Certainly the logic of a dystopian escalation of venom and fear being used to create forced fascism styled conformity seems a possibility. Senator McConnell seems a tactical politician pursuing power and agenda in a greatly advanced version of the 8th grade “them vs. us” clique. The former president is an outright unrestrained egomaniacal child-tyrant who knows no bounds of demagoguery, lying, scapegoating or fear-mongering with no actual values other than self-promotion whatsoever.

Consciousness and stabilization of the American ideal of tolerance, optimism, freedom, compassion and progress through responsibility and the often tedious path of difficult work may yet be a possibility. Regardless of Senator McConnell’s plans I honor his and other Republican Senators sane and commonsense vote for the Infrastructure Bill and there are many everyday citizens like myself who will work to build on that towards a new freedom of renewed devotion to higher values and more magnanimous ideals. We yet have a choice.