A Country Divided

Just a few days ago, a group of people showed up at the Capitol Building in Washington DC in an attempt to block the confirmation of the electoral college votes, thereby securing Joe Biden’s win and his eventual – and inevitable – inauguration as President of the US.

In the ensuing protest, one person was killed and many more injured…and the blind left suddenly found themselves yelling and screaming with as much fervor as the right did earlier this year when BLM and Antifa burned down several American cities.

Biden’s biggest call has been for unity. He seems to believe that with his smile and aw shucks brand of charisma that he can just will the country back together again, and people can go back to their lives…the very same lives that have been destroyed by a combination of corporate outsourcing, COVID, and riots over this past year.

Since 2016, families have been torn apart owing to political leanings. Just do a search and you’ll find article after article about how Trump’s victory tore families apart, or led to divorces all over differing political ideals. And now, after 4 years and the eventual ascension of Biden to the Oval Office, people actually think that the American people can once again be united?

I think not.

Forgiveness is a hard thing to do. It’s a bitter pill to swallow and it makes sense that religion calls for it. It means being the better person, and while you acknowledge the wrongs of someone, you’re willing to no longer hold it against them. Jesus is supposed to forgive us of our own sins so long as we believe. Forgiveness and compromise are essential in relationships, but it’s also humiliating to express it. Why? Because it means that you have to realize that you’re not perfect. You’re not always right and sometimes, other people out there will have differing views than you.

The only way to avoid swallowing that bitter pill and realizing the reality of your existence is to make sure everyone conforms to your ideals…by any means necessary. You can cancel someone, bully them, make sure they can’t work in their chosen field…basically punish them for daring to disagree with you. The dopamine hit from experiencing that kind of power must be addictive, since even when you get your target to fall in line, you continue to bully them…kick them when they’re down. Real classy.

I applaud any efforts to bring the country back together, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Not for a while, anyway, and not without some serious reforms in government. And no, I don’t mean social reform…I mean governmental reform. The system is corrupt, and this past election cycle brought so much of it to light, but in the end the system still won. Biden and the corporatists have regained power, and they can continue on as they have for years, and try to recover from the 4 year blip that happened with Trump.

The trouble is, those who were silenced by the Democrats and the corporatists for so many years have had a taste of power. If Trump did anything, he woke up the sleeping giant that was the silent majority. Sure, the Trump train derailed this time, but now that they know that they can influence things, I’m sure they’ll be back in 4 years, ready to do battle this time.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not a Trump fan, but I’m not a Biden fan either. As far as I’m concerned, both sides are guilty as sin of being corrupt and purposely misleading the American people in the name of their own gains. To his credit, Trump tried to bring blue-collar work back to the US, thereby giving folks a chance to actually work and earn a living. Of course, this comes at great cost to corporations who exploit cheap/child labor overseas, but really, what kind of consumer base are you going to have if no one’s making any money?

Now, maybe it’s not as bad as I think. I mean people are still able to buy what they need to survive, but only just. At 65, a lot of these people are going to be fucked and fucked hard by the system because they couldn’t put any money away. I mean shit, I’m in that boat now since I’m unemployed, but I’m talking about people who worked all their lives, only to become destitute when they can no longer work.

The Democrats are calling for unity and a cessation of hostilities. It’s not going to happen. Trump’s base feel he was cheated and the election stolen, and I’m sure for the next 4 years Biden is going to be dealing with a shitstorm that made the BLM/Antifa riots look like a peaceful protest by comparison. This was no hockey game. Sportsmanship does not figure into any of this. There is no ‘yes we beat you, but good game’ vibe anymore. People are angry. They feel cheated. They poured their blood, sweat, and tears into this only to have it taken away by questionable means and political maneuvers from a party more well-versed in the game.

Yeah, I don’t see this getting any better. In fact, I think 2021 is going to be the year America really and truly burns.