The Morning After

I have voted in all 12 presidential elections since 1976 (I was eligible in 1972 but didn't feel I was ready, so I sat it out), and I have never voted for a Republican. Not because I hate Republicans. I just feel the values ostensibly represented by the Democratic Party align more closely with my own than with those of any other party and will be better for America.

For the record, as of this morning, I'm 50/50.

A fundamental shift in American presidential elections in 2016 laid the groundwork for an insurrection in 2020 and the now election of the dictator-wanna-be who incited the insurrection four years ago.

Before then, at least during my lifetime, this pattern prevailed: two dominant political parties nominated conventional candidates, ran conventional campaigns, did and said all the right things when a winner was finally declared (yes, 2020 was different, but it still ended with the system intact), and cooperated in the same peaceful transfer of power.

As of today, all bets are off. We have no way of knowing how bad it might be. The hackneyed cliche is actually apropos. Our situation is unprecedented.

With majorities in both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court in his pocket, if he wishes to, trump truly can be a dictator on Day One . . . and every day thereafter. Who will stop him? And if he doesn't serve out his term (however long that might be), his Faux-Hillbilly MiniMe is itching to step in and show all of us how governing is really done.

In the past, when my chosen candidate lost, I was disappointed, but I could accept the election results and keep working toward helping America become more like what I have always hoped it could be. But now, I don't know how to respond (other than trying to line up words in some way that makes sense).

But I do know this. At no previous time in my life have I been so disappointed in my country and my fellow citizens. The appalling reality that a majority of Americans who voted chose this man, knowing full well who he is and what he is capable of is simply beyond my comprehension. If, knowing him for what he is, they voted for him because they share his values, then we are so different, I fear never being able to understand who they are and how they think. If they were once again deceived by him and believed his endless lies, then I can pity their naivete, but not without ruing their ignorance, which has quite possibly undone all of us.

Reagan, HW Bush, and W? Not my choice (and certainly not without their faults and limitations—just as the candidates for whom I voted), but comprehensible. But trump? Twice?? I simply can't wrap my head around it.