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The Spiritual Leftist’s Post-Election Survival Guide

The Spiritual Leftist’s Post-Election Survival Guide

Last updated on: November 25, 2024 at 11:38 am by Derrick Day

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The Spiritual Leftist’s Post-Election Survival Guide 2024-11-25T11:38:35-07:00 Derrick Day

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If you’re anything like me—a spiritual leftist who occasionally screams into pillows and meditates to avoid becoming one with the rage—you’re probably feeling the gut-punch disappointment of this recent presidential election. Watching Donald Trump win again is like finding out the villain in a movie not only survives but gets a sequel. And not just any sequel—a bloated, poorly-written one that inexplicably has a cult following.

Let’s address the 300-pound Trump in the room: the man is basically the human embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Seriously, if Dante were alive, he’d be revising Inferno to include a gold-plated escalator straight to the bottom. Let me break it down for you:

Pride: Trump’s ego isn’t just big—it’s gravitational. NASA could probably measure it. His need for adoration is so extreme, I half expect him to demand a national holiday called Trumpsgiving.
Greed: Whether it’s skimming profits off his properties or writing tax laws with his wallet in mind, the man’s greed is so legendary it could teach a masterclass—assuming, of course, he could stay awake through it.
Lust: Let’s just say his history with women makes Hugh Hefner look shy. Whether it’s creepy comments about his own daughter or a string of allegations, Trump has made lust his personal PR campaign.
Envy: He can’t stop tweeting—or “Truthing,” bless his heart—about anyone who overshadows him. Obama? The Clintons? Wind turbines? If it gets more attention than him, it’s public enemy number one.
Gluttony: Not just for cheeseburgers—though that’s part of it—but for power, wealth, and validation. He consumes these things like an unsupervised toddler in a candy store.
Wrath: Trump holds grudges like a Kardashian holds sponsorship deals. His Twitter tantrums could power a small city if we figured out how to convert rage into renewable energy.
Sloth: Despite his claim of being a tireless worker, his “executive time” is basically code for “watching TV and yelling at the screen.” The man delegates everything except blame.

Trumpism: The Gospel of Greed and Grievance

Trumpism isn’t just a personality cult—it’s a movement built on the dubious pillars of fear, division, and a sprinkle of conspiracy theories for flavor. It’s as un-Christlike as it gets. Let’s not mince words: Jesus wouldn’t have stormed the Capitol; he’d have flipped those tables and healed a few people on his way out. Yet somehow, millions of Christians follow Trump as if he’s the second coming rather than the second-rate.

The Art of Loyal Opposition

Here’s the deal: those of us who oppose Trumpism need to step up as the loyal opposition. “Loyal” here doesn’t mean we’re fans of the man. It means we’re loyal to the Constitution, to democracy, and to the basic idea that a functioning government shouldn’t feel like an episode of Survivor. We can’t let our disgust for Trump lull us into apathy—because, trust me, apathy is exactly what his enablers are counting on.

Trumpism’s agenda—economically, socially, and geopolitically—is basically a dystopian Choose Your Own Adventure book, except every choice ends with “The rich get richer, and you get screwed.” Whether it’s tax cuts for billionaires or undoing decades of social progress, we must stand firm, vocal, and unflinchingly opposed.

Hug a Trumper? Ugh, Fine.

Now comes the hard part. Brace yourselves: we have to extend empathy and compassion to those who voted for him. I know, I know—it feels like hugging a porcupine. But hear me out. Loving them doesn’t mean liking their choices; it means refusing to let hatred turn us into them.

Will they love us back? Ha! Most will be too busy “owning the libs” to bother with reconciliation. But love isn’t transactional—it’s aspirational. And in this case, it’s also strategic. Nothing confuses and disarms an enemy more than refusing to play their game. Think of it as Jedi mind-trick compassion: “You don’t hate me; you want universal healthcare.”

Roe v. Wade: The Gateway Regression

Let’s not kid ourselves: overturning Roe v. Wade was just the appetizer. The main course? Rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, gutting environmental protections, and making sure voting is harder than winning the lottery. These folks are determined to turn back the clock so far we’ll be arguing over whether the Earth is flat.

We need to stay vigilant. Progress isn’t a straight line—it’s a wobbly one, and the right is doing its damnedest to erase it with an Etch A Sketch. We can’t just defend what we’ve achieved; we have to push forward with unapologetic, passionate advocacy for the kind of society we want to live in.

The Left’s Path Forward: Be Bold, Not Beige

Here’s where the left often stumbles: trying to win by looking more like the right. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work. The electorate doesn’t need Republican Lite; it needs a clear, bold alternative. We need to spell out, in no uncertain terms, why progressive policies aren’t just nice ideas but necessities.

Universal healthcare? That’s called valuing life, not just birth. Climate action? That’s about survival, not just talking points. Economic justice? That’s the bedrock of democracy. Let’s be loud, let’s be proud, and let’s not apologize for wanting a better world.

From Rage to Resolve

I won’t lie: when the election results came in, I was furious. Bitter, even. My first instinct was to meet their gloating with a resounding “shove it.” But then I had a moment of clarity—well, more like several days of introspection (and wine). I realized I didn’t want to become what I despise. Letting anger and bitterness define me would be like letting Trump live rent-free in my head. No thanks.

Instead, I’ve decided to channel that energy into action. Because here’s the truth: we’re all in this mess together. Like it or not, we share this country, and its fate depends on whether we can rise above the mud-slinging and focus on the bigger picture.

What Now? Resist, Persist, and Laugh When You Can

So, what’s next? First, resist. Fight like hell against policies that hurt the most vulnerable among us. But don’t stop there—persist. Build bridges, extend empathy, and keep the dialogue going. Oh, and laugh. A lot. Because if we lose our sense of humor, we’ve already lost.

Remember: democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It’s messy, frustrating, and often feels like banging your head against a wall. But it’s worth fighting for. Because in the end, united we stand, divided we… tweet furiously at each other while the world burns.

If you’re feeling despair, channel it into something productive. Volunteer. Donate. Write. March. And don’t forget to take care of yourself, because burnout helps no one.

As for me, I’m choosing hope. Not because it’s easy or because I’m naïve, but because it’s the only way forward. Join me, won’t you? Let’s prove that love, empathy, and action are stronger than fear, division, and a bad combover.

Derrick Day is the author of Deconstructing Religion, Deconstructing Religion 2, The Martial Leader, MetaSpeech, and the host of The Forward Podcast.

Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube

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