After the Trumpocalypse

On By Alfredo LanierIn Blogging, climate change, immigration, mexico, Uncategorized
How to keep my head when everyone’s lost theirs

On the Monday before election day Stew and I left on a three-day excursion to Pátzcuaro, a beautiful colonial town about three hours from San Miguel. And on the day after the election, while sitting on a bench in the main square of Erongarícuaro, a nearby town far prettier than its name, sipping on too-sweet cappuccinos from a street vendor, the news showed up on my cell phone. “Trump won,” I said. “Glad we live in Mexico,” Stew replied, without pausing.

Two months before we’d visited Asheville, North Carolina and met with a realtor about buying a house and moving back to the U.S. But between hurricane Helene, which blew down much of Asheville, and Trump, who knocked the wind out of about half the voting population of America, our lives, more than ever, seem firmly planted in Mexico. So we are talking to an architect about adding a casita—a combination studio and guest quarters—and already have received semi-serious inquiries from friends in the States about the projected completion date so they can come down for a visit and look for a place of their own.

Reactions from our Democratic friends spanned the spectrum of apoplexy: Heartbreak, panic, incredulity, rage, denial. One person reportedly couldn’t go to work the next day. Another sent me a link to a cruise line that is working on four-year sailings around the world timed to avoid the four years of woe and tribulation of a Trump presidency. He also asked about residency requirements in Mexico. A Washington Post article gave tips about visa requirement in a few countries. For a few days after the election, the morning announcer on WQXR, a classical music station in New York said he would play calm music to soothe nerves of the listeners. While patching a flat in our car, a Mexican mechanic here who professed to be a devout Christian, couldn’t believe Americans would vote for such a sleazebag. “Jesus promised to come down and help us out,” he said to Stew. “And this would be the time.”

Seems everyone expected the election to be close but no one was ready for a Democratic wipeout that would leave Trump with a lock on all three branches of government, including the Supreme Court which he will no doubt continue to pack with hardline conservatives. Certainly there had been many stormy forecasts the election might go terribly wrong yet no one—including myself—seemed prepared for such a disaster. Perhaps the cause was as much wishful thinking as the torrent of media commentaries, bloviations, speculations and most of all conflicting polls, that preceded the election and addled rather inform voters.

The Atlantic magazine’s ominous November cover.

After the disastrous election, Democratic commentators and analysts have been at again, pointing fingers, for all the good that does the morning after. There were charges that the Democrats had become too elite and “woke,” leaving behind large sections of the electorate that wasn’t quite ready to embrace issues like transgenderism. Personally, I blame Joe Biden, who did a good job as president but should have bowed out to allow an open convention and the selection of a more promising candidate.

A common reaction among grieving Democratic expats was to go on a “news diet” and cancel some media subscriptions. Most annoying among all these post-mortems are the continuing email pleas for money from the Harris-Walz campaign, which had reportedly raised close to a billion dollars. Where did all that money go, including the $400 Stew and I contributed?

In addition to staying in Mexico, during our brief summit in Erongarícuaro Stew and I also vowed to go on a “news diet,” but that’s tough. The cell phones keep pinging with “breaking news” bulletins, each more alarming that the last, along with emails that keep coming no matter how many times I hit “unsubscribe.” Let’s see: Matt Goetz, whose undistinguished legal experience spans just two years, in line to be attorney general? Roving conspiracy wacko Robert Kennedy, Jr., who has no scientific credentials, to be health secretary? And some Fox News guy for secretary of defense? Elon Musk to streamline the federal government, with which his companies have several billion dollars in contracts? Who or what is next?

Somewhat like people working through the process of grieving, I’ve progressed from denial, anger, depression and now have reached an uneasy plateau of acceptance. Or maybe it’s resignation, exhaustion, or just that I don’t give a shit, given that I have zero control over the policy decisions of the Trump administration, as much as it might sicken me that Trump likely will bless the annexation by Putin of chunks of Ukraine, a country where I have a few relatives; or the fate of Palestinians who will remain marginalized and stateless; or the bloodbath in Sudan will continue, if nothing else because Trump probably doesn’t even know where Sudan is.

I hope that clearing part of my mental agenda will allow me to focus on things closer at hand that I’d neglected while obsessively following political balls and strikes prior to the election. You could call it a form of enforced mindfulness. We’ve contacted an architect to work on a long-discussed plan to build a casita in our ranch, and I will concentrate on my long-neglected collection of photos and pick out a few worth framing. Also work with Félix on our raised vegetable beds and small greenhouse, and a chicken coop where our two hens (with the help of a rooster) keep laying eggs and clucking for corn each morning, no matter what goes on north of the border. Stew is planning a few more trips.

If there is any reason, facts or logic remaining in this world, the Trumpian clown car will lose one or more of its wheels and crash, perhaps in time for the 2026 midterm elections. But rather than gloat at that prospect I worry about the time and energy that will be wasted on political bread and circuses rather than the pressing issues such as climate change, immigration and income inequality that beset the U.S.

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24 thoughts on “After the Trumpocalypse”

  1. Sharon Kreider's avatar Sharon Kreider

    My belief in the Baha’i Lesser Peace is how I plan to survive the next four years. I also plan to continue my trips to Merida and probably increase my time in Mexico.

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    1. I’m only vaguely familiar with Baha’i faith after visiting the beautiful temple in Wilmette, north of Chicago where my husband and I used to live. I don’t know about the Baha’i Lesser Peace, but I will look it up and hope it does help you survive the next four years. Thank you for your comment.

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  3. Camie Fenton's avatar Camie Fenton

    YOU SAID IT HERE. OK, so I just want you to know, I’ve become a great realtor. Connected with the 220 others with licenses – can find anything for anybody who really wants to move down. Glad circumstances prevailed that you will stay. You are always invited to write for the Insiders’ News whenever it strikes you – but I don’t want to insult you by saying so. Best to you and Stew.

    >

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    1. Yes, I’ve heard about your successful career in real estate. Certainly, I will direct any inquiries to you. And congratulations on the Insiders’ News. I’ve worked in small publications and I am intimately acquainted with all the work it takes to pull off one as good as yours. Let me have your phone number when you get a chance.

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    2. I don’t know if pressed the “reply” button after typing my reply. I will certainly point in your direction anyone looking for a house or land. And congratulations on the success and high editorial quality of Insiders’ News. I’ve worked in newspapers and know how much work that takes.

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  5. It wasn’t the surprise/shock of 2016, was it. But the stars aligned for Trump, again. It didn’t have to be. Obama should have handed onto Biden in 2016 and that would likely have done for Trump there and then.. Failing that, the GOP should have convicted him in 2021 after his impeachment. That would have been an act of self preservation. He owns them now. Failing that, Biden should have recognised that he was a one termer from day one, picked a more suitable VP and allowed a proper leadership contest much earlier.

    I’ve said it enough times, but it remains true. He’s a fascist, and that ideology now has a hold on American politics. Because folk want that, even if they don’t quite understand what they’re getting. Yeah, a lot of them are dumb. Some are just old fashioned white supremacists – did you bump into the Grand Wizard of Patzcuaro?! Others should have been wise enough to know better. Was kinda sad to see the Blogger from Boston swallow conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory until he too was ready to don the proverbial brown shirt and goose step to the Trump beat.

    But that’s how it happens, isn’t it? And here we are.

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    1. The ornery Wizard of Patzcuaro had a heart attack and was at a hospital in Morelia, and is doing OK. Haven’t heard anything from the conspiracist from Boston. Last time I saw him he was renovating/restoring an Art Deco behemoth in Condesa Norte (Sur) and chasing young ‘uns. My hope is that if there is any logic or reason left in the universe, the 51 percent who voted for Trump will soon start feeling buyer’s remorse by the mid-term elections and the Democrats can take back at least the House of Representatives. But there is nothing to do now but sit back and enjoy the show. How’s Keir doing? After Boris, Rishi and the Lettuce Lady, we don’t hear much about British politics/

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        1. Well look at you, you’ve grown a thicker skin! I remember the days when a perceived slur in the comments section would have you running off to the blog owner demanding they start censoring folk, or you’d boycott their pages. Good for you!

          Nonetheless, I hope your surgery/procedure goes well. One doesn’t wish ill on anyone.

          But do remember, if you turn up for your op and the folk in the room are wearing white hoods instead of white robes, you’ve got your appointments for the day mixed up….

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  7. Peter Kouwenhoven's avatar Peter Kouwenhoven

    Elections looming in Canada next year. Pierre Poilievre (peepee) (Conservative and a Trump mini me) stands to make great gains. North America will be a difficult place for a long while…

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  8. norm's avatar norm

    The enough rope trope is coming to play, hanging will be the natural outcome because we’re talking fascist behavior. The black shirts killing the brown shirts is their path and it will not take long. I’m thinking six months and we’ll see Vance pissing down Trump’s well. He’s one guy that Trump can’t fire and he is next in line for the big job if Trump is ruled bonkers or broken for some reason.

    I’ve stopped with the evening news, skipping the political news in my papers-I need a break.

    As you said, there is nothing I can do at this point. I marched on Washington against the two Bush wars (a lot of good that did) , I’ll be taking in the sights again this term, would be my prediction. The same pitiful results, I’m sure but what legal avenue do we have beside peaceful protest? I’ll be there, if need be.

    A few predictions: The tariffs will spike inflation, maybe 20% over two years if Trump goes as deep as he promised the people at his political rallies . His use of the US military inside the nation’s borders for police action may be a bridge too far. Pulling the plug on the FBI , ATF, DEA and the IRS will backfire in a big way, in very short order.

    The GOP will go along until they can’t, for fear of being voted to the curb. That is when we’ll all need a big box of popcorn.

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    1. Great comment, Norm, as usual. I too wonder how much craziness the Trump regime can take before even diehard supporters start scratching their heads. If his behavior toward the end of the campaign is any indication, Trump might be well on the way of losing his marbles. Some friends are talking protests and “resistance” whatever that is, but I’m going to take a rest, maybe for six months, to let my nerves recover. Thanks for your comment.

      al

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      1. norm's avatar norm

        The wild card is the fact that Trump is a lame duck from the day he begins being the CEO of the US government. Biden’s late withdrawal was mostly an effort to avoid that dreaded status until the last possible moment. That is Trump’s soft underbelly. When his crew starts looking past him…he’ll go nuts.

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  9. douglord57's avatar douglord57

    Well done, Al! I had my shock the first time he won, so this didn’t cause as much pain. We’ll try to live another 4 years to see if the Dems can do better. We think of you guys often.

    D and B

    Sent from my iPad

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