I found out that my favorite couple is breaking up (they’re both huge in our dance group, so this may be awkward even if they end on good terms, plus I’m sad about it) and the local ballroom (which I can walk to) is going to close in about 5 months, after 28 years in existence. Not sure where we will end up dancing. Crap.

I think ACA is safe until the GOP can figure out something to replace it.

My big concern with health is Kennedy getting any kind of control. I'm really hoping he does something to get on the outs with Trump soon. Even if he doesn't get an official job (please God don't let him get an official job) he would still have influence over Trump.

They came within one vote of cancelling the ACA, back then, and 'they' have more control now.

I suspect a lot of what happens in the next few years will depend on how much money lobbyists transfer to Trump and other Republican bank accounts. If the insurance profession likes the ACA and is will to pay enough, they may get to keep it. Industries who need foreign goods will need to pay to get their exceptions to tariffs in to law, etc. It's really going to be about who has the best lobbyists and deepest pockets.

I think the ACA is toast if Dems don't get the House. I don't think they need something to replace it.

Erika: Yeah, definitely. It's what I called the "I work 3 jobs and am exhausted" factor.

meara: Aw, that's a shame. Double shame, even.

I know I'm mostly a lurker these days, but I'm in shock and despair right along with everyone else.

On the abortion issue, I think there's some people who thought it they could protect abortion access Trump won't be that bad (even though that is just one of many, many terrible plans on Trump's docket) and don't realize the GOP only believe in states rights when it benefits them and will happily pass a national ban.

I'm truly hoping we can find some way through this with our democracy in tact, but a good part of me suspects that the history books will list Mitch McConnell as the architect of the downfall of our Republic and Trump as it's executioner.

I'm also super pissed at Merrick Garland for dragging his feet for 3 years before finally trying to do something about Trump's many crimes. He should have made it priority one to prevent there from ever being a possibility that Trump could get remotely near the White House again.

Also, Biden and the Dems in the Senate need to spend the next two months filling every single open position in the judiciary to make are Trump doesn't get to fill them.

My intrusive thoughts aren’t about Trump but the people I love who voted for him. Fortunately they are in Michigan and I won’t see them until Christmas and, fwiw, are in laws. I need to come up with a strategy for dealing with them. I want them to know the ways they have hurt me and have no interest in their reasons for doing what they did.

My intrusive thoughts aren’t about Trump but the people I love who voted for him.

I feel this so much. I have to go see my brother soon. My plan for now is to go to my sister's house and let him come to us. I can't see his huge banner on the front of My Mother's House and be civil. I hope she is haunting him.

The hopes and dreams of never seeing that disgusting smug face again are gone, although I have yet to turn on the news. That will be a while. And yes, AG Garland gets a lot of blame.

The last two days I watched Dead Boy Detectives in entirety. And just started The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which is quite fun so far. Distraction R Us.