Revenge!
It will feel good!?
Democrats and anyone else angry at the needless devastation heaped on America and the Earth by a diabolical president and his MAGANAZIs will someday have a chance to get their “pound of flesh”. Payback time. Big time revenge. Like never in history. Like, OMG, finally.
But wait. Can we do the right thing? Achieve justice - without being as awful as the addicts who brought this on?
Addicts? What addicts? “The MAGA monsters are just evil and brought this on themselves”. Maybe yes. And maybe partly … no.
Scientists have found evidence that revenge is an addiction - just like a dependence on alcohol, drugs or gambling. You never get enough.
Consider listening to a recent “Hidden Brain” NPR show and podcast or read about Dr. James Kimmel, Jr. - a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. His new book, “The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It,” is published by Harmony Books.
“The author recounts a childhood incident of bullying and revenge, which led him to become a lawyer seeking revenge for clients. Neuroscience research indicates revenge activates brain regions linked to addiction, while forgiveness reduces activity in pain and reward circuits.
The author advocates for forgiveness as a method to counteract revenge addiction, drawing on both scientific findings and ancient teachings.”
Our addicted president has been leading a “revenge tour” for his entire adult life. And he became even more addicted as he gained more power. Our president is more than senile and demented. He is an addict who has no control over his emotions or actions.
Donald J. Trump has not been in control of Donald J. Trump. And his followers have channeled their resentments and disappointments to the same part of their brains. They have become addicted to payback. Owning the libs is like smoking crack.
But now, let’s look forward in time.
It is sometime later in 2027.
Democrats achieved their “blue wave” in the 2026 mid term elections and now control the House of Representatives with a strong majority. They will also set the agenda in the Senate with 50 Democrats and 2 Independents who will caucus with them.
MAGA legislators had obeyed King Donald. After his official coronation, he ordained that “his party” be renamed. He felt that “Republican” was too weak. A few still use the old label and hinted behind closed doors that they may actually support the impeachment of the “king”. Dems have lawyered up and the articles of impeachment are being refined to reflect the latest “crimes and misdemeanors”.
The impeachment vote was close, but this time the Senate DID convict #47 and remove him from office. J.D. Vance was soundly defeated in November 2028. The country was exhausted and sick of the chaos foisted on them by vengeful men.
So, now that we have regained our power and are in the process of restoring order, decency and democracy, will we exact revenge? Will we thrill in the punishment? I hope not. Let’s exact justice and an appropriate sentences. History will punish the wannabe king and the brutally cruel MAGA clan.
We will need to restore a sense of good will around the world. Restore a faith in our government. In ourselves. In a democracy that is based on the rule of law. On our Constitution. The path of justice does not require revenge.
President Whitmer with Vice President Melanie Stansbury and Chief of Staff Stacey Abrams standing close by, took the oath of office and delivered an Inaugural Speech for the Ages. She spoke of unity and a course correction that will take years to accomplish. She accepted no money for celebration balls and parties. She went to work immediately and signed hundreds of Executive Orders reversing all the destructive anti-democratic, fascistic EOs of her predecessors.
The U.S. rejoined the WHO and the Paris Climate Accord. New pledges to fully support NATO and other alliances around the world were announced by Secretary of State Pete Buttigieg. A special task force to search for and remove embedded foreign influence in American elections was announced by Attorney General Jamie Raskin.
Large bonuses and contract guarantees were offered to thousands of experts to join or rejoin Federal Agencies in an historic restoration of good governance. Scientists returned from exile and resumed critical research. USAID was resuscitated.
Perhaps, most importantly, our new president ordered that the Climate Crisis be a consideration within every department and agency of the Federal Government. Legislation was signed eliminating subsidies for fossil fuel companies and reassigning the funds to projects expanding sustainable energy resources. Thousands of new jobs were stimulated by a commitment to a refreshed and rebuilt “smart energy grid” to handle the explosive growth of geothermal, wind, solar, hydro, fusion and ocean power projects.
During that same first week, bills were delivered to her desk that restored women’s reproductive rights, a complete rewriting of the Federal tax code that reversed the flow of money to the top - back to the rest of us, removed the income cap on Social Security taxes and established Medicare for All!
President Whitmer asked Congress to promptly give her an immigration bill to sign. It must include additional funding for tools to secure the border, better drug traffic screening, processing asylum seekers more quickly, offering work permits, providing a path to legal residency, and possibly citizenship. The money will be provided by a tax on all uses of AI.
A Special White House event was planned for the President to sign a bill ending unlimited donations to political campaigns. Corporate political donations were capped at $1000. Personal Donations were capped at $100. “PACs” were effectively disabled. “K Street” firms became much less influential.
The House of Representatives resumed the process of impeaching Justices Thomas, Alito and Roberts. It was rumored that two of them were planning to resign rather than trying to explain the numerous bribes they received from the Fascist Oligarchs.
Elon Musk was arrested, deported, banned from re-entry. StarLink was nationalized for security reasons. “X” was sold to Andy Borowitz. He told his financial backers (George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds and Larry David) he was renaming the platform “Tweezer” and that it’s entire focus would be satire and fun. No AI or hate allowed.
The first 100 days of the Whitmer administration saw a measurable drop in hate speech and crime. It was reported that people were happier and more productive at work. They were smiling. A happy life in a decent country is the best revenge.
Wasn’t that fun? Sadly, it will be a long slog with many struggles and setbacks. We will get to a better place. But it will take a lot of work. June 14th will be the largest ever protest - but hardly the last. See you on the streets.
Find a peaceful event near you:
No Kings!
Hidden Brain podcast - Science of Revenge - James Kimmel
Good Reads - Science of Revenge
https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/03/26/james-kimmel-jr-yale-psychiatrist-to-publish-the-science-of-revenge/
A hopeful vision for our future that is well worth contemplation.
That would feel so good!