I discovered Daily Kos during the election that brought us the first Obama term. I lurked for quite a while before commenting and even longer before blogging. I mostly kept my opinion to myself. I was never quite sure how to express myself to the most politically astute and engaged group of people I was getting to know. I also couldn’t always jump into the conversation, because I’m limited as to when I can get on and read what’s going on.
But this election, especially, has made me speak up more. And now the outcome has made me reflect on my initial thoughts about some of the things I read on this site. What stands out the most to me is all the writing about the end of the Republican party. After the election of Barrack Obama, many wrote about how the Republican party was done.
Following that, was much discussion about the autopsy. The party needed to build its outreach to minority communities or it was done. Not only did they not do that, they dug in even more and moved even more to the right. You question why relationships matter. Well, you need to know your people. And if there is one thing Republicans understand, it is their people.
They stoked the fear of their base and alienated everyone else. They embraced their hate and turned them against us. They targeted the most qualified person to run for president and did their worst. They highlighted every flaw and shined a light on every mistake.
They took to the streets with their “grassroots” tea party. They took to the courts and gutted the Voting Rights Act. They took to Congress and held fruitless investigations. They took to the media and generated and reported scandal after scandal. They told us there was so much wrongdoing. They said, “We don’t trust her, neither should you”, “We don’t like here, neither should you”. They started it and amplified it, until we believed it.
We talked about their “Civil War”. What war? Turns out it actually was the one started in 1861. So, we got played. And they got everything else. The party did not die. They control nearly every bit of government. Now we are running around blaming each other and pointing fingers over what could have been.
And while we are playing that game, real people are being impacted. Even if there is no wall or bans on certain people, there is real fear with which some of us are living. It’s not some fake Muslims and gay people and colored people are going to get you or take something from you or get something you can’t get “fear”. People are being harassed, assaulted, verbally abused, bullied, discriminated against, even killed, in real and not imaginary ways. Real people will die when they lose access to healthcare. Real families will be torn apart when DACA is gone. Real soldiers will be lost if we start building up our forces in the Middle East.
I did not and do not fear the potential Muslim terrorist attack. I’m afraid of my neighbor with the Trump sign in their yard. I’m afraid of the guy on the road with his Confederate flag and the “Hillary for Prison” bumper sticker. I’m afraid of the unknown, but potentially very real animosity of my coworker.
So, while you self-righteously congratulate yourself about how right you were and shout, “I told you so”, remember you were some of the same people saying the Republicans were done eight years ago.