Democracy Died Yesterday
I’m jealous of someone.
I posted on facebook this morning at like 3am, “And that’s how democracy died.” And that’s the beginning of the grieving process. It’s a vent. It’s a very brief rant. It’s a cry for solidarity to the people that are grieving with me. And wouldn’t you know it, but a smug trumper cousin of mine commented, “Looks to me like democracy in action”. The callous disregard for what I might be feeling. The self-righteous pomp. The utter depravity of such a comment. A comment which I deleted without engagement.
He’s celebrating today. Probably. He’s happy. Glutting himself on liberal tears like his wrathful idol. I am not. But you know what? I’m not jealous of that cousin. I feel no envy for him. I feel contempt and pity for him. For falling for the lies of a petty dictator with dementia who is now going to steer our government for as long as they’ll let him as his cognitive abilities decline over the coming weeks? Months? Years? before handing the keys over to a ding-dong who will be as ineffectual as his is annoying and snivelling.
I am not jealous of Donald Trump either. He has my hatred. He has my contempt. But not my envy. I don’t want to be him. I want him to be put to pasture like he should have been last night. I’m not jealous of JD Vance. He’s nothing. A hanger on. A yes-man. I never want to be like him.
Instead, consider that this election was on the edge of a blade. A coin flip. As much of a tossup as any election ever has been. And if you believe in the multiverse, there is a world where I am feeling great. I am happy, triumphant, and hopeful for the future. Still worried about climate change, the economy, and my bills, but happy for the day and the possibilities for his daughter’s future where a woman can be president. Breezing through work. Savoring his coffee. Enjoying a long lunch with a friend while they talk about how close the election was.
That me is who I envy. All the moreso because he doesn’t think anything of me. Indeed, he actively avoids thinking of me. And I envy him all the more because of it.
Good luck out there everyone. It’s not going to get better yet. But maybe someday.