Wow. Waaaaahhhhhow. The dude who wrote that previous post was pissed, huh? Daaaaaamn.
Look, what I wrote in that previous post is what spilled out of me in the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s election, at a time when I was in, shall we say, a state of heightened emotions … but the main thrust of my words remains: Whether or not Donald Trump and/or the bulk of those people who voted for him intended for the forces of hate and intolerance to interpret his electoral victory as an endorsement of their own sick, twisted agendas, those forces — many of whom heretofore at least had the decency to keep their disgusting views on the down-low — now feel energized, emboldened and fully entitled to make life hell for anyone who does not look and think like them.
Since publishing that post yesterday, I’ve re-read it a number of times … and, earlier today, I was toying with the idea of taking it down … or at least toning it down. And in the middle of contemplating that approach, I had this unexpected exchange with a close friend from Massachusetts:
So, um, yeah … I stand by what I wrote yesterday.
I understand why so many previously sane people made the insane decision to vote for Trump … and yet, despite understanding why, I do not understand how they could vote for Trump … for all of the reasons I laid out in my previously posted rant.
I suppose it’s possible that a lot of good and decent people voted for Trump … and I can only assume that those good and decent people simply failed to recognize just how catastrophic their decision would be for others, if not for themselves … and that is what I can not abide. I can not abide what I believe amounts to sheer selfishness. Voting for Donald Trump was, at best, a very selfish thing to do. And I abhor selfishness … especially when that selfishness hurts others.
I keep reminding myself that there very well may never have been a President Obama if not for the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush. Whether or not it was worth the cost is debatable … and the cost we are about to pay for a Trump presidency seems unfathomable … but I believe that, whatever the final tally, the payoff will be another historic victory of our own next time around. (Can you say “President Warren”? Might as well start practicing. If nothing else, it feels a hell of a lot better than saying “President Trump.”)
These are dark times … and we almost surely are about to experience firsthand that whole “it’s going to get worse before it gets better” thing … but I believe it eventually will get better … as long as enough of us are willing to make it so. In the meantime, as I said yesterday: Let’s all look out for each other, m’kay? Yes, things suck right now … but we are not alone. In fact, we are the majority. Let’s not hesitate to act like it, and let’s not hesitate to wield that power when next we are presented wth the opportunity to do so.
While I understand how you are feeling right now, I do not agree that those who voted for Trump are scoundrels and haters. There are jerks on both sides of politics, yes. What’s important is that we look into why such a flawed candidate was nominated and elected. Why did he appeal to millions of good and decent people?
Was it because of what happened to Bernie? Was it Hillary’s baggage and her arrogance that she felt the presidency was her due? Was it concern for the future makeup of SCOTUS?
The stereotypical Trump supporters were supposed to be uneducated white males. Is that a euphemism for backwards, redneck hillbillies who don’t have a clue? Who hate people of color, Muslims, and women? Who “cling to their Bibles and guns?”
Well, the statistics belie that stereotype. College educated voters represent 37 percent of the electorate. 54 percent of those men voted Trump; 45 percent of those women voted Trump.
So, if that stereotype lies in tatters perhaps it’s time to reconsider another: racists, misogynists, homophobic, and Islamaphobic.
I think the roots of a Trump candidacy goes back to the infancy of the Tea Party (before it ran off the rails). The Tea Party signaled that a lot of people wanted change in our government. Eight years of an Obama presidency that went too far left way too quickly for many to adjust is another reason.
The economy is another reason. And last, you can’t call another candidate’s supporters “deplorables” and expect them to switch sides.
My best to you, Jon Zal. The Republic will survive, its feathers tattered and much in need of a bath, to be sure.
PS: Is it not curious that the first three people selected by Trump’s for his cabinet are a woman, a gay man, and an African-American? Damn his misogyny, homophobia, and racism!
My bad. I retract this remark. I certainly didn’t mean cabinet.
Thank you for pointing this out. I hadn’t thought of it this way but I think you are right.
I think I also needed a wake up call to the racism that we still have in this country. I know I’m guilty of thinking it wasn’t that bad until Obama became president and then the nonsense that has been out and proud for this election. Man, I was clueless!
The election was over and the people made the decision,hope that they will not regret it!