THE U.S. midterm election is over. Republicans appear to be inching toward a House majority, but the Senate remains unclear with the Nevada race unresolved, and the Georgia Senate race heading to a Dec. 6 runoff. Various pundits, both left and right, were anticipating a “red wave,” a “red tsunami,” a reversal of power not untypical historically of midterm elections. Instead, the anticipated turnover of blue to red simply did not happen.

Many Democrats, including the President, have expressed elation over the failure of the Republicans to instill their election deniers into positions that could potentially eliminate the democratic process forever. My personal elation is not only subdued, it is essentially nonexistent.

It does not matter if the Democrats maintain control over the Senate; the import of this election has already been determined. I’m sorry to all who claim success for the Democrats. My thorough disappointment arises from the awareness that there are still substantial numbers of U.S. citizens who support the likes of DeSantis, Abbott and Johnson, people who identify hate and fear as acceptable virtues. Corporate (Military-Industrial Complex) influence continues to reign supreme in the States. Beto would have been the best thing to ever happen to Texas’ current social, economic and political circumstances, yet the rabid gerrymandering and distribution of misinformation has proved devastating to the nation’s electing of people committed to the post-Trump recovery process.

The U.S. has yet again proved that it is a failed democracy that can no longer truly provide for the needs of its people.

Don Rechtman via email