My Midterm Prediction: Sheer Terror

by Sharon Kayne

My husband and I voted last week. We always vote early, but this year it seemed more important, as I suspect Election Day shenanigans will be worse than we’ve ever seen. I have big hopes for this election. And those hopes come with even bigger fears. Really, it’s more like terror.

My hope, of course, is for a blue wave so big it makes a tsunami look like a ripple in a muddy puddle. I want to see Republicans across the nation being rejected en masse; most especially those being endorsed by the Grifter in Chief. But I fear that a blue wave will lead to a flood of post-election MAGA insanity. An insurrection that will make January 6 look like a tea party. After all, the criminals who perpetrated the first insurrection all received presidential pardons, so they’re emboldened to do worse next time. Well, those that have not been rearrested and held for subsequent crimes.

I also fear what’s probably going on at this very moment behind the scenes to prevent the blue wave: the election rigging that is surely taking place and being funded by the billionaires. The stuff in front of the scenes is bad enough. Trump’s salvo against Alaska is a harbinger of worse to come. For pity’s sake, doesn’t the Department of Justice know that states don’t pick the candidates for the general election ballot? The primary voters do that. If the folks who run the DOJ are that stupid, perhaps we should rename it the Department of Injustice? I mean, they renamed the Department of Defense. What’s another name change?

While either scenario is distressing, it’s nothing compared to what the end result would be: the complete and utter destruction of our Democracy. And, damn it! I’m pretty partial to our Democracy. I prefer it even though it’s the only Democracy I’ve ever had (so I have nothing to compare it to). I’m partial to it even though I have to share it with millions of other people (some of whom, I’m convinced, don’t even deserve it). Still, it’s the only Democracy we have. Sure, it’s got problems. What system of governance doesn’t? But that doesn’t mean we should reduce the whole thing to rubble like the erstwhile east wing of the White House.

Felonious 47 has already jerry-rigged the judiciary. He bypasses Congress constantly. He’s probably used the Constitution for toilet paper in one of his newly refurbished golden bathrooms. The only lever of government that he hasn’t completely taken hold of is the election. At least, as far as we know.

If you haven’t voted yet, I implore you to do so. As soon as possible. Take a friend; there’s safety in numbers. If there are ICE agents lurking around your voting station, call 911 to report voter intimidation. The cops probably won’t do anything, but it will send a message. Plus, it will make you feel better. (And me, assuming you let me know.) Whatever you do, don’t skip this one. And don’t try to tell me that your vote doesn’t matter. If it didn’t matter, the over-grown orangutan with dementia wouldn’t be working so hard to steal it.

Also, sitting out the election has an impact on the election. And probably not the one you want. Your vote matters—whether you cast it or not. If you cast it, it matters to the candidates you support. If you don’t cast it, it matters to the candidates you don’t support. And trust me, those bastards are counting on your inaction.

Since I’ve already voted, I have only one more decision to make regarding the midterm. Do I stay up late to watch election-night news coverage? Or take a cannabis gummy and go to bed early? Come to think of it, if I stay up to watch the coverage, I’ll probably need a cannabis gummy. Maybe I should take two. And I should probably stock up. Just in case.

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