You know that moment in the old TV Westerns when a gritty, exhausted man on a horse rides into town with grim news: “We’re on our own. The cavalry isn’t coming.” It’s when the town folk realize that no one else is going to save them. Suddenly, reality sinks in, and everything becomes crystal clear. They accept the hard truth: We must save ourselves.
It’s been a helluva couple of weeks, my fellow Americans. And I’m pretty certain the cavalry isn’t coming.
Frankly, I’m still in disbelief after the 2024 presidential election results. As one distraught friend said, they’ve been staring into space a lot trying to understand why decent people voted for that man. I don’t get it either.
How is it possible that once again the American people chose the worst person in the world over a smart, decent woman – for the second time in eight years? A woman with more character, integrity and work experience than the other guy could ever dream of.
Good grief. What a pitiful loss. A bloodbath. Seven swing states.
Upon my own self-reflection, I believe that I overestimated the importance of a candidate’s civility and decency to voters, some of them people I know and love. I let my emotions get the better of me. I mean, you don’t have to love someone to vote for them. I haven’t particularly liked a few flawed candidates that I ultimately supported because of their policies.
Surely, I respected them as well. Didn’t I?
It seems the worse he got, the more voters liked him. Those endless racist, sexist and misogynistic rants against Blacks, Latinos, women and others like me must have smelled like catnip to supporters.
Please don’t tell me he speaks for you. That’s downright shameful.
Nicolle Wallace of MSNBC’s “Deadline White House” said this after Election Night: “Never sanitize his victory with the shit he did to get there.”
Indeed. It was a perversion of politics. But this is what voters wanted. Decency be damned. And not just in the western world.
The day after he won, Afghanistan’s Taliban (the most extreme and radical of all Islamic terrorist organizations) offered its congratulations to the American people for “not handing leadership of their great country to a woman.”
Well, now. Isn’t that rich? Not something you’re likely to share with the grandchildren over milk and cookies.
Here’s what it comes down to: Most Americans – that’s the 75 million men and women who voted for him over her – may never be comfortable trusting a qualified woman to run this country. Notice I added “qualified” because the notion of voting for someone just because they’re a woman is insulting in 2024.
The fact that those of us with lady parts are a notch below convicted felons makes my head (and heart) hurt.
“America elected its first criminal president before electing its first female president,” comedian Desi Lydic said after the election on Comedy Central. “What a day for proud felonists.”
(Aside: Pretty sure “felonists” isn’t a word, but it should be.)
What has changed for me since Tuesday, November 5? I’m beyond navel gazing and slowly moving through the so-called five stages of grief: Denial. Depression. Anger. Bargaining. Looking forward to being on the road to acceptance. But don’t rush me, OK?
Time will tell.
Oh, and I quit watching TV news, except for local broadcasts to catch weather and sports updates about the Detroit Lions (9-1!). I’m off Facebook, reading fewer email news roundups and more books of fiction. Maybe I’ll take up knitting. (That was for my friend, Martha. Not a chance, cookie.)
I suppose these myriad emotions are required for my own self-preservation. You have to live your life, you know? Can’t be upset all of the time. Well, you could.
I mean, I’m half Italian and a lapsed Catholic. Growing up, guilt was a side dish in our household. (If you’re in the mood for cinematic retribution, then go see the movie “Conclave.” It may get you closer to the acceptance stage faster.)
In unrelated news, two large tree stumps were removed from our yard last week. I felt a rush watching workers use a special machine to yank them out of the ground in about the time it takes for me to finish my morning oatmeal.
If it were left up to me, I would have used a chainsaw or sledge hammer on those bad boys. Or maybe just burned the damn things down and watched them smolder like charred rump roasts.
And if either of those suckers grows back, I’m dumping potassium nitrate on them to speed up the rotting process.
I know, I know. Simmer down, sister. Don’t get so worked up over a couple of stumps.
Or a lost election. Same thing happens every four years. Winners and losers. Suck it up, buttercup. Wait for 2028.
But this time everything feels different. The protective guardrails are gone. There’s global chaos. Fear and ignorance reign supreme.
American historian Heather Cox Richardson, one of the smartest people on the planet, was recently asked if democracy is viable across 332 million Americans in the 21st century.
“It’s not,” she replied. “We just demonstrated that on November 5.”
She added that the states are now in charge, and the future of the world’s oldest modern democracy is with states’ rights, meaning local and state governments will take the lead role on checking the federal government.
For example, in this election 10 states had reproductive rights on the ballot. Votes in seven of those states passed measures expanding or protecting abortion access – including Arizona and Missouri, where citizens effectively voted to overturn their state’s bans – despite not backing the Democratic ticket.
Sounds like an ass-backward way to get things done. Yet I do recall a time not so long ago when states’ rights were a hallmark of the GOP, when democracy was far preferable to an autocratic system.
Time will tell.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris said in her November 6 speech at Howard University in Washington.
Keep fighting, friends. Keep reminding yourself that half of this great country did the right thing. We are not alone. We will emerge from this, but likely not unscathed.
And I’m pretty sure we are the cavalry that’s going to save us.
26 Comments
Mo Baudhuin
Grateful for your on-point writing and for you. xo
Jennifer John
Thanks, Mo.
Julie Sayers
I fear he is going to try to do everything he said he would do. He is surrounding himself with the people he needs to do so. We can only pray there are some sane Republicans in Congress.
Jennifer John
From your lips to God’s ears, JS.
Corinne O’Reilly
Thank you, sister, for bringing me a sense of reality. The pit in my stomach can’t be blamed anymore on me eating a full half gallon of ice cream with a big spoon in one sitting. Asking “why?” has vanished from my thoughts. But seeing our American flag waving in all its history, splendor and pride still brings me a sense of calm and will wave in front of my house hopefully forever.
Jennifer John
Forever. Thanks, sis.
Kathie Grevemeyer
Excellent post! I so agree with all said. I’m personally hoping in 2 years people will have regrets and vote for Democrats to replace the Republicans in office both national and locally. I think enough chaos will have happened by then. I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand how what I call “good people” would be Trump supporters. It’s not like you can ask them in this time of such extreme opinions. I’m so old, I can actually remember being able to talk with people without worrying about getting shot!
Really the most depressing news I heard on one of the local shows is the numbers that show Trump didn’t win with much more than in 2020, and even though more registered Republicans voted, it was because of the Democrats that didn’t vote at all that lost MI. If that’s not sad, I don’t know what is?
Keep writing, I so enjoy your blog.
Jennifer John
Love your thoughtful comments, KG.
Lenore Leah Devlin
Jen, I can’t believe it either. I am truly frightened for this country. Putin welcomed his victory as the beginning of a new world order. What does that mean? He who shall not be named also said vote for me and you won’t have to vote anymore. Is he planning to change the Constitution? I have so many questions. What is wrong with us? He is going to save us? Who is going to save us from him? HELP!
Jennifer John
Never give up.
Martha
Well done, my friend. I am just rounding the corner of the final stages of grief thanks to the brilliant Heather Cox Richardson. Democracy as I’ve known it is in for a transformation from big D to little d. Fear and Trepidation are not the horses I’ll be saddling up in the future when I join the cavalry. I’ll be on Tenacious with several skeins of yarn and needles in my backpack, thank you very much!
Love you, my comrade in arms.
Jennifer John
Let’s ride!
Kelly Coleman
Bravo. I feel like we will be playing whack a mole for the next 4 years.
Jennifer John
Thanks, Kel.
Vicky Lettmann
Your post today echoed my reactions, Jen.
Well said!
I had a heart-to-heart talk with a good friend who voted for the beast. I forgive her, but it has cast a deep shadow on our friendship. How can so many people put a bad person in charge of our nation? He would not qualify as the CEO of a small company, and now he’s our leader. Tears.
Always look forward to your posts.
Jennifer John
Always nice to hear from you, Vicky.
Maureen Dunphy
Thank you, Jen, once again for your spot-on, fine writing. It’s needed more than ever now.
Jennifer John
Thanks, MD.
Laurie Marlow
Shock and disbelief don’t begin to describe what I feel about some of my fellow Americans. Surely one despicable lowlife can’t bring this (formerly) great country down in four years? We survived his previous four — we can only hope for the strength to survive the next four years! Thank you, Jen, for your thoughts and wisdom.
Jennifer John
Pretty wise yourself, L. We sure miss seeing you!
Mikolas Sharon
The more I hear about what he’s doing, the more I hate him. I am not convinced he won this election fairly. I think the Dems need to do some investigations, and it’s not just sour grapes. They are finding some odd discrepancies in the voting machines, lots a ballots in one place with only votes for him, nothing down ballot.
And, boy, do I feel confident having Dr. Oz in charge of health care, and Robert Kennedy Jr. taking over for Dr. Fauci!
We can’t take this lying down — Dems have to fight fire with fire!
Look forward to seeing all of you soon. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jennifer John
Back atcha, SM!
emily everett
I have no words so I’m glad you do. I am scared s***less.
Jennifer John
We can say shitless. Thanks, Em.
Gary Pineau
Well said, Jennifer! I’m shocked, overwhelmed with grief, stunned and walked around for days. And I must have said “I can’t believe it” a thousand times. Anyone can see that this felon who was elected has the early stages of Alzheimer’s. In addition, he’s a liar, a cheat, a womanizer and just an overall jerk. He has and will continue to screw anybody and everybody except his millionaire/billionaire friends. But they should watch out because he has no allegiance to any other human being. Even his wife doesn’t stand beside him. We can only hope that a higher power keeps him in check.
Jennifer John
From your lips to … you know who. Thanks, Gary.