The morning after has several connotations. One example could describe how a person feels after an all-night party. Another might indicate that it is the results of a natural environmental disaster. Politically, it means an ideological change from one governing party to another.The 2024 election results have indicated that this country is still divided even more widely than before. I am sure that our Founding Fathers had no idea that by creating a government by and for the people, it would have such a diverse and profound influence on their lives.In 2016, we elected Trump as our president, who later lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. Since then, he has fostered the idea of unfounded false claims of election fraud which have continued to fuel the flames of doubt amongst his followers.In his quest to remain in power, Trump decided to circumvent the peaceful transition of power from one political party to another by creating a scheme of fake electors to replace the official state electors. On Jan. 6, 2021, he summoned a mob of followers to march to the Capitol and protest the results of the 2020 election. His action or lack thereof, caused a peaceful protest to get out of control, resulting in a riot and in turn, an “insurrection” against the Capitol Building, legislators and police.Trump followers have been listening to his rhetoric for years and they believe him! Much like the followers of a preacher named Jim Jones, who in 1978 led hundreds of his followers to their deaths by demanding they ingest poison laden punch to reach salvation. Of course, he did not join them.Trump followers are like the analogy of a frog in a pan of chilly water; as the water temperature rises up, the frog adapts. They have adapted to his constant disinformation, lies and demeaning rhetoric about people to the point in which they are numb to the boiling water of truth. His past criminal convictions have no bearing or consequences to their decision to vote for him. In other words, his integrity and morality have no bearing on their decision.An example of this is in the contradiction of the Republican Party advocating less federal intervention in the lives of individuals. Trump’s successful effort to dismantle Roe vs. Wade, placing the issue of abortion health care for women in the authority of the states, is a violation of the Republican ideology.Lastly, Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” At first, it sounds plausible, but further examination of the words implies confusion. That is the present state of our political climate, and its future seems dismissal.Not only will American lives be changed, but the lives of other citizens across the world will be as well. My hope is in the adage that a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. May God bless America!John WhiteMidwayThe post The morning after appeared first on Park Record.