What it feels like

Confusion.

After everything, I'm just confused. (See the post below.) I think this feeling is common. People my age and of the same political stripe, after all the time and energy we invested in this election, are not filled with liberal rage at how it turned out. We're confused that we are apparently so out of touch.

From a feeling of empowerment and confidence that only comes with so much study and investment, we were soundly defeated. The youth vote, I'm reading, did not turn out. All the polls, including the exit polls, were wrong. Every initiative to ban gay marriage passed. (I can't stress enough just how deeply that upsets me.)

I'm not crying bitter tears; I'm not rending my garments. I just wonder what else we can do.

And this is a serious question: Why stay and fight in a country that no longer comes close to embodying what you believe in?

Melodramatic, I know, but I don't want to live in a place that is governed by fear. (Again, see below.)

Some of us have joked about moving abroad, but I don't see why not anymore. And if I do so, I will do it shaking my head.

I just don't get it.

(Note: I'm a little drunk right now.)