In 1994, I wrote a novel called Brothers’ Hand, in which the titular character mentions that someday working class people might very well use billionaire “Duncan Scrump’s” name as a curse word one day. Of course, I never imagined such a person could become our president, but here we are.
The only funny part about all that: we actually believed he was worth a billion dollars, not in debt half a billion. Hilarious!
As I’ve watched my country devolve into a COVID-infested nightmare, hurtling toward authoritarianism of some as-yet-undefined nature, it’s been like the proverbial car crash. I see it all in what feels like slow motion, although it’s unfolding in real time. And I remain transfixed, appalled, yet unable to look away.
Please Do Your Part
Look, if you’re in Canada or the U.K., you’re probably watching this stuff with an attitude fairly similar to mine. Except you’re not voting here, because you can’t. I can, and I have. So I know you can’t do anything about it (although there is a part of me that wants to quietly whisper to you, Please…help us).
Just as I never envisioned the rampant intolerance, Islamophobia, and racism we’re dealing with today—what with the “Proud Boys” out in the street and all—I also never envisioned this guy getting a first term, much less a second one. And I understand, it ain’t over ’til it’s over.
But with less than 36 hours before the polls close on the east coast in the US, I feel like I have to do a little bit more.
You see, I campaigned for former President Obama—twice. And, less enthusiastically, I’ll admit, for former Secretary of State Clinton. I’ve stood with a clipboard in my hand, registering voters. I’ve gone door-to-door with flyers.
I knew what kind of monster we were facing. Well, I thought I did. He’s proved a hundred times worse than I’d ever reckoned.
Keep Calm And Carry On
Even if Triumph the Insult President loses decisively on Tuesday night, we will have to endure a few court skirmishes in select states at best. The chances of knowing the outcome right away, and having a normal, peaceful transition of power, are slim to none. I get that.
What can we do? In the short term, we can take that wonderful British expression to heart, and do our level best to “keep calm and carry on.” It won’t help anyone to either self-destruct or destroy other people’s property.
In the long run, I think we have a real fight on our hands. Anyone concerned with women’s rights, LGBT rights, or indeed any level of civil rights, should be concerned. And that might be what it means, going forward, to carry on.
