Welcome to my world, Americans

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So, you’ve got a megalomaniac leader who wants to turn your democracy into a dictatorship, theocracy or worse? A health minister with a worm-eaten brain, a criminal in charge of justice, an oil billionaire in charge of the environment and a reigning group of thugs who yell they are going to build things better, but in the meantime, are just planning on tearing it down? Did the guy who’s about to be handed the keys talk about peace while he means to help extend the wars (or let the worst sides win)? Do you have a couple of billionaires who are going to create a plan for “efficiency,” that will not make the government work better, but could make your country more efficient at funneling dollars into their pockets?

Welcome to our world!

I know! He’s back! The first time around, his politics were bad, but he was “good” for business; he was messy, but someone managed to keep him just on the right side of the law. More things fell apart due to bumbling than actual intention. For example, there was that bit at the beginning of COVID over by you when mask-wearing was frowned upon and vaccines weren’t pushed. More idiocy than real malevolence, even if the end result was the same. But hey, he could blame the Chinese, right?

And now he’s shed any skin of civility or reason he may have once displayed and morphed into a villainous persona that doesn’t care, in the least, about the rest of you. He’ll destroy everything around him in the name of greed and self-preservation. Heh heh heh.

The bright side for you? You now have four years to figure it out, figure out how to defeat them.

Do I have any advice for you? Does a slug eat lettuce?

First of all, I advise you to try to limit the hand-wringing (Ok, I know it’s not 100% possible.) Do you need to ask what went wrong? Only if you want to do better next time. Not if you only mean to point fingers. Are you part of an elite that’s lost touch? Don’t agonize or apologize for your skin color or level of education. Ask where you bear responsibility. Are you angry? Good! Ask yourself how you will use your anger. Talk to others who voted the same way you did; get together with them to discuss what should be done. Join a political or civil society group if you have to.

Second, limit your exposure to the news cycle. Really. We’ve learned to do this here for our peace of mind. But if you are going to consume news, try to do it responsibly. Truth may be malleable, but facts are not. You may know for a fact that Haitians are not eating neighborhood pets, but being informed on all sides of the immigration issue might help you understand where the fear is coming from, on the one hand, and the effect of immigration on the economy, on the other. Remember Facebook is not your friend, and for g-d-sakes, put an X through your X. Believe absolutely nothing you see on TikTok.

Third, pick your battles, and then go into them with whatever energy you have to spare. You can’t fight everything that is about to befall your country, but you can help women obtain abortions or help immigrants in your state get proper health care on the job. You can stop eating meat in protest over the dismantling of environmental protection, or teach your children about racial dynamics and encourage them to read books that explain gender identity. Put up a sign in your yard. You can become aware of those whose lives are endangered by unfair decision-making and stand with them, whether it is the elderly living off social security or blacks who are targeted by the police.

Fourth, you may not succeed, certainly not right away. Remember, you are in this struggle for the long term. Change might really take another four years (or past the end of your life). It can be disheartening, I know. Believe me, I know. If you’re my age and thought you could retire peacefully, you have two choices: One involves a hole in the sand, the other involves setting new priorities. You’ll get through it by refusing to let them change you in any fundamental ways. You can insist on knowing right from wrong. That is your first task. That and surviving the next four years. Everything else should follow from these first principles.

Fifth, even though I don’t subscribe to the narcissistic, “me-time first” trope, I do recommend you create opportunities to go out with friends or family, plant a garden, read a book, take up cooking, baking or knitting, etc. Rewatch the Monty Python routine that reminds you what’s funny about the Spanish Inquisition. Take vacations: The s—t will still be there when you come back. Hug your spouses, parents and children and pets as often as possible. Do things that lift your spirits and let you bring a bit of positivity into your movement. Then go down the street to your voter registration center or Planned Parenthood with the feeling that what you do can make a difference, rather than one that you are acting out of desperation.

It will probably be as bad as they say, if not worse. There is some heavy warm brown stuff sitting on your shoulders, Americans. Just remember, you have the power to turn it into compost, if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and deal with what is bound to be some pretty unpleasant muck. Grab a shovel and start digging: At the very least, it will keep you from wringing your hands.