Published 2024-11-07
tag(s): #random-thoughts
I guess if I shared that I voted, I am supposed to say something about the election outcome and what it means to me.
I don't have anything too thoughtful or deep to say, honestly. I am disappointed, mostly. And
I know down the line there will be things that outrage me.
Part of me thinks, America has existed for almost 250 years, it will continue to exist after
this - it has happened before, after all.
Another part of me thinks this reasoning is a slippery slope that leads to complacency and
eventually things getting really bad. Or like, worse than now.
In any case, some of the things I read online sound extremely reactionary, and again I debate
myself. I feel people are being melodramatic, but also that the anger and fear are
justified.
And as much as I find really sad that for a lot of people the election winner
was a viable candidate, you have to respect that this is what they chose. It does say a lot
about them, but that doesn't mean their vote isn't valid. I even hope they are right and this
is the right person to lead the country for the next period. (If you ask me, it's
been proven that he is not, but...)
Also, being an active citizen doesn't end with casting your vote in the presidential election. There will be other avenues where we can (should!) stay vigilant to keep government in check. Next Congress election, for starters. And also smaller things in our own states and cities.
Speaking of states, silver lining, a number of them passed abortion laws that restore (at
least some) women's rights. Some others rejected them, in general by narrow margins.
I take that as a sign that "the system works", in that sure at a federal level the Supreme
Court threw their hands in the air, but then the states and their citizens stepped up to
decide what's best for them. I would like to think this is the start of a period where states
work more actively in protecting things that are important to their citizens independently,
with less reliance on the federal government.[1]
I also think growing up in Argentina is like having antibiotic resistance to terrible candidates getting elected despite having open investigations and a track record of destroying the economy and government institutions. Not a good thing, but it is what it is. Been there, endured that.