It is the day after election day and curiously I am disappointed and relieved at the same time. I am disappointed that more than 50% of my fellow Americans decided to vote a convicted felon to the presidency. But I am relieved that it wasn't a close call. I am sure that the country could not have suffered through another insurrection moment like the previous Jan 6th event. For this, I am grateful and very relieved that DJT got a significant majority. Does this mean that I value democracy and that this relief comes from the fact that the democratic ideals were preserved in this victory? Maybe.
As a loyal registered Democrat, I did the dutiful thing and voted for Kamala Harris even though I wasn't entirely convinced she was the right person for the job. I guess I was also guilty of ignoring the warnings about the big shift to the left by the Democrats. It is particularly painful in California where the left-leaning Democrats have taken this to the extreme. Yet, I still gave them the benefit of the doubt even when several of my neighborhood friends slowly but surely turned away from the Democrats and voted for Trump. At first, I was dumb struck at their choice - how could they vote such a person to the presidency? But after the election results, I realized that maybe I was the one who was deluded.
I stopped watching TV many years ago and so a large part of my delusion was fed by the antics of several clever and hilarious personalities such as Jon Stewart, Desi Lydic, John Oliver and Stephen Colbert. Surely, they could not be wrong about what is good for America, right? I stand corrected. The people have spoken and time will tell if this was the right thing for America. As an American, I hope the next 4 years are good for America and that we will continue to make this country shine.
My final thought is this - I am now more politically awake that I have ever been before. I sort of switched off the political part of my brain when Al Gore lost to Bush Junior - my political spark died that day. Thanks, Florida :-). Besides, the irony is not lost on me - the state that cost Al Gore the election is the one that is suffering from the after effects of global warming.
But this recent election has awakened me again ....
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