Trump as President* says a lot more about us, as a people, than it does about him

[louis c]

There are probably millions of despicable, lying, cheating, vulgar, narcissistic, egomaniacal, thieving con men in America. Trump is not unique. We see these types in our life all too often.

Trump is a piece of shit and he knows it. The people around him know it. But he became President* because far too many people thought it was a good thing for this country or to stick it to those of us who really do care about the country. Those of us who don't think Democracy or Government is an extension of the entertainment industry.

I consider myself part of the elite that so many Americans rail against. I'm not smarter than the average American, but I worship knowledge and facts. I am constantly ridiculed when I can recite these facts in any discussion and then accused of making the stuff up because "they" never heard it before. Of course not. When I start most of these discussions, others brag about their ignorance. "I don't read papers or watch the news. It's all lies and bullshit. Oh, by the way, here's my opinion". They think that challenging their opinions is some how a violation of their free speech.

The fact these people make up a large portion of the electorate makes it all the more important that those of us who know better never throw away our votes on third parties or blank a ballot to send a message in a General Election.

So, to my point. Trump doesn't deserve more than single digits in any election for any office. As a matter of fact, he is not worthy of an invitation to a bar-b-que. But his election says a lot more about the American people than it does about him.

[sandensea]

1. It says a lot about our Republican friends

Not all that much about the rest of us (I hope!).

[louis c]

2. Only those of us who thought that voting 3rd party or blanking was a good idea in GE (NT)

[sandensea]

4. That's what I told my Green Party/Berniebro friends at the time: look at the big picture.

I voted for Bernie, which made them more open to what I had to say. I may have swung a couple votes Hillary's way, who knows.

In any case, I staunchly believe the election was stolen from her - not "influenced"; but stolen outright.

If we don't ditch electronic black box voting, the hacking - be it by Putin, Bibi, the Mercers, or other far-right interests - will be even more brazen in 2020 and beyond.

[Caliman73]

8. If only... Remember that 46% of eligible voters did not vote.

When you have almost half of the people not voting, that says something about all of us too. To me it says that over 60% of the eligible electorate either thought it was a good idea to elect Trump, or didn't care enough to come out to keep him from office.

Those of us who supported Clinton and the Democratic Party are obviously not on the hook for Trump, but I am sure that we all know someone who voted for the idiot or did not vote at all. We are connected to the problem at least in that way.

[sandensea]

9. Voting, at least at the federal level, should be compulsory

Like it is in much of the rest of the developed world, and many developing countries.

It defeats the purpose of voter suppression/discouragement tactics (a GOP favorite), it helps keep major parties' extremist wings in check (the GOP again), and of course it makes elections truly representative or close to it.

[Caliman73]

10. Not sure about compulsory.

I understand the sentiment and depending on how it was implemented it might not be bad. As far as I could tell only 29 countries actually have compulsory voting, and of those only Autralia, Belgium, and one canton in Switzerland would be considered developed.

I think that incentives to vote might work better, like making voting a weekend event or making it a national holiday where people must be given time off from work to go vote.

In addition, resources for easier voting need to be implemented like more and better machines, more polling places, and other things.


Republicans will fight this tooth and nail however because they know that more turn out always favors Democratic policies and candidates. Our ideas are better, but their dirty tactics neutralize them.

[sandensea]

12. Absolutely.

The ideas you mentioned are more realistic, and would create less controversy.

The GOP would rather shoot Wayne LaPierre than allow it to happen - no doubt about it.

[bronxiteforever]

3. I unfortunately agree with you.

From his first exposure as a Presidential candidate, Cheeto was openly a bully, a racist, misogynistic, a fraud, a chain of character defects that assembled into human form.

Millions of people chose him as Potus. That is a fact. There is a lot wrong with this Country but it all comes back to the character of its citizens. Yes we can comfort ourselves with the fact that Cheeto did not win the popular vote yet millions could not see the evil inherent in the man. Or they embraced that evil and that fact is heartbreaking. But the best in this land have left us the path of compassion and resistance. Doctor King’s words still live. We just have to sacrifice to turn it around.

[ananda]

5. I agree.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, seems to be able to stand
up to this bully.

[Corgigal]

6. You're correct IF

we're finally told, by our agencies that the election was legal and can prove it.

Then everything you wrote is applicable. I just hope, whoever is now in charge of election safety is honest with us and proves it's case.

[gratuitous]

7. Trump did lose the popular vote by 2.8 million votes

So, let's try to be a little more specific with just who is at fault here, hmmm?

[louis c]

13. 62 million people voted for this asshole

We still win or lose presidential elections by the electoral college.

I may be displeased at losing an election to W. Bush or Reagan, but at least they had character traits that resembled normal humans.

This guy is off the charts.

[Orsino]

11. Yep. There are several hundred million more of us.

He is a statistical fluke, the intersection of inherited wealth and the cult of celebrity. He's a symptom, and not the disease, which is in us.

[niyad]

14. the 62 million who actually voted for this disgusting pretend-huan being are what worry me.

[Laxman]

15. Sadly This Is A True Statement....

it is a damning indictment of our character as a nation. Just like so many other recent policies. What we do is who we are. Words are cheap. We fund the military but not health care, education or infrastructure. How we treat other peoples and nations. Our disregard for human lives. Our willingness to use force. What we do, what we value, speaks volumes.

[raven mad]

16. Every time I think of him, I'm reminded of Zaphrod Beeblebrox.

Or Garp.