2nd Verse, Same as the 1st

 I'm seeing weird parallels between last time the Velveeta Voldemort was elected into office.

Back then, we didn't know how disorganized he'd be in his presidency.  And we still had RBG and didn't realize how wounding it would be to us a few years later when she died and was replaced by Crying Kavanaugh.  We only had vague notions of healthcare being stripped from us.  And the potential for WW3.  

I'm with a totally different partner than I was back then.  But I am having the same arguments about "throwing your vote away" that I had back then.  And I don't like it!  In fact, I fucking loathe it.  How many times am I going to have to have the "throw away your vote" conversation?  How many times am I going to have to feel like telling people that "no candidate is ever going to be perfect, but you have to choose based on the policies you most closely believe in"  How. Many. Times?!?!

I feel like I'm also watching Brexit again.  People googling "how do I change my vote" because they are finally googling "who pays tariffs" and finding out after the fact that it's them.

All his hopes and aspirations had not backbone to them though...there didn't seem to be a plan.

And yet, with all the similarities, there are also differences.

Now he's back , and there is a plan.  Project 2025 is a blueprint for him to follow.  And those who are truly in power - the power behind Trump - are going to put as much of it into play as they can.  

Roe v Wade has since been struck down, and women all over the country are dying.  Doctors are too afraid to help, in fear of their license being stripped and them being imprisoned.  

We have Ukraine vs Russia and Israel vs Palestine giving plenty of opportunity for a lot of bloodshed.  But overseas wars between differing parties isn't quite as imminent a threat as the N. Korean Nuclear threat was during his last presidency.

Men all over the country feel even more emboldened to tell women they're property, that immigrants are scum that will be deported soon, and that they will never embrace people of color and welcome them in joining their ranks - they just needed their vote and now they can go pick cotton.  I don't recollect ever hearing "Your Body My Choice" out loud, though that threat has always been there inherently.

Liberal/Moderate women are standing up to their conservative husbands and boyfriends and going 4B.  Families are cutting off people who voted for Trumplestilskin that are in their family.  

There's a greater fear and despair than even the first time around (and that is saying something).

Conservative white women and Latinos voted for that sorry excuse of a turd as well.  And they've started their Find Out portion of their journey on the path of Fuck Around Find Out.  And they don't seem to like it.  Because they didn't think it would effect them, but they're finding out real quick that it does.

What to make of all this?

It's depressing.  I have nothing.  I can't even begin to imagine the hellscape we are about to plunge into come January.  The only words of wisdom I can hold onto are: The Horrors Persist, But So Do I.