At some point in our lives, most of us have experienced “The Morning After” effects, whether it was a hangover from too much to drink, or sore muscles from too much exercise suddenly in our sedentary lives, or just too much celebration of one kind or another. We suffer from our overindulgence, and we pay the price, which often leads us to question the wisdom of our actions of the previous day or night.
However, there’s a more serious price to pay when, in a moment of passion or heightened emotion, we commit an irreversible act with dire consequences—an act that becomes a permanent part of our reality. It may involve coercing someone against their will, or it might involve violence, a knife, a gun, or another weapon. It may hurt, wound, or even take the life of another. Sometimes, these acts change the course of history, such as an assassination, a coup, or an insurrection that alters the very fabric of a nation’s governance. And from that point forward, nothing will ever be the same.
These are the kinds of actions that cannot be undone. It’s simply too late.
In a civilized society, we have developed strategies to prevent such “morning-after” regrets. Many of these strategies involve reminding ourselves—and others—of the consequences that await in the aftermath. Sometimes, the risks are so high that others feel compelled to step in and prevent a potential tragedy. A common example would be taking away someone’s keys to keep them from driving drunk.
The worst outcomes often stem from emotional responses, which are easily exploited by those who seek to manipulate us for their own purposes. Inciting a mob, for instance, can lead people to take actions they would never consider on their own.
As a nation, we find ourselves in a situation much like that now, during this election. The stakes are high, and the emotions are even higher. Fear, frustration, biases, and prejudices are being used to steer this country away from the constitutional democracy that has been admired by the world, toward a more authoritarian system. In these emotionally charged times, we may feel compelled to cede control to an authoritarian leader who promises to take responsibility for the nation and make decisions on our behalf—decisions we, as citizens, will no longer have any voice in.
But what will that mean on “The Morning After,” when the emotions have cooled, and the reality of our choices sets in? The change may be irrevocable, with no way back.
Once the election is over and the dust has settled, we will face the consequences of our collective decisions. Will there be a peaceful transfer of power, or will we continue to experience insurrection and violence? Will the outcome seem fair and just, or will it feel like the result of manipulation—a silent coup?
Throughout history, civilizations have created systems to manage highly emotional situations and prevent them from spiraling into chaos and mob violence. Most have developed rules and procedures to keep emotions in check and maintain order. These systems rely on impartial judges and officials to ensure that outcomes, while not always satisfactory to all, are at least acceptable within the established framework.
We have rules, processes and procedures for such things as court cases. Our democracy has similar mechanisms—rules, processes, and procedures—designed to manage national debates and conflicts. Take sports as an example: fans are often passionate to the point of fervor, convinced their team is not only superior but also deserving of outright victory. Yet, to prevent violence, sports have rules and referees, umpires, and officials to ensure that the game is played fairly and that the outcome, while disappointing to the losing side, is at least accepted as legitimate.
In much the same way, our democracy depends on adhering to rules and respecting processes. When we abandon those time-tested procedures, we risk plunging into violence, chaos, and, ultimately, a society where those with the most power and resources dictate the outcome, with little regard for the voices of ordinary citizens.