Happy New Year, readers! I hope you had a wonderful celebration over the holiday, and enjoyed moments of peace, joy and love with family, pets, or really whatever your style is. Now that the champagne has been consumed and the confetti swept away, let’s dive into the dumpster fire that is our current political reality.
As I always say, I do read those letters to the editor, and goodness, some are absolutely hilarious. Those who constantly throw around “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as an insult are the same people who believe their dear leader has never done anything wrong and cannot even come to the table to acknowledge a single misstep. It’s almost like while they were kissing his rump, their heads got shoved so far up there, that they’ll never see the light of day again.
But to each their own, I suppose.
It’s fascinating to watch their pride and joy manifest in Trump truck parades … all this devotion to one man who couldn’t care less about them. Yet when you ask these devoted followers about an actual policy position, they can’t articulate a single one. This isn’t politics. This isn’t governance. This is a cult of personality wrapped in “f*** your feelings” bumper stickers, while simultaneously throwing tantrums when someone suggests that maybe everyone deserves health care and the basic dignity our country was supposedly founded upon.
Or perhaps they’re beaming with pride about us apparently trying to take Greenland now. You know, against the concept of NATO. Maybe they’re celebrating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement just killed a woman in cold blood, claiming self-defense while every available video shows otherwise. Perhaps they’re thrilled the president threatened to use the Insurrection Act against American citizens, or that he’s weaponizing the Department of Justice for political vendettas.
Let’s not forget the Department of Homeland Security now says citizens need to carry their papers on them, in the country we literally live in. I mean, this is what you wanted, right? An Orwellian, 1984-style government because you just can’t handle the simple thought that all humans are created equal. You know, like that Constitution, the document Republicans claim to be obsessed with but probably haven’t even read, actually says.
The irony is delicious. Even the Department of Homeland Security secretary said, in perhaps the one correct comment from this administration, that you can’t trust the government. You know what they say, even a broken clock can be right once or twice a day. But just let that sink in. The government official running homeland security is telling you not to trust the government that she helps run.
At this point, it’s beyond belief that people still support this administration, and I am exhausted by playing nice. At the end of the day, if you’re a fool, you just are what you are, and the unfortunate aspect is that the rest of us with functioning brains have to deal with the consequences of your poor judgment.
I simply cannot wait for the midterms when all the die-hards will claim the elections were rigged, stolen, or whatever conspiracy theory is trending that week. Of course, unless they win, because that’s how it works, right? I’m looking forward to Democrats crushing the polls like they’ve been doing in special elections across the country. Because the truth is that the actual majority (not the “silent majority” these absolutely loud, vocal fools think they represent) are exhausted by this constant bombardment of stupidity coming from this administration.
We’re tired of watching democracy erode in real-time. We’re tired of defending basic human rights as if they’re controversial. We’re tired of explaining why authoritarianism is bad, why targeting people based on their immigration status or skin color is wrong, why a president threatening to deploy the military against civilians should alarm everyone regardless of political affiliation.
The cult of Trump has replaced critical thinking with blind loyalty, policy discussions with culture war grievances, and democratic governance with authoritarian impulses. And those of us watching this unfold with horror are supposed to remain civil while our rights are stripped away and our institutions are dismantled.
Well, here’s my New Year’s resolution: No more pretending this is normal. No more treating bad-faith arguments as if they deserve serious consideration. No more coddling feelings of people who built their entire political identity around not caring about anyone else’s feelings.
This administration represents everything our founders warned against: consolidation of power, disregard for constitutional limits, persecution of political enemies, and the elevation of one man above the rule of law. If you can’t see that, or worse, if you see it and celebrate it, then you’re not a patriot, you’re a collaborator in our republic’s destruction.
So as we enter this new year, I encourage everyone paying attention to stay engaged, stay informed, and stay angry. Turn that anger into action: Volunteer, organize, vote, and prepare for the midterms that will determine whether we can pull back from this authoritarian brink.
And please, if this column made you upset and really triggered something deep within you, write a letter to the editor. Exercise that First Amendment right while you still have it.
But remember the most important part of your worldview: f*** your feelings.
Happy 2026, everyone. May we all survive what’s coming.
Andrew Taban is a former legislative staffer. “Democratic Voices” appears Tuesdays and rotates among several local Democrats.
