I'm staying away from the news today in an attempt to gain some perspective on the outcome yesterday. I'm so discouraged and upset that I think I've retreated into some sort of denial mode. I keep telling myself that it's not as bad as it seems, all the time knowing full well that it is as bad as it seems. If I thought that the Republicans would in any way moderate their stance on anything, maybe I could cut my losses and move on. But I know better. And all I can do is wonder how we let this happen.

It's so hard to compare this with known dictatorships, especially when most people live in comparative comfort despite the economic toilet we're in. Most people just laugh when you refer to the Bloodless Coup of 2000. But there you have it. Our entire government has been radicallized and we stand to pay the price.

I suppose this isn't the first time it's felt like the end of the world, and I doubt it will be the last. And hopefully two years from now we will be an a position to make real change. But right now things look bleak. So you'll have to pardon me if, just for today, I lose all hope that the good guys will win in the end.