Welcome to the United States of America, 2024 edition: a country entangled in its contradictions, a land of chaos where progress and regression collide daily. This is a nation that claims to champion freedom while clinging to archaic ideals. A place where over half the population bows to the whims of a man whose words and actions undermine the very fabric of equality and progress. How did we get here? How did a country that so boldly touted liberty become ensnared in such blatant hate, fear, and division? Attempting to go back is both perplexing and enraging. Too many mixed families, blended cultures, and shared histories exist to rewind the clock to an era of exclusion and oppression. It simply will not work. But one thing is certain: the road ahead will be anything but smooth.

Let us start with the education system—or is the end of education system? What will beome of it? What happens when those in charge of educating the masses actively undermine knowledge? Banned books, censored curriculums, history rewritten to avoid “offending” a select group? The result is a generation raised on ignorance, a deliberate “dumbing down” of the populace to maintain control. It is no coincidence that decision-makers pulling the strings are as uninformed as the average person. They are not experts, they are opportunists. The goal? To replace critical thinking with blind obedience. Those who remember how to think critically are the ones who voted for Harris and Walz. But critical thinking is not just a skill; it is a survival tool in a country that seems hell-bent on eroding the very foundations of knowledge.

Then there is the issue of social security—or the lack of it. Will it remain in tact? Will the population of contributors to that system be out of luck and money? What happens to elders who depend on Social Security when the new government, the billionaires club, decides that seniors would be better off without that income? Do seniors, elders stand on street corners with cups in hand, hoping for spare change? It is a grim picture, and the architects of this chaos seem indifferent. They have parents too, don’t they? But compassion is not profitable enough to make the cut in the new America they are building., or tearing down.

Let us not forget slavery—not in its historical sense, but in the exploitative systems that persist today. From prison labor to economic structures designed to trap the poor, the echoes of slavery remain, rebranded and normalized. And as if that were not enough, women’s rights have taken a catastrophic hit. Abortion bans with no exceptions for incest or rape force young girls to carry their rapists’ children. Women stripped of autonomy over their bodies, their futures dictated by lawmakers who will never face the consequences of these cruel policies. It is not just an attack on women—it is an assault on freedom itself.

What about healthcare? The appointment of figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health czar adds another layer of absurdity to an already dystopian landscape. Doctors, who dedicate years of their lives and incur monumental debt to save lives, criminalized for performing their jobs. An OB-GYN forced to watch a patient deteriorate in a parking lot, unable to act until it is too late. The moral and ethical contradictions are staggering. How do they sleep at night knowing it was preventable? Meanwhile, the cultural absurdities continue. Hulk Hogan—a legacy steeped in performative bravado— what is his job? being a cultural icon of rage, rough, and rowdy? But whose and what culture are we talking about?

We are scratching our heads wondering and discussing how convicted felons are unable to vote in states, but a convicted felon can be president of the United or divided States. Make that make sense. The irony screams louder than any protest ever could. And then, of course, there’s Elon Musk—the enigmatic tech billionaire who oscillates between genius and chaos agent. Is he the hero we are supposed to rally behind? Is he the dark maga he claims to be or is Elon a distraction, a meme generator in a world that can no longer distinguish between satire and reality?

This is not just a blog for the curious. It is a call to action for anyone scratching their head, wondering how we ended up in this dystopian reality show. Together, we must ask the tough questions, confront the maddening answers, and, most importantly, figure out how to find our way out of this mess.

Driving for Democracy: Lessons from the Road

During the election season, as an Uber driver I spoke with many people from both sides of the fence. With Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket, every ride became a microcosm of America’s political psyche. As I preached the importance of voting and civic engagement to my passengers, I encountered a startling reality: widespread ignorance. Not just misinformation, though that was rampant, but a sheer lack of awareness about the stakes at hand. Why don’t people listen? Why don’t people do research? The message of democracy, equality, and basic rights are not heard or understood in some regions. Was it a regional phenomenon or a symptom of something deeper -nationwide epidemic of ignorance or misinformation? One week after the election, a 19-year-old MAGA supporter slammed my car door and shouted, “Make America Great Again!” as he walked away. I did not feel anger—just because I was exhausted. How do you counter that kind of hostility? How do you reach people who seem determined to misunderstand?

The most disheartening encounters were with those who understood the stakes but chose not to vote anyway. Their reasons varied—disillusionment, cynicism, laziness—but none seemed justifiable in the face of what was at risk.

Despite running a tight campaign, Harris and Walz lost by an alarming margin. It was not just a loss, it was a landslide, one that defied logic. If the gap had been narrower, it might have been easier to process. But the sheer size of the defeat was a gut punch, a stark reminder of the power of disengagement. Trump did not need every vote—he relied on apathy, and in far too many places, he was right.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Every generation faces its own battles in the fight for justice and equality. The issues may evolve, but the core struggle remains unchanged. Complacency is not an option. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and every step matters.

How do we bridge the gap between the informed and the uninformed? How do we reignite hope in those who feel powerless? How do we ensure that apathy does not win the next battle?

This is not just about one election. It is about the soul of a nation. The fight for progress is relentless, and it requires all of us to stay engaged, stay informed, and keep pushing forward. The next chapter in this battle for democracy starts now. Are you ready to join it? What do you say or do?