Epiphany...

For years and years I would make some sort of epiphany joke as my status on Facebook. I'd twist it, flip it, sneak it in there, or just storm the castle with it, but it was always there.

I like the idea of epiphany as in understanding something in a flash. A Eureka moment. Obviously, I don't celebrate The Epiphany as a religious thing. I don't even remember my church ever mentioning it. More of a Catholic thing, I think.

But I've always liked it, and the word play I could do around it.

Then four years ago I spent Epiphany watching an insurrection at the Capitol. I watched as an angry mob battered their way into the building, brutalizing police, terrifying Congresspeople and horrifying all of us who were watching it happen live.

I made a post about never being able to comment on our peaceful transfer of power again. And two of my most conservative family members commented on that post. About how awful it was. Because that was the reaction. Conservatives and progressives alike were horrified by it. Because it was horrifying. Because it was disgusting. Because it was (and this word seems so small) wrong.

Mitch McConnell, for god's sake, stood on the floor of the Senate a few days later and denounced Trump. Blamed him totally and completely for what had happened. Lindsey Graham stated that he was out, that it was too far. Multiple Republicans stood firmly with democracy and said (Finally!) this is it. He's a danger and we no longer stand with him and...refused to complete the process of impeachment and removal.

Then slowly but surely over the last four years they have continued to walk it back even more. It was no longer an insurrection, a coup attempt, a terrifying experience where they all hid from the rioters. No, now it was just a self guided tour (not kidding that's what he said). It wasn't that big of a deal. They were patriots and they should be pardoned and feted as heroes.

The voters followed suit and Trump was re-elected. And today the vote was certified and he is officially the next president of the United States of America, for however long we last.

He was re-elected. After what we saw. What we all knew was wrong when we saw it. What we all knew should be disqualifying for him to ever hold office again. But here we are...

So no epiphany today. Just more slow moving horror and realization that millions of people in the United States are fine with insurrection and authoritarianism. That because of them we are all in trouble. That they think they are safe, but they are not. His policies are going to hurt all of us. They are going to damage our entire social and economic fabric. They could very well destroy the entire country.

And one day those who voted for him will realize it.

Too bad their epiphany will come too late.