The Politics of Disillusionment: Why We Keep Settling for the Lesser Evil”
In America, political loyalty often feels like a toxic relationship, we keep going back, hoping for change, only to be let down again. Voter remorse is in full swing, and it’s hitting both sides of the aisle. Trump supporters are waking up to the reality that their anti-establishment hero was just another politician with a golden parachute. Meanwhile, Democrats are grappling with the moral whiplash of an administration that promised progress but delivered complicity, especially in the wake of the Gaza crisis. And let’s not forget the latest bipartisan trend: the villainization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which has somehow become the new scapegoat for America’s problems.
Voter’s Remorse: The Red Edition
Some of Trump’s most die-hard supporters — farmers, teachers, and working-class Americans, are realizing that blind faith doesn’t pay the bills. According to The Economic Times, the USDA halted food aid purchases, leaving farmers with $340 million in undelivered shipments. Teachers are bracing for job cuts under Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education. The very people who chanted “Make America Great Again” are now wondering if the fine print included “…but not for you.” (Economic Times)
The Blue Side of Disillusionment
But let’s not pretend Democrats are sleeping soundly at night. Biden’s approval ratings have taken a dive, especially among progressives, young voters, and communities of color who feel betrayed by his administration’s handling of Gaza. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that 57% of Americans disapproved of Biden’s response, with many urging a halt to military actions that have led to mass civilian casualties. (Wikipedia)
Democrats once branded themselves as the party of human rights, yet their unwavering support for Israel, despite global condemnation , has shattered that image. Voters who once held their noses to vote for Biden over Trump in 2020 are now wondering if they can stomach doing it again. Because let’s be real, at this point, many of us are not voting for someone, we’re voting against the alternative.
The New Boogeyman: DEI
And while voters are busy choosing between bad and worse, politicians on both sides have found a convenient punching bag: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). What started as an attempt to level the playing field in workplaces, schools, and corporations has now been branded as the root of all evil. The right has framed DEI as a Marxist plot to destroy America, while even some moderates and Democrats have distanced themselves from it to avoid backlash.
Instead of addressing systemic inequality, corporate greed, or political corruption, lawmakers would rather convince you that the real problem is… too much diversity? Too much inclusion? Apparently, ensuring marginalized groups have a seat at the table is just too much for America to handle. Meanwhile, real issues like economic disparity, war profiteering, and voter suppression take a backseat. But sure, let’s keep blaming diversity for all our problems.
Hero or Villain? Depends on Who You Ask
One person’s savior is always someone else’s nightmare. Trump’s base saw him as the ultimate disruptor, but to others, he was the embodiment of chaos. Biden was hailed as the “return to normal,” but for those facing the brunt of war, economic struggles, and unfulfilled promises, normal just looks like more of the same.
This cycle of disillusionment begs the question: How do we escape the binary of bad versus worse?
Can We Ever Escape the Cycle?
The absence of evil, or at least the absence of equal evil, seems like an unattainable dream in American politics. Our system is designed to keep power concentrated in two parties, both of which rely on fear rather than genuine inspiration to win votes. Real change would require:
• Breaking the two-party stranglehold — The U.S. needs viable third parties, ranked-choice voting, and an electoral system that doesn’t force us into a zero-sum game.
• Demanding accountability: We have to stop treating politicians like sports teams we root for no matter what. If they betray the people, they should lose our support, period.
• Rewriting the playbook: Corporate interests dictate our elections, meaning candidates who actually prioritize the people are often drowned out. Campaign finance reform is long overdue.
But let’s be honest — none of this happens unless voters are willing to demand more than the lesser of two evils. And right now, too many of us are just trying to survive, exhausted by the idea of another election where our only options are settling or suffering.
So, where does that leave us? Probably right where we started, holding our breath, weighing our options, and preparing to vote with a deep sigh. Because in America, political hope is a fleeting thing, and disillusionment? That’s just part of the process.
