When Donald Trump was elected in 2024, it brought down a cascade of despair “unlike any one has ever seen” to borrow his own phrase. It was a perfect time for Democrats and Independents to finally understand the outrageous “despair” MAGAns felt about Biden after 2020. Remember when they were so distraught they stormed the Capitol and claimed—still believe–the election was stolen?
Anyone but MAGA, however, nestled into pupa stage after 2024 and waited in their Chrysalis for the 2026 Midterms. They demonstrated and talked and hollered and even called Trump and MAGA names, but wait, peacefully, they did.
Now, the fully-formed butterflies are bursting from confinement and getting ready to spread their wings.
There is a plethora of professional pundits profiting by preaching about modern political life. Have at it, boys and girls. Live long and prosper, especially in this tribe over truth world.
But there is an aspect of the entire circus that is heart-breaking and may or may not be an omen for not only the United States but the world: The forgotten and discarded decent politicians who could have worked together to save us from ourselves.
In the spirit of avoiding censure from ANY tribe, no names will be mentioned but hopefully smart people of both tribes, plus independents who are really independent, will recognize this fact: Good, decent, intelligent people running for office will never* get elected.
Better Conservative and Liberal Minds (BCALM) know the value of debate between the two, and how one makes the other better. BCALMs innately understand a difference is philosophy is NOT a reason to hate someone. Or fear them, especially in America.
We currently state if you don’t agree Joe’s Pizza is better than Donnie’s Pizza, you are an idiot, and vice versa. And angry partisans suggest you are un-American and need to be eliminated in figurative and sometimes literal ways. Is this analogy and symbolism enough to make you see the point or do I need to explain it? Yes, I’m comparing politics to pizza and using…
True beliefs are not Evil.** And not everyone whose belief is different from yours is Evil. (see footnote.)
It is a sad time for America and its politics when the tribe you belong to, not the beliefs you hold or the nature of your character, inspires voting choices. A mythical***, unintended consequence is a decent, moderate Conservative Republican in the fictional state of Greenland**** losing an election to a vile, despicable Liberal Democrat. Or vice versa.
We can all rise up and shout denunciations about a two-party system and how power corrupts, but that is an exhaust plume clouding our view and destroying the political ozone layer. The problem is us, the voter. Many well-intentioned butterflies and other vertebrates will vote today, and probably 96.788% of them will vote the Party/Tribe line.
We are truly a nation of dummies, brainless, mindless, insects.
But some of us sure look good.
*You might think I should use the word “rarely” but shut up and just enjoy the needless hyperbole.
**Again, not really a fact but a point. There are some beliefs not only evil but dastardly, as well. Extremes have no place in this essay or the world…maybe. Also, Evil capitalized for effect.
***Truly hyperbolic–but great–sarcasm.
****Yes, I went there. Not literally.
