I'm sorry I can't celebrate today.

[Pacifist Patriot]

Last edited Wed Nov 7, 2018, 10:30 AM - Edit history (1)

In fact, I'm in tears and will probably work from home today because I can't face anyone right now.

* My city council and county school board are non-partisan, but all elected members are registered Republicans.
* 100% of the county commission are Republican.
* My Florida state rep and state senator are both Republican.
* My governor is still a fucking Republican and an openly racist fucker at that.
* My US Rep is a Republican, freedom caucus of course.
* Both of my US Senators are now Republican.
* The president* is a Republican.

I have no one representing me. NO ONE.

By that, I mean I feel truly and thoroughly fucked as a female, liberal, apatheist, pre-existing conditioned, aging person. That most of the people listed above don't even consider fully human.

I worked my ass off on a couple of campaigns and for Democrats in general. Everything short of door knocking because of my degenerating joints.

Once again I started to feel hope before an election and watched early leads evaporate as it became apparent either our voting systems have no integrity or it's the majority of my fellow Floridian voters who don't possess any. Either way, this feels devastating to me. If I had an option, I'd be perfectly happy to relocate out of this state. But that will be at least another six years.

I know we took the House, but I honestly don't know if that matters anymore. A majority of Texans preferred Cruz to O'Rourke. Seriously, WTF???? How the hell do we lose seats in the Senate with the diabolical dysfunctional shit show going on in the Trump administration. If we can't combat the racism, misogyny, and insidious right-wing propaganda in this country, I don't see how we can get past this. Stupid willfully ignorant hateful people will be the end of us all.

I'm hoping I wake tomorrow and feel better, but right now celebrating is the last thing I feel like doing. Crawling into a fetal ball in front of British detective shows for the next couple of years is about all I'm up to right now.

ETA: Folks, I'm not giving up, I'm just taking some time to process and grieve. I'm worn out physically, mentally, and emotionally. I've been fighting the fight for 18 years now. It gets old. Keep in mind Republicans have the power to continue Florida down a dangerous path that has immediate real-life consequences. They are doing nothing meaningful to address environmental devastation, are dismantling public education one damn charter school at a time, etc. A Democratically controlled US House of Reps (and I am delighted we now have control and can start checking Trumpism) doesn't mitigate the state level damage the GOP will do here. Yes I'll "snap out of it, move on, stop wallowing, etc." Tomorrow.


UPDATE: Seth Abramson's commentary is helping pull me out of my funk. I'm an SA fan girl. https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1060073948329717760.html

[riversedge]

1. I am very shocked and so disappointed in Florida as a whole--and do hope you can find

some peace soon.

[watoos]

38. I was about to console the poster

but I agree with him about Florida and Ohio. Those 2 states were very disappointing. With that said, things are going to change with Donald Trump come January. He is going to get up and personal with Jerry Nadler, Adam Schiff, and "low IQ Auntie Maxine," and others.

Life is going to be a living hell for Trump come January, I hope he likes conflict because conflicts are coming his way. His making money off the presidency would be a priority for me. Hit him where it hurts, in his man/baby piggy bank.

[olegramps]

72. I moved from CO to FL two years ago because of wife's health.

I am very disappointed in the results. Things will not change until a greater percentage of the 18-35 year old group realize their future is in serious jeopardy. Colorado is so much more progressive than this Republican racist rat hole. It was close and I can take some hope in that, but I probably won't be around to see any great strides.

[Botany]

2. I know the feeling. I have had many times.

I wish you well. And you will feel better w/time.

BTW I might be wrong but at the end of the day it is those god damn voting
machines. In Ohio we re-elected a liberal democrat to the Senate (Brown)
but somehow some of the very same Brown voters turned around and voted
for Mike DeWine as governor?

[In It to Win It]

29. Yeah that confused me...

I think the same happened in Massachusetts, whereby Warren won re-election but they just Re-elected their Republican governor.

[smirkymonkey]

135. MA, my state, is kind of an unusual state as far as governor goes. I voted for the Dem candidate

even though I knew he had no chance of winning, but Charlie Baker is an unusual kind of republican. He's a moderate and socially liberal and he's actually done a pretty good job over the past four years.

He's not a crazy, divisive, ranting nut-case like most republicans. Very mild-mannered, fair-minded and works well with the Democrats in the state. A lot of Dems even had to admit that they couldn't find a really good reason to vote him out other than the (R) next to his name.

[True Blue American]

31. Stupid Blackwell/ Diebold machines.

I worked the polls when they came in. My fellow Republican called them trash when we trained on them.

But take heart, money has been appropriated for new ones for 2020. They are being evaluated now.

And we voted for an Independent Committee so Republicans will not be doing the Districts.

Take heart, change is coming.

[watoos]

43. New machines aren't the answer.

Paper ballots are, even purple ink bottles.

No, zero, not one voting machine will be pulled out and independently audited. That is uncalled for, having an election that cannot be verified. I have been asking for a paper receipt for the past 20 years and have never gotten one. I vote into a black hole as do many other people. Voting by mail would be another better way to vote.

[Pacifist Patriot]

50. I'm with you. Auditable paper ballots. Period.

I don't need to know results within minutes. I am perfectly fine waiting a week or more and having a sense of confidence in the results.

[True Blue American]

78. That is a good part of what they are trying out.

Ohio has many areas that already have paper ballots. But we have paper receipts. Election board refused them with out.

For me I vote Absentee. All paper.

[True Blue American]

95. They can be verified!

Machines have Paper receipts.

But they are now old and decrepit! I am sure the new ones will be paper.

But the important thing is we will have an Independent committee for the next sensus.

Instead of grumbling may I suggest you volunteer to work at the polls? There is a great shortage of workers.

It is a long,exhausting day. At the very least 15 hours,usually more.

[SMoss]

116. Damaged machines.

Those machines are fragile and repair parts are expensive.

[EffieBlack]

126. Brown campaigned strong to Trump voters and was able to pull it off

But didn't take the rest of the ticket with him.

[katmondoo]

3. It is 6AM in Florida and I am with you with tears and sadness

I cannot believe we have a governor that is probably worse than Rick Scott.

[Joe941]

4. Florida was a low point last night

[duforsure]

47. Texas too,

We're stuck with cruz again.

[Pacifist Patriot]

52. I definitely feel your pain! I just don't understand that one.

[derby378]

103. Beto took South Texas and most major cities, but lost almost everywhere else

I have my own ideas on what Beto did wrong, but won't go into it here. The man worked his ass off, and he helped energize Texas Democrats. But our drought does come with one new oasis - Collin Allred just replaced Pete Sessions in TX-32.

[watoos]

45. Rick Scott should be in jail.

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. Amen

[obamanut2012]

65. He is worse than Rick Scott

And he is why I voted for Graham, because as much as I agreed with Gillum more, I knew elderly "Dem" voters from the NE here wouldn't vote for Gillum.

[kes]

111. I did the same thing

I like Gillum, but I thought statewide Graham would do better.

[EffieBlack]

127. I don't think so

Graham might have pulled some of the white voters who ended up voting for DeSantis but Gillum brought out a huge number of young and minority voters who would not have come out to vote for Graham. Gillum came much closer than Graham would have.

[Phoenix61]

121. Totally agree

Personally, I liked Gillum better but I didn't think he had a snowballs chance in hell of winning. He did much better than I thought he would but still, at the end of the day, we are stuck with a Twitler minion.

[jovibennett]

68. I live in Martin County and I feel the same. We reelected Brain Mast (barf)

The only good thing I got out of this election was putting an end to greyhound racing and restoring voting rights to felons. I sent a message to Nelson office about ballots in Martin County- on top of the ballot it stated fill out in BLACK INK ONLY and they only put blue pens out. I don't know what happened the poll workers said you can use either blue or black-if so why was that on top of the ballot?

[Pacifist Patriot]

73. Wow, that is an excellent question. Would love to hear the response.

[certainot]

80. think offense - get 5 fla universities to stop supporting global warming denial on 20 limbaugh sta

stations - they all work to elect republicans and the schools are broadcasting sports on them, renting their brands to them to sell advertising

20 Florida 10, Florida St. 4 Miami 2, South Florida 2, Central Florida 2

[handmade34]

5. I understand

I may be represented statewide, but nationally we are still a sick nation...

[LBM20]

6. Snap out of it. We had a very good night all over the country and we have THE HOUSE!

A serious check and balance now is on Trumpenstein.

We had the worst US Senate map we could have imagined this cycle. We were never gonna re-take the Senate.

EVERYONE needs to VOTE. The problem STILL is that in too many places TOO MANY people still did not vote.

[Pacifist Patriot]

23. Snap out of it?

I got the news at 5:45 this morning. I will be okay in the long run, but I do need at least a few hours to get rid of the feeling of having been punched in the gut, okay?

I know what we fucking need to do. I'm worn out from my GOTV activity. Physically fucking worn out.

[mountain grammy]

44. I'm so sorry. I know how hard you worked

My niece in Venice is inconsolable right now. Surrounded by toxic pollution and the cause is going to the Senate. Unbelievable.

The last thing I’d say to her is “snap out of it”

[Pacifist Patriot]

55. Thanks, I appreciate that.

I know it's not the same thing as losing someone, but it does feel like grief and I cannot imagine saying "snap out of it" to someone grieving a loss of any kind. Especially less than a day after they get the news.

[mountain grammy]

141. You're welcome.. and you're right, it does feel like grief.

[KPN]

96. +1!

[True Blue American]

87. No, do not snap out of it!

You fought the good fight and we need to keep on fighting.

You did a great job. Be proud of all the women you helped elect and Kieep in mind, Adam Schiff is now leading the team investigating Trump.

Nunes won, but we can call him Neutered Nunes.

You be proud of what you helped accomplish! We are proud of you!

[True Blue American]

35. Not enough Senate seats

Were up this time.

Heller just conceded to Rosen, though. That means one more.

[calimary]

123. We got rid of Heller? Well, THAT'S good news. There was more good news for us out west too.

The Blue Wall is secure. Gavin Newsom in California, and Kate Brown held off that seamy dark cloud Knute Buhler here in Oregon. I was worried about that one. Plus the sanctuary challenge failed, and the attack on a woman’s right to choose went down in flames, too.

I was VERY disappointed in Florida, Ohio, and especially Texas.

And we didn’t give trump everything he deserved.

But on second thought... maybe the House of Reps just might.

[obamanut2012]

61. Leave her alone and show some respect and empathy

I'm also in Florida, and DeSantis is worse than Scott, and Nelson is a good egg, and Scott is horrible. I at leats have blue FL reps.

Again, knock it off.

[Bettie]

64. Give people a few hours or a day to process the fact

that in many places the most hate-filled people won.

Hate wins in a lot of places in this country.

Takes a minute to process that. Got to mourn what we thought our country was and deal with a new reality: there are more horrible, hate-filled people in our nation than we thought.

[Pacifist Patriot]

76. You get it, thanks.

[KPN]

99. WTF? How callous.

[Ferrets are Cool]

124. No.

[LBM20]

7. EVERYONE in Florida needs to VOTE.

How many millions of people who should vote Dem did not go vote? That's the problem.

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Restoring felon voting rights should help. I'm hanging on to that as a ray of hope.

[Oppaloopa]

56. Now we have to make sure they do just that.

[Sherman A1]

8. Same here

McCaskill lost last night and While Lacy Clay is my Congressman, I am saddened by the results.

[uponit7771]

9. Johnson County KS, keep that in mind. Americans eventually get tired of being punched in the face

[Pacifist Patriot]

57. Thanks, it helps to remember that.

Hoping Florida gets tired of being punched in the face before ours is under red tide laden water.

[Freddie]

10. My son lives in Palm Beach Co.

In a blue area, and is also shocked and disgusted by his state. I think people underestimate how redneck and racist the rest of Florida is.

[In It to Win It]

13. It was close but...

I know how red the central and northern parts of Florida are but I expected there would be enough of us to even it out.

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. Same here

The Dems in my area are more organized and energized than they have been in eons. We really thought counties like ours could bolster the blue areas and mitigate the red.

[obamanut2012]

69. It isn't just the rednecks

It's also the racist old people who live in SOFL and are originally from the NE. They suck.

[Pacifist Patriot]

75. It isn't just the racist old people

I've encountered way too many middle class racist middle aged people here in Central Florida in the last nine months. I fear we're seeing just the tip of the iceberg of this. People I would have had no suspicion of being racist have revealed their ugly truth. It's been really disheartening. Especially one I have to look across a board room table at every Monday morning.

[olegramps]

101. I live in Palm Beach county and some of the rich are so damn arrogant it makes you sick.

When I go to the Publix Market it is not unusual to see a some arrogant rich bastard in a luxury car parked in the fire zone in the front of the store. I actually saw a women drive up with a Bentley park and let her two teenagers out of the car and park there while they went into the store to shop. They really think they have more rights than anyone just because they are wealthy. They also don't hesitate to park in the handicap spaces either. What I find so different than when I was in Colorado is that the store that I shop in is dominated by Black workers. But I have never seen, I swear this is true, even one Black and only a very few Hispanic people shopping there. The wealth in Palm Beach County is staggering.

[In It to Win It]

11. Same! This is different...

I’m so confused at what else do we have to do. What else do we have to prove?

I expected it to be close but I thought we had it this time.

I’m in the FL-20. I’m genuinely terrified at a Ron DeSantis governorship. I keep saying this but I feel like I can’t say it enough: We’re essentially going to have 2 Trumps to deal with. I’m terrified that Ron DeSantis is going to govern like Trump.

In a state with roughly half of the population leans left, we don’t have an ounce of power and we won’t have any for a long time. I feel like this is 2016 all over again.

Both of the people that are in the US Senate on behalf of Florida are Republicans. Nobody there is representing me; nobody is there representing us.

We have no power in the legislature. We have no power in the executive. Even though it’s been this way for the last 2.5 decades, this time it feels different... and I am genuinely terrified.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. I appreciate your post.

On another thread I was told I was wallowing and have people representing me because the House went Dem. Wallowing when I'd had the news for all of 30 minutes and felt like I'd been punched in the gut. From someone who lives in a blue state and cannot possible understand how Floridans on the left feel this morning. The compassion around here can be underwhelming some times.

Yep, terrified. DeSantis scares me even more than Governor Voldemort did and now he's one of our Senators?! With Rubio?!?!

[scarletlib]

130. Everything you say is true.

South Florida is a liberal bastion and an economic powerhouse for the rest of the state. The Republican legislature plunders us and gives us nothing. I cannot tell you how sad and disgusted I am at this election. What will it take until people realize the Republicans do nothing good for the people of this State?

Honestly I wish we could start a movement to remove South Florida from the rest of this state and have our own state.

[OnDoutside]

12. I haven't spoken with my Floridian living brother yet, but I know he is going to be gutted as much

as you. You're not alone.

[Runningdawg]

14. The Democrats in OK feel your pain

except there was never even a glimmer of hope for us.

[honest.abe]

15. Florida is the biggest and most damaging loss.

Not just to Florida but the country.

Why were the polls so far off?!?!?!

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. I have questioned Florida voting results for almost two decades. The Sink race was the final straw.

I don't know if it is state wide or a county issue, but no, I don't trust our election systems. Way too vulnerable.

[demmiblue]

16. I'm from Michigan, so I wake this morning with a little more faith.

However, the sentiments you expressed are my feelings as well. The racism, bigotry, misogyny, antisemitism... basically the hate and fear of "the other" is frightening and, often, overwhelming.

And I am betting that the ones who are basically saying "suck it up buttercup" are white men.

I do, however, see light at the end of the tunnel, and will never stop fighting.

Take some time to care for yourself... we have your back!

[meluvrem]

19. Skirmish in the war

This is small skirmish in this war to save Democracy.
Remember in terms of money and media might ,the people of party first are Goliath. Right now Mueller has the rock.
RESIST.

[malaise]

21. My sis and her folks aren't happy either

On the other hand Americans voted for more than 100 women for the first time ever.

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. This is what I need.

More details. I know I am reacting to local results and don't have a bigger picture yet. Just working through the grieving process of busting ass and not only making no difference here, but the landscape is even worse.

[malaise]

30. Not only that

The first Native American won a seat in the House as did two Muslim women.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/100-women-elected-us-house-historic-election/story?id=59019553

[Pacifist Patriot]

58. Keep going!

[malaise]

66. Good thing we haven't paid for our tickets to Miami

Not sure I'm going for Thanksgiving anymore - how did they vote for that racist.m

[Pacifist Patriot]

71. That's one of the things that sticks in my craw.

They don't even hide it anymore so you have no excuse. You voted for DeSantis? You voted for racism to have power in this state. Can't dance around that one. You want a racist to govern.

[malaise]

77. Scary

Bangs head

[world wide wally]

136. Sounds like the state motto in Florida should be,

"Florida man says, Fuck the ocean, fuck anyone who is not white and support racism"
Welcome to the Americn shithole

[Arkansas Granny]

24. I live in Arkansas. I know how you feel.

[Jersey in OKC]

26. Hey! No Worries Yet!

Just like Jay Z says:
It's the hard knock life, for us
It's the hard knock life, for us!
Steada treated, we get tricked
Steada kisses, we get kicked
It's the hard knock life!

We need to keep working. The House today, Senate in 2020. 😊

Each day is work. Let's keep working!

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

27. I'm sorry for your situation. Keep your chin up.

[paleotn]

28. Understandable....

It's been that way for us, here, off and on for some time.

[cubbies01]

32. Don't give up

I feel your pain. I live in Tallahassee and know Andrew would have been a great governor. Last night was the closet in 20 years we have had to winning back the governors mansion. And Rick Scott is a popular governor in a good economy running against a nice long serving Senator who unfortunately and frankly was coming off as too old and tired. Nelson has lost s step.

2020 will be better. The demographics are picking up steam, becoming a snowball running downhill.

[Pacifist Patriot]

62. I'm trying to look at the incremental gains.

But yeah, it's been nigh on two decades and that's a large chunk of my life to have been fighting for any sort of gain.

I agree with you about Nelson. I voted for him and thought he'd be good enough, but I really would have liked a Beto-type.

[pazzyanne]

33. Take heart, Pacifist Patriot!

Bill Nelson is not out of it yet according to the news this morning. There is a chance he could win, and a bigger chance for a recount. Praying for you, and Florida. I have a cousin and an aunt who live there and are Democrats.

[a la izquierda]

34. I completely understand

Yay. We won the house. But we actually lost ground in the Senate. There are states that I simply refuse to step foot in again (I'm looking at you, Florida and Texas). How in the hell is Ted Cruz STILL a senator?
I live in a state where the electorate changed the constitution so that there is no right to have an abortion for any reason. Thanks WV. One of those voters is my colleague, and I'm not sure how I can ever look him in the face.

No celebration in my house, just more determined than ever to move.

[uponit7771]

48. There was no ground to lose in the senate. McTurtle changed nearly every senate rule and the senate

... is now simple majority for nearly everything.

There is a definitive stop in the house and Letitia James is NY's first black female AG to be able to crawl all up Red Don's anal track without having federal laws to stop her.

All is not lost

MO voted for someone who sued to take away PEC protections, I'm screwed if he gets his way

[Pacifist Patriot]

70. I'm facing a similar situation.

I work in a largely Republican company with a smattering of Dems (we know who we are). I have to smile in the faces of people I know damn well voted for these evil fucks.

[The Genealogist]

36. I'm sorry you are having a hard time with this

I'm not feeling well about mine. Besides a couple of city non-partisan seats I know are held by people who are actually Dems, I now have not a single person representing me in any capacity who is not a Republican. Living blue in a red area is miserable. I can totally relate to how you are feeling. The US senate races this time represented a massive hurdle for us. We can't win them all

I'd feel a whole lot worse, though, if we hadn't taken back the US house. There will be a check now on this blight of Trumpism that is gripping our nation. I hope soon that you can see the positive in that. For now, please take care of yourself. We need you!!

[AirmensMom]

37. I get it.

I’m in TN and completely unrepresented. We’re stuck with mini Trumps (monsters) here as well. Watching Seth Meyers and Trevor Noah, et. al., talk about what a BFD taking the house is, women elected, etc., delivered with some humor is helping somewhat this morning. And we made gains with governorships, although not in my state. I have sort of decided that Floridians, Tennesseans, and Texans are the dumbest fucks on the planet, and I say that as a former Floridian and current Tennessean. They voted for lies and racism and ignorance when they had much better choices.

[GoCubsGo]

39. Welcome to my world.

I live in Joe Wilson's district in South Carolina. It's been decades since I had anyone representing me. This state will remain a backwards republican shithole for years to come. I really, really need to get the fuck out of here.

[Pacifist Patriot]

83. Since 2000, Bill Nelson and Barack Obama have been the only Democrats

in that list of mine in the OP.

I hear you. I am feeling trapped with nowhere to go and no means to get there right now.

[Brainstormy]

40. I could echo everything you said, but

Georgia here. I feel your pain. It's mine, too. I'll do well to brush teeth today.

[Pacifist Patriot]

86. I'm a Georgia native.

Gutted for them too.

[Jersey in OKC]

41. I Know.

I got stationed here, USAF in 1993, then retired in OKC because of family. Today, everything was a 70/30 split to Republican. But guess what, my state made some inroads. I can't give up. If I moved, there would be less of me to vote for change here. I have friends who do great things and want the change we all want. I'm gonna stay and keep trying. We're working on the State House. That's where it starts and we can do it. Think Big Picture; that was their playbook. The ground game gets it, hopefully the DNCC will someday, we just can't count on them. It has to come from us!!

[TNNurse]

42. I grew up in GA and now live in TN.

I hate to see what happened in my home state, it may be that open racism and blatant cheating will prevail.

Where I live now, not one damn person I voted for won.. Not one. I am proud of my votes. I knew their beliefs and their character and would support them again.

[watoos]

51. What happened in Georgia was a shame.

Elections in Iraq are more reliable than what went on in Georgia. Allowing a candidate to be in charge of his own election rules is beyond belief in a democracy.

I'm proud of my state, Pennsylvania, we turned it around. I live in the Alabama section of Pa., central Pa. so I didn't expect my Rep. to flip, but people came out in the urban areas and suburbs and voted for democracy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

88. What happened in Georgia should be a crime.

I am flabbergasted states don't have laws preventing a candidate from overseeing their own election. Oh wait, Republican legislatures. I get it.

[40RatRod]

131. He is disgusting and will...

...be know as Georgia's fake Governor.

[Docreed2003]

46. I feel your pain from here in TN

We worked our asses off getting people registered and getting out the vote and now we're stuck with fucking Eva Braun for six years as Senator and a GOP governor with zero political experience. I have no idea how the hell the polls were so far off. We live adjacent to Nashville, so that's a plus is suppose, but I think about or neighbors and the people I work with every day and just shake my head. Having to "suck it up" and roll in to work knowing that people I work with truly believe that hoards is criminal brown people are trying to invade our country and that Trump is doing a fine job is just nauseating.

Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic over taking the house and so many of the great wins last night, but it's hard to enjoy that when you won't see it in your daily life here in the "buckle of the Bible Belt" and you will have no one on a national level representing your interests.

[Pacifist Patriot]

90. Yep, and your second paragraph is it exactly.

The few people who have told me to snap out of it or get over my wallowing apparently can't grasp that the GOP stranglehold on Florida has immediate real life consequences to me, my family, and my community. I'm not whinging, I'm scared.

[Vinca]

49. Give yourself a couple of days and then get back in the fight.

Curl up with Inspector Morse, Foyle or George Gently. (I'm hooked on them, too.)

[Oppaloopa]

54. As a Floridan I understand her feelings. Now lets see if they restore voting rights to ex felons

like they are supposed to do. I bet they ignore the will of the people again.

[Pacifist Patriot]

93. The Florida legislature overruling the will of the electorate? Surely not.

High speed rail anyone?

(sarcastic pessimism will abate in 3, 2....)

[obamanut2012]

59. I knew Gillum would lose, but thought Bill would squeak it out

At least my Florida State-level peeps are very, very blue.

[anniebelle]

60. Blue in Red Tennessee

I'm sick this morning. We went from bad to worse ~ Corker to Blackburn and another repuke governor. Yesterday proved to me we are, in fact, a racist, bigoted, hateful, moronic country.

[BlueIndyBlue]

63. I feel your pain from Indiana

I live in the great (not!) state of Indiana which just got so redder I think we've combusted. I live in Indy which is the only saving grace as it is pretty much blue. But, other than Andre Carson in the House I have no representation either. The now two asshole Senators won't even step foot in the black community. Indiana elected Pasty Pence's brother to Congress. The legislature is so red that there is a super majority that I don't see how we ever break.

Indiana is so ignorant, rednecked, backwards and ridiculous that I am truly fed up and ready to get away from these folks. I'm not sure how we combat the willful ignorance and hate that exists here.

[Jarqui]

67. I'll be blunt

I do not believe the results.
I suspect there is something terribly wrong/illegal.

I no longer feel that the United States is a true democracy.

As in 2016, I do not believe the results of this election fairly represent the will of the people.

So I can relate to the feelings expressed in the top post.

[Jersey in OKC]

74. After Last Night

Ask yourself: Worst case, what's your fear? We just voted in our checks and balance back. That's a great thing! Now we can try to get babies out of jail, debate real gun control, health care, tax returns, and judges. Maybe not everything, but at least bring it up without a gavel shutting the questions down.

That's the point of a bicameral legislature!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

112. Local and state governments often have more direct impact on our daily lives.

Yes, we are in a better position to push back on Trump as a nation. But I still have to live with the disastrous economic policies, full-scale attack on public education, and escalating environmental disaster right here.

Yeah, I'll regroup, but this morning hurts and is frankly scary as hell at the local level.

[calguy]

79. Your pain is caused by your own thinking

I'm a liberal from California who moved to Arkansas. I haven't had anyone represent me since I moved here 15 years ago. Nothing can make you feel like shit unless you allow it to. Donald trump and the republicans do not and never will have the power to make my life shitty. And Hillary and the Democrats cannot make my life great. I do that all by myself. My happiness and success is in MY control, not theirs. So while we don't always like the way the world around is working at the moment, it can only mess up your mind if you allow it to. We control our own lives and always will.

[True Blue American]

98. No offense, but

Trump and Republicans do have the power to cause all of us a great deal of pain!

[Pacifist Patriot]

104. Indeed

18 years of Republican controlled government in Florida has accelerated the environmental decay. Election results can literally kill us.

[True Blue American]

140. I feel sorry for

What is happening in Florida. Spent many of my vacations there. Was actually in South Daytona when the Towers came down and just manged to avoid Hurricane Floyd.

Think that made my decision not to retire there. But with some decent Environment laws and understanding Global warming could help.

I am glad to see the young changing things. That was thrilling to see so many vote.

I hate to say this but all the Retirees living on SS and Medicare do not seem to understand they are cutting their childrens throats.

[Pacifist Patriot]

102. No shit.

Give me a minute to regroup, will you?

[logosoco]

81. I'm not feeling it much like a celebration either!

Missouri did get medical marijuana passed, which will be good for my painful joints, so that is a small victory.

I did note that now my county (Jefferson) is pretty much wholly run by Repubs. Not by a landslide though. And the county collector is a Dem. It is like the people want Repubs. running things but they know you can only trust a Dem. with the actual cash!

Even here from Mo. I am sad about Beto, but I think we will be seeing him again. He has wonderful spirit!

[Mike Nelson]

82. I understand...

… but remember... Our side won, even in FL, GA & TX. The majority of people voted for your side, I believe. The Republicans will take any contest that is close, even if we win... and there are many races that should not have been close! I won't give up hope - never.

[FailureToCommunicate]

84. "Stupid willfully ignorant hateful people will be the end of us all."

Republicans suck.

We share your dismay, Pacifist Patriot.

[watoos]

85. Just think of this to cheer us up,

Scott Walker is gone, bwa, ha,ha. Wisconsin is turning back blue.

At least I think he lost. If ever voting machines were to be rigged it would be in Wisconsin. Enough people must have voted to overcome the pre-programmed machines.

[dem4decades]

89. Please pick yourself up and dust yourself off, then think about Florida turning blue

for the next Presidential election.

Hope, not despair.

[In It to Win It]

97. We will...

Just give us a minute.

[dem4decades]

106. That made me smile, though with a tear in my eye. Good luck.

[moose65]

91. I'm sorry! Many of us feel your pain!

All we can do is remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. The Republicans never, ever give up, and we can't either!

There were a few bright spots from my corner of NC: My county is now completely controlled by Democrats, and a Democrat won the seat in the State House from my district, kicking out a terrible Republican jerk. The Democrats won enough State House and Senate seats to break the Republican's supermajority in the legislature, which means now that Dem Governor Cooper can veto the worst of their shenanigans and not be instantly overridden. We are slowing clawing our way out of the mess we've been in since 2010, which is a good thing!

I don't know what to say about Florida. A lot of money was poured into the state (which is the main problem, I think) and Democrats still need to concentrate on local infrastructure and GOTV efforts. For too long, we've ignored the unglamorous grunt work that it takes to sustain the party.

We should try to focus on the pockets of good news that we have: taking the House back, of course, but also the gains made in Governor races and state legislatures. Scott Walker is gone in Wisconsin; LePage is gone in Maine.

We will live to fight another day!

[BlueJac]

92. I have similar feelings because I also...

live in Florida. Very upsetting but that is Florida's reality. Let's stand tall and carry on being proud Democrats!

[treestar]

94. Preexisting conditioned

That should at least be less of a worry as the Orange Idiot can't repeal the ACA.

[True Blue American]

100. Thank God for that.

No more repeal of the ACA and just maybe a start to fix it.

[Jersey in OKC]

105. Lastly,

Please think of how Beto got such a huge voice and following. Many Texans were just like us; voters within a majority with no voice. He found us, we found him. Just like all the other "Red" states. We're here, and we've never left. He was brave enough to stand up and say so! A lot of others were, too! It's a slog, but I choose to stay here and help change minds however long that takes. Please, I believe there are more good people than bad. Some just believe or fear they are doing their right thing, because they don't know better.

[kes]

107. I'm exactly the same

I live in SWFL and it's just horrible what the North part of Florida does to us every year in the statewide elections.

[debsy]

108. Wherever they could, the Republicans cheated.

Plain and simple.They are cheaters. It is never fun playing games with cheaters. Not only do they steal from the fun of the competition, they rub your face in shit when you "lose". Anywhere there is no paper trail, we should not concede. Anywhere the race can be contested, it should be. I understand any case of voter suppression would ultimately wind up at the SCOTUS where it would likely be 5-4 rejected. However, I believe we should ALWAYS cast doubt on the legitimacy of an election that is suspect.

One other thing: the "horse race" that the media portray in the lead-up to elections should be soundly rejected by us. We should not pay any attention to their haranguing and circus-like atmosphere in the lead-up to an important election. We should be working with state legislators (we, so far, have taken 7 governorships from Rs which is great news) to fix the gerrymandering issues and work on updating election systems so they are secure, accurate, and DO NOT have any proprietary software. We still have a lot of work to do before 2020 so finish your British detective show, get a good night's sleep, and check out the National Democratic Redistricting Committee [link:https://democraticredistricting.com|] to see how we can help change things. My cousin lives in Northern Ireland and her response to our situation here was, "Well you know what happened when the Unionists did the gerrymandering here! You need a civil right organisation. It might take some years but it worked!"

Plus, we now have oversight in the House. Adam Schiff will be leading the House Intelligence Committee. John Lewis will be leading the House Ways and Means Committee. Maxine Waters will chair the House Financial Services Committee. We have gained ground. We have to take what we have been given and make the most of it. Many people over the centuries have given their lives in the fight for democracy. We need to keep things in perspective and be ready to fight as they did to save it for us. We need to work tirelessly to hold the cheaters to account for their wildly inappropriate behavior.

We need to commit for the long haul. Republicans count on you giving up. Don't give them the satisfaction!

[saidsimplesimon]

109. You are not alone.

So far in Arizona, I will have a Democratic Congressman, Greg Stanton. Hope is still alive for the Senate. The results for our State Legislature were bathed in a sea of red. Koch money, Alex legislation and conservative retirees continue to favor party over principle.

[get the red out]

110. I feel your pain

I am filled with nothing but hate for Republicans here in Kentucky this morning. In my district it was proven that misogyny and filthy lies work a lot better than honesty and decency in politics here. I am really hating white Christians here too. I know "not all" but a majority of them are morons.

[SayItLoud]

113. Flori-duh . A sunny place for shady people!....and

Neither Gillum or Nelson EVER tied DeSantis or Scott to tRUMP's desire to DRILL for fucking oil off the Florida coast! NOT ONE FUCKING ad, mention in speeches NADA. Even if Red Tide Scott and DeSantis denied they would support drilling staining them is how it works these days. I'm with the OP, staying home today too.

[catbyte]

114. When I was in my early 20's, someone asked me what my life goals were. Jokingly, I said

that one of them was "to die without ever having been to Florida", not really knowing why that state turned me off so much. Now why I said that all those years ago. I'm 63 & it looks like I'll meet that goal, at least.

I'm so sorry that you're so utterly disenfranchised, Pacifist Patriot. That's exactly how I felt the morning of November 9, 2016. I kept my TV permanently tuned to the Light Classical music channel for a good two months, seriously. But I brushed myself off and decided to slog it out, doing what I could to counteract the evil. Heck, we managed to make great strides to turn it all around here in Michigan, so there's always 2020. Maybe someday. Take as much time as you need and forget those telling you to suck it up. You have every right to feel how you feel. I'd have felt the same way if Michigan stayed red. Take care.

[SMoss]

115. I feel the same, but on a bigger scale.

Half of my fellow Americans are ignorant deplorables. I left the Catholic Church because of it's leadership and the folks in the pew who supported them. I am leaving my service club because of the folks who wear MAGA hats.
This is the same feeling I had in 2004 and 2016. For now I am taking care of myself and my family and friends.

[lunamagica]

117. I feel the same way

[riverwalker]

118. Woke up depressed

And hung over, drank too much when we lost Senate, Beto, Gillum, Abrams numbers. I was dumb enough to think we had a good chance. Feeling better after coffee, seeing what we DID win.
Abrams still possible via recount. Tester has a good chance, the bluest counties not in yet.

[The Liberal Lion]

119. As a major Debbie Downer here

I would say take comfort. The BLUE WALL IS BACK! That is huge. Yeah, I'm here in Florida with you, and I feel your pain. But I live in Duval, and Duval, normally a red bastion voted big for Gillum and Nelson. That is encouraging. Desantis and the nazis will be held at bay. Both Scott and DeSantis speaked in. They have no mandate. As for texas, well, I'm angry about that, but a texas republican has little more than shit for brains protected by a helmet of lead lined, steel reinforced concrete. Given that Beto did well.

[Jersey in OKC]

120. @pacifist patriot

I didn't pledge my service at 17 to defend our Constitution, only to give up over a mid - term! I'm galvanized, now. Voting and voices, service and sacrifice is what wins. Not guns and Gods. Stay true, we'll prevail!

[Ferrets are Cool]

122. Living in Alabama, I am right there with you...

I am glad that the abomination in the WH will fewer options to fark us over, however, you will be hear this word from now till 2020....OBSTRUCTIONIST. It will be their rallying cry for the next two years. And while I am fully in favor of taking on that role, I am saddened that America is SO FUCKING STUPID.

Thank you for posting what I feel this morning PP. I am with you.

[Perseus]

125. Jim Kimmel had this skit, I believe in GA, where he used actors (Continue)

who are not running, some of them don't have the age to run, and asked "voters" who were they supporting.

As an example, here is a question, I am just using different names to make it easy for me:

Question: Who do you support Republican Nicole Kidman or Democrat Matt Deamon?
Answer: Definitely Republican Nicole Kidman

These people are so stupid and ignorant that they cannot differentiate from an actor and a candidate, they don't know who their candidates are.

Another woman was presented with a young actor who must be about 12 years old as a republican, the woman said she would vote for her, when asked why, she pretended to know and said that she liked her platform, and what she is offering to do for the state and the country.

What Democrats need to do is to start an education program, to open people's eyes to reality, they have two years to do so, and to show facts, samples of what republicans say and what they do, to expose their lies, otherwise we will continue to be screwed by fanatics who have no idea who they are voting for, all they know is they are republican.

So, don't feel bad, start educating the people you know, in a very subtle way, and hopefully when we get to 2020 more people will have a grasp on reality.

[democratisphere]

128. There are more redumbliCON racists than I ever imagined.

[MariaCSR]

129. IMHO Gillum conceded too early

That race was close, he should do what Stacey is doing, and wait until all the votes are counted.

[disillusioned73]

132. Florida was a serious gut punch..

Georgia & Texas were major disappointments as well.. we really haven't come as far as we thought we have as a country.. this will only embolden the ugly - I really hope that this "bipartisanship" line being floated from leadership in the house is a diversion tactic.. because there is no working with these people..

[Useless in FL]

133. I'm with you!

I am so disappointed in FL voters...

[MuseRider]

134. I have been where you are

so much of my life. It is wearing, especially around elections. You will get your mojo back. I am so sorry. We just came out of the dark a little last night in Kansas. It feels wonderful but would likely be a bad deal for most people here, it just all depends on so much. Unwind from that fetal ball when you are ready and get right back on it. It IS the only way. <3 I am so sorry.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

137. I feel your pain

The House going democratic is a very good thing but so many governorships and senate seats went the wrong way. I thankfully got good news locally with Pritzker and having a good dem in Bill Foster as my congressman but you sound like me after 2016 really.

Just know there will be good days to come. Maybe those 1.5 million disenfranchised voters will help turn Florida around. Hang in there.

[ellie]

138. You have to come to terms

with the fact that we live in a country, that was founded on slavery and genocide, that is filled with shitty, horrible people. I am sorry that you are surrounded by these people. It doesn't make it any less painful.


The Democrats took the House (!), which I really can't believe, so they will be able to stem the damage the repukes can do. We have to keep going on, stay close to our allies, and keep working for a better world.

[In It to Win It]

139. WE CANNOT GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR OUR LIBERALISM!

Almost all these states are alike in that all they are seas on red with a few blue dots.

Our current governor Rick Scott takes credit for an expanding Florida economy and job growth within the state.

Firstly, I don’t give any politician credit for job creation. That is out of their control as much they think the opposite.

Second, these economic gains and job gains, for the most part, happened in OUR POCKETS OF LIBERAL CITIES. THESE ARE OUR JOB GAINS! OUR LIBERALISM DID THAT! Our economic growth are a result of OUR hard work NOT RICK SCOTT’S CRUSTY ASS! It is our pockets of liberalism that made Florida one of the largest economies in the union. Our bastions of liberalism throughout the state succeeeded in spite of Rick Scott, not because of him.

[Wawannabe]

142. I had to move out of my state

MO. Which just went all red last night.
I couldn’t escape tRumpers tho. Even in a blue state. It is a free country as of today.

I hope you feel better soon.