The Day After Election Day

One week ago, Wednesday, or The Day After Election Day, November 6, 2024, I woke up to find that Donald Trump was the President-Elect of the United States.

The Democrats went too far to the right. They went too far to the left. They didn’t have the right message. Biden should have stepped aside earlier. Democratic leadership shouldn’t have hidden Biden’s true condition. Harris didn’t separate herself from the Biden Administration sufficiently. Harris couldn’t counter inflation. Harris failed as “border czar.” She should have chosen someone other than Walcz to be a running mate. Harris wasted money on podcasts.

The above and countless other rationales (excuses) have been laid at the feet of the Democratic party as Democrats and disappointed Independents and disaffected Republicans mourn the election of Trump.
Enough with the finger pointing.

The voters had a clear choice

Vice President Kamala Harris on behalf of the Democratic Party.

Harris had a very short time in which to put together a campaign after President Biden decided to step down. In the 107 days available, Harris chose a running mate in Minnesota Governor Tim Walcz and campaigned non-stop. She offered a message of unity and declared her presidency would be one for all Americans. Harris vowed to take steps to have the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes to support the nation and the people who had helped make them wealthy and to implement policies that would stabilize the middle class.

And in the opposite corner . . .

Twice-impeached ex-president, convicted felon, and wannabe dictator, Donald Trump on behalf of the Republican Party.

Trump had tried to remain in office by inciting an insurrection on January 6 at the US Capitol following the election of Joe Biden. He promised to begin deporting millions of illegal immigrants immediately and save what he called the failing US economy by putting large tariffs on consumer goods from other countries. Leading economists repeatedly stated that the implementation of both these plans would likely result in severe economic recession.

At Trump’s rallies, he became more and more unhinged in his speech and action, sometimes appearing unable to string together three coherent sentences. He lied incessantly about Harris, about the state of the country and claimed many of Biden’s successes for himself. He refused to provide his medical records for public inspection. He started talking about revenge on his political foes and at one point suggested Liz Cheney should face a firing squad because she had worked with Democrats on the January 6 committee.

Even though Trump has close ties to Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation Handbook that provides the plan for the next conservative president, he denied any connection. He also said he would not impose a national abortion ban, even though he had promised previously to do so.

Former staffers and prominent Republicans spoke out against Trump and informed the country that he was a threat to democracy and the rule of law. Those courageous citizens endorsed Harris for president, citing that, though they did not agree with her policies, she would respect the rule of law and uphold the Constitution.

The message from Trump, when it was coherent, made apparent his plans to govern as an authoritarian and overthrow the rule of law. Based on his words and on his actions when he was president, it was clear that he would not respect established norms and the rule of law. Even clearer was his need to be elected so that he would not have to go to jail.

Racism and sexism

are mentioned many times as contributing to the Harris loss, but mostly in passing through to some other, supposedly more significant reason.

When the Democrats nominated Vice President Kamala Harris, a woman of color of Asian and Jamaican descent, I had a twinge of misgiving. I suppressed it. I thought, no, the United States of America is beyond making decisions about people based on their gender and their color.

Harris so frightened Trump during their only debate that he refused to do another. As she carried herself, poised and in control, through rallies and speeches, as she ran a campaign without focus on gender or color, I thought she could pull it off.

As Trump became more incoherent and unhinged, as he continued his lies and name-calling, I wondered how anyone in their right mind could vote for such an odious candidate. Now, Trump has won election to the planet’s highest office twice, both times over better qualified women. What does that say about US voters?

Now, I mildly berate myself and wonder why I ever thought Harris had a chance. After all, I could count on my fingers and toes the number of people I was sure would vote for Harris. I could count on one hand the number of people I thought could . . . maybe . . . might vote for Harris. The counting of those who have stated they would never vote for a woman, especially a woman of color, combined with those I know who would never vote for a Democrat would take significantly longer. A poll of my closest friends revealed the same situation among their families and acquaintances.

I know it’s anecdotal. I don’t think there’s any exit polling or statistics that prove my case. Yet, I believe that if the Democratic candidate had been a male, the country would not be teetering on razor’s edge, democracy on one side, an egotistical, self-serving autocrat on the other.

Add to the “people who cannot vote for a woman or a Democrat” basket the voters who stayed home for whatever reason and the right-wing media outlets which spew hate, misogyny and lies about whatever suits their purpose and we find ourselves right where we are.

Point your finger at yourself

Whatever the reason, if you voted for Trump or if you sat home in some sort of protest (e.g. Gaza) or because you decided you couldn’t vote differently than your spouse, you are now the proud owner of whatever happens to the government of the United States of America. A little mean person inside me says “you will get what you deserve.” The better me laments that your vote is likely to place us all in chaos and turmoil for years to come.

While Trump continues down the path to authoritarianism and enriching those who are already rich and, as he

• • Goes down the road of wreaking revenge on his political opponents;
  • Pardons the criminals responsible for the January 6 insurrection (including himself);
  • Begins to implement tariffs and deportations that will most likely wreck the economy;
  • Appoints unqualified yes men (and women) to high-level jobs;
  • Lets you “face a little hardship” brought on by the Department of Government Efficiency;
  • Destroys the country’s standing in the eyes of the world; and
  • Takes the steps disregarding climate change and the environment that stay the current course of destroying the planet itself —

Perhaps you can take solace in owning the libs. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about any of that “woke” stuff. Tell your grandchildren that is your legacy to them.