I realized that I was selling myself a story based on a fantasy. FDR and Kennedy sold us on a dream, but the truth is that the US is and has been ruthless, racist, and a bit fascist since its inception. With the exception of Obama (and even then it’s iffy), every administration since Carter has been very right-leaning and short of compassion (Clinton was basically a moderate Republican).
Looked at from that perspective, what gains we have made are something to be proud of. What stings is that some of those gains are going to roll back. Sisyphus something or other.
Every time America has changed for the best it’s required bloodshed. The Revolution, the Civil War, labor rights, women’s rights, civil rights, gay rights: All of them required people to be hurt and die before something changed.
