No nation is perfect, Wilhelm, but the U.S. has a long and proud history of standing up for what is right alongside some rather dark chapters. Democracy, freedom of speech, immigration, helping nations in need, scientific and technological excellence… basically, an ally that other nations can rely on.

To see it all thrown away is heart-breaking. The destruction of the middle class by billionaires and huge corporations intent on the most toxic forms of capitalist excess seems to have taken away the good and just left behind… whatever it is we are seeing now. Supply-side economics, trickle down theory, reagonomics, Newt Gingrich, Citizens United: a drum beat of corruption by the ultra-rich and power hungry.

The good (?) news is that it looks like the EU and the rest of the world may find a way to step up on Ukraine’s behalf. And maybe the mid terms will weaken the MAGAt stranglehold on two of the pillars of American democracy. But boy howdy, are the next few years ever going to be a challenge for the good people who don’t agree with the way things are going.