Bracing For Impact

The United States stands at a crossroads. With democracy under pressure and a new leader wielding a “wrecking ball” approach, what does the future hold? This essay examines the fracture in our political system, the rise of regressive agendas, and the urgent need to redefine democracy beyond a power game. It’s time to resist threats, rethink governance, and strive for enlightened leadership rooted in collective growth. 

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The United States has entered a moment of profound reckoning. The most recent election laid bare the fractured nature of the electorate, with 48% of voters rallying to defend democracy and resist the looming specter of authoritarianism, while 49% chose to place their faith in a platform defined by opposition to immigration policies and promises of economic revival. This razor-thin divide epitomizes a fundamental tension in democracy that has endured since its inception—the chasm between ideals and reality.

The Game of Democracy

Democracy, for all its lofty allure of egalitarianism, is neither perfect nor pure. It does not always present the will of a country’s soul, nor does it guarantee moral or spiritual ascendancy. Instead, it has become a structured game, defined by power. Contestants play to win, and those victories often hinge on narrow majorities or, at times, mere pluralities. When the game is decided, the winner takes all, cementing their will over those who stand opposed, leaving the minority as spectators in the “casino” of democratic governance.

The conservative plurality that has emerged victorious in this election is no exception. It does not universally embody the will of the American people on critical matters. Polls and surveys make clear that a majority favor humanitarian approaches to immigration, robust environmental protections, sensible gun control measures, and fidelity to civil rights. Yet, these preferences are subsumed under a MAGA agenda that has succeeded in outmaneuvering its opposition within the current framework of democracy. This raises the difficult question: when democracy ceases to express the collective soul of a people, what does it truly represent?

The Wrecking Ball Presidency

The incoming president, empowered by this conservative surge, has signaled the dawn of an administration that promises radical disruption under the guise of progress. A “wrecking ball” approach looms, poised to dismantle critical environmental protections, reinstate isolationist foreign policies, and politicize what remains of a merit-based civil service. There is already promise of rolling back the clock to favor the wealthy elite through neoliberal economic policies, exacerbating inequality and further entrenching plutocracy.

There has also been vocal support for a dismantling “woke” overreach, including gender debates that have proliferated across academic and intellectual circles. This movement could strip away significant gains in civil rights; yet, paradoxically, it seeks to reclaim a place for spirituality in governance, albeit distorted through the lens of Christian Nationalism. This amalgamation of nostalgia-driven ideals and authoritarian tendencies threatens to undo decades of hard-earned societal progress, leaving room only for a singular moral perspective imposed on a pluralistic society.

The Struggle for Democracy’s Soul

This presidency, imperial in its ambitions, marks a turning point and deepens the nation’s internal contradictions. The conservative agenda will come to dominate, but it will not silence those fighting for democracy, collective rights, and adherence to the rule of law. The clear majority who oppose authoritarianism and demand accountability must now forge a new determination. The fight ahead is not merely political—it is cultural, spiritual, and existential.

It is imperative to brace for impact against this regressive tide. Democracy, in its truest sense, must be defended against fascist threats, but the time has come to think critically about reinventing its structure. The notion of democracy as a power game has run its course. Instead, we must envision a higher form of governance—one rooted in meritocracy and enlightenment. Such a system would prioritize reason, spiritual growth, and human progress over petty divisions and zero-sum power struggles.

Toward Enlightened Leadership

This transformation would involve a dual partnership between an informed public, equipped with the capacity for self-governance, and a leadership body of spiritually and morally grounded individuals. These leaders would not seek power but would be qualified through their wisdom, experience, and dedication to service. True democracy would then become a balance—a consensus-driven exercise in collective growth, informed by ethics rather than demagoguery.

The incoming wrecking ball administration will undoubtedly bring destruction. Yet, as in martial arts, the force of an attack can be redirected. Amid the chaos, there remains an opportunity to remove entrenched obstacles and reimagine a democracy not based on dominance, but on enlightenment. The United States can yet rise above this tempest, evolving its political covenant into one of mutual service, shared vision, and collective stewardship.

The choice is as stark as it is simple—either democracy evolves toward its highest potential, or it succumbs to the baser elements of power and control. The path forward demands resilience, reflection, and unwavering courage. Only then can we brace for impact, not with fear, but with resolve to turn this turbulent moment into one of transformation.

In sum, it is what it is: 48% of the electorate voted to protect democracy against fascist governance, and 49% disregarded these concerns in protest for misguided immigration policies and seduced by false promises of better pocket-book economics. Democracy, as it stands, has become a game of power. We must prepare ourselves for the inevitable chaos and destruction that this election outcome promises to bring, as well as the opportunity for a post-wreck reconstruction based on values we should live by.

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Values to Live By

• A Love of Truth—essential for a just, inclusive and progressive society;
• A Sense of Justice—recognition of the rights and needs, of all.
• Spirit of Cooperation—based on active goodwill and the principle of right human relationships;
• A Sense of Personal Responsibility—for group, community and national affairs;
• Serving the Common Good—through the sacrifice of selfishness. Only what is good for all is good for each one.

These are spiritual values, inspiring the conscience and the consciousness of those who serve to create a better way of life.

Source: Lucis Trust