Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(132,372 posts)
Thu Dec 18, 2025, 02:17 PM Thursday

Shame: The Comeback Tour America Didn't Know It Needed

Kristoffer Ealy

I was having a conversation with a couple of friends the other night about the people who didn’t vote for Kamala Harris last year. And somewhere between Trump’s latest racist tirade, the structural rot in the Democratic Party, Elon Musk’s ongoing crusade against reality, and the never-ending hand-wringing over the non-voters of 2024, it finally hit me: this country has a shame problem. Or rather, it has a shame vacuum. A shame drought. Shame has packed up its bags, caught the next flight out of LAX, and hasn’t been seen since Obama’s second inauguration.

I told my friends, “Man, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive this country for electing Trump to a second non-consecutive term—especially after everything he did the first time.” And one of them, Rick, nodded and said, “Yeah, the people who didn’t vote for Harris should be ashamed of themselves.” Which is exactly when my friend, Leslie, chimed in, completely breezy, and said, “Well, I voted for everyone except the president, and I’m fine with it. I don’t like what he’s doing with ICE or tariffs, but I’m not ashamed.”

I looked at her the way a parent looks at a child who proudly announces they stuck a fork in an electrical socket. Like, really? You’re proudly saying you didn’t vote for Harris, while also admitting you hate everything Trump has done in just this one catastrophic year? How exactly did you think we were going to avoid this outcome? Harris was the only viable alternative. She wasn’t a raffle prize at a church picnic. She wasn’t an optional add-on like heated seats. She was the Democratic nominee.

Leslie then launched into the greatest hits of Excuses People Make When They Don’t Want to Admit They Screwed Up: Harris was too friendly with Liz Cheney. She didn’t stand up for Palestinians the way Leslie wanted. Trump “felt more authentic.” And yes, that last one almost made me swallow my tongue. Trump feels more authentic in the same way carbon monoxide feels more refreshing—you only think that because your brain is already dying.

https://www.lincolnsquare.media/p/shame-the-comeback-tour-america-didnt

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Shame: The Comeback Tour America Didn't Know It Needed (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Thursday OP
Hopefully .... A lot of these people realize how badly they screwed up stopdiggin Thursday #1
That is why I keep saying that this should be the Dems Motto: Nictuku Thursday #2
btc wrote a book- shameless mopinko Thursday #3

stopdiggin

(14,919 posts)
1. Hopefully .... A lot of these people realize how badly they screwed up
Thu Dec 18, 2025, 02:34 PM
Thursday

I'm not overly confident about that ... Because a lot of human beings are fairly determined in their ability (and right?) to be as*holes. (without apparent consequence?) I label this the 5 yr old syndrome. As practiced by many in their 30s, 40s, and 60s.

But I will try to remain optimistic ... All that I have left.

Nictuku

(4,529 posts)
2. That is why I keep saying that this should be the Dems Motto:
Thu Dec 18, 2025, 02:43 PM
Thursday

MAKE LYING WRONG AGAIN!

Put Everyone elected to public office under oath to tell the truth WHENEVER speaking on behalf of their office.

Start Shaming Liars Again

mopinko

(73,250 posts)
3. btc wrote a book- shameless
Thu Dec 18, 2025, 03:10 PM
Thursday
https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/shameless

In Shameless, rising star of the Left, Brian Tyler Cohen uses his accessible style and sharp, analytical lens to expose the distance between the vaunted Republican brand—built on an undeserved reputation for prioritiz­ing family values, fiscal responsibility, and respecting the Constitution—and the reality of their actions, which so thoroughly undermine those purported values
Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»Shame: The Comeback Tour ...