Image by skyseeker, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. [1]
On Election Night I went to bed at the usual time, resolved to face the results in the morning, whatever they might be.
Wednesday morning was unusually cold after a prolonged summer. Was it cold because of the weather? Was it cold because of the hearts of the 74 million voters who selected the racist, misogynist, sexual predator, bigot, insurrectionist, serial liar and convicted felon to be President of the USA?
After four years of that candidate’s hate-spewing Presidency (2017-2020), I thought that the country had turned the page. Obviously, I am a poor political analyst.
There is no question that the pace of change is accelerating and is beyond many people’s ability to absorb. When some people panic their ears lean towards the swan-songs of the demagogue that promises security.
Fear is indeed to be feared. Not only because it demoralizes, but because it feeds hate, which is to be shunned, because it expands fear of the other. No good can come out of decisions made based on fear and hate. But here we are…
We now have the GOP poised to control the Presidency with a significant majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and an overwhelming majority of the Supreme Court.
The Star-Spangled Banner ends with the words “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave”. What does that mean today? Have free citizens chosen to form a government to be led by a self-described dictator? Have brave citizens proven fearful of the other and voted for candidates well-funded by oligarchs who will now run rough-shod over their lives?
Many people will be hurt by those 74 million voters who have unwittingly voted against their own interest. There are dark clouds of oppression, religious intolerance and misogyny that appear ready to descend upon us.
Young children look up to public officials. Some aspire to be President of this country. What values are being imprinted on those children when they see what those 74 million voters elected? What ethical principles will the incoming Secretary of Education adopt for our children?
The “establishment” and “institutional religion” appear to have backed the prevailing party. The oligarchs are drooling in anticipation of descending in a laissez faire free-for-all to prey on citizens. Are the inquisitionists also dreaming about their new-found opportunities?
This is all very painful. Our faith in what we took for “America” has been dealt a heavy blow. Voter turnout was ~60%. Is that was sustains a democratic form of government?
But as dark as it all seems, what we have is not perhaps the “end times”. What we have is a monumental challenge to be borne by the 69 million citizens who voted for human rights, decency, and the defense of the weak and frail.
Lovers of decency, integrity and freedom must measure up, step up to withhold the values that drove their vote against the GOP. There is much work ahead.
Yes, we are grieving, but take a deep breath and continue to work for the betterment of humanity, in love and not in hate, with courage and resolve.
Stars shine best in darkness.
I just want you to know Manuel, that i have deleted 95% of all Substack posts and other emails. This is one of the very few I have read. That quote is one of the only things that buttressed me at this time. Sending hugs.
Thank you - it was beautiful 💚💚💚💚