Photo credit: Surfer Today, The Weekly Opine

Republicans taken to the woodshed

Despite pre-election polling predicting a blue wave, the specter of interference by Trump’s Department of (In)Justice put us on high alert. Factor in millions of dollars spent on behalf of Republicans, courtesy of the worst immigrant (Elon Musk) in American history, and the threat of a tilted election was real. Consequently, it was stunning Tuesday night, watching as Democrats were propelled by We the People to an overwhelming victory. I do not remember ever seeing so many races called so early.

By now not surprising, fake Christians/fake patriots, who suffer from chronic Trump Deranged Syndrome, cling to warped “reality” concerning their pathological liar president. This election offered MAGAs a lifeboat and the chance to renounce the absurdity of the MAGA movement. But they refused, content to hold on, we can assume, until the Kool-Aid is passed around.

It was a tsunami, a thorough thrashing and repudiation of Trump. True patriotic Americans rejected Trump, Republicans, and the Jonestown-like mob known as MAGAs. (I will never get over the fact that about 40% of Americans are either too dumb and incurious to know better than to vote against their own interests, or they know better but are guided by inherent greed, racism, misogynism and/or homophobia.)

A Civil War pre-game speech

In the days leading up to the midterms, I watched Ken Burns’ documentary, “The Civil War.” The Union Army’s meandering the first two years of the war reminded me of how well-intentioned Americans too often lacked assertiveness dealing with Trump, as his administration ran roughshod over democracy. (Think of the law firms and universities that meekly capitulate to Trump’s corruptive whims.)

But we know how the story ends. Under Lincoln’s leadership, and the unwavering determination of General Grant and General Sherman, the Union finds its mojo and pounds the Confederacy into submission. Watching Burns’ brilliant documentary was like receiving a fiery pregame locker room speech before Election Day.

After voting at 6:00am, I posted this on social media. (Photo credit: The Weekly Opine)

The women

It is fitting that Democratic women played such a prominent role in the beatdown of a Republican party that uses offensive male behavior as fuel. Ignorant application of male testosterone is exemplified by the faux macho, unrestrained stupidity of Pete Hegseth.

Below is a roll call listing some of the prominent women who won Tuesday night. These women will help define and lead, not only Democrats, but all American politics, for years to come:

Ohio Governor Amy Acton; Michigan Governor Jocelyn Benson; Georgia Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Rhode Island Governor Helena Buonanno Foulkes; New Mexico Governor Deb Haaland; Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa; Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs; Kansas Governor Cindy Holscher; Maine Governor Hannah Pingree; South Carolina Senator Annie Andrews; Minnesota Senator Peggy Flanagan; Illinois Senator Juliana Stratton.

It took too long but there is now no doubt about it: The day of men dominating politics is gone. Say what you want about Tuesday’s result. Call it “Ladies Night” or “Ladies Choice.” Or, as a freed Black Union soldier said to his former owner who’d been taken prisoner, “Bottom rail on top this time.”

In a major development, Texas is now a purple state. Senator James Talarico’s resounding thumping of creepy Ken Paxton joins Hinojosa’s big margin gubernatorial victory over creepy Greg Abbott.

Two women it was an absolute joy to see lose are Maine’s corrupt Susan Collins and South Carolina’s nepo candidate Darline Graham. “Good riddance” is all that needs to be said.

Bury MAGA

Do not make amends with MAGAs. Shun the people that made the past decade a national nightmare. And understand it will take – by some estimates – a decade to undo Trump/MAGA damage. (Other analysts believe it will take a generation to fully recover.)

Weasels like House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Ted Cruz, and everyone in Trump’s Cabinet should be shunned permanently, with no opportunity for redemption. Some should face criminal prosecution. The political careers of pretend Democrats like John Fetterman and Haley Stevens should be over.

Elon Musk should be stripped of U.S. citizenship and deported to South Africa. And deport the witless, dopey Nicki Minaj, who is not a U.S. citizen, back to Trinidad and Tobago. The Trump sycophant billionaire club (e.g., Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos) should be ostracized, properly taxed and recognized as selfish pariahs.

Voters gave Democrats the green light to drain the swamp. (Photo credit: AOL)

Trump dabblers like Bill Maher, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo, who try to have it both ways by alternately cozying up to Trump then running back toward the political center, should be ignored as well.

Do your job

Mainstream media is too often, to use Trump’s words, lame stream media. While salivating over Barack Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comments, the big media outlets ignored new reporting from the House Judiciary Committee that two women allege Trump raped them, one of whom was a 13-year-old girl at the time. According to The Nation, nine additional women provided evidence or testimony that Trump “abused, assaulted, and even raped numerous women alongside [Epstein].” Crickets from mainstream media.

Tuesday night, in a clueless let’s-play-nice gesture, MS NOW’s Nicole Wallace had the audacity to suggest Dems should offer Trump a “tall” monument in South Florida (as opposed to his arch in Washington, D.C.) if he will halt deportations. Geez, Ms. Wallace, you do not offer to lionize a 34x felon, rapist, pedophile. You do tell Trump, in no uncertain terms, that mass deportations will stop. Period. No strings attached.

Key takeaways from the midterms

Trump’s future is anybody’s guess. But between his failing physical and mental health and his tattered spirit, it seems a 50-50 bet he will not finish his term. His remarks Monday at the Reflecting Pool revealed a confused, broken man. It is not a stretch of the imagination to say Trump does not have what it takes – be it stamina, willpower or health – to last another 24 months as president.

Another consideration is his sycophants. Attempting to save themselves from accountability, will his Cabinet invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office? Will enough Republican senators vote to convict Trump after House Democrats impeach the president?

Here are a few key takeaways from the midterms:

· Corruption rivaled affordability as a key issue. It’s hard to ignore when an entire party participates in criminal activity that would land the rest of us in prison.

· GOP gerrymandering failed. Nearly 75% of gerrymandered districts went to Democrats.

· Musk poured $500 million into 32 GOP campaigns and lost 29 times.

· There are over 100 women in Congress.

· Voters demand accountability. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries appear reluctant to prioritize aggressive prosecution of Trump and his associates. Both should be removed from leadership positions.

Regardless of the cost, most of Trump’s presidential footprint should be erased. For example, remove the gaudy gold in the White House; tear down the ridiculous ballroom; and restore the East Wing, JFK Arts Center, Rose Garden, The Ellipse and Reflecting Pool to their pre-Trump condition.

And November 3, 2026, should be exalted as one of the glorious dates in U.S. history.

ONE FOR THE AGES