Just because it turned out to be a disappointment doesn't mean the exuberance was irrational. And that certainly doesn't mean we shouldn't feel optimistic right now. In fact that very thing was discussed in the article I got this screenshot from.

Here are some more:

There are ways to engage with this rationally and productively, in a grounded and balanced way. And there are ways not to.

And honestly, I'm getting tired of all this bitterness and doomerism that seems to be coming out in force after the recent successes in the election. I already had enough of my own bitterness and cynicism over the past two years. Can you let me feel hopeful for once?

Maybe it's just amplified on this community. I don't usually post here; is it always like this?

But assuming you're being genuine and you actually do care and that you're just feeling hopeless, that's valid. But consider that spreading your hopelessness and despair like this can function as a sort of psychological contagion, and if you dampen enough people's spirits then you can really start to extinguish the excitement and momentum that we're building towards possibly doing something different this time.

So like... if you don't want to be a part of the problem then be a part of the solution, or at least sit this one out on the sidelines. Because a favorable wind is rising, and we don't need you rending holes in our sails at this key moment in time.

If you want to contribute to making sure we don't repeat the mistakes of the past, then maybe you could help advocate for choosing different congressional leadership.