How can a bigoted, lying, racist, vulgar, uneducated man who insults and assaults women become President?
Racial minorities comprise 40% of the population. Women make up 51%. Where were they yesterday? Do supporters really think that a billionaire who pays no taxes is going to make their lives better?
And beyond what he can do in our country it is frightening to think of this man with no manners or moral values unleashed upon the world.
Paul Krugman is an economics professor at City College in New York and a columnist for the New York Times. He wrote this last night and I want to share it here.
Our Unknown Country
We thought that the nation, while far from having transcended racial prejudice and misogyny, had become vastly more open and tolerant over time.
We thought that the nation, while far from having transcended racial prejudice and misogyny, had become vastly more open and tolerant over time.
We thought that the great majority of Americans valued democratic norms and the rule of law.
It turns out that we were wrong. There turn out to be a huge number of white people, living mainly in rural areas — who don’t share at all our idea of what America is about. For them, it is about blood and soil, about traditional patriarchy and racial hierarchy. And there were many other people who might not share those anti-democratic values, but who nonetheless were willing to vote for anyone bearing the Republican label.
I don’t know how we go forward from here. Is America a failed state and society? It looks truly possible. I guess we have to pick ourselves up and try to find a way forward, but this has been a night of terrible revelations, and I don’t think it’s self-indulgent to feel quite a lot of despair.
It It does truly feel like the Earth shifted under our feet last night. We will go to the beach this morning and walk and try to find equilibrium and center of gravity.
I am so sorry that you didn't get what you had hoped.
ReplyDeleteI feel so sorry for you, it is difficult to believe that people choose for such a nobody to be their president.
ReplyDeleteI'm so done. I shouldn't be - I should see this as the moment to rise up become heard.
ReplyDeleteInstead, if I had a cloister, I'd withdraw to it.
Cynthia do not worry in Europe the elections have won controiversail politics too
ReplyDeleteThis was so unexpected. When I was in New York a few months ago, Americans I spoke to were embarrassed about him being a presidential candidate. Never did I think he would be voted President. Let us hope it is not as bad as it seems at this moment.
ReplyDeleteI too have been in mourning today for truth, facts, and decency. All of those we lost as a nation with this election. Where has our education system gone wrong that our electorate can't discern truth from lies?
ReplyDeleteYou have my bewildered sympathy.......... I watched the polling from when the counting
ReplyDeleteon the Atlantic Coast started right up to Minnesota still undecided (??? - I must check how that
state voted) - the Carolinas did not surprise me but I was disappointed. Texas, that backward hillbilly
KKK state of Tennessee well that was expected as was Alabama and Mississippi.
I would think every government in the World is rearranging their present trading, military etc etc
relations with a President who has NEVER even held any public office, doesn't pay taxes, and all the rest.
I was told that the Canadian website crashed with Americans looking for immigration information.
See what Angela Merkel of Germany said in her letter or call of congratulations. She reminded the BUFFOON
what his responsibilities now are.
Australia awaits your application but summer seems to have arrived early - off south for 3 weeks.
I need a sabbatical after this shock.
What country in the World would tolerate a Trump visit. They would not be able to supply protection
and the last thing they would want is total rioting in the streets.
You now have your TRUMP wall and it cost the US taxpayers - ZILCH!
The World built it for you.
Commiserations of the highest degree
Colin
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DeleteGrammatical error so redone, not that a TRUMP supporter would have noted.
DeleteJust checked the voting website.
Minnesota - voted Democrat party.
Thankfully the other two US bloggers I follow - one in Colorado and one in Virginia
also voted Democrat.
I am relieved........ good to see your mate from teaching days, Kay, now in Hawaii, that
state who Trump probably like Sarah Palin doesn't even know is a state of the Union voted Democrat.
I wonder will the native Hawaiians (Polynesians) try to bring back the Hawaiian monarchy???
Colin
Condolences Cynthia. It is a scary prospect indeed. Unfortunately you weren't spoilt for choice. How did it come to that when there must be so many good people? I thought the Obamas were wonderful. We're all hoping it will die down now so that we will no longer get American politics every day here.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for you and your country. It has effected us too. Our stock market had a huge fall which effects our superannuation, which we rely on for our retirement.I shudder to think what will happen to the world's economy if he messes with China's trade. I hope the walk on the beach made you feel better.We all have to be positive and hope it all works out in the end.
ReplyDeleteI hope your walk on the beach helped! I think rural America is more powerful than anyone thought. :)
ReplyDeleteSadly, generalizations have been made about rural Americas, obviously by people like Krugman who've never been there. I live in rural Minnesota, and if anybody has been to a township meeting or church council or small-town council meeting, we take democracy more seriously than they will ever imagine. All vicious bile from a lot of folks who should know better. Phil/Minnesota
DeleteThank you for your comments, Phil. I have lived in rural Minnesota for many years and know and love many good people there. Far Side is a native of rural Minnesota, lives there now and always has. Demographics show that the rural vote pretty much elected Trump so I don't think you can call her comments "vicious bile".
DeleteI believe this man is a threat to all I hold dear about this country. I truly hope he proves me wrong.
I'm not referring to Far Side, I'm referring to Krugman and the awful person "Huggybear." Disgraceful comments from him especially. Phil
DeleteAnd I was actually agreeing with Far Side. I think if you ask her, she may tell you who she did NOT vote for. I promise not another word from me.
DeleteAmazing result unfolded before my eyes as I watched out TV broadcast and on my phone too....was totally surprised by the result, but that's how the people who voted voted..he certainly doesn't seem a nice man at all.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your country..
We feel your pain. We watched the events unfold yesterday with increasing disbelief. It is so sad that so many believed he really cared for them and would create jobs for them and make their lives better. Someone else made those sorts of promises in 1930s Germany.
ReplyDeleteI heard abiut the Canadian website crashing and wasn't surprised given strong feelings of opposition to the election results. ai hardly know what to say...well I do know what to say, but that kind of language was not allowed at the catholic schools I attended.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe the disaster that has occurred. I feel like shouting "How could you do this to us"? Never in my lifetime have there been protests after an election or offers of hotline assistance to people who are upset at the results. Most of my friends voted for Hillary. I am now re-thinking my friends who didn't because I can't fathom being friends with somebody who supported somebody as repulsive as Trump. Which is something I've never even considered with other elections. I fully expect to be saying "I told you so" for the next 4 years. I thank God that we have laws and legislation in place that prevents Trump from making good on his threats. We are going to be the laughing stock of the free world but at least I can say it wasn't my fault.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for you and the rest of America of course,even the silly people who voted for him when they see how he truly operates But I especially feel it fo you and the author stuck in a nightmare We way down here had an election earlier and got ourselves a very rich lawyer and what appears to be a country pumpkin as deputy, scary. 2 more years and hopefully we can replace them.
ReplyDeleteI warched your voting live right up until it was pointed out He was getting ahead Welll that was it for me too scary to watch but hopeful for a turn around it was not to come. It's very wonderful down under come join happy people
I also read that only 51% of eligible vo=ters actually voted .Better get off my soapbox mainly because I can hardly read the size of the print hope it changes when it is published I would have liked to see all the typos but too small
I had been noticing the racial prejudices in my town and it really dismayed me. I lived through the civil rights and just a few years after attended a high school that was almost equally split black/white. Never did we have a racial problem in our school. I had envisioned a world at peace by the time I reached the age I am now. Never would I have pictured people still so prejudiced that they would embrace a bigoted Trump. I get this was a vote by others (not the bigots) for change but why couldn't we have had another option for that change. I've swung back and forth between anger/fear and wanting to see us heal. I've taken walks but the mood swings keep coming. I hope your walk helped.
ReplyDeleteWell Cynthia and family.
ReplyDeleteI reckon your followers have said it all.
I now turn on the 24 hour news website (ABC) when I wake up - watch the highlights which will
be discussed at the present time. Then turn off the TV.
I am trumped DUMB!
Now it is a case of GOD SAVE AMERICA.
I could go on and on with details - eg: how he met his 3rd wife in the Kit Kat Bar of NYC.
Goes with a date and spots 'the dizzy one", sends date off and starts the wooing of the daughter of
the chauffeur of the Mayor of some communist town in Slovenia!!!
And Sarah Palin now on a list here.......... hopefully wrong as all the political pundits were on the
result that that Tea Party, Moose shootin', rudeness personified, geographical ignorant as the Secretary of
the Interior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look out buffaloes on the reserves, your days are doomed!
Newt Gingrith as Secretary of State!!!!!!!! ???????????
I met him in 1976 at a Rotary meeting in Carrollton in Georgia. The rudest person as a guest speaker
I have ever listened to and I might add that was the consensus of the members. Then as a visiting Aussie
Rotarian I was asked to tell the members about Australia - some of whom I doubt would have been able to
pin point Australia on a map and some who commended me on my EXCELLENT ENGLISH !!! I was thought to be from
Austria!!! ????
Anyhow I got a standing reception and Newt stormed out - ha ha.
Ah the ways of the USA.
I believe the immigration offices here in Australia have been invaded by Americans
on working visas to get residency!!!! I think that says it all and in Brisbane not a Trump
red hat or American to be heard speaking - Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Makes you wonder, eh?
Cheers
I am sure Anna, Don and the 4 Musketeers would be able to immigrate with their educational background with
no problems.
Colin
I feel sorry for all those ex-First wives. Jackie must be spinning in her grave - Arlington isn't it with JFK??
ReplyDeleteMelania will bring Jackie's class and style to the White House !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melania of Slovenia - oh baby from the mayor's Chauffeur's daughter, to so-called Uni graduate at an extremely early age of Architecture somewhere in Slovenia, to wife of a red-headed Billioniare who doesn't pay taxes - yep Baby Doll,
you as the song goes "Have come a long way, Baby". I can hardly wait for the crash back to earth.
Colin
Seriously? This is all you have? Nice of you to be so open-minded.
DeleteWe feel your shock and pain Cynthia, we felt the same emotions after the Brexit UK vote. Trump seems to be more Presidential and more conciliatory since his win and ditching ideas left, right and centre - looks like the Mexican wall's gone, Obama care might stay and be modified. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Our Press are saying this was not about voting Trump in, supporting his views and what he stood for, it was about voting Hilary out. Our news is still full of the American election news, we will watch with interest and send you our love for a peaceful less stressful week.
ReplyDeleteWren x