do. Can't speak for everyone, of course. Bernie is winning on Facebook because the people on Facebook (At least in my circle of friends) are smart enough to know that mass media is biased.

If all you listen to is the evening news or even the all day news pumped out by the same 6 corporations that own the news companies, chances are, you don't know Bernie. Mass media would have you believe that Bernie is radical and even crazy. And when they're not insulting him, they're down-playing him. In other words, most of the time, he is just plain invisible in their eyes. Air time for Bernie in the conventional sense is practically non-existent.

And that's a shame because Bernie Sanders is honest, trustworthy and does what he says. He votes what he preaches. He protests against injustice. He is truly of the people, by the people and most importantly, for the people. Bernie Sanders has a slogan, Us, not me. He lives that slogan. He is in this fight for all of us, not just for himself. That makes him a truly unique politician. He's not all talk no action like all the rest. He's a good man, through and through.

You won't hear any of that on the news, though. You also won't see the massive crowds of people that show up for his rallies and for the primaries all over the country. Because, you see, if all people, not just the ones on Facebook knew the difference between the size of Bernie's crowds vs. Hillary's crowds and the number of votes he gets compared to Hillary, everyone would know that something isn't right.

And guess who's on the speaking engagement payroll of the same large banks and corporate interests that own the news companies? I'll give you a hint. Her initials are HRC. In the old days, we would call that a conflict of interest. It wouldn't be accepted or tolerated. But these days, it's just business as usual. Yes, it's not only accepted, it's common practice. But not for Bernie, it isn't. Bernie doesn't play that game.

I am so thankful to Facebook for making me aware of Bernie Sanders and his fight to change our broken system, expose corporate/big bank greed and keep special interest groups out of politics. Because without social media, I would never have done the research and found out exactly what's going on with our government in the first place.

I know. Facebook memes and facts are not always accurate. But my point is that they are still a powerful catalyst for doing your own unbiased, independent research and keeping an open mind. The mind that mass media wants to close up tight for their own benefit.

Do yourself a favor. If you are truly concerned about who will be in charge of this beautiful country, get on social media and learn the truth that conventional media is trying to hide from you. Don't listen to mainstream news because it's simply not news any more. It's brainwashing in disguise.

Folks, Hillary and Trump are front-runners in the “real news” world because they cheat the system and thrive on sensationalism. It's not because they're more qualified. It's not even because they're more popular among the people. It's because mass media knows full well who lines their pockets and they intend to keep it that way. They will do anything they can to be sure that whoever is in charge keeps them on the top of the money chain.

Wake up, U.S.A., you're being duped. And worst of all, it's working.

If you liked it then you should a put a ring on it?

Um, no. No thank you!

Oh my holy crap! I keep forgetting to write this and well, it just ticks me off so much. Not sure how many years it's been since this song came out but I've heard this saying way too many times for sure. You know what pisses me off the most about it? Um, excuse me but I am not an it and neither is any other man, woman or other animal in the universe.

I am also not a possession. And as one of my writer friends reminded me the other day, that pretty little ring has some ugly historical connotations that imply complete and total possession. Those connotations ring loud and clear in that song.

Now, I'm a vegan you guys. Picturing a bull with a ring through his nose bugs me more than just a little. That ring signifies ownership and not in the best sense. And yet, when I hear the phrase “put a ring on it” even from someone well intended, that's exactly how it makes me feel (Used, abused, devalued and taken for granted, like the bull with the ring through his nose.)

I am not here to be dragged around by the nose. I believe in equal partnerships, not those jaded by jealousy and possessiveness. And while I admit that wedding rings can also have beautiful symbolic connotations, that song does not illustrate them at all.

So please, don't do me any favors by insisting that my boyfriend of 9 beautiful, happy years “put a ring on it.” That's not how either of us rolls. We don't need ceremonies and rings to prove that we love and care for each other. And I certainly can do without the suggestion that I must not be valuable or important to him unless he “puts a ring on it.”

I'm not against marriage and if he were to ask my answer would be a resounding yes. Or, I might just ask him, who knows? But it should be our idea and not because we want to take possession, but because we want to be partners for life, which I believe we are anyway, with or without the ring. 9 years kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it?

PS- If you're into the whole wedding thing and you are happy and excited about it, I'm not referring to you. There's nothing wrong with that. It's the spirit of the song/saying that I'm referring to. It's just so archaic and misogynistic. Don't you think?

How heavy is my glass? How heavy is yours?

Today on Facebook, I saw a video about a twist on the water glass theory. The speaker's point was that the weight of the glass doesn't matter. It's all about how long you hold it. Like most people, there are a lot of glasses that I juggle daily, out of necessity. Some, I've been holding altogether too long. I think it's time to set them down.

For many, many years, I have been the absolute head of my household in every way. I'm the one people turn to with their problems, their worries, their hopes and their dreams. I love that they feel they can come to me. However, with this illness, I can no longer give them the quality of help they need and deserve. Plus, I have to be realistic. There will come a time when I won't be here. It's time for people to hold their own “glasses.”

Gradual transition is the name of my game these days. I'm not into dropping things into people's laps like hot rocks waiting to explode. I know what that feels like from the other side all too well. But I really have to let go of this role, this heavy “glass” of mine. If I don't, they won't have me around in any capacity. In other words, it's time for Mom to take care of herself now. And it's way past time for the little birdies to leave the nest.

Now, I know that I'm an enabler in some respects. Heck, maybe even in all respects. It's nobody's fault but my own that we are in this situation. I should have pushed them off the cliff to use their wings long ago. Albeit, gently. It's just that the heart, well, my heart anyway, has a hard time saying no to those I love. It's hard to watch them struggle when I have a solution. It's hard not to extend a hand when I should be respecting their struggles.

Know what I mean, jellybean?

And so, here is where I find myself. Happily, but somewhat unhealthily, surrounded by most of my descendants, all 9 of us, plus pets, squeezed into a space meant for 4 people at most. I love seeing them every day. I love helping them too. It's just that doing so is taking a heavy toll on my health and more importantly, on their independence.

I want to see them fly.

No, I want to see them soar! I want what every mother wants for their children and grand-children. I want to see them achieve success on their own. I want them to feel what it's like to attain their goals. They have to do that on their own or it will mean nothing to them.

And so, I have to put down a few glasses of water here and there for them to pick up. I'm not scared. I have faith in them. After all, they are MY kids and grand-kids. They're strong like me.

So, how heavy is my glass? How heavy is yours? Well, that's the whole point. Your glass and mine are just as heavy as we choose to make them.

Now, the speaker in this video, well, she was talking about stress, whereas, I'm talking about responsibilities. And some of you out there would be wise to stop holding onto your stressful water glasses for sure. But there also comes a time in middle age or so where the water glass you are holding is full of other people's responsibilities, like mine is.

Yesterday was an eye-opener for me in that respect. I spent the whole day cleaning, sometimes on hands and knees, scrubbing every little corner. Some of it was my mess, but honestly, as is the case most of the time, most of it was not. Then, once that was done, there was chauffeuring to do. As a result, I spent a good portion of the afternoon and evening worshiping the porcelain god because I'm just too sick to work that hard any more.

TMI? Probably, but it had to be said. Folks, my “glasses” are getting way too heavy. So, rather than making everyone miserable, I'm going to set a few down at a time until other people have the strength to pick up their own. It's not a resentment thing. It's not a lack of love. In fact, if anything, it's just the opposite.

I have a giving nature, but there comes a time when helping others actually hurts them. Hence the whole necessity for the word, “enabler.”

A friend of mine has had a plaque on her wall forever. It goes something like, “There are two things in life you can give your children. One is roots and the other is wings.” I should have taken that to heart a long time ago. So, while it may be overdue, I'm putting down my water glasses now.

Fly little birdies. You can do this!