A Day to Mourn and then Move Forward
This is a somber moment and a hard post to write. The election results are in; the outcome is not what many of us had hoped for. And there is good reason to worry. More on that below.
But for now, take a deep breath. And over the next few days, give yourself time to grieve. You voted; you did what you could. And now as VP Harris has done, we need to accept the election results and move on. Unlike Mr. Trump, who said he would cry fraud and not accept the results if he did not win, there will be no call to storm the Capitol or rally an angry mob to violence. Instead, Harris is a model of dignity and true grace in defeat. This is what democracy is supposed to looks like.
Time to Recover – and Recommit
We’re in for quite a ride over the next four years, so we need to get ready. It will take sustained attention, energy, and resolve to prevent President Trump and his Congressional sycophants from turning back the clock and undoing the progress made over the last several decades. Between Project 2025 and his own pronouncements, we should prepare for:
Efforts to dismantle “the administrative state” by eliminating, combining, or otherwise meddling with the mission, authority, and actions of our federal agencies – or even placing them fully under direct presidential control.
Attacks on science, scientists, and science-based policy
An assault on regulatory agencies, especially EPA, OSHA, FDA, USDA
The rollback of climate regulations
An expansion of oil and gas drilling
The mass roundup and deportation of “illegal” immigrants
The firing and replacement of experienced civil servants
Rollback of public health protections
More assaults on women’s reproductive rights
The appointment of an anti-vaxxer and anti-fluoride health czar, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
A reduction in military support for Ukraine
Cozying up to dictators
Stacking the courts
Tax cuts for the wealthy
Using the power of government to punish critics and opponents
Coarse, insulting, racist diatribes.
A Soulful Pause
Let’s remember that we’ve been here before, and as hard as it was, we survived. We will do so again.
I leave you with this. In 2016, Mr. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. A few days later, Saturday Night Live opened the show with Kate McKinnon at the piano rendering a soulful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s beautiful piece, Hallelujah. Take a moment to watch and listen to it here. These lyrics seem appropriate again today:
I did my best; it wasn’t much.
I couldn’t feel, so I learned to touch.
I told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you And even though it all went wrong,
I’ll stand before the Lord of song
With nothing on my lips but Hallelujah!
As Kate said when she finished: “I’m not giving up, and neither should you.” Amen, sister. WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!
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