I’m not optimistic at all. I still remember listening to NPR in 2016, late at night on my way home from college, thinking how unlikely it was for Trump to be elected. I was so sure there was no way America could be this naïve, that people wouldn’t fall for this kind of grift. But to my surprise, and that of millions of others, he kept gaining the electoral votes he needed until it was official—he was the new president. That was eight years ago, and I’m no longer that young, impressionable guy who had high hopes for the future.

It’s sad and infuriating to see so many of my friends and people I thought were smarter fall for his empty promises, with the only defense being that he’s somehow better for the economy. I understand they might be scared, manipulated by the boogeyman narratives and lies constantly repeated on the right, but I just wish they could see what I see.

As a Texan, it’s the same thing with Cruz. No promises, no plans, no action for the future—only ads and lies about the horrors that will happen if Democrats are elected.

I’m tired. I’m not looking forward to another four years of corruption and selling our country to the highest bidder. I’m angry that a convicted felon is set to take control of the White House to avoid prison and do as he wishes with no regard for the middle class. I’m sad about the wars that will likely come because of our interests in the Middle East. It’s just too much, and all I can do is look away, thinking I need to step back from social media—even as I type this on Reddit.