The Political is Personal: How I’m Feeling Now
April 9, 2025
Shortly after Trump’s first term began, a group of friends were like, “We didn’t realize how bad it would be.”
“I did,” said I.
But I was wrong. It got even worse. Culminating with January 6, 2021. And, partly because of what it would mean to re-empower the man who’d thusly tried to overthrow our democracy — as November 2024 approached, I was talking “end of the world.” Meaning the improving world of my 2009 book, The Case for Rational Optimism. That progress thrown into reverse.
Again I felt that I understood, more than most people (even my very intelligent and informed friends), how bad this would be. And again I was wrong. The “shock and awe” of Trump 2.0 has truly shocked me.
I’ll spare readers the long litany of travesties. The bottom line is an America shorn of its moral strength, leaving it and the whole world darker. Like it’s a weirdly cunning plot to make America poorer and weaker under an outwardly plausible guise of strengthening it. The ultimate treasonous con.
But what shocks me most is the great capitulation. Once more reminded of the stupid line, “if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” Trump is having his way with us. Unlike in his first term, it’s not just Republicans brainwashed into the cult or cowed into kissing his rear, but broad swaths of society — the tech world and social media, corporations, major news outfits, educational institutions, top law firms, etc., all propitiating and genuflecting to the new god. While Democrats seem missing in action and the public at large numbed into somnolence.
Yes, there are exceptions, it’s not a monochrome picture. But it’s the big picture.
The damage of Trump’s first term appeared potentially reversible. With America coming to its senses. How great it felt to be doing my part. Then “Here Comes the Sun,” heralding the national renewal. And the Democratic administration did seemingly undo much damage. But couldn’t get half our voters back on the rails. So here we are again. And this time it’s surely irreparable.
So how am I really feeling personally now? I remember, a couple days after the 2016 election, running through rain to attend some event, and being surprised at my cheerfulness. Everyone has a baseline personality that governs despite buffeting by life’s vicissitudes. Mine is very positive. An attitude of gratitude helps a lot, and much in my life makes me grateful. Outweighing even my country’s demise.
Previous to November, I’d pondered a possible modus vivendi in a retrumped America. Thought about simply exiting the public square, hunkering down, shutting it all out. And I do tell my wife we can go on living our rewarding lives “in here” regardless of what’s happening “out there.” But still, societal engagement is part of my being. Like writing this kind of stuff. I can’t not do this.
I reflect that had Democrats won in November, with the old politics-as-usual prevailing, that would have been . . . dull, by comparison. Not as much fun writing about. “May you live in interesting times” is said to be a Chinese curse. “Interesting” being a sardonic euphemism. And, truth be told, for all the pain I’m suffering — it’s like being forced to watch my lover violated — the very engagement makes me feel more alive.