A Surviving Facts Blog
Last night, the American people spoke. Loudly. Decisively. And it was about damn time (thanks Lizzo for the earworm I now have for the song of the same name.)
This wasn’t only about Democrats versus Republicans. It was about democracy versus authoritarianism. Billionaire wealth versus ordinary Americans. Grift versus integrity. Truth versus propaganda. And the Constitution versus a personality cult.
Last night reminded us that voting in America still works. When Americans show up, engage in the process and vote for our country rather than a personality, democracy wins. No amount of money, misinformation or political intimidation silences the will of the people.
But c’mon, everyone. This should have happened years ago.
How did we get to a place where conspiracy theories replaced common sense? Where obvious corruption became acceptable? Where a political party surrendered its principles, its backbone and apparently its ability to distinguish right from wrong? The orange king made self-dealing an art form and convinced millions that his personal interests were somehow America’s interests.
Let’s be real.
We have watched billionaires buy political influence while ordinary Americans struggle to pay their bills. We’ve watched wealth inequality reach levels that should make us dust off our history books and revisit the French Revolution. We’ve watched Americans here legally dragged off the streets in front of their children. We’ve watched prejudice override American rights, especially those of women, LGBTQ and Blacks. We’ve watched women die because the fetus inside them gained more rights than they did. We’ve watched the rise of white Christian nationalism. We’ve watched Project 2025 become real. We’ve watched extremists openly discussing ending women’s voting. We’ve watched religion take over government. We’ve watched science denial and nearly eradicated illnesses return. We’ve watched politicians defend the indefensible, excuse the inexcusable and repeat lies so often that millions of Americans began believing them. And we’ve watched a political party become so consumed with protecting one man that it forgot its responsibility to the American people.
Apparently, it took extraordinary corruption, a failed political party, a disastrous war, billionaire rule and an economy increasingly tilted toward the wealthy to finally get America’s attention. Oh, and high gas prices.
But something else happened. Americans finally found their backbone. Instead of tiptoeing around the truth, apologizing for reality or trying to reason with people who had abandoned reason, Americans began calling things what they are. Last night’s results rejected the politics of fear, greed, division and blind loyalty.
But let’s not confuse a mid-term election victory with a permanent victory for democracy. The forces that brought us here haven’t disappeared. The billionaires still have their money. The propaganda machines still run. The politicians who traded their integrity for power aren’t suddenly going to discover a conscience.
Democracy requires more than one good election night. It requires an engaged public willing to question, challenge, participate and, above all, vote.
Last night proved that the American people still have the power to change the direction of this country.
My only question is: What the hell took us so long?
P.S. Don’t forget the Epstein files.
I would love to hear from you, even if, especially if, you disagree. Perhaps we can bring back the American tradition of debate. Please like and share this blog with others. Subscribe to receive it by email and go directly to the Walk the Moon website (www.walk-the-moon.com) to peruse the full collection of articles and updates. You can email me from the Walk the Moon website as well.
