I’m not sure about you, but I’m exhausted! This past week has been a roller coaster ride watching the US presidential election. For the most part, it had me sitting on pins and needles. I doubt I was alone. We shouldn’t be surprised at how this election played out based on the shit show we’ve observed from Donald Trump over the past four years. It was sooo frustrating to watch. I could only imagine how our friends south of the border were feeling. 

I’ll be honest; it wasn’t hard getting sucked into the drama, finding myself channel surfing at any opportune moment, searching for the latest election update. There were so many sources to read about and watch, but NBC’s Chuck Todd’s enthusiasm won me. I loved the oversized map and his hypothetical math, changing the results from state to state and calculating the odds of electoral votes.

I don’t pretend to understand all the workings of US politics, and to be clear, I don’t live there, but I find it interesting as it is informative. The good news is I’ve learned more from this election than any other previously, and I’m Canadian. Let there be no mistake: Canada has its own share of difficult moments, too, but that’s a conversation for another time.

A lot was riding on this US election. It was history in the making on all counts for the United States, with the world watching. Joe Biden is the new president-elect, and Trump is having none of it! WTF! Can someone please put this man in handcuffs and silence him once and for all? Oops! That was my inside voice.

“Democracy is not a state. It is an act.” John Lewis

Republican Senator John McCain lived by the motto “country first.” I can agree; sometimes it’s not about the party but the person. Ask yourself, do they represent me and my beliefs? I know there are staunch voters on both sides, but in this instance, for me, it was apparent the narcissistic, spray-tanned, fried chicken-eating, combover bully in this election needed to go. That’s just my opinion. So yes, I’m a concerned neighbour north of the border, hoping my neighbour gets it right, ultimately affecting both of our countries. Donald Trump needs to do what’s best for the country right now, not what’s right for the party—showing the world while there’s still time by leaving with dignity and grace. 

But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Kamala Harris

It’s been a very long time, and very refreshing to hear the speeches of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Their words were confident, optimistic and very presidential. I noticed their tone immediately, moving me in a way I didn’t expect as an outsider. Donald Trump’s presidency affected all of us. There wasn’t a dinner conversation, a book club meeting, or a coffee date where his name didn’t come up, followed by an eye-roll.  

“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of times myself. But now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They are Americans. They are Americans.”  Joe Biden

I’ll end my rant with a quick homage to SNL and their sensationalized skits on Trump and his reality presidency. Who didn’t enjoy it?! There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and the material kept on coming! Unfortunately, the team at SNL will have to find new material once Trump leaves the White House or not? He will keep us entertained one way or another; he can’t help himself. In the meantime, Jim Carrey and Maya Rudolph have seamlessly nailed their new president-elect characters. There will be more to come. This I know for sure.

It’s the end of an error…

Stay safe!

Photo credit -Jim Carrey as Joe Biden and Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris during the “Biden Victory” Cold Open on ‘Saturday Night Live’ on November 7, 2020. Will Heath/NBC