Finding joy in the spirit of true Americans

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist,” “The Usual Suspects.”

I have always loved that quote.

It is one that continually enters my head when reading through the myriad news, so-called news and social media posts that have overwhelmed my life on a daily basis. And this is not me whining about it, this is my job, it’s what I do and what I love.

But finally, for me at least, the constant premeditated state of chaos coming out of the people’s house in Washington D.C. that has become normalized, if only by sheer volume in delivery, has finally reached peak white noise.

And in that, I found peace. The noise just washes over me.

Maybe it’s the polling numbers that are lulling me into a false sense of security. Maybe it’s the disastrous debate performance that culminated in a mostly national condemnation. Maybe it’s the screaming and yelling about COVID-19 immunity, and Superman t-shirts and “dancing” to “YMCA.”

The sheer volume of nonsensical spewing of hatred and nonsensical ramblings by the candidate, without offering a shred, a piece, a taste of platform or plan for a second term beyond empty, repeated (see 2016) promises is like sweet music to my ears.

Apparently, we’re supposed to be making America Great Again … again?

For this candidate, failure can only be conquered by doubling down on past failures with more failures and a … catchy tagline printed on imported hats?

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results," not said by Albert Einstein, seems to sum up the collective career of this candidate, and yet, he’s relying on that very tactic for reelection.

And I am bathing in it. Enjoying every second. Why?

For two reasons.

One, I believe many Americans are finally seeing through the noise and recognizing what is happening to their country. They are realizing that when this election cycle is all said and done – if he is reelected – this pit in their stomach, the feeling of “this can’t continue,” this divisiveness, con game and noise won’t stop.

It will continue, it will grow louder and more abusive. The atrocities will continue, the mental beatings more ingrained into our collective moral consciousness – and, I believe, they recognize that for what it is.

I believe they won’t stand for it a second time.

Two, witnessing the reaction of the American public to that noise in the form of waiting in hours long voting lines to fill in their ballots inspires me.

After decades of voter suppression perpetrated by exactly whom you would expect would utilize their power in order to continue to cling to it, Americans are standing in line, supporting and encouraging each other to stick it out and change this country for the better.

As a nation, I expect to see voter turnout in numbers we have never seen before, and that will not bode well for the incumbent.

Those voters standing in line saying they don’t care how long it takes, their voice will be heard ... Those are the people that make America great.

They always have, they always will – and they don’t need a ballcap or a flag strapped to the back of their truck to prove it – they do it with a ballpoint pen and a love for their fellow American.

Vote, like your life and the lives of those you love depend on it. Because they do.

Jeff Pack