It is Pellucidly Clear that I too am delusional about

[malaise]

the promise of a more perfect union - equality and justice for all -in the USA. In reality, a good look at US history and US foreign policy speak volumes.
If you don’t believe other nations and people have the right to make their own decisions and your interests supersede everything including genocide and war crimes, it’s just words. If you think you can obliterate the history of conquest, plunder and land theft that is common to great powers, then you cannot be trusted.

Sadly, those posting that ‘this is who we are’ are correct. A convicted criminal, racist woman-hating fraudster is now the president-elect.
Those who have consistently argued about justice delayed, the corrupt SC and delays by the AG and others are correct.
Greatest country in the world is pure bullshit.

[thebigidea]

1. Maybe you just need a new stupid catchphrase

[malaise]

2. The catch phrase is not the problem but whatever n/t

[Bettie]

4. Are you the catchphrase police?

or just being rude because you are upset about....well, everything and taking it out on Malaise?

If it's the latter, I'm sorry, we're all in pain right now. Being kind to one another is the only thing we have.

[Leghorn21]

5. It's a fine catchphrase, big

And what is yours, pray tell, in the event that anyone is paying attention?

[niyad]

21. Manners are still an accepted mode of behaviour.

[groundloop]

32. EXACTLY.

And it's entirely possible to disagree with a person's ideas while still being decent.

[MustLoveBeagles]

59. Wow

Who peed in your Cheerios this morning? Your upset. We all are but that's no excuse for rudeness. If you disagree with her post say so but stop with the passive aggressive attacks.

[niyad]

72. Darn, looks like I missed another troll.

[malaise]

79. Missed ir

Just as well

[bigtree]

3. um, we were still a great country all throughout my political life

...when we had setbacks.

Hell, Reagan was an avid racist. Bushes were fundy fools.

Shit happens to good nations. Good people still exist, despite the governments we sometimes elect.

In my own state we elected a cretin republican for two terms, and now we have a Black progressive Guv.

This is a political crisis that can still be fixed by Americans resolved to make it happen.

It's occurred in the past, and we'll work to make that happen again.

No one should define a nation by it's worst inhabitants. But to your point, the U.S. has never been a perfect country. No nation is.

[malaise]

7. I hear you bro

Like you I’m an optimist , but the deep-seated racism, woman-hating and special interests’ justice cannot be ignored.

[Magoo48]

15. No, they cannot be ignored. I afraid for the near future they're gonna be all up in our grills.

I’m 76. My wife has dementia, and I feel all the years. Nevertheless, I like it here and have no intention of leaving. This is my home. Right here, right now all can see left is to resist in every fucking way I can imagine now and others I can glean along the way.

Stay strong. I’m one of your fans here and enjoy your insight.
Peace and good health

[malaise]

16. Hugs for you

[bigtree]

18. I'm with you on that

...experienced and fought against a lifetime of it, a lot of it directed at me.

Convinced it will always be a generational struggle, and that it's not Americanism, but encouragement from too many quarters for people to exercise their worst instincts - which are in all of us, I believe.

[cilla4progress]

36. And this is beyond Reagan and Bush..

this, in fact, is Putin.

[Irish_Dem]

14. It is now a perfect fascist, autocratic, hate filled country.

So America finally achieved the greatness it desires.

[llmart]

62. Add to that an oligarchy.

[oldsoftie]

66. So we start working to improve our chances in 2026.

Thats what we do.

[maptap22]

6. And I never want to hear again...

That the US is a Christian nation. 🤬

[malaise]

9. Patriarchy is the lynchpin of religion

most religions support slavery and all think their followers are superior to everyone else. I hate them all equally.

[La Coliniere]

10. Perfectly stated

and I also hate them all.

[in2herbs]

60. We must adjust our mind set that it is not a political fight, it is a religious fight and attack

the lynch pins of religious dogma with as much energy as we have always shown the political opposition. Unless we do this we will remain a patriarchy that supports slavery and oligarchs.

[malaise]

82. Great post

That separation of church and state thingy

[bigtree]

20. never was

...just something people said.

But I understand what you're saying. Puritains were the worst of religion at the start, came here ostensibly to worship as they pleased but worked to suppress all other religions.

But, Christianity isn't the worst of imaginary things that people act on.

[ancianita]

73. Agree.

The worst of imaginary things that people make real in the world is
a) mammon, and with it,
b)the buying of worldly power over decent, righteous, good faith humans.

A devil is now in the White House, and his mammon worshiping oligarch network. During the whole time we stand with the institutions that resist, they will still destroy what is good and just about government, and privatize this country.

[KPN]

70. Wear earplugs. I'm already hearing it ... from a sibling.

Well, anymore, sibling by blood only.

[Loryn]

8. I agree with you

I don't know if it's delusion, or magical thinking. I want things to be a certain way. I want good things for everyone. Maybe I am stupid and immature. The bad guys are the clear winners, just as they've always been.

[lark]

11. We are now officially a third world nation, ruled by reich wing oligarchs for our destruction.

The bad people that have been trying to take over since the 1920's have finally done it, and our constitutional democracy lies bleeding and dying in the dust. Free education - gone, retirement funds - gone, healthcare assistance - gone, overtime - gone, 40 hour work week - gone, Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, CHIP - all gone and America;s death rate soars while the rich get richer than fuck and no laws apply to them, only to us. Oh yeah, contraception and abortion are both outlawed, forced birthing is a thing and a high percentage of women die - and that's totally ok with them.

People being shot in the streets, running away from murderous deportation nazis, democrats being thrown in jail, judges and prosecutors being tried for the sin of going after one of the worst criminals in our country. Ukrainians get massively slaughtered and Russia invades Poland while we have left NATO and formed a military pact with Putin so he starts WW111 by invading Poland and we send him munitions and maybe even send the army on his side?

We are totally fucked!! Sorry - I can;t get over this total doom feeling.

[Clouds Passing]

41. We have been conditioned to fight, flight, freeze.

The US will be in full frontal tyranny soon. The “exalted elites” (facist/nazi) believe that they are superior to us, the unwashed masses, the useless eaters, the vermin, the 99%. Their fantasies of total control over others, glee in causing others to suffer, destruction of that which is good, corruption, slavery and genocide will be free to expand in full view in a short time.

I can’t shake this doom feeling either, lark.

[Lulu KC]

54. Survival biology

Thanks for bringing this up. I hadn't made that connection. So many of us wanting to run away to a better state or a better country, and some of us just freezing like a bunny rabbit in the yard who senses danger and knows they can't get to the shrubbery in time. That's exactly what's happening.

Our limbic systems give us these options when we feel our lives are at risk. Sometimes it's wisest to freeze for a bit before either fleeing or fighting.

In the end, we will need to fight, somehow. I know I need a pause before deciding how to do that. I'm the bunny in the yard, hoping the hawk flies over and mistakes me for a little pile of leaves.

[Clouds Passing]

65. There's not going to be anywhere we can run to, the US is the world's superpower, soon it's under the control

of Russia. Sorry to be doom and gloom, but this is reality very soon.

[Lulu KC]

68. Absolutely true

Doom and gloom are both appropriate now, as they have been so many times in human history. This is the first time where our actual physical survival as a species is thrown into the mix. We thought nuclear bombs were scary? Climate change on steroids will be/already are creating situations where pandemics can flourish along with starvation and water scarcity. And none of this will bring out the best in predatory humans.


Having said that, we will keep going until we can't go any more. That is what we do.


Cheers!

[Clouds Passing]

69. We must build community, no more time left to be loners

[Aussie105]

12. "Greatest country in the world is pure bullshit."

That has always been true.

Well, enough of a mixed bag of really good stuff and really bad stuff and a lot of mediocre stuff in between to call the 'greatest' part into serious question.

But it is complicated.
Just put this election result into the 'really bad' column.

[cornball 24]

42. So true IMHO! I have always thought that statement was bullshit and ELITIST

bullshit as well. I also think it enables the cretins that believe they are better than "those others"!

[llmart]

67. The meme "greatest country in the world"

I have never believed that, even as a very young person. I think that the people who believe that equate wealth with greatest, but there are so many other things that go into being a great country.

The USA could take some lessons from other countries where conspicuous consumption isn't worshipped and the populace have no problem with equality in the tax system.

[Abstractartist]

13. Agree, but

I agree with the fact that this country will never be a united, single element country. We must also look very, very deep into our own selves and say “ where did WE go wrong”.

How many questions do we as democrats need to answer, and in only 2 years…..midterm

[malaise]

17. I hope the young people continue to wake up

Only they can clean up this mess

[Abstractartist]

71. I believe

I believe in two years, there will be a reckoning with voters. Trump thinks his policies are great for this country, but when the voters, for and against him see the things are progressing, there will be a major voting change during the midterm levels. Both house and senate may fall to democrats.

Facing facts, there will be many who absolutely will regret their voting for trump. It will be too late for many though.

[ashredux]

19. " Greatest country in the world is pure bullshit.". No Shit Mo-Foe....

[Prairie_Seagull]

22. We have always had inconsistencies with our creed.

It appears now our creed is bullshit. Does this make us the most hypocritical nation on the planet? Not sure but it seems like it. Fuck it as long as I get my wegovy.

As a nation, we have completely lost the plot.

Thank the gods the admins and the rank and file for DU.

[malaise]

24. Indeed

[surfered]

25. You have to look at the bright side: Foreign policy will be easier, just do whatever Putin wants.

Hope Raphael wasn't too bad. Looks like Cuba got hit hard. Those poor people.

[angrychair]

26. Far from over my friend

It is grief and fear that grip our hearts now, that makes us believe this is some sort of given outcome. We are still a nation of laws. There are still good judges and LOTS of Democratic and pro-democracy lawyers that will fight this stuff to the bitter end.
Also, at the end of the day, politics is still politics and any extreme behavior will come back to haunt Republicans no matter what we or they may think right now.
Not saying that the next two years won't be painful, awful and disgusting but I refuse to believe that this is the final chapter in our story.
Democrats will dominate in the midterms, I truly believe that with all my heart.

[malaise]

31. I like your thinking

[jaxexpat]

52. I really like your message, angrychair, but there's one problem. You write, "We are still a nation of laws."

We are a nation where those with great wealth and power can afford exceptional justice, even freedom from accountability for evident criminality. Whereas justice for those wrongfully convicted, such as an innocent death row inmate, is non-existent.

We are not a "nation of laws". We are a people whose regulations are crafted by and to accommodate those who fear liability for violation of those laws. We have procedures which, for a few bucks, are designed to delay, forestall and ultimately prevent the well-heeled guilty any cost for their crimes. We are consumers who have bought the crazy idea that an unregulated marketplace precludes the need for consumer protection. Our interests were long ago sold out by those who profit from the false narrative which says we have no need for truth in advertising or a fairness doctrine.

Our newest generation of voters see clearly that justice is never equal. It is plainly meted out differently for different peoples. I think they're so benumbed by the blatant and unchallenged hypocrisy they can't find the energy to even cast their own vote.

If we were ever a nation of laws, none such as Donald Trump would have ever visited, much less occupied, the oval office.

[Ferrets are Cool]

57. This

[Ysabel]

80. I think you are correct...

and I really want to believe it...

[mountain grammy]

27. Right on Malaise..

[marmar]

28. The "idea" of America is a great one....

.... but it's never been that, maybe never will, but we've got to keep trying.

[Charging Triceratops]

29. Makes me think of that insipid Lee Greenwood song the fascists love...

He sings of the US: "Where at least I know I'm free."
Guess what, asshole. Millions of people in hundreds of other countries are just as free and even more free.
So, shove your American exceptionalism up your fascist ass.

[allegorical oracle]

30. Yeah, I'm woke. And I'm still proud of that despite the criminal's victory. What's more,

I'm going to be stubborn about sticking up for the principles that our party stands for.

Came across an early school reading primer that belonged to my mother, who was among "the greatest" generation. Browsing it, there were stories/poems about having pluck -- about being kind to everyone, admiring people from other countries, being kind to animals. Authors include William Cullen Bryant, Hawthorne, and Longfellow.

Then I contrasted that content with the past month of djt rallies -- calling people shameful, horrific names. Began to wonder when, how, and why did our society go so off the track? When did it become so fashionable to threaten and frighten people?

We lost one election, but we must keep our high values intact...whether "they" like it or not.

[cilla4progress]

33. Exactly, my dear malaise

How are you moving forward in wholeness?

I am ignoring the entire shitshow.

[malaise]

34. Food network

Cricket and tennis. Even weather channel

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

76. Here in the "greatest" country, or at least in my little part of it, we don't have ...

... a Cricket Channel. We have a golf channel, and a tennis channel, and maybe a pickleball channel.

I've been surfing oddball channels since the election, trying to ignore reality, or just find some mental sanctuary.

I fear for education, for civility, for health care, for Ukraine and Taiwan and maybe Philippines.

Some day, I will have to learn about this "cricket" stuff.

[MontanaMama]

74. Such a good question.

“How are you moving forward in wholeness?” This could be an OP, c4p, where DUers could say how they are getting through these rough days.

[gab13by13]

35. What was the problem?

How many people here still defend Merrick Garland? Sandy Berger was not a nice person, he stole 4 classified documents. Even with Bill Clinton trying to protect him, Berger at least got 2 years probation, community service, and lost his law license.

TSF stole boxes and boxes of classified documents, some of which have never been returned. When the FBI found those boxes at Mar-el-Loco TSF should have been arrested on the spot. Justice delayed Is Justice Denied.

The pyramid strategy was a ruse to purposely delay prosecuting TSF and his inner circle. Garland ignored criminal complaints from the J6 committee for Ken Chesebro and Mark Meadows. They went on to help construct Project 2025.

[jaxexpat]

37. You'll go right up to the board and write 100000 times, "I will find justification for idealism no matter the evidence."

It's your job, Malaise, suck it up. It is your destiny. We are a truly useless waste of carbon without idealism and we, I, count on you.

[Martin68]

38. I seem to be in a minority on DU in believing that whether or not the USA is the "greatest country in the world"

is essentially meaningless. Perhaps because I lived overseas for much of my life, I find this competitive chest-beating a waste of time and brainpower. After living in Japan for 21 years my wife and I could have settled anywhere in the world, but we chose Virginia. We like living here, and there is no other place we'd rather live. This election has shaken my faith in my fellow Americans, but this is still where I want to live. Not because it is the "greatest country in the world" but because I am more comfortable here than anyplace else in the world. But that says more about me than the rank of the USA in the competition for best country in the world. I am a Democrat because I believe we can always improve as a country. Not to win the greatest country sweepstakes but to live in a society that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We have so many thing to work on - a better health care system, better treatment of women and numerous minorities, acknowledgment of our checkered history and the need to learn from our mistakes, a better election system, sustainable use of energy and other resources - and I would like to have leaders who share my belief that we have to constantly work to improve ourselves.

[IronLionZion]

39. Plenty of folks assume someone else is going to get their face eaten by the leopard

and don't think their own face will be eaten.

[Wounded Bear]

40. It was always an aspirational concept...

There are reasons that "they" want to white wash and sugar coat history. We try to ignore and look past our dark side, but it just keeps cropping up.

Problem is, there are differing opinions of what "greatest country in the world" means. The dark visions just won out, hopefully only temporarily. We've reached a point in history that some factions have been working toward for decades. Problem is, once they seize power, they don't give it up easily.

Some folks want to govern, some want to rule. The wannabe rulers have taken the upper hand for now. Time will tell if we can take it back. I may not be around if and when it happens.

[In It to Win It]

43. Apparently, I'm too delusional as well. I expected too much of people.

[Iris]

44. I agree. My focus now is what I intend to do now that I can no longer deny this.

I saw a post a lot how overwhelming this all is and suggested to choose one injustice to put all you're effort into

So I've been thinking about that - where will I lit my time and money?

Body autonomy (covers trans people and women's health)
Supporting the immigrant community in my local area

Becoming active in ACLU

[bucolic_frolic]

45. History is replete with crimes against humanity

Despots, wars, genocides, revolutions, pogroms, thefts.

America grew on a virgin continent. Indigenous peoples thought it no longer virgin back then. Now it's our turn.

It's the world that Thomas Hobbes envisioned, of scarce resources, survival-of-the-fittest. Much more so than the state-of-nature brains of the Enlightenment, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Locke.

I think we should all read that great American philosopher, Thomas Paine. Jaded, but insightful.

Bonus to anyone who can find a book or guru to defuse political hatred in its tracks.

Keep your heads up, be aware, hunker down, people! This is dogs, cats, wombats, and Tasmanian Devils living together.

[Scrivener7]

46. Stop this! Nothing you did was delusional. Nothing you did was mistaken or wrong.

Racists and sexists did this. Not you, not me, not Kamala, not Joe.

Racists and sexists. Some of whom live in our own party or groups we thought aligned with us.

[malaise]

47. I hear you

[Scrivener7]

48. .

[stillcool]

49. My delusion is about humans evolving

That evolve thing doesn't fit. Adapt is much better, but some of our basic human instincts that are evident in some and inherent in us all, need to be guarded against. Constantly vigilant. I don't know how people go through the madness of a society, but because it's been so prevalent in history, it must be written about it in a less emotional, more factual manner that makes it easier to find a way through. I think of myself as optimistic, but that is with a greatly diminished birds-eye-view to the world around me. For me, coming to terms with the truth that is not witnessed until it is sought is a bad-ass brick wall of reality that bruises the psyche. Hard to know what to do with the anger of being lied to. Easier to blame myself then to blame the 'out-there', of the society I was born into. I've always loved reading your posts, and am especially enamored by how pellucidly clear your points of view are

[ananda]

50. The USA has nukes and has used them.

Now Putin/Trump have them too.

Nuff said.

[barbtries]

51. I was in a bubble.

I actually believed that there were more of them than us.

I was wrong.

The good guys lost. The hell of that is everyone lost, except the very rich.

Anyway, I'm an American. I have ancestors who settled here before the Revolution, ancestors who served in every war. Also I am an atheist and a die hard liberal from the day I was born.

Land of the free my ass.

[Tommymac]

53. I'll let Bob reply.

?si=8o1EhtV3_1JH3HAg

and

?si=CSAbKWznRAivnuzq

Take your pick...or both.

[pat_k]

55. Which is why engaging ourselves and. . .

. . .each other in the work of moving toward what we CAN BE is so critical.

Right now we need to support each other in mourning so we do not get lost in immobilizing despair.

The dream of American that is treasured and desired by so many is our goal and we have taken steps toward, and steps away. It you allow the fact we've taken a step away to kill the dream in your heart you make the progress harder for others by spreading immobilizing hopelessness and cynicism. You're doing the work of those who want to move backwards for them.

I hope that after a time of mourning and shock you find your way back to connection and engagement and again feel the the hope that working on positive changes, however small, with people who share a vision brings.

[Blue Full Moon]

56. Mostly in service to corporations and businessmen

[Prairie_Seagull]

58. I feel personally beaten down.

I feel for all those who were counting on this going another way. People talk about having skin in the game. We all had skin in this game, all of us. How the hell do we get this across to those who refuse to listen. They hear but just don't listen. "Another brick in the wall".

For the foreseeable future I will get enjoyment from good music and a fine cup of coffee...

Credit to Mike and the Mechanics and of course Pink Floyd.

[malthaussen]

61. The opposite of love is indifference.

My take on the election may differ from that of many. Hard as it is to believe, DJT actually lost at least 3 million votes, compared to 2020. How many he might have lost that were offset by new gains is tougher to compute, but I don't think it was many. So there you have it, 70 million American voters (give or take a mil) either love the GOP and DJT outright, or voted that way either to punish the Dems, or because they have no confidence in them.

On the other side of the medal... well, the Democrats dropped 14 million votes compared to 2020. That suggests that just a whole lot of people have grievances with the Party that caused them to stay away in protest. I can speculate as to those reasons, but that's all it would be, speculation. I have nothing approximating data on the subject, but the numbers speak for themselves.

And it suggests that at least 14 million people don't very much care about the government or society of the US -- hence the title of this post. Setting aside the (unknown) percentage of that 14 mil who "didn't know" how bad the GOP candidate and program are, there remains a pretty large amount of people who just don't care. Or who anyway think that it was more important to send a message by silence than it was to show up to fight Chaos. (I wonder, incidentally, how many of DJT's 70+ mil were old guard, and how many were people who decided to vote *against* the Dems, rather than *for* the GOP).

It's kind of funny, in a way. The GOP didn't have to cheat at all. No fake electors, no schemes to refuse to certify the vote, no six million lawsuits to delay and obfuscate -- they flat-out won, bigly, which no matter how you want to spin it is a great, big vote of "No Confidence" in the Democrats. Which is pretty ironic, considering that the Biden administration did a lot of things rather well. But here everyone was ready for a huge dogfight in the aftermath, with lawyers primed and ready in 50 states to enter the fray... and they're all dressed up with nowhere to go. Well, unless the Dems try to claim the election was "stolen." Which would be a neat trick, considering how badly they were spanked.

-- Mal

[pfitz59]

63. I'll stick with my idealsism

and my pretty little corner of the US. Don't rue the speedbump called Trump. The political pendulum will swing back.

[BannonsLiver]

64. I'm not sure why you're so disappointed by it

1. you don’t live in the US

2. You have made your strong dislike of western countries pellucidly clear.

[malaise]

78. All my siblings and their families are Americans

My oldest sibling was born in New York in 1945.
I speak truth about aspects of Western super powers. No race is superior,

[Initech]

75. Right now, I'm going to go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for this whole thing to blow over.

[PJMcK]

77. This election has revealed who we are as a nation

Trumpism is who we are as a country in 2024. Petty, ignorant, angry, selfish, greedy, racist and misogynistic. That's not you nor I but it is the reflection our country has shown the world.

We shouldn't be surprised because that's the nature of this country since before its founding. The European explorers brought genocide and diseases to the native peoples while greedily stealing from them. Then they brought Africans as slaves creating the disgusting sin of racism that persists hundreds of years later.

The misogyny is incomprehensible to me-- especially so-called Women for Trump-- because it's ignorant (women are strong, resourceful and careful in their judgments) stupid (women are smart and work hard) and self-defeating (the "bros" whine that they can't get a date!). These men (and women!) are pathetic and weak. By demeaning and subjugating women, these (mostly) men fluff themselves up in their supposed manhood.

My favorite, however, is their ridiculous delusions of their patriotism and outrageous perceptions of our national superiority. These fools don't have a clue about patriotism and supporting our constitutional ideas. Instead, they have supported a man and a movement that has no use for the principles that the U.S. was founded upon.

These voters that supported Trump don't know very much about the world, in great part because so many Americans have never traveled overseas. If they would see the world, they would understand how backwards the U.S. has fallen. They would understand that other nations have improved on democracy while maintaining their cultural and societal histories. Other countries have better transportation better, cheaper healthcare and modern infrastructure. Besides, they would get to taste the many delicious flavors of the foods of the world which is one of the best ways to open one's mind. Greatest country in the world? Hmm, not really.

But now, thanks to the cretins and the slobs who couldn't be bothered to vote, we get to see the logical, terrifying and horrible results of our nation's history and the ignorant 51% that backed the rapist-fraudster-traitor-felon who has shown that he is the worst person America has ever offered to the world.

[Jit423]

81. ALL OF THIS!!

We will soon see what getting what you ask for really means.

My granddaughters have already received texts to get ready to be picked up and taken to the plantation. Right after the election they (18 and 19) asked their mom if they could move to England where she if from. She is a white Brit married to my mixed race son. (African American/Italian).
Their mom told them it probably would not be much different there. My oldest grand said it would be different because she would not have face the few in her friend group who voted for Trump. Needless to say, my grands are devastated by the election results. One is so depressed she wants to drop out of college and seek a life in some other country and feels lost. We have had numerous talks and no matter how much I and her mom try to console her she is really frightened. I think it is most frightening when you think you have friends who turn out to be fake. My grands know all about the Holocaust and what happened to Jewish families that thought they were friends with their German neighbors. They have seen all the documentaries about it.

The one thing that has them so puzzled is how the Jews in Israel seem to be supporting a holocaust against the people in Gaza.

Right now it is all so complicated and depressing and myself as well.