I would not have survived the world you are creating now.

If what is happening in this country now had happened a few decades ago, it would very likely have killed me (as it already has other women.)

My daughter would also have likely died from the very same cause – if she had ever even been born – but she wouldn’t have, because I would have died of a septic infection before I could have brought her into the world.

If what is happening now – especially if everything being attempted or planned is successful – had happened then, it definitely would have made my world – which was already smaller than yours – even smaller, my boundaries and obstacles – already greater than yours – even greater, and my rights – already fewer than yours – even fewer. And that is what it will do to your daughters’ and granddaughters’ lives.

Knowing you applaud and cheer as we head backward toward that world infuriates me.

And knowing now – as I do, because I’ve seen your response to other women hurt by him – that if I were sexually assaulted by a man you for some reason you respect (or maybe by any man at all) you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. You would be no protection or comfort to me. You would believe him just because he said he didn’t do it. That absolutely breaks my heart.

Perhaps it is because deep down you really are, at least in part, very much like him.

Maybe that’s not it. Maybe you’re better than that, but you are completely fooled by all of his lies (because you won’t listen to anything BUT those lies.) You believe he is who he says he is and do not see what he really is.

Or maybe it is simply because you just would not vote for a woman (who just happened to be the most highly qualified person to ever run for the office.)

Whatever the reason, the end result is the same. And it is all disgusting.