​“ Elon: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once “

Why would a 75 year old woman brave subfreezing temperatures and gusty winds to hold a handmade protest sign aloft for two hours? What prompts me to ignore significant back pain and better judgement? Patriotism is my answer. Patriotism and fear that Elon Musk has stolen American Democracy. It is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue. And NO ! I am not being paid by any Indivisible group to stand there or attend Town Halls . The simplest symbol I can find is a Tesla showroom . It is where indifferent Americans line his pockets and fuel his far right, radical agenda.

I will not “unsee” Musk's’ Stiff right-armed Nazi- like salute at Trumps’ inaugural rally on January 20th. His supporters suggested that Harris and Walz used similar gestures. In fact, their A.I generated facsimiles were soon uncovered as fraudulent.

We have been asked to accept a de-facto Co-Presidency with an UNELECTED co captain ever present in the Oval Office and Cabinet meetings. We are too polite to question the uniform of black tee shirt, jeans and baseball MAGA cap in black. “ He’s quirky, he’s unique, he’s futuristic” HE IS SIMPLY IRREVERANT ! He feels no need to even pay homage to the bright red necktie that graces Trumps genitals. After all, the rest of the team has adapted.

He arrives toting four year old “X” on his shoulders. He rides aloft in Daddy and Me dress alike garb. This is no John-John Kennedy hiding coyly under The Resolute desk. This feisty four year old boldly picks his nose as Daddy speaks and Trump cocks his head deferentially like an obedient Beagle. Daddy does his characteristic, templed fingertips held as if they are divining rods directing him to water. Those fingertips never quite make palm to palm contact in what might look like prayerful hands. No need for other Gods when your wealth can buy everything but a soul.

We are asked to love his cars and for a while we did. We quickly abandoned a long love affair with automotive design and history. We forgot about the beefy grills and chrome of Ford and G.M.C trucks. We forgot the iconic grills we always coveted. The Cadillac of the 50s that became the still recognizable update of this millennium. The Volvo squared grill with a simple diagonal line, the Mercedes Star, the B.M W double paned grill, the Audi intertwined circles. Now, we are asked to love a “toothless Maw” that looks able to suck in anything in its way rather than thinking about a thoughtful chew. How emblematic is that, Elon? We are asked to love a cybertruck that looks as if a 12 year old boy had a dream and a ruler. Where, I ask does that car seat fit in that metallic nightmare? Can a bicycle go on top or on a trunk?

Musk, like his toothless, thoughtless grill, has sucked up too many things we hold dear. He is challenging, Social Security, Vet benefits, Public School Education, Federal agencies and workers that guaranteed safety. He threatens Medicaid, Food programs and Universal Pre K.

In order to see this through he is buying candidates that will support the agenda. The Wisconsin Supreme Court next up. In our local election in Westchester County, $1.5 million to Mike Lawler. He has no problem interfering locally or globally as he did in Germanys last election. Thankfully, The A.F D Party lost. We do not want to emulate the politics of his native South Africa as to wealth disparity. We share our own unfortunate past on racism.

Lets not forget what America means to us. It is Liberty and Justice for all. For all children who are cowering at the thought of having families ripped apart. For Vets who offered their lives in service, for old people and children who need Medicaid and people like me who worked for 55 years without stopping to retire knowing Social Security with my pension would afford me a middle class life ! NO more ! No less !

So I stand with my sign aloft hoping Americans will wake up and see that this “ Wizard” is just smoke and mirrors. The smoke is seductive and pervasive . My arm hurts, my voice falters but I am an American. Something is wrong here !

Authored by Barbara Santarelli, North Salem N.Y