A friend brought up “the lack of accountability” in politics.

In response, I brought up “the path to forgiveness,” suggesting we can hold people responsible, but allow resocialization. Otherwise, there is no reason for the “tyrant or abuser” to submit to rehabilitation and reintegration.

They responded that they would “never forgive Trump.”

In this situation, the impulse for accountability operates as a virtuous term, while smuggling in revenge-justice.

What I fear is a system with no possibility of recuperation; only punishment and a lifetime of alienation. In such a system we create and enforce opposition: once one mistake is made, the only logical thing to do is go further afield and amplify your martyrdom, because you can never return.