On November 5, democracy died. As with the death of any loved one, you have choices. You can stay in bed and mourn for the rest of your life or you can get up and move on with the rest of your life.
My mourning is done. I won’t be watching any news because seeing the orange man’s face or hearing his voice nauseates me. If he manages to implement even some of the draconian stuff from Project 2025, then perhaps this country’s karma is to live under an autocracy so that democracy can be appreciated.
Unfortunately, those of us us who already appreciate democracy will also be living under this autocracy. So if that’s where you are, then you have some choices to make. If you have friends who voted for trump and his autocracy, can those friendships persist and endure?
Trump has demeaned women, blacks, latinos, LGBQTs, Jews, Muslims, and everyone else who isn’t a white male christian. He will pass a national abortion ban, says he will deport 12 million immigrants, plans to abolish a number of government agencies, will place tariffs on imported goods – which will raise the price of everything. If he implements even a portion of Project 2025, we won’t recognize this country by the end of his term. And that’s if his term even ends. As he said, “You’ll never have to vote in another election.”
So ask yourself, can you maintain friendships with people who voted for trump? Or is the difference in fundamental values too vast and deep?
On Wednesday Jen and I watched Kamala’s speech, clutching hands for comfort and support. “THAT is what a real President sounds like,” I said. That’s the leader we wanted, deserved, and prayed for. Everyone in the gathered crowd was somber, emotional, vulnerable, weeping tears of wistful despair. Both of us wept with them, hearts crushed with sadness. Our Queen champion of Democracy conceded while an infantile tyrant was undeservedly handed a second term in office.
Then every compassionate, self-respecting American citizen collectively threw up, wracked with dread and nausea because enough of the population voted for a hateful, immoral, narcissistic, treasonous CONVICTED FELON with dictatorial aspirations to the seat of highest power in our land.
Think about that. It means all these racist Neanderthals are saying: “That’s okay with us.” Despite all his remorseless criminal behavior, Adolf Junior got a pass. They want him in charge. And that miserable cocksucker will pick up right where he left off: systematically erasing our freedoms, stoking division, and – God help us all – transforming our structured government into the dictatorship of unchecked power he wants. Then he will wipe his fat ass with the Constitution and flush it down the toilet while the country crumbles into hellish anarchy, followed by another round of golf and a few cheeseburgers.
I think of my grandfather, who fought in World War II against the exact kind of tyranny that America has welcomed with open arms, and I realize the dead are lucky. They don’t have to live in this broken world any more. And I’m glad grandpa is not alive to see what’s happened to the country he fought for. He’d be spinning in his grave if he knew.
America has a hole in its soul. Excuse me, I have to throw up some more.
Same here, Dale.
And powerfully said.
Jen found an old Turkish proverb which perfectly frames the situation: “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become king. The palace becomes a circus.”
Perfect!!
Wow, I’m with Dale too.
great post Trish. On friends – no need to drop – just be a light to them – even if it means not talking about politics.
Will have to see how it unfolds, Philip.