Election 2018

2018-novemberedit

Hello All,

I just read my “Blog Comments.” I so love hearing from y’all. And thanks so much to many of you for letting me know you were touched by my HBO doc.

Okay, so it’s over–for now. I’m talking about the elections. Thanks to all of you who voted and went the extra mile which created an historic turn out. We did pretty good and I am very grateful that the Dems took the House, so many and diverse women elected and many governorships, many great state-wide propositions. Most of the candidates and issues I put my time, energy and money into won, so that feels good. The 2nd to last weekend before elections I brought Patrisse Cullors (co-founder of Black Lives Matter) and Taraji P. Henson (“Cookie” in EMPIRE etc) to travel Michigan with me with the goal to get out the Black vote as well as the “unlikely” voters and it appears our work paid off. Patrisse and Taraji were rock stars. Folks were Soooo excited that they were there. An unprecedented turnout for midterms in Michigan.

elections2018

So we should feel good, and for those who follow me who voted for Trump (and I hope some do)!, you should feel good too because many things that won on Tuesday will help working people across the board, expand health care, including covering medical pre-conditions and, fingers and toes crossed, the Democratic House will fight for an infrastructure bill that will put LOTS of people to work!!!

All that said, it was very clear that the road ahead will not be easy so please, spend the next 2 years educating yourselves on the issues that are of concern to you; try to get outside whatever bubble you’re in; if you only watch FOX, check out CNN and/or MSNBC time to time and vice versa. It’s important to know what people who don’t agree with you are thinking and saying. And then double check about which is correct. Facts are facts. And please, let’s all make a real effort to be kind to each other. When you go out to eat to a restaurant with servers, don’t just worry about whether your chicken is organic, look your servers in the eyes, treat them like the hard workers (and under paid) that they are and the same goes for every working person you cross paths with as well as the homeless. Take time to look a homeless person in the eyes and smile. Just being acknowledged as a person makes a huge difference. Don’t engage in road rage. Try to breathe deeply, relax and just let it go. You’ll live long and everyone’s stress will go down.

One more thing (well, actually I could go on and on but I have to pack): If you feel depressed, anxious, hostile, out-of-control sometimes or all the time, please seek help. Such a large segment of our population suffer from depression and other mental health issues and don’t ask for help. But I know from deep personal experience that these things– as well as all addictions– are NOT reflections on your worth as a person. They don’t mean you are a bad person. There are places to go for help and it means you are strong and brave if you ask for help.

Thanks for listening.

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44 Comments
  1. I just signed up for your blog. I wanted to say I enjoyed reading your blog and thank you for everything. Cary

  2. “try to get outside whatever bubble you’re in.” I like that. A variation on Think outside the box. Expand your mind. Know the world beyond your world.
    Bubbles are self-contained, a way of circling the wagons, and right-wing forces besiege people to keep them that way. So it’s quite rebellious, to get outside the bubble we’re in. The Internet virtual bubble, the job security bubble, the celebrity bubble, the ego bubble, or the bubble Peter Finch yelled about behind a news desk in NETWORK:
    “We know things are bad – – worse than bad. They’re crazy. It’s like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don’t go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, ‘Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms! Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won’t say anything. Just leave us alone!’ ”
    Anyway, in-between being mad as hell, I do hope the JF HBO documentary finds a DVD outlet soon. It will cheer me up.

  3. Thank you! I could say a lot of things but just want to let you know that your caring for so many things really makes a difference!

  4. Jane,
    I always love reading your thoughts. I know many others have expressed their love of your HBO documentary, and I couldn’t continue to type without also commenting on how much it touched me. I have always admired you, but watching your five acts play out only further solidified that I have chosen a wonderful role model. People who learn and grow from their mistakes and can recognize that they are flawed are the most authentic of all, in my opinion.

    As for the election, I live in a red state and often times, it is hard to feel like my voice is really being heard. Knowing that the dems took the House though gives me hope. I turned eighteen in 2016. I grew up in an extremely conservative home (so much so that my father told me I was going to hell if I voted for Hillary). If it were not for your influence along with other groundbreaking activists, I would probably still be stuck in that uneducated bubble. My views became my own before the last election, and I will always be thankful for that.

    Your advice of reading different sources and dissecting truth from them is still something that I struggle with. It is habit I suppose to go for the same news sources, but in order to be truly informed, one must have all of the facts.
    Thank you for all that you do and have done. You’re truly an inspiration.

    Much love and admiration,
    Jenny

  5. you are absolutely right, they are universal truths in almost all countries with different environments we are living similar situations, and the most important thing is to have empathy, to put yourself in the shoes of those who do not think like you and try to understand it, I hope everything comes out very well in your surgery, God take care of you.Love you

  6. This election was such a reminder of the inner work and healing that adds to value to myself and my world. I work to heal my heart and strengthen my value, so that I can give more and participate more.

    This election rattled me much more than I had imagined it would. I had a lot of work with balance within myself. I feel a more balanced future awakening and growing: in our world and within myself. The more balanced I become, the more I see it reflected around me. The more fear I heal and release, the more I can help and heal the world around me. It’s been a journey.

    Thank you for your inspiring words and big heart, Jane. Reading the words and thoughts coming from your loving heart and nurturing ways gives me more hope. It fills me with such gratitude. Thanks for that. Daniel Murray

  7. Your documentary was indeed beautiful and inspiring. I really cannot wait to see the next season of Grace and Frankie!
    It was really heartening to see the process of these elections from the outside. Seeing a nation that is not yet cynical about voting should really be an example to many of us. Our world needs a lot of change.

  8. Hi Jane,
    Thank you so much for being so committed to getting out there and pounding the pavement in Michigan and all the other places you visit to educate people and keep certain issues in the forefront of people’s minds. Whereas we here in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District who voted for Amy McGrath were disappointed in her loss to Andy Barr, I am very hopeful for the future because it was so very close. I am also thankful that the voter turnout was so much better than the past and the House belongs to the Democrats. Whew!
    I wholeheartedly agree with you on the second part of your post regarding kindness and mental illness. We are supposed to take care of each other and love each other and it hurts to see our world surrounded by hate and division. Last month I attended a funeral for a friend who committed suicide and if she had seriously asked for and accepted the help she needed it could have turned out so differently. It all just makes me so sad.
    Oh…I absolutely loved your HBO documentary. I wanted to see it so badly, but we don’t get HBO so I signed up for the free trial just so I could watch it! I had to put a reminder on my calendar to cancel it so I wouldn’t forget. Isn’t that hilarious??? I would have kept it but we already pay for Netflix and Amazon Prime and Direct TV…I’m too darned cheap to pay for any other channels! LOL!
    Thanks again for all you do!
    Peace,
    Mel

  9. Jane, lovely words. Thank you.

  10. Jane Fonda I adore you and believe and agree with everything you say and stand for. You are so beautiful and a fine actress. Can’t wait for next series of Grace and Frankie. God bless Jane, you are a kind soul

  11. Pramila Jayapal won BIG! I think her numbers were higher than any others running in Washington, that I saw on the screen. I think having you come here helped her, Happy to say Km Schier and Cantwell won. Sorry about McCaskill. Thanks for the message. Dona

  12. Thank you Jane for your work and comments on the election. I so appreciate you. And I absolutely loved your HBO special. Will watch it again,❤️

  13. Thank you, dearest Jane, for everything you have done and are doing for us all. I love your books and every time I listen to a Ted Talk with you. You are an inspiring woman and I FEEL I KNOW YOU SO WELL, although you have never heard of me ha ha. Maybe some day I will get a letter to you……in case that does not happen, I am saying the biggest THANK YOU for all that you have done, your beautifully written Autobiography, inspiring me to write a life review myself etc etc. I would love to just be able to sit and talk with you and I live in Australia ha ha. Sending you very much love and thanks,,,,,,,

  14. Dear Jane, You are a busy woman! I don’t know how you keep up your pace!! It has been a treat to see you in the news and on social media stumping for the causes that mean so much to not only you but so many people. You inspired me to look into my local and state issues in detail before I voted in this years midterm election. I was so thrilled to know more about what I was voting for and also by all the people who turned out to vote. Each election should have such a robust turn out! I attribute this turn out to the hard work of so many women who have passionately gotten out there and spoken up and encouraged us all in our personal lives and also to vote. You are one of those people!! I was so upset by the way the whole Kavanagh hearing went and how both Ms Ford and Kavanagh were treated during this political show. It was horrible how both sides used these people for their gain. Ugly ugly ugly. This has got to change. We have got to treat each other with more respect. I am trying to do my part. In fact i have been able to have very civil discussions with people who vote differently than I do. We actually see eye to eye on more issues than we originally thought! I wonder if we all want esssentially the same thing but get to that conclusion by a different path(?)
    Your HBO documentary was fantastic! I watched it several times with different groups of friends. Thank you for sharing your life struggles as welll as the joys with us all. Since I have never met you, and most likely will never have such a great opportunity,, I consider you my “virtual mentor” LOL! I was really bummed that the November 3 evening in Milwaukee was cancelled. I was looking forward to being at that event and hopefully meeting you in person..
    My sister in law and I live in different cities and have watched Grace and Frankie separately… We love discussing the episodes over the phone, and have decided to spend a weekend together just to watch it together because we both absolutely love the series. What is just as good as the series is that we have learned so much more about both you and Lily Tomlin as women and activists outside of your acting careers. We have a date set in December to watch all 4 seasons together!
    Hear through your blog that you are having a hip replacement. I send prayers to you for a successful surgical procedure, safe anesthetic, and a speedy recovery. I made you a quilt and mailed it to your. PO Box 10927 in Beverly Hills. It arrived in early august. I hope you got it. I know you have been super busy with more important things but hope to hear back that you got it.
    All the best to you, Lisa

  15. I was able to hear you speak in River Rouge, Michigan. You and the other speakers were very inspirational! I wish I could have personally said hello and thanked you for spending time with us, but you were a very busy lady! Thank you for all of your hard work for the state of Michigan. We now have a democrat as a governor and three important proposals passed. I would have liked to have seen the democrats take control of the House or Senate here in Michigan, but at least we have a new governor who will help bring balance to our state. I am very happy that the democrats now have the majority in the US House. Again, it will help bring more balance to our government.

    You are absolutely right about the importance of hearing all viewpoints, including from different media outlets, even including news sources such as BBC. I have to admit I sometimes can only listen to certain media outlets for a short period of time before getting frustrated, but I try. And yes, CHECK WHAT EACH MEDIA OUTLET CLAIMS AS FACTS. On that same note, we are extremely lucky to have a variety of media outlets. The media is an extremely important part of our democracy.

    Finally, you are right, BE KIND. A smile, a kind word, an understanding nod, a door being held open, an act of kindness, can go a very long way. A small act of kindness can make a huge impact on someone’s life. You never know what others are going through, and they may just need that extra nudge of kindness to help them through their day.

    You must be exhausted. I hope you are packing for a nice, relaxing vacation.

  16. Jane,
    Allow me to be the first to comment on your insightful, heartfelt message. This week’s election was a source of much nail biting for me as well as many of my friends and colleagues, and I am so incredibly happy to see that the Democrats secured the seats they need to work against the evil, misguided machine that is the Trump Administration. I never tire of reading/watching your comments about our current political climate, and I marvel at the tireless way in which you still, after all these years – decades – manage to reach millions of people and fight for truth, justice and compassion throughout the country and our earth.

    I would also like to tell you how much I appreciate your words regarding mental illness. The tragic suicides of Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, Robin Williams and others shake me, make me so sad that so many of us suffer in silence. I myself sought help 20 years ago for what was diagnosed as Bipolar II Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and with the help of the proper medication and the support of family, I have been able to power through what so many have not. I value each day, the good with the bad, and it is my hope that those who are suffering can experience the transition that I have and see life is worth living. Again, thank you, Jane, for everything.

    Linda 🙂

    PS – My mother and I are anxiously awaiting Season 5 of Grace & Frankie! You and Lily are amazing at the art of using comedy to tackle issues like aging, sexuality, family, etc. in a way that has us glued to Netflix in our free time. Amazing! 🙂

  17. Hey Jane!

    I am inspired by your blog entry as always! Thank you for sharing 🙂
    I would love to hear you talk about your mental journey more often, that seems to help a lot of people!

    I sent all of my heart to you over there in the USA,

    Lea <3

  18. Iam very happy that things worked well for you people! We the majority of Brazilians cannot say the same, as the and the extremelly RIght-wing and Facist candidate won! I asked you for HELP, on the previous Post, for you to say something like Madona, Beyonce did, before the Election,but you were to busy to read my claim! ! Still, worldwide Papers are commenting, almost every day! The situation here is bad! And we know it will get worse! tThe links beyond that I sent you, may say it better than I PLEASE JANE :SAY SOMETHING !! The world will pay more attention!
    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/world/americas/brazil-cuba-doctors-jair-bolsonaro.html
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazils-bolsonaro-names-trump-fan-top-diplomat-as-cuba-relations-sour-idUSKCN1NJ31M
    https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article221727185.html
    http://en.mercopress.com/2018/05/17/brazil-reacts-strongly-to-eu-ex-leaders-asking-for-lula-to-run-for-office
    “We have a lot of visitor requests, as Lula has a lot of friends. The situation is barbaric. How is it possible that a former president who has not been tried in an appeals court, because he is still pending ruling by the Supreme Court, cannot receive visitors? What is that about? Is this a state of exception? This is blatantly infringing human rights,” said senator and Workers’ Party chair Gleisi Hoffmann. She pointed out that world-renowned personalities are waiting to receive permission to visit Lula, including Uruguay’s former president Pepe Mujica and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, who has won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for fighting for human rights during the military dictatorship in Argentina.”
    “The election results, announced on Oct. 6, surprised most analysts. Far-right fascist-leaning Jair Bolsonaro, who has an army general as vice president on his ticket, won the first round with 46 percent of the valid votes. Bolsonaro is known for his homophobic comments — including once saying he would rather have a dead son than a gay one — has been described as a Brazilian Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte. Among Bolsonaro’s latest international supporters is white supremacist former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke, who declared his enthusiasm over the potential win once the first round results were announced.”
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/01/bolsonaro-sergio-moro-brazil-justice-ministry-anti-corruption

  19. I wonder what thoughts you have about the oumuamua… All this anticipation and expectations of amazing drama in our imaginings about getting visited by another galaxy, and it turns out they just did a fly by! They totally shined us on… Like some old ex-friend!
    Still ,Amazing time to be alive. Apparently a new and extraordinarily powerful observatory telescope (lsst) will be operational soon, and hopefully we will learn much more about these new heavenly bodies.

  20. I saw you on Chris Hayes @ MSNBC,,what a treat!
    The three of you women were a sight for sore eyes and so uplifting to a very dispirited woman. These last 2 years have been so heart-breaking for me. For my political views, my concept of American ideals, my hopes for our nation, my take on the imperative to act on pollution and protection of our environment, you name it!
    I thank you for your life-long struggle to bring people to understand we are ALL people, regardless of country of birth or the color of our skin.

    Your HBO special was fantastic! I knew most of was portrayed having read your books. But you know what? You impress me more each and every year.
    Thank You Ms. Fonda. I wish you many more years of raising consciousness and helping those who indeed need help in this world.

  21. I just finished watching the interview you did recently for BFI. It was fantastic! It was a good sequel to the HBO special, Jane Fonda in 5 Acts. It showed me that you are a very intentional thought-filled individual who has and continues to use your celebrity to make a difference in the average American life. Interesting that you love doing theater but realize that you can reach more people via television! You seriously are my virtual mentor! I had a good belly laugh when you wondered if Katherine Hepburn shared her words of wisdom and various stories with you in hopes that you would talk about her a lot after she passed! Insinuating that the focus would still be on Katherine Hepburn and she would be relevant!
    Cheers to you!
    Lisa

  22. You are such an example and daily inspiration to many of us. I’m so proud of you, talking about elections, well, in Brazil, we didn’t get the results I wanted, we’ve got racism, facism… But I fighted until the last second to try to change this, I was at the street screaming with thousands women who were there to encourage the other women, that are still living with a worthless feeling. I’m so grateful I have you as my daily inspiration, because of you I learnt my pride and my self-respect, and the most important, I fight for what I believe in. I love you so much, thank you for being just like this. There’s a song that reminds me of you and I take it to my life:
    “It’s just the way it is
    And maybe it’s never gonna change
    But I got a mind to show my strength
    And I got a right to speak my mind
    And I’m gonna pay for this
    They’re gonna burn me at the stake
    But I got a fire in my veins
    I wasn’t made to fall in line
    No, no, I wasn’t made to fall in line
    No, we aren’t made to fall in line, oh”
    I’m so proud I’m your fan, I hope one day I’ll be able to meet you or just to see you live. You are an icon. I wish you will come back to Brazil, we love you. XX

    • Amanda, I’m so sorry what’s happened in Brazil. It is truly terrifying…and what will happen to the rain forest?

  23. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I’m incredibly relieved the Dems took the House and ready to keep working.
    On an unrelated note–I you a letter awhile back with some thoughts on “Jane Fonda in Five Acts” (which I loved). I sent the letter here:

    P.O. BOX 10927
    BEVERLY HILLS CA 90213-3927

    I believe you mentioned on your blog awhile that this is the correct PO box, and according to the USPS this is the correct ZIP code. If you could confirm if you are able to receive mail there, that would be great. If not, let me know where I should resend? Thank you!

  24. You’re an inspiring, courageous, and interesting person. My takeaway from your documentary was to take time to know yourself and don’t make yourself a victim from any circumstance – keep up your fight and that perhaps the greatest challenge in life is getting to know yourself….but it’s worth it. Thank you for sharing your story!

  25. Hi Jane, I wrote you a year ago, mentioning how I’d been writing about these 3 baby-boomer gals and how I TRULY believe that (some of) my writings would be terrific if used in various “Grace and Frankie” scripts. I asked how I’d go about submitting material, and you said = “Oh gee Vicki, you have to go thru an agent.” But Jane, aren’t there EVER exceptions ? And yes, I realize that “Grace and Frankie” already has (great) script writers, but don’t they ever get “writer’s block ?” I mean, they’re only human, and after 5 seasons it must be hard to constantly come up with NEW stuff. And if this does happen (writer’s block), wouldn’t the producers be glad to get some new input — some fresh ideas from another source. I want to be honest and say that there’s no way I have the talent or experience to be a “full fledged script writer,” but I sure would like to submit some of my ideas (some of my writings) to the folks there at “Grace and Frankie.” I am not an egotistical person, but I JUST KNOW that I’ve “got something here” in regards to my writings about “my”(fictional) baby-boomer women ! < Stuff that's witty and offbeat and, at many times, risque ! So what do ya think ? Do you think that if the producers of "Grace and Frankie" were interested enough (in what I've said here), would they ever break "that rule" and talk with someone who doesn't have an agent ?

  26. Came across a cool clip while watching this uplifting Helen Reddy interview =
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eLCi6-lQCw

  27. Jane, I am over the moon having received the photo I sent to you-returned and signed! I am thrilled you liked the quilt! Thank you for your kind words in the letter you included with the photo. You are my inspiration to “stay strong and keep flying”.
    All the best!
    Lisa

  28. Jane, I hope that you are very well, I pray for you every day. Candita

  29. Hi Jane
    Being an activist I thought you might be as appalled as I am by the recent comment from our Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. “What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools,”. It was in response to tens of thousands of children taking time off school to attend the Strike 4 Climate Action protest. My son attended with his friends and I am so proud of the way all the kids conducted themselves and the smart and witty way they communicated their messages. Despite an increasingly conservative government run predominantly by middle aged white males, the future looks bright. 🙂

  30. I just returned home to find that you returned the photo I sent you with an autograph. As a lifelong fan and admirer, this is something that I will cherish always, and I thank you for taking a moment to sign this. Happiest of holidays and again, thank you very much. Merry Christmas.

  31. Jane please, you have to do something the situation in Tijuana, Mexico with the Central Americans is a great humanitarian crisis. Love you.

  32. Jane, happy birthday, I am very grateful for the inspiration that without personally knowing you gave to my life I had never had something like this with any person, that is why every day I pray for you, I would like to know you, I now do not want to go to the United States for some personal reasons, I hope things change and of course I will go, I love you very much, Merry Christmas.

  33. Loved your HBO doc. Reminded me of so many past memories and that I’ve been a fan for such a long time. Used to fight with my Republican family over you. Always in your corner. That’s a big reason I sent you a copy of my book back in August 2016 (Singing in Silence). I think you’d love it. Hope you read it. Looking forward to the next season of Grace and Frankie. Merry Christmas to all of your family. And thanks for your work.

  34. Dear Jane

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

    I hope you have a wonderful day with your family and friends. May your new year be filled with health, happiness and prosperity. Thanks so much for your activism. The midterms have helped us live and breathe a little easier, knowing that he can’t do what he wants anymore. Phew. Everyday I am grateful for you.

    Much love from Hamburg (when are you going to come and visit our fantastic new concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie?)

    Jason

  35. You asked about the rain forest. They plan to sell and destroy it, my heart will be destroyed too if it happens. I really hope the people will not let it happen because it will be a loss to all the world! By the way… Happy birthday, my baby! I love you so much!

  36. This might give Jane a laugh.
    ‘Wait Till Your Father Gets Home’ was a 1972-73 cartoon series about the generation gap between a conservative middle class portly Dad and moderate Mom and their liberal teenage kids. (And a Nixon lookalike right-wing nut of a neighbor.)
    In this episode the hippie son gets a job, an event in itself, but he makes demands on his employer – – including “a paid national holiday for Jane Fonda’s birthday.”
    Take a look:
    https://vimeo.com/215957549

  37. JANE REMEMBER MY LETTER IS IN UPSP BEVERLY HILLS 90210 NUMBER 70162070000089333252, SORRY FOR THE INSISTENCE, LOVE YOU

  38. Well, I’m late to the party because I’ve just seen your HBO special. It confirmed everything I’ve always admired about your activism and your film career. I was an activist in the 60’s and 70’s and then work and single motherhood took over all of my time. Now that I’m retired I’m able to focus again on doing what I can to help in furthering progressive causes. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done and continue to do to make our world a better place.

  39. I want to be just like you when I grow up and I’m 53 you are my hero

  40. I too am so grateful that the Democrats took back the House of Representatives. We have so much more work to do from now until the general election next year! Thank you for your activism and your voice Jane!

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