I live in a very red rural area. I keep reading that I should go out and participate in my community to 'help with healing' after this disastrous election.
To be honest, I don't want to. I don't want to be a part of this hateful population who might be nice to your face but who voted for the coming awfulness and are proud of themselves.
I do belong to my local Democratic Party and we worked so hard to offer hope and positivity, as did Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz. I think they did a fantastic job in the short time they were given. We ourselves were so optimistic, only to be saddened by the pervasiveness of hate and revenge indicated by the results of the election.
I no longer look forward to seeing people that I had considered to be friends who I know voted for this division. I could sort of understand being naive enough to vote for 45 the first time, but now worry that if someone voted for 47, that person is just like him. And that makes me sick.
I'm looking for a way out of this feeling of dread and isolation, and I'm not finding it.
I remember think on the day after Election Day, 2016 that America was as racist as I thought it might be. In 2024, I decided that not only are lots of Americans racist, they are ignorant and stupid. Yes, I said stupid. They check out a set of tires more seriously than candidates for office. They will get the government they deserve, but the rest of us will be brought along for the horrible ride. No, I am not ready to make nice with some people I know who voted for 45. They showed themselves to be nasty and racist way before 2024. They just followed their actual nature in this election. They also think they are Christians.
John this is absolutely true: thank you for articulating the issue so clearly. However, I would like to point out that you haven't mentioned the 80 million eligible voters who didn't vote--yes, more than those who voted for the Orange Felon. I blame them. Because they were too chicken-sh*t to come out and admit that their misogyny, sexism, and racism kept them home. That the prospect of a woman of color as Commander in Chief was so horrific they were willing to let the Orange Felon and his toxic narcissist pals and minions run the show. That they had so little foresight or real self awareness to allow this to happen and to think that their lives would not be adversely affected by their non-choice. Yes: I blame them.
Thank you for clearly and cogently articulating what many of us have argued for the weeks since the great division. It has been so disheartening to listen to the self serving explanations for “the loss.” I’m still stuck in the “anger” stage of grief right now, seemingly unable to move on, and, frankly, too exhausted to put my grief into words. Thanks for doing it for me, and for the multitude who are stuck in place with me. I’ll keep trying to dislodge my bruised mind from the anger and disbelief and face the reality of “what went wrong” and focus energy on meeting it head on.
Pitch perfect message today, John. For myself the only thing I would say differently is that I do not feel like an idiot. I feel heartbroken, yet damn glad to be US. Knowing so many others want cruelty is stunning and sad. Yet, I would rather be clear-eyed about it going forward than not.
Yes, this was a very harsh, cruel way to discover that yes, a lot of people in this country are, in fact, as bad as you thought or even worse. Everyone, check on your empathic friends - we are NOT ok.
You are absolutely correct. Lies, hatred, and conspiracy theory won over truth, compassion, and caring for those less fortunate. That is why I am devastated and in shock and quite frankly, filled with rage that I am still trying to control.
John, once again you expressed every word I feel through my core. While volunteering for Harris/Walz I met so many wonderful folks & that feeling of joy and pride in our Country will be with me forever. Today, I can honestly say knowing we did everything we could to unite and move forward, my karma is in a good place. Whatever happens the next 4 years will not affect me or my family. That's the tragic piece, it will gravely affect THEM. Unfortunately we/us can't help them.
A very wise and dear friend said to me the other day, " ... this time we have to let them fall. We take care of ourselves and our families. We move forward along with the rest of the world. " As difficult and harsh as that sounds, I hope it's what many of US will do. Especially our DEM congress
The majority in our country are "good people", we will continue to do what we do, be who we are. Work for the greater good.
Your words always provide thoughtful unity and healing, as always I'm grateful to you and this special group you've brought together. 🌹💙🦋
Unfortunately what happens in the next four years will affect all of us regardless of how we voted. We live and work in the US. Any changes to our education system, our healthcare system, our social security and medicare/medicaid system etc etc affects all of us. Not voting for trump does not give us a "get out of jail free" pass on the misery that is about to be inflicted on the entire country. I do agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your comments.
My father, who died just three years ago, was one of the last people alive to have known Karl Barth, the Swiss-German theologian and anti-Nazi activist, personally. Barth was the author of the Barmen Declaration, rejecting the Nazi Party’s attempt to usurp the German Protestant Church by forcing them to swear an oath to Adolf Hitler. He was lucky in that he was allowed to return to his native Switzerland, where my father studied under him. His co-author, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wasn’t so lucky: He was imprisoned and executed by the Nazis. Don’t think it can happen in the US? It already is.
John, I agree with every word you say. These people voted for division and chaos rather than unity and common cause. Unbelievable. I’m still in shock. And struggling to figure out what to do next, although I’ll tell you now I’m not giving up. Why else are we here? Just as it’s always been, each generation has to assert (and re-assert) our human rights. I’m with you, and this community, now and always.
I agree with a lot of this. Many Americans see the world the way you described. Only their group are “real Americans.” Liberals, progressives, democrats, LGBTQ, and POC are not real Americans in their view. That is very painful to acknowledge. But I offer a little caution. Lots of folks who voted for Trump voted solely because of inflation and a memory that prices were lower in Trump’s first administration. They don’t understand that the inflation was global, that the dems did a lot to bring it down, and that Trump’s policies will actually increase inflation not reduce it. So while many voters fit your explanation, others voted out of ignorance not malice. The so-called low information voter is also much to blame for this atrocity.
If the worst of humanity sells, I am proud I did not buy it. I won’t capitulate or cower in the wake of meritocracy and outright stupidity. Buyer beware. There is a no return policy. What goes around comes around. I will still be standing. How about them apples?
MAGA screamed "Hope and Joy are not a policy!" because, to paraphrase Orwell, "They can't bear you to feel like that... because if you're happy inside yourself, why should you get excited about [Trump, & mass deportations & transpeople] & all the rest of their bloody rot?" And they have got themselves to the point where they enjoy fear and hatred (probably for the adrenaline rush) more than anything else...
John, I’ve been trying to put a better spin on this, but it’s not working. I am United Methodist (the open hands, open hearts, open minds Christians), and I just cannot see myself being more than cursory polite to people I know voted for Trump. I can do the agape love for them—but (as Anne Lamott says), I definitely do not want to go to lunch with them. The most depressing thing for me is how the Trumper “Christians” are totally ignoring Jesus’ teachings for cherry-picked Bible verses that support their meanness and hatred of anyone who dares to be “different” from them. And these are the people who are trying to cram their version of Christianity down the throats of the rest of us. I recently had interaction with one of this group, and I was disgusted with her behavior—felt like I needed a spiritual shower. But here’s the thing—these people were out there long before Trump got elected the first time, and they’ll be there long after he’s gone. Now, of course, they feel like they have the power. Right—just keep thinking that, Trumpers.
If it helps, Adam Kinzinger refers to this moment as Dunkirk, a setback before the final victory. I applaud those like him and you for continuing to stand strong. I believe that better days will come again like we hoped, once TFG is out of office for good and dead. Until then he is just a cancer that ruins everything. He’s just so toxic that it was impossible for us to be united regardless of who would win. Once he’s truly gone we will then be able to exhale, heal and start reconstructing democracy and everyone’s rights. I may be on a high from seeing Wicked over the weekend, but I do know that we must keep going and not let this overcome us. For some reason we all are being sent many challenges right now- my dog needs ACL surgery too- but we will endure.
I live in a very red rural area. I keep reading that I should go out and participate in my community to 'help with healing' after this disastrous election.
To be honest, I don't want to. I don't want to be a part of this hateful population who might be nice to your face but who voted for the coming awfulness and are proud of themselves.
I do belong to my local Democratic Party and we worked so hard to offer hope and positivity, as did Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz. I think they did a fantastic job in the short time they were given. We ourselves were so optimistic, only to be saddened by the pervasiveness of hate and revenge indicated by the results of the election.
I no longer look forward to seeing people that I had considered to be friends who I know voted for this division. I could sort of understand being naive enough to vote for 45 the first time, but now worry that if someone voted for 47, that person is just like him. And that makes me sick.
I'm looking for a way out of this feeling of dread and isolation, and I'm not finding it.
Same, Martha. It’s hard to look at my friends who voted for him the same way. I feel betrayed by my fellow Americans.
Same. To the letter.
You are not alone.
Well said.
I remember think on the day after Election Day, 2016 that America was as racist as I thought it might be. In 2024, I decided that not only are lots of Americans racist, they are ignorant and stupid. Yes, I said stupid. They check out a set of tires more seriously than candidates for office. They will get the government they deserve, but the rest of us will be brought along for the horrible ride. No, I am not ready to make nice with some people I know who voted for 45. They showed themselves to be nasty and racist way before 2024. They just followed their actual nature in this election. They also think they are Christians.
Ok, I’m stealing this one. Says it perfectly. They check out a set of tires more seriously than candidates for office.
John this is absolutely true: thank you for articulating the issue so clearly. However, I would like to point out that you haven't mentioned the 80 million eligible voters who didn't vote--yes, more than those who voted for the Orange Felon. I blame them. Because they were too chicken-sh*t to come out and admit that their misogyny, sexism, and racism kept them home. That the prospect of a woman of color as Commander in Chief was so horrific they were willing to let the Orange Felon and his toxic narcissist pals and minions run the show. That they had so little foresight or real self awareness to allow this to happen and to think that their lives would not be adversely affected by their non-choice. Yes: I blame them.
Thank you for clearly and cogently articulating what many of us have argued for the weeks since the great division. It has been so disheartening to listen to the self serving explanations for “the loss.” I’m still stuck in the “anger” stage of grief right now, seemingly unable to move on, and, frankly, too exhausted to put my grief into words. Thanks for doing it for me, and for the multitude who are stuck in place with me. I’ll keep trying to dislodge my bruised mind from the anger and disbelief and face the reality of “what went wrong” and focus energy on meeting it head on.
Pitch perfect message today, John. For myself the only thing I would say differently is that I do not feel like an idiot. I feel heartbroken, yet damn glad to be US. Knowing so many others want cruelty is stunning and sad. Yet, I would rather be clear-eyed about it going forward than not.
Yes, this was a very harsh, cruel way to discover that yes, a lot of people in this country are, in fact, as bad as you thought or even worse. Everyone, check on your empathic friends - we are NOT ok.
Excellent piece. You absolutely nailed it. Very discouraging.
You are absolutely correct. Lies, hatred, and conspiracy theory won over truth, compassion, and caring for those less fortunate. That is why I am devastated and in shock and quite frankly, filled with rage that I am still trying to control.
John, once again you expressed every word I feel through my core. While volunteering for Harris/Walz I met so many wonderful folks & that feeling of joy and pride in our Country will be with me forever. Today, I can honestly say knowing we did everything we could to unite and move forward, my karma is in a good place. Whatever happens the next 4 years will not affect me or my family. That's the tragic piece, it will gravely affect THEM. Unfortunately we/us can't help them.
A very wise and dear friend said to me the other day, " ... this time we have to let them fall. We take care of ourselves and our families. We move forward along with the rest of the world. " As difficult and harsh as that sounds, I hope it's what many of US will do. Especially our DEM congress
The majority in our country are "good people", we will continue to do what we do, be who we are. Work for the greater good.
Your words always provide thoughtful unity and healing, as always I'm grateful to you and this special group you've brought together. 🌹💙🦋
Unfortunately what happens in the next four years will affect all of us regardless of how we voted. We live and work in the US. Any changes to our education system, our healthcare system, our social security and medicare/medicaid system etc etc affects all of us. Not voting for trump does not give us a "get out of jail free" pass on the misery that is about to be inflicted on the entire country. I do agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your comments.
My father, who died just three years ago, was one of the last people alive to have known Karl Barth, the Swiss-German theologian and anti-Nazi activist, personally. Barth was the author of the Barmen Declaration, rejecting the Nazi Party’s attempt to usurp the German Protestant Church by forcing them to swear an oath to Adolf Hitler. He was lucky in that he was allowed to return to his native Switzerland, where my father studied under him. His co-author, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, wasn’t so lucky: He was imprisoned and executed by the Nazis. Don’t think it can happen in the US? It already is.
John, I agree with every word you say. These people voted for division and chaos rather than unity and common cause. Unbelievable. I’m still in shock. And struggling to figure out what to do next, although I’ll tell you now I’m not giving up. Why else are we here? Just as it’s always been, each generation has to assert (and re-assert) our human rights. I’m with you, and this community, now and always.
Thank you, David, for sharing that history. ❤
I agree with a lot of this. Many Americans see the world the way you described. Only their group are “real Americans.” Liberals, progressives, democrats, LGBTQ, and POC are not real Americans in their view. That is very painful to acknowledge. But I offer a little caution. Lots of folks who voted for Trump voted solely because of inflation and a memory that prices were lower in Trump’s first administration. They don’t understand that the inflation was global, that the dems did a lot to bring it down, and that Trump’s policies will actually increase inflation not reduce it. So while many voters fit your explanation, others voted out of ignorance not malice. The so-called low information voter is also much to blame for this atrocity.
Thank you for not lumping them all together. That just makes the divide worse.
If the worst of humanity sells, I am proud I did not buy it. I won’t capitulate or cower in the wake of meritocracy and outright stupidity. Buyer beware. There is a no return policy. What goes around comes around. I will still be standing. How about them apples?
MAGA screamed "Hope and Joy are not a policy!" because, to paraphrase Orwell, "They can't bear you to feel like that... because if you're happy inside yourself, why should you get excited about [Trump, & mass deportations & transpeople] & all the rest of their bloody rot?" And they have got themselves to the point where they enjoy fear and hatred (probably for the adrenaline rush) more than anything else...
John, I’ve been trying to put a better spin on this, but it’s not working. I am United Methodist (the open hands, open hearts, open minds Christians), and I just cannot see myself being more than cursory polite to people I know voted for Trump. I can do the agape love for them—but (as Anne Lamott says), I definitely do not want to go to lunch with them. The most depressing thing for me is how the Trumper “Christians” are totally ignoring Jesus’ teachings for cherry-picked Bible verses that support their meanness and hatred of anyone who dares to be “different” from them. And these are the people who are trying to cram their version of Christianity down the throats of the rest of us. I recently had interaction with one of this group, and I was disgusted with her behavior—felt like I needed a spiritual shower. But here’s the thing—these people were out there long before Trump got elected the first time, and they’ll be there long after he’s gone. Now, of course, they feel like they have the power. Right—just keep thinking that, Trumpers.
True but… nothing we can do but let the idiocy play out and try to protect the vulnerable while loudly making clear that This is what they chose
Protecting the vulnerable is one of the most important things we can do.
If it helps, Adam Kinzinger refers to this moment as Dunkirk, a setback before the final victory. I applaud those like him and you for continuing to stand strong. I believe that better days will come again like we hoped, once TFG is out of office for good and dead. Until then he is just a cancer that ruins everything. He’s just so toxic that it was impossible for us to be united regardless of who would win. Once he’s truly gone we will then be able to exhale, heal and start reconstructing democracy and everyone’s rights. I may be on a high from seeing Wicked over the weekend, but I do know that we must keep going and not let this overcome us. For some reason we all are being sent many challenges right now- my dog needs ACL surgery too- but we will endure.