Marie Ernst

Selective memory is the tendency to remember some things while purposely forgetting others, often by choice. Do you remember where you were when the shelter-in-place mandate began during the COVID-19 pandemic? The mass furloughs and layoffs as retail stores, restaurants, and offices shut down were hard to miss. If you do, then you probably recall your monthly income at the time and what you received in unemployment insurance (UI). If not, let me remind you.

The average UI check was about $387 per week. However, many overlook that those who were furloughed or laid off received an additional $600 per week in federal UI payments, raising the average monthly benefit to approximately $4,000—nearly double what some people earned pre-pandemic.

When you add the three stimulus checks totaling $3,200 to the $4,000 in monthly UI payments, it’s clear how this unexpected financial support had a profound psychological impact, leading many lower-income individuals to feel they were better off under the Trump administration.

Once the additional payments ended—particularly the extra $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, which ran from March to July 2020—the sense of financial stability began to fade as the average weekly UI benefit reverted to $387.

Financial security, even if temporary, can significantly affect one’s perception of well-being. The relief measures during Trump’s administration, such as unemployment benefits and stimulus checks, are often credited to his term.

Many lower-income individuals who felt more stable may view the economy as stronger under Trump, selectively recalling these positives while minimizing any unfavorable economic developments. Our democracy is too important to lose to selective memory, which is why reminding people of the facts is crucial before November 5, 2024.

Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of owning and driving a Ferrari, influenced by the iconic Ferraris featured in shows like Magnum PI with its famous red Ferrari 308 GTS and Miami Vice showcasing Crockett’s legendary white Testarossa. It’s always been a dream of mine to own a Ferrari. Well, let me tell you—dreams do come true!

I’m thrilled to share my new stunning Ferrari 488 Spider. Isn’t she a beauty?

Now that I have your attention, please allow me to explain why ‘she’ is as she… In the United States, the personification of objects, forces, and concepts as female has a rich history. Many people affectionately refer to their cars, boats, and ships including aircraft as “she” or “her,” reflecting a tradition rooted in the idea of vessels being nurturing and protective. Natural forces like Mother Nature symbolize the nurturing yet unpredictable aspects of the natural world, while weather is occasionally personified as a woman, emphasizing its changing moods.

There’s also abstract concepts. Lady Luck, Lady Justice, Lady Liberty, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, stands for freedom and democracy. Even the United States is often referred to as “she” in patriotic or poetic contexts.

However, there exists a stark disconnect between how women are revered in language and culture and how they are treated in our society. Despite being celebrated in abstract terms, women continue to face significant barriers that illustrate their second-class status:

Bodily autonomy, equal pay, employment opportunities, and support during and after pregnancy are critical issues. The roots of this contradiction lie within several key factors: patriarchy, objectification, and idealization versus reality. And efforts to advocate for women’s rights frequently face hostility from those who benefit from the status quo.

As I (we) confront these issues, we must recognize the dichotomy of reverence and inequality. Women deserve full bodily autonomy, equal pay, and equitable access to employment. It is time for us as a nation to put aside our preconceived beliefs, prejudices, and biases that disqualify anyone with the credentials of a district attorney, attorney general, U.S. state senator, or vice president simply because she is a woman.

I ask you, will you support Lady Liberty, our democracy, and our motherland? Or will you turn your back on her because you’re afraid you’ll lose your agency and false sense of security? People with true inherent power fear no one. In truth, men with real power seek to empower others and put others before themselves, especially those in need. Do you have that power?

Together, we can work toward a future where women are valued not just as symbols but as equals deserving of respect and opportunity. It’s time to vote for progress and say “yes” to the first female president of the United States of America.

I was honored by Christopher D. Burns, MFA support and wanting to shed light on depression and mental health. Please check out the interview to learn more and how you can help.

https://arch-usa.com/mental-health-entrepreneurship-with-david-jenkins-ceo-of-marie-ernst/

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