Even before the events on Wednesday, I’ve noticed Republican voters – who are getting punched in the face by this administration – being very bent out of shape over what they perceive as a lack of empathy from the left.

I consider myself a fairly empathetic person, and I’ll admit my tank is a bit low these days with everything happening in the country and the world, but I will say this:

I voted for better things not just for myself, but for you, too. For all of us. In Kamala Harris & Tim Walz we had two very smart, talented, caring people. They wouldn’t have started trade wars, governed via vengeance and childish impulse, abandoned our allies, and terrorized the public.

But you said empathy was a weakness, thought it was weird that Walz’ son openly loved his Dad, and Kamala Harris had the audacity to be a smart, black, very qualified woman. Sure, you said she laughed too much, was out of touch for having nice earrings and shopping at the Le Creuset store, slept her way to the top, whatever, but be honest, she was a black woman and you couldn’t stand that.

So you chose someone who appealed to the worst in you, and gave you permission to be your worst out in the world. Your leaders engage in violent rhetoric, stochastic terrorism, and are hell bent on destroying the economy – and they were clear about that in the campaign, so you can’t say you didn’t know.

Yep, it sucks for you. I didn’t want this for you. I don’t want people to struggle and live in fear.

And Charlie Kirk? He wasn’t a good person, and I won’t miss him, but I can still say political violence hurts all of us.

You screamed for vengeance. In your bloodlust you scrambled to see the video and instantly regretted it, because it’s not like the movies and video games. And then you found out the call was coming from inside the house, and boy did the tune change.

You’re mad that the empathy you think is so weak – and rarely extend to others – is not overflowing in your direction.

But I don’t think you actually want empathy. I think you want absolution for your decisions last November that put us all here.

And I can’t give you that.