How Trump inspired me

02/06/2017

Yes, believe it or not, that man inspired me. Before he announced his candidacy for President, all what I knew about him is that he was rich and his show The Apprentice. To be honest, when I found out he wanted to run for President, I kind of laughed and admired him to even try. As for my surprise as I saw the polls growing in his numbers, I really couldn’t believe it! Wow, this man really used the power of his thoughts, and it is happening. Wow!!!

It was kind of interesting for me to see this because coming from Peru, where politics are crazy, and I mean crazy!!! It was kind of amusing to see Americans freaking out about Trump having even the chance to win. That only happens in my country, to actually vote for someone who has no clue. To my surprise again, and against the odds, it was happening.

Now let’s go back a few years back. I am Peruvian; every time I came to the United States, I had a valid tourist visa. When I wanted to come and live and study here, I got a student visa, and after few years I became a permanent resident and finally had the famous Green Card in 2003. After a few years of being a resident, many people encouraged me to become a citizen. To be honest, I didn’t care. In the end, I felt I had everything that citizens had, so why would I become one? Becoming a citizen would only give me the right to vote, and to be honest I didn’t care. I came from a country where the elections were obligatory and a pain in the butt.

But a few of my lawyer friends whom I respect would tell me it would be smart to become a citizen. In case a very unfortunate event happens, I would be treated as an American citizen. Ha! What kind of event is that? I am not sure if that is true, but this is what people told me. If I get in a nasty divorce, a custody battle could be a huge issue. Judges would probably favor the citizen one. Another one was if I get a DUI, it could bring me problems, or even worst if I get in an accident and someone is killed I could get treated as a Peruvian. Even that didn’t motivate me to be an American citizen. Hello!!! I don’t drink and drive, I am a defensive driver, and who would even consider divorcing me? I am the perfect wife. LOL to that.

In one of our road trips around New Mexico in 2013 going back to Denver, we got stopped by the Border Patrol. I remember the cop asking us if I was an American citizen. I said no, and then he asked if he could see my green card. I told him I had it back at home. He made me pull over and wait and wait and wait. As you can imagine, I said “Oh crap, now what?” But the positive me thought “What is the worst can happen? They detain me, I send my husband back to Denver, he gets the card and comes back, and I will entertain myself teaching zumba to my fellow detainees!” Fortunately, the cop came back and told me he would let me go but that I need to carry my card. Ok, I learned my lesson.

Back to Trump. As I watched the development of the campaigns, I saw this getting weird. Listening to all the candidates’ plans, I thought what if the candidate who doesn’t support immigrants so much passes to the nomination? And what if he makes residents to leave for whatever reason? I thought I’d better be careful. Just in case, I considered to becoming an American citizen, but in the back of my mind I thought, “But no way will this person be elected? Who would elect him?” Well, to my surprise again! People that I know started sharing with me they would vote for him, and more and more people started to say that. And I made the decision, let’s do it!!!

I prepared myself for the test, so now I know some American history. I got some help to pay for the immigration form and voila! In February 2016, I became an American citizen. I registered to vote that same day. I am glad I did, because to my surprise again.... Trump was the candidate for the Republicans, and my jaw just dropped. As I enjoyed a little bit the hysteria of Americans, I became more involved in politics and to make an informed decision for the elections in November.

And to my surprise again (hopefully this is the last time I used this phrase), Trump was elected! I didn’t get too involved in the news that day just because I was at Disney World (one of my favorite places), but I remember people who actually voted for him being surprised for his win. Go figure. As I work every single day, every single minute of my life to see the light in the dark and believe that everything happens for a reason, I will have to say: yes, Donald Trump inspired me to become a citizen of the United Stated of America. Without his character, I would probably have continued as a resident.

But I am not scared. I am a pro in being a citizen of a country where politics are beyond crazy. I will get to that subject at some point.

Love your neighbor (working on that),

Me