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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt's not even the fact that we lost the election
that's got me paralyzed with upset. It's realizing that more than half the people--the Americans!--who voted are so cruel, so racist, so misogynistic, so fascist, so fucking amoral--no, immoral--that they would vote for a creature like Trump. Someone posted earlier that they did not want unity--well, I don't either. Why in the hell would we want to associate ourselves with people who would do this?
I remember Obama's election, feeling proud not so much that we won the election but that our people, with our history, could elect a black man. I was so proud of us! And now--I took in my flag, and I don't know when I'm going to fly it again.
I'm so fucking ashamed of my country, and that's horrible.
Weve become a third world shithole country. If I could leave, I would.
Trueblue Texan
(2,990 posts)We were once the protectors of democracy. Now there is no such protector. If Russian can destroy a sovereign nation just because it wants to, where is there any protection for anyone?
indigoth
(167 posts)One of the Scandinavian nations. You know a nation that actually cares for its citizens. Theyre among the happiest nations on the planet. While russia is a definite threat to world peace, Ukraine has shown Russia is defeatable. Nor is defense from Russia a determining factor.
Arthur_Frain
(2,200 posts)You've probably existed through both peak humanity and peak Americana.
So there's that.
Colgate 64
(14,840 posts)I give up on 49% of my supposed fellow "citzens". They don't have a damned clue about democracy or what it stands for. The vague promise of paying a few less cents for a gallon of gas plus shitting on people that don't look, pray or think like you do and you've got an election triumph. Democracy? Highly overrated. Who needs it, anyway?
Fuck 'em all.
Silent Type
(7,305 posts)OMGWTF
(4,479 posts)Too many Americans are fed BS and believe the lies. They are ignorant and/or stupid, racist, sexist, and every other bad thing.
mamacita75
(130 posts)of death, the MEDIA. What absolutely BS is spewed from them ever since tfg showed up. Money money, money, money mon - eeeeee!
Every direction I look it is tfg high-flying flags. Oh please.
Dem4life1234
(1,980 posts)Kablooie
(18,793 posts)And so other Americans think its fine to be a horrible, hateful person.
The ugly American on steroids.
ancianita
(38,856 posts)This isn't about Americans. It's about the oligarch asset strippers taking over this government, while we just thought we were "saving democracy."
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016389180
summer_in_TX
(3,284 posts)I don't think that's true for many, many people.
A elderly friend of mine, Judy, a Jungian therapist who was deeply disappointed by the outcome wrote this to those of us in our book club today:
"Yesterday, I needed to be in solitude and just be. Today I felt the need to go and have breakfast at [the café] not for interaction but to sit quietly with my New York Times and be present to the energy around me. I needed to quietly be in community and somehow know that the earth was still turning and that day would follow night and that people were going about their lives. My spirit was calmed as I sat and read and quietly observed those around me. And the interesting thing was that each of the servers that spoke to me, those that give me a feeling of home and familiarity and comfort as I often go have a meal there, I found all voted differently than me. Bambi, as she ran over and gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, even tho she wasnt my server, was beaming and said God is so good! He took care of us this time! Kristen, the dishwasher, is very dear to me. She is on the spectrum and is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen, both here and at Lindas, came over and said, We really needed a change! Maybe now we will get it!
These are folks that give me kindness and a feeling of home and they voted for Trump. This feels like where the work is going to be as we heal our world and somehow find peace within ourselves. The angry bros with their MAGA hats, what is underneath their raised fists? The suburban white women and the minorities that voted for Trump what do we learn from it? I dont know the answers, but I think if we are going to bring about the change we hope to see, we have to struggle with these questions. Not to agree, but to understand where they are coming from and not look at them from a superior stance as deplorables or we will get the same results in the next election. And we cant just use generalities like misogyny and fascism and diversity training and Biden economics and not dig deeper than that to put those important truths into language that truly speaks to people."
This is who so many of the Trump voters were. People feeling desperate and willing to take a chance that things would be better for them and their families. Hardworking decent people working to feed and clothe their families. NOT the hateful brainwashed FOX idiots whose minds are closed, not the Russian-paid influencers and bots out to alienate and divide Americans. Yes, those are a subset, but not the majority. Somehow I don't believe punishing them all will work out well for our future. Divisions would become chasms. And it will delight Russia and our other enemies if we go that route.
ecstatic
(34,506 posts)I compare it to being heartbroken. The exact same feeling. But I'll be honest, allowing myself to cry -- several times -- has helped a lot. Also, I'm meditating and reminding myself not to get bogged down by things I cannot control.
Prior to all of this, I told myself that if things went the wrong way, I'd never visit DU or watch any cable news again. But I'm here. And... I guess... ready to fight? One day at a time. I probably will have to tune TF out as inauguration nears. We'll see...