Back in October 2017, I made a decision to uproot my life in the United Kingdom and move back to the United States. It was not a decision that I made lightly. The Trump Administration was nearly through it’s first full year and the damage it was inflicting on the United States was already apparent to see, and this was well before anyone had heard of COVID 19.
But, the opportunity to return to work at Kaiser Permanente, and to be closer to my family in the states was too good to say no to. So I embarked on a three year plus journey of packing and shipping belongings from Southeast London to a new home in Oakland, California.
Add to this, all the cumulative drama and stress of the 2020 Presidential campaign, knowing that a 2nd Trump term would be nothing less than a fatal blow to American democracy. It was weeks upon weeks of hearing how this was the MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION…EVER! And how it was a life or death choice for the future of our nation. And let’s be clear. It totally was. The election of Joe Biden was a course correction for a car that was literally racing full speed towards a cliff.
I had high hopes that the clear defeat of Donald Trump by Joe Biden, combined with the Democratic Party gaining control of the United States Senate (albeit by only one vote), would bring normality back to life here in the USA and to be fair to a certain degree it has. It as been a blessed relief not to turn the news on each day and be bombarded with whatever the latest insanity is, billowing out of an incompetent narcissist hell bent on using the Presidency for nothing other than his own self-aggrandizement and financial enrichment.
President Biden has been wonderfully… boring. So, what’s the problem?
The problem is the Republican Party, (or more accurately, the deranged cult of national self -destruction calling itself the “Republican Party”.) The party formerly known as the GOP has decided once and for all to throw reality in the bin, and embrace insanity. 2022, and 2024 like 2020 will be seemingly unending campaigns of Diversity, equity and opportunity versus violent white supremacist extremism. Rational global leadership and engagement, versus mindless xenophobic isolationism.
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Arizona GOP Tweet
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A dynamic that manifests not just with national races like the Presidential and Congressional contests, but one that has infected down ticket races as well. With campaigns for Governors, State legislatures, County boards, City Councils and School Boards all turning into life or death battles where facts and reason have to complete against the worst forms of hate based stupidity. With the centerpiece of the GOP platform being, not one of policy or ideas. But a hate fueled populism to which the Republican party is addicted and has no interest or desire to try to free itself from.
With over 40% of Americans gleefully siding with chaos candidates, not because it is in their best interests, but solely for the dopamine hit of having
“Owned the libs!” What is now all too clear, is that EVERY election for here on out will be a life or death battle of sanity versus Trump-based insanity. The irony being Donald Trump isn't even a factor anymore. His monster has broken out of the MAGA Lab and running loose around the country side infecting villagers with its madness.
So I will be honest, the idea that we will go through a new iteration of 2020 every two years from here on out; has me questioning the viability of staying in the United Sates. I love our life here, but I am truly wondering if the America I know, the American I love, the nation of E Pluribus Unum has crossed a line that we will be trying to redraw for the next 50 years. I don't know if I have the energy for that.
I am tired of being told I have to "pick a side" between racial justice and respect for law enforcement. I am tired of having to refight the basic battles for Civil Rights. I am tired of living in a country where nearly 40% of the electorate thinks that if people they don't like get to vote, it somehow makes their vote mean less I am tired of living with the uncertainty that a supreme court packed with appointees by a anti-democratic narcissist might just decide to hear some random "red state" court case, filed by anti-LGBT nut jobs hell bent on making my life a criminal offense.
I know that last thing anyone wants to think about right now are the 2022 midterm elections. But (and it gives me no pleasure to say it...) that election will be (again) the most important vote of our lifetime.
I guess I am just hoping that we all remember that. Because I for one am tired of trying to convince that 40% that the death of American Democracy isn't "Owning the Libs!" But rather delivering a fatal blow to for their hopes and dreams as well.
