Well, this will be interesting. We’ve gone and elected a man who promises “on day one” to start rounding up folks of Latino descent for mass deportation and to weaponize the U.S. Justice Department and military against his “enemies within.”

You probably know the rest of the list.

Friends say, “Trump was president before and everything was OK.”

OK, perhaps, unless you were one of the million-plus people who died from Covid-19 or a woman seeking gynecological health care or a fan of the international alliances that have maintained order since World War II.

A big difference between 2016 and 2024 is the country has seen Trump in action. We know who he is.

I’ve not been so bummed by an election since Goldwater lost in 1964. Barry carried only six states, gaining just 52 electoral votes. It was a wipeout. And yet four years later, in 1968, Richard Nixon roared back to lead a Republican sweep, carrying 32 states and gaining 301 electoral votes.

What made the difference?

I think it was kids like those with tears streaming as Harris conceded on November 6, 2024. Sixty years ago, almost to the day, youngsters who thought their elders got it wrong started working. Across American we studied politics; listened to folks in our neighborhoods; networked across the state and the nation.

We worked hard and we won.

The promise of America is that one person can change the world. Lord knows, Donald Trump believes that.

Today’s teenagers and 20-year-olds must quit crying and start to work. Like Kamala Harris said, “When we work, we win. But winning is not always immediate.”

The 2026 election starts today.

Larsen Jay gets boost from Hammond

Larsen Jay (file photo)

Speaking of 2026, Larsen Jay’s campaign to become Knox County mayor got a boost on November 6 when his major rival, Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond, announced he will run for reelection to his current job. Here is his statement: Mike Hammond Announcement

Jay, currently an at-large Knox County commissioner, released a statement wishing Hammond the best.

“Mike Hammond is a friend and celebrated public servant. … I’ve reached out to Mike to find ways we can work together as Knox County elected leaders.”

Meanwhile, other names mentioned as possible candidates are Commissioner Kim Frazier and school board member Betsy Henderson.

Let’s Talk is a political column that reflects solely the views of the writer.