Couldn't agree more. But the problem is never going to be solved by such help when the system itself is the problem, because the 'help' is determined by the system that sustains it.

This is great and all but it just furthers my point, there's no real help readily available and accessible for people who the system that fails them.

What is it like running elections with all this shit going on right now? Are you scared?

Kid named Secretary of State

COMMISSIONER HOVLAND: I don't mind the idea of Election Day on a Saturday or Sunday, but my real preference is for voters to have options. Many Americans like the traditional Tuesday Election Day, but it doesn't work for everyone. That is why it is important have early voting and no excuse absentee as an option. Also, as much as I love voting, I am not sure I want to be competing with a college football Saturday or an NFL Sunday for many Americans attention.

SEC. TOULOUSE OLIVER: Possibly. I'm not sure we can know that, given how many options are available to cast a ballot before Election Day nowadays. I think it's less important what day of the week the election is on, and more important that there are robust options for casting a vote early-in person (#VoteEarlyDay) or by mail. That being said, I support any and all efforts that pave the way for more voter participation!

COMMISSIONER HOVLAND: Americans living abroad have a number of options on how to cast a ballot, but it depends on your state/jurisdictions. The Federal Voting Assistance Program or FVAP has great resources on how to vote for our military and overseas citizens. Check out https://www.fvap.gov/

COMMISSIONER HOVLAND: You can wait if you want to do so. The main thing is that Americans have options. A Tuesday in November is not the best day for all Americans to vote. I personally voted today (#VoteEarlyDay) because Election Day is pretty busy for me and today was better for my schedule.

SEC. TOULOUSE OLIVER: New Mexico is not only a real place it is REALLY amazing! Come visit! I loved Breaking Bad not just for being a great show but also because I felt like it was a love letter to my beautiful state. The storyline may be tragic, but just looking at the beautiful imagery of my home always makes me smile. Incidentally, Breaking Bad filmed in many places I have personally spent much time: Java Joes, my favorite breakfast place (aka Tuco's hideout); my high school gym (season 2, episode 1), my old office building (Hank's DEA building); the Grove (where Walter and Lydia meet for coffee); Twisters (i.e. Los Pollos Hermanos), and many more!

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COMMISIONER HOVLAND: Our elections are meant to be transparent and states have rules to allow for people to electioneer up to a certain distance from the polling place as well as observe the elections. But if people aren't following the rules, or your feel intimidated, let a poll worker know and/or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE as Secretary Toulouse Oliver said.

SEC. TOULOUSE OLIVER: At the end of the day, it's an election official's job to make sure there is no obstruction of the voting process. However, if you personally feel intimidated or in any way prevented from casting your vote at a polling place, let your polling place official know, or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report an issue

SEC. TOULOUSE OLIVER: Because Election Day isn't just the only day to vote anymore, it's the LAST CHANCE to vote. Murphy's Law is always in effect, so banking your vote early ensures you won't run into any challenges that keep you from voting on Election Day.

Depending on your state you can vote online.

Google "uocava your state"

Can it be done over the internet or do you have to send away for a ballot? I live abroad.

Would you support moving election day to a Saturday or Sunday and do you believe that would increase voter turnout?

Why vote early? Why not wait until Election Day?

Do you have any tips for how to handle intrusive 'poll watchers'?

Wait, they made New Mexico from Breaking Bad into a real place?

This question makes me so happy you're here! I'm going to answer in parts because my response has gotten a bit long already and I want ensure that my answers are providing clarity--which is hard when I get as verbose and impassioned as I often do with this topic!

1. Q: Why do you lead with and specialize in child free?

To answer the first one--you can see a long and detailed answer I gave in another comment here.

2. Q: Do you find that the challenges by people choosing (or chosen for) this lifestyle are that unique or require such special attention?

Some of this is answered already in the link I have above but I will elaborate a bit here as well. From both professional and personal experience, I would say the concerns within choosing and embracing this lifestyle isn't "unique" in its difficulty. I also am acutely aware it isn't nearly as difficult as other life choices or experiences that others may have.

However, it is a deviation from the general worldwide expectation of a womxn's role (in particular) in society. The uniqueness is in the privilege that more and more are afforded to make the choice versus caving to pressures or being forced to follow the "rules."

And in doing so, the expected judgement, criticism, isolation, and general lost feeling that comes from deviating from the norm becomes more prevalent. These are a few of the issues I work through with my clients as they navigate the "what's next" aspect of their lives.

Specifically because there is a common trope of the childfree womxn: work is her "child," dislikes children, has mountains of money, travels all the time, etc. This in itself becomes a pressure that many childfree don't subscribe to--to once again they don't "fit in" to a mold that people understand.

The above pressures are in addition to those from the other side of the continuum who view the choice as "selfish & immature." This side of the continuum also outwardly expresses the POV that childfree people are only "that way" because they "haven't met the right person yet."

What this leads to is struggling to find an identity. As I previously mentioned, I don't believe it is entirely unique. As lack of identity is often common in other populations (including mothers). What I see as unique is the path to address and work through finding a values based fulfilling life is different.

I am struggling to think of any research I have read where a culture isn't primarily grooming young girls to be mothers at some point. Which means that even in your case and millions of others, that is the exception.

For many, especially those raised in more conservative, religious, and/or smaller communities it takes a TON of courage to break the mold and be the "black sheep." Not only in that moment, but also because the questions, judgement, lack of understanding continues for years--Im 16 years in and still get "bingo'd" at least once a week.

Ok--whew, I'll post this one and answer more of your question in another comment.

Thank you. This is very helpful.

Well, there's a whole philosophical rabbit hole you are invited to jump into, but you may not come back out: the meeting of Hegel, Marx and psychoanalysis. Try r/zizek.

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Stance on 2-A? And not a politician’s answer please.

Wow. Ive absolutely experienced therapy wherein it places the problem within me. Like I've been doing something wrong, or the reverse I haven't been doing enough of something or the right way. The fault always seems to be placed on me.

The problem is, even if you could prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the socio-economic factors were an underlying cause of certain mental illness, there's no help for that. And trying to tackle capitalism in any form just isn't going to happen anytime soon.

I've never heard of corporate interest in mental health, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'm not really sold on this yet. But like I said, if the problem is societal then wth are we supposed to do? Medicine doesn't always work either