When Fiction Starts to Feel Too Real
I can’t help thinking about what’s worse: the worlds I describe in my fictional novels, or what’s happening in real life — especially here in the United States. I try to keep peace in my heart and focus on the good things: my family, my work, my writing. But lately, I can’t seem to do that anymore. The country has changed drastically over the years, and one person and their regime have accelerated that decline.
Some people may think I’m being dramatic — after all, we’re not living in Russia or Tehran — but this is our reality. Every day the news cycle spins fear and chaos, and it’s impossible to ignore.
The Media Machine and the Fear Cycle
Freedom of the press is vital, but major networks like CNN and Fox News have become something else entirely. CNN leans heavily left and knows how to provoke conservatives. Fox News, on the other hand, has become pure right‑wing propaganda. I’m not saying CNN is innocent — they’re still a network chasing ratings — but Fox often feels like it exists to enrage people. And when you feed people a steady diet of anger and misinformation, it’s no surprise when some of them do horrific things.
It’s unfortunate that this passes as “news.”
My Apple News feed is filled with political articles — DJT this, DJT that — and honestly, I’m close to deleting the app altogether. But it’s useful, so I keep it.
The Weight of Daily Life
Most days I’m already stretched thin: working full‑time, teaching part‑time, writing books and blogs, raising my family, paying bills, and trying to manage depression and anxiety so I don’t flip out. It’s a tough balance, and what’s happening in our country doesn’t help.
I’ve grown angry — even though I don’t show it. And I’m conflicted, because I’m a believer in Jesus and try not to let hate or anger into my heart. But it’s almost impossible.
Faith, Politics, and the Silence of Leaders
There are Christians who insist the president is doing God’s work and was chosen by God. I believe every president is chosen for a purpose — sometimes to teach a nation a hard lesson.
What frustrates me most is the silence. Silence from people who claim to stand for righteousness, the rule of law, and equity. Silence from corporations, businesses, and especially church leaders who have the platform to speak truth but choose not to.
Some argue pastors shouldn’t speak against a president because it “politicizes” God’s word. But many pastors already did that — openly endorsing candidates from the pulpit. I saw it firsthand at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. I loved that church, but hearing congregants shout “BUILD THE WALL” during a sermon — and the pastor chuckling — was wrong.
Pastor Laurie of Harvest Church is another example. I don’t dislike him, but his closeness to the president is hard to ignore.
I don’t know what’s worse: a preacher who stays silent, or a preacher who dilutes the word of God. I respect leaders like Pope Leo, who speaks out against evil without naming names — but we all know who he means.
The Spark: Robert Reich’s Substack
What triggered me this morning was a Substack from Robert Reich titled “How to Describe a Catastrophe.” Yes, he’s left‑leaning, but he’s incredibly intelligent — former Secretary of Labor, professor at UC Berkeley — and he lays out the situation clearly. He argues that what we’re seeing isn’t a normal presidency, but authoritarianism.
He cites examples:
- defying court orders
- vilifying judges
- usurping Congress’s powers
- stifling speech
- firing career civil servants
- punishing whistleblowers
- persecuting political opponents
- pardoning criminals who support him
- sending federal troops into Democratic‑run states
Reading it felt like confirmation of what I’ve been sensing for years.
Surveillance and the Erosion of Privacy
Then there’s the surveillance — companies like Palantir, social media platforms, corporations collecting troves of data on us every day. Selling it. Using it. Growing more powerful.
How much more nefarious does it need to get before people wake up?
A Warning, Not Fear‑Mongering
These are scary times. I’m not trying to fear‑monger — I’m trying to sound the alarm. We keep handing over control, often willingly, believing that our government, our media, and our tech companies will do the right thing.
But they won’t.
Because money is the object of their affection.
And as the president himself once said, he cares nothing about the people’s financial well‑being.
Why would he?
He already has wealth, power, and everything he wants.
Shameless plug if you want to know what true silence does and is doing to our country and world, pick up my new book in September:
Those who read my posts know that I am no not someone trying to strike fear, but warning, warnings that are often ignored until its too late.
Joe Meyers Adventures 