My name is Elizabeth Naham. Actually, the truth be told, my real name is... Well, I cannot tell you. Many of you reading this will understand, but for those who do not, let me explain. I live and work in a very deep blue state in the Northeast and am self employed as a Social Worker. The profession has always tilted left but is now left of left. Their political identity parallels the trajectory the country has taken for several decades, accelerating the last eight years. Some of you might consider me to be a coward. On the contrary, adjectives to describe me often have been feisty and courageous, along with vivacious. Suicidal and masochist are not part of my repertoire. Survival and earning a living are. Subsequently, I must remain closeted in order to avoid being shunned or figuratively tarred and feathered which is an action the left often takes to squelch opposition and dissent.

My passion to help people was the attraction to social work. Coming from a lower-middle class background, I was more of a moderate and never bought into the leftist philosophy. I had no desire to become politically involved nor did I view people’s plight as being static. My belief was and remains dedicated to the idea that each human being has unique talents and gifts endowed by God. My goal has always been to help individuals put the demons of the past behind and recreate themselves into being the very best they can be.

In 1996, my husband and I voted for Bill Clinton a second time. Like many, we did not care about his affair with Gennifer Flowers and yawned at the endless array of stories regarding Paula Jones. Even the scandal about Monica Lewinsky did not change our views, although I sympathized with her and did not have an opinion about Linda Tripp. Truly, we were the typical low-information voters and lifelong Democrats. Why? We were indoctrinated to believe Democrats were good and supported the underdog and Republicans were bad and assisted the wealthy. No other explanation was necessary.

In the late 90s, with the rise of the Internet, information about the stock market became readily available and demystified. Subsequently, we began reading the Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily. I especially devoured the editorials, not realizing how much information and history had been distorted and biased with a leftist slant. In 2000, we voted for George W. Bush, and in 2004, my husband was totally convinced and planned on voting for him again. Because I was from the Northeast and continued to desperately adhere to my Democrat identity, I almost voted for John Kerry. At the midnight hour, a well-informed friend convinced me to forgo such a thought and go with Bush. I did.

Over the next couple of years, I read voraciously and came to the conclusion we had been duped by the progressives. As I continued my journey of truth-seeking, along came a dazzling, charismatic unknown named Barack Obama who sought the office of the most powerful position on earth, honestly declaring his intentions of “fundamentally transforming” America. The country became smitten, and with the mainstream media fueling this idolatry, nothing would alter their perception. The low-information populace, which included the intelligentsia and glitterati, ignored the dangerous rhetoric cloaked in elegance, erudition and demagoguery. My husband and I did not. We love our country and recognize it is a work in progress but was not in need of Mr. Obama’s radical prescriptions. With the promise of administering a strong dose of false panacea, we surrendered our allegiance to the Democratic Party and became unenrolled.

Following the whirlwind ascent of Mr. Obama and his subsequent win of the presidency, I decided to celebrate the history making of the first black president. I understood the need for a person of color to redeem the country from the sins of the past. Like many Americans, I watched his inauguration and admired the young commander in chief and his beautiful family. I hoped for the best for the sake of the country. My husband was more cynical and said “fat chance” when I shared a cautious optimism for Mr. Obama’s presidency.

Unfortunately, my husband was prescient. Mr. Obama had not been mincing words when he talked about fundamental transformation. In a State of the Union address, he humiliated the justices for their decision regarding Citizens United. During another address, he was adamant in his proclamation that the “science is settled” regarding climate change. Most scientists and innovators recognize that science is never settled. Otherwise, a United States would not exist, and we might continue to believe the world is flat.

Throughout these eight years, Mr. Obama also used the pulpit with charmed fallacies about ObamaCare and other regulations. He has excoriated Republicans, blaming them for gridlock and convincing the public it was indeed the fault of the GOP. Mr. Obama has minimized America’s exceptionalism as well as America’s role in the world. His silence stifled Iran’s Green Revolution in 2009 when the dissidents’ only request was rhetorical support. Many of us who paid heed wondered if it could help usher in a freer Iran. Alas, we will never know.

Some say Mr. Obama was correct for not meddling in another country’s affairs, but they gave him and his administration a pass when he did with others. Case in point, how about when Honduras wished to stay true to their constitution but President Zelaya did not? What about when President Obama pressured Israel to return the Golan Heights? A most recent example is when Mr. Obama lectured the British about staying in Brexit or they will “go to the back of the queue?” He could not, however, offer encouragement to the brave and stalwart dissidents of the number one sponsor of terrorism in the world.

For the last eight years, Mr. Obama has masterfully promised “united we stand” but has attempted to deliver “divided we fall.” He has embraced our foes and repudiated our allies. Identity politics have been put on steroids. His mellifluous yet inflammatory language such as “If they bring a knife, you bring a gun” or “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam” is beyond provocative, never mind dangerous.

With all of these facts, do you think I can suggest for our liberal friends to at least read and consider the possibility they have worshipped a false God? How much could they be nudged to explore the truth about the modern Democrat Party? The answer is a resounding no on both accounts. Even one of my moderate friends said we must remain vigilant about Mr. Trump. My sarcastic response was a reminder of the last eight years. Speaking of Mr. Trump, he barely survived character assassination which would have been applied to anyone competing with Mrs. Clinton. For those who criticize Mr. Trump, his enduring pugnacity is what kept him in the race.

Some of my colleagues know my political orientation as do some of my clients who whisper in my office about their need to remain in the shadows. The clients who have opposing views I respect and encourage they give voice to their beliefs. Because of my work, I traverse many worlds. Although there are exceptions, I have found the people on the right to be far more tolerant and accepting.

A slow but steady departure from my profession could not be more timely. Many factors have contributed to this decision but a salient one is the inability to be my true self. I have evolved while others see it as devolved, and my enlightenment is observed as moving to the dark side.  Although I will not shout my views from the rooftop as I wade into my new profession, politics and religion are eschewed so I can at least rest easy.

As Kimberly Strassel writes in her fabulous book, The Intimidation Game, the First Amendment not only protects free speech but assembly and anonymity. I did not realize how expansive a reach the First Amendment was prior to becoming engrossed in this book. Along with many other things about our remarkable country, I am most thankful for the first and most important amendment. Like many of you, I will remain informed but for now, do so anonymously.