So I am thinking of starting a support group and possibly a website and hotline to accompany it. It would not be a money-maker but more of a public service. Deep in my heart of hearts, I feel bad for the progressives who are taking this white-knuckle ride through reality and are having trouble adjusting to the Age of Trump 2.0. I think they need someone to talk to, a safe space where they can express themselves and maybe color or play with some baby bunnies or something.
They need help, and as an ex-Leftist, I want to help them through this trying time. I know what they are going through. Now, keep in mind that I am talking about your garden-variety progressives who are in meltdown, not the swamp creatures who realize that Elon Musk (or his alter-ego) is about to drag them into the harsh light of day.
To tell you the truth, even I'm a little fatigued by the constant barrage of Trump headlines, and I've been a convert since 2007. It won't be long before "Trump" ceases to be only a proper noun but becomes a pronoun, adjective, adverb, and who knows what else. Have the words "Trumpian," "Trumpesque," "Trumpily," and "Trump-a-Palooza" been copyrighted yet? How about "Trumpitude?" If not, I need to get on the phone with my lawyer.
Of course, there is good reason for the flurry of activity from the Executive Branch. Trump has, at best, two years to get everything on his list accomplished and possibly Dem-proof the nation. That push has been causing no end of stress for progressives. Axios reports that some "ordinary Americans" are dealing with enhanced stress because of the MAGAfication of the nation. Some of the reasons include the move to do away with DEI initiatives, the ICE raids, tariffs, DOGE, and, of course, trans rights.
Georgetown University psychology professor Andrea Bonior, who also sees patients, told Axios, "There is an element of chaos right now, a sense of not knowing what's coming and not being able to control what's coming is really hard on the stress response. As humans, we don't love uncertainty. It's something that we don't tend to tolerate well. And then when we're anxious, it's excruciating." She said that she is seeing a large number of Democrats experience, among other things, guilt, burnout, and "despair over losing an old way of life."
She added, "There's a fine line between burying your head in the sand and trying to protect yourself. I've been working with a lot of folks to try to find that line."
Axios also cited researcher Daniel Relihan, who suggested setting boundaries when it comes to news and knowing when would be a good time to tune out for a while. Not bad advice, but the outlet also said that federal workers worried about their jobs and people in the county illegally did not have that luxury.
As a former Leftist, born and bred, I understand the mindset. I can tell you from experience that being on the Left means practically living in a state of outrage, indignation, and anger. It is what drove me and everyone around me, along with a smug sense that I was somehow superior to those who had a different political ideology. So progressives are already programmed to be amped up in the first place.
As I recall, we seemed to live most of our lives like that. It's predicated on the idea you are more empathetic to black or brown people, the environment, LBGTQ people, or whatever demographic/issue is the topic of discussion. To do that, you have to be appropriately irked at whoever is supposed to be oppressing that demographic. Growing up, I was indoctrinated with a steady stream of smug indignation. So the upshot here is that they were already stressed going in. The election just ratcheted up the volume.
Second, and again, I speak from experience, the media outlets of choice for progressives, their college professors, and everyone else with any sway over their intellect have made bank by telling these people about the horrible threat of the "Red Menace" for years. So it isn't just Trump they are worried about. They are going to see conservative boogeymen under every bed and around every corner.
On one hand, I empathize with them. I remember what it was like to believe that a GOP win was a harbinger that the Ancient Prophecies of Doom were about to be fulfilled. On the other hand, I sat through two Obama wins and one Biden victory, and the world kept turning. Besides, when the Left had the upper hand, it was merciless. And had Harris won, progressives would have been vicious in their attacks on conservatives on every front.
It stands to reason that if the Left were so intent on raining hell down on its opponents, its denizens would be terrified of that happening to them. It is classic projection and perhaps betrays a guilty collective sub-conscience.
