The end of the race

November 5, 2024, will likely be remembered as a day in infamy. The election campaigns we have witnessed have been like none other in my lifetime. One candidate has risen up and found her voice. The other has devolved into a maniacal mess. One of these candidates will be our 47th president. 
 
I, for one, am ready for this race to be over. I remember being ready in 2020 for the race to be over. Who knew that race was still being litigated to this day? No gracious exit by the loser. Sore losers soil the whole process, sucking all the oxygen, whining about election fraud. The disinformation about election fraud has metastasized across America. Results of this election -win or lose - will be criticized. 
 
Trump and his minions have already suggested there will be protest, violence and possible bloodshed if he does not win. That’s his old playbook, beat up those who oppose you. If Kamala wins, there will be chaos inflamed by the right. Get ready for it.
 
If the Donald wins, implementation of Project 2025 will begin immediately. All the pent-up anger and hate will continue against Democrats and the media. It’s hard to tamp down cruelty and anger, it just feels too good. Unrest and doubt, seeded and sown, will grow as our democracy is unraveled. A lot of people have been hoping for this. For years the autocratic leaning has crept into American politics. Donald Trump was the perfect foil, easily manipulated by flattery and fame, into leading the charge of dictatorship. 
 
The end of this race may very well correspond to the end of the American dream and the hope of a more perfect union. I am not sure most people have realized that policy is not the issue of this election. If Trump is elected, we will have a lot more to worry about than the cost of a dozen eggs. But I realize MAGA people see Donald Trump as their savior. Wrapping himself in the American flag, do we really think he will lead us into peace and prosperity? Many will answer yes to this question. I am not one of them. 
 
There comes a time when we are called to reckon with the decisions we have made. Bad decisions lived out sometimes have unintended consequences. We don’t know how it will be to live without a rule of law and a constitution. We don’t know what it is like to live under authoritarian rule. 
 
We watch what happens in Russia and North Korea, Hungary and Venezuela and feel very far removed from the ugliness. We see how they silence dissent and muzzle media. We say to ourselves, that will never happen in America. The rise and fall of nations we see throughout history proves that it can happen here. When huge masses of people are uninformed, choosing to follow a terribly flawed leader, there is little to stop this slide. 
 
I feel heavy responsibility for encouraging and making careful choices, choices that benefit all of us. Daddy always told me if there was one thing he could change about me it would be that I didn’t always think I was responsible for everything. Sadly, in this election, all that I have said and written may not be enough. 
 
Truth is, all of us will have to live with whatever choice is made. We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We thought about hosting an election watch party this year. We decided that we will watch by ourselves, serious and quiet. Maybe with a little chili and wine. 
 
The end of the race is nigh. Many people have voted early, so part of this is already baked in. It would be nice to be able to talk to neighbors and family without tension. I am ready not to walk on eggshells anymore. However this ends, the ads will stop. The flyers and emails will stop. That’s something. 
 
We will watch and wait. I would say may the best person win, but I am not sure that will happen. Lord, have mercy.  
 
Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com