I have too many family members where this is the only thing that sometimes helped. No more saving them, no more covering for them, no more enabling them in any way. They're on their own. We refused to be damaged and taken advantage of by them. Same with Trump voters, as far as I'm concerned.

Let them see what it feels like to play with fire. It burns. They might not believe it burns; trump says it feels GREAT, so they start the fire. This is the consequense of burning your own house down.

"W"'s disastrous reign should have finished the GOP. Instead, they felt they had the right to criticize Obama? Who saved us from the results of "W"s incompetence?

The country needs more lessons of how terrible Republicans are when they are in power.

Trump is just the person to deliver that lesson.

Sure, the next 4-8 years will be awful with some aftermath but ultimately it will deliver that lesson to a great many people.

We do not have to spend four years on defense, they do. This will be worse than Bush for us and for the republican party. Trump is fucked up in the head, way worse than the other ones before him. Worse than Nixon

"We do not have to spend four years on defense"

Many of you will never be able to fully get how much of a slog it had become going out there and being on the public front lines fighting every ridiculous smear any right wing pundit could dream up about our President.

Playing offense against someone who really has no idea what they are doing is going to be fun for a change.

We will dog him at every turn. He is unqualified to shine our shoes. The trumpers will be facing the reality of their decision very soon, if not already. GOP hates government because they are constant failures at government administration.

Heh, heh. No fucking way

Sorry, I never cursed online the way I have the past month.

I am looking forward to being the pit bull. So exhausting defending against imaginary issues. Nothing you can say will ever make a difference. I stopped even bothering to defend obama since I decided nothing I could say would do anything

to HELP them screw over people so they don't have to take the whole blame next election cycle.

Christopher Titus is a comedian with a dark streak. He did a show called "Norman Rockwell is Bleeding". In youtube clips for that show is a few minutes titled 'Wait, wait, wait'. He says moms will give you knowledge, but dads make you earn it, and illustrates this using the example of a kid putting a penny in a power socket. The dad solves problems by letting the kid do the stupid thing, and then saying, okay, you're not going to do that anymore, right? It's about a minute long.

trump will destroy himself, soon.

Obama's economic recovery will sustain itself for at least 18-24 months. Any budget Trump would put in place wont go into effect for at least 12 months. It would take at least 6 months for a bad economic plan once implemented to tank the economy.

On the other hand, if he starts deporting millions of undocumented immigrants in a short amount of time, that will collapse the housing and food industries no matter what else is going on.

He won't be able to help himself, given the his new power.

I am already dusting off the bible to prepare for pre-game scripture readings before the national anthem is played.

There's no way of undoing the damage he's likely to do to the planet. Our window to prevent atmospheric CO2 and methane levels from reaching catastrophic levels is too small, if it even still exists.

We are stuck with this right now. I'm not going to panic or get depressed about it.

I fought as hard as I could for Hillary, we're not going to get her. Now those who voted Trump get to see the fruits of their efforts and since they will have all the branches, they won't get to blame anyone else for the results.

This will be a harsh lesson for those of them smart enough to get it and it will be bad for all the rest of us as well, but I believe in the long term it will turn more people permanently off to the GOP so it will eventually be positive.

Might that be too late from any number of perspectives, climate, destructive war, sure, there is definitely the risk of that. There isn't much I can do about that other than what I am going to do anyway, criticize Trump publicly and vigorously whenever he does something stupid/wrong.

but you enjoy your righteousness. OP's cousin wasn't the only one depending on Social Security/Medicare. Hillary voters like me do too. The immigrants. The victims of hate crime. The planet. But you be happy!

There are lessons taught the hard way, and then there are gigantic cluster-f's that cause years upon years of suffering. Even if it teaches Trump voters a lesson, I still wouldn't wish a Machiavellian sociopath like Trump on anyone.

We may gain more voters in 2018, but we need this country intact to do it. After seeing what Bush did, it's going to be awful seeing this happen to the country again.

needed.

It's not like I wanted this. I fought for Hillary as hard as anyone could. I tried to stop this.

Now that I couldn't I am going to deal with the aftermath.

They will always deflect blame to something else, like "the Socialist Marxist Liberals," "the Welfare Queens," illegals stealing their jobs, etc. They don't even understand what Medicare is. I don't think it matters if the Republicans screw them over - they'll never learn, imo. They're ignorant on purpose, and don't care about the facts.

What percentage of folks willing to vote Republican do we need to pull away from their pool of potential voters to make it impossible for them to win the Presidency, House and Senate?

The number isn't that high. If they screw with Medicare, it hits the age demographic that was their best performer. That will more than do it.

Then in 4 years we can put Medicare back the way it was, with perhaps some improvements.

that if W wasn't enough to drive the point home, nothing will be.

The problems are:
- No accountability or fact checking of pervasive biased media spreading misinformation
- Decades of underfunding in schools and the state turning a blind eye to "homeschooling" of religious mega-families
- Vote suppression, fraud and gerrymandering
- Weakening of labour rights and solidarity which has driven down working conditions and created wedges between people who would otherwise work together

None of those are solved by having a terrible president who dismantles social programmes people depend on. The system is rigged and we can't keep relying on running vastly superior candidates to compensate for that.

Because we'll have no influence at the top, we need to work from the grassroots to hold the media accountable, get on school boards and make sure kids are learning civics and have qualified actual teachers, get on elections boards, join unions and organise in the workplace.

I don't think it requires a massive amount of folks currently willing to vote (R) to be permanently turned off to doing that.

also feel the pain. Sorry for interrupting your celebration with my survival concerns.

deal with the reality of what we face.

"I really hate saying this but....."

Yes, I am sorry that my fellow countrymen who depend on Medicare and/or SS are going to suffer but NOT so for those who voted for this sham, this orange menace for POTUS. Hell, I even cracked a smile when I read the OP.

I would not be where I am today without SS. I would have had to drop out of school to take care of my Mom. So to my fellow leftists offended by our schadenfreude - I am truly sorry.

I fought for Hillary. I pulled the lever for her. I wouldn't even describe my feeling as schadenfreude. I am not happy about this. But I am also not depressed or angry. I am energized to face what is to come.

This is 2000 all over again.

Those who didn't go out and vote for Hillary are going to be shocked at the consequences and how big the difference really is. Just like with 2000, many of those same folks are going to have deep regrets that they did not vote for her and fight for her.

I guess one positive is that he's seeing the light. Too bad it's a little late and the rest of us have to deal with the fallout.

Unfortunately, I think your cousin is going to be the exception and not the rule. I suspect a lot of Trump voters will remain in denial for some time to come, maybe the whole four years. I guess we can hope not.

But there is also this thing Trump is doing that is strange compared to other winners. He wont shut up and go away for a while to learn the job. He is just really really doing everything I had hoped he would do. He is desensitizing us to his bullshit antics so we can go back to focusing on his real problems and not let him distract us in the future.

I think his voters who actually have a bit of instinct for self preservation will be in agony soon. That's all we need. The disillusioned. Fuck the rest of those idiots. I want to have 'LEAVE MY MEDICARE ALONE!!", rallies all over the nation. I will make signs.

I've long thought that he didn't want the job and that he was doing everything he could to lose, but his current antics make it seem like he doesn't even know he won, even though he talks about it all the time. It's almost as though he's in denial that he's about to become POTUS and is acting like he's not. It seems that he's rushing his cabinet picks hoping someone will bail him out.

It's very odd. The positive thing, in a twisted way, is that everything we said he'd be as president looks a bit prophetic now (and he's not even POTUS yet) and his antics are being exposed to more people now that they're front and center.

If we're stuck with him, and it appears we are, I guess we have to hope that any reasonable Trump voters (an oxymoron, I realize) figure out that they've been sold down the river. And soon. In time for 2018, preferably.

...the JOB, just the title. And all the attendant adulation, pomp and circumstance.

The job actually involves hard mental work, probably 18- 20 hours a day. It takes concentration and the aility to focus for sustained periods of time. And, it is a job that is primarily about serving others.

He sucks at all of those.

for years. It seemed that he was doing everything he could to throw the election, but I think I was just hoping he was and that it would work.

Upon learning that he paid Bob Dole $140k to set up the Taiwan call, it appears that not only did he want the job, he assumed he was going to win. Kind of blows my theory.

I agree - he doesn't want the work. I thought (wrong again) that he'd hire reasonably competent people and basically let them run the show, but he can't even do that right. Maybe Pence will run the place.

Link for Bob Dole story: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8337300

knew it was in the bag.

...why, IMO, he was sooooooooooooooooo adamant about not giving Merrick Garland a hearing. He goddamn KNEW they were going to steal this election just like they stole 2000 and 2004. Bastard.

I utterly detest that man.

(Even though the venues post-election really aren't filled, as he would have you believe.)

the stupid in this country is at a stage 4 cancer now.

There almost literally is no republican who is able to hear ANYTHNG a spawn of the devil, america hating "liberal" has to say about anything.

All we can do is sit around and hope the country is not complete fucked over by the time the jackasses have their epiphanies.

Apparently some people only learn through making bad choices.

"you can fool some of the people all of the time".

i know a couple actually...

and come to his senses.

your cousin. And there are millions just like him that literally don't know what they are doing when they vote than falling for high-pressure advertising, psyops and hate media. It's a fucken shame, but I really think they have brought the US into some very dark days and I have no sympathy for them, because the future of my life. as with millions and millions, will likely be ruined too.

And after the supreme count nominations and wins down the road, it will probably be decades before the US starts to resemble what it once was if ever again.

FFS, does you cousin even realize he has enabled the hugest billionaire insider establishment into the WH ever witnessed in the US. And, he has brought in extreme war hawks. WTF, did your cousin think they were just like the billionaire establishment.

Clue your cousin in, they are LOSERS in this establishment, seen as dog shit or worse by the new highly powered billionaire elite. You cousin was used for his vote, seen as damn ignorant fools, and they will likely suffer significantly like the rest of us into some damn dystopian society.

Everything is about him at all times. Trump could nuke china and as long as his check came on time, so be it. This is why I have no sympathy for a Trumper. The entire family has to come together to provide charity to his ass every month and he somehow decided Trump was going to be a blast. I told him this was the last time I would help him for fours years. Told him to ask King Trump for a handout, so my sister is going to send him money. Irritating.

utterly horrific, a total WTF. Some are just unreachable. Maybe a kick in the head by the Trump Machine will knock some sense into him, but somehow I doubt it.

This might help him in the long run so he never forgets this feeling. Nobody is sympathizing with him after his celebratory antics after Trump won, that helps him realize he did it to himself.

That's funny

let's see how long before he believes losing his SSI and Medicare so Trump & friends can have a yuuuge tax cut is symbolic of Great Patriotism that will maga

this will be the thing that enlightens him, and brings him around.

Probably not, but where there's hope...

I love watching him go from YAY TRUMP to OH FUCK

I wish I could see all the 'oh fuck' faces out there right about now.

And I expect to see it dominate a few news cycles after he actually gets sworn in. He us already a failure and nothing they can say will stop us from laughing at their King

Put your efforts into convincing reasonable people into reasonable actions. For every crackpot out there, there are probably 10 or 100 people who just apathetic and unmotivated.

Those are the people you can reach.

I enjoy it and he hates it. A win win.

Trump and the GOPs best demographic is the elderly. If SS or Medicare are messed with, that opens the door to everyone over 50 that isn't wealthy.

Bravenaks relative is a prime example.

If we win over the 50 and over crowd we will trounce the GOP nationally every election.

Its a Bush Phone. Bush started the free phones.

...and the rest of are blaming him and his kind too.
There is no dignity in being an idiot.

The buyers’ remorse will continue to grow.

His fans are so sad

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It's the same old voter's remorse we see in Kentucky when they elected Governor Asshole What's-His-Name and his promising to dismantle Obamacare & the shitheads who voted for him are all upset now. WTF?!?

It's crazy

All very important to me. I am on two of the three right now. However, all a moot point. He will have the launch codes in just over 30 days. Instead of tweeting at 3AM he will kill us all. I doubt we will survive his presidency.

I have not posted in awhile (unexpected illness laid me lower than I already was), but I always follow your excellent posts. Before the election, a long-time friend of mine told me he voted for Hillary, albeit reluctantly (didn't get into that with him), because, as he put it, the nation could survive her presidency. He did not hesitate to clarify that the same could not be said for her opponent.

Stay strong, my DU friend. For the present, I can't get myself to look into the future much beyond April.

The sadness, it overwhelms me.

Blessings.

I am so sorry you have been ill. Get better sweetie. I want to say it will get better, yet I am like you living a few months or so at a time. I am terrified and did not want my life to end this way, in fear of what will be tomorrow. All I wanted was to leave my nieces, nephews and the grands a good world.

Love and hugs to you always.

You make me feel better with your words, your kindness, your understanding and your insights. You wishes for those who are following in our footsteps are mine exactly. Above all, I wish there was a glimmer of hope for my grandsons' future. The black abyss seems to loom larger every day. Let us continue to uphold each other and speak truth to power.

Love and hugs to you, also. Many blessings!

The pity party they are having for themselves is the worst. They never cared when it was about others but now they want sympathy for the damage they did to the rest of us. Too furious right now

As far as I know only my nieces husband voted for him. I would like to rip him a new one yet I can't.

Yes, I am furious.

I love you babe.

is the coward in this scene. The missiles have a good chance of flying this time around, both out and in. I will not fear this fuck, I will hate him and who he stands for till the end of my time on this FUBAR planet.

I know.

went back to the dark side, and voted for Trump last November.
How soon they forget. Folks, it will be MUCH worse this time around.

we still need to fault the debate moderators for spending all their time on emails and foreign policy (well, not all, but you know what I mean). Had topics like Social Security, education, housing, Medicare, and climate change been discussed, we very well could have had a different outcome.

I have not heard about them since.

Maybe Trump will be white working class moron's rock bottom.

Sad thing is my cousin is black so.... Not just the white working class that needs a dose of reality. Boy is he getting his. He is getting no sympathy

Yeah I done two old men at a coffee cafe the other night it was funny.

Too bad.

to take a hike and not let the door hit him on the way out.

The next four years and beyond, the nightmare they have created. THEY OWN IT.

Screw your self centered cousin! No sympathy here.

But you'll get it done to you too, thanks to assholes like him.

The only thing I can come up with, is they are brainwashed by Fox and their bigotry overrules common sense.

I think they need to be found in a gutter somewhere before they can come to their senses.

But I'd never let them know it.

30 plus years of bullshit piled higher, higher and higher. hate radio. control of the media, fox fucking news. fear fear fear and bullshit.

a dear friend's son is the same way as your cousin. i have to delete nearly every comment he puts on my fb because i won't have him shitting on my rug so to speak, but since i am so close to his mother and have known him since he was born, i haven't blocked him. i have tried to reason with him but it was beyond useless.

it's like they cannot even think really. this shit about 3 million illegal votes in CA - it's absurd on its face, but these people believe it. A child sex ring run by Hillary out of a pizza parlor in DC - outlandishly ridiculous! omigawd, and people believe it.

i don't fucking know how to combat this, i really don't. the republicans have made huge strides toward destroying the country, and i really do not know if it can be saved. what i do know is i will resist to the very end.

i recently read the Emperors New Clothes. It really really fits this situation. It will take something that seems minor to bring him down. We have to pick at him bit by bit until he melts down. Without his rallies to keep his spiruts up he will deflate under the pressure. He needs attention, accolades, fawning. Laughing at bullies hurts their hearts. He needs laughed at constantly.

no matter how hard it gets to laugh.

I would tell him that he deserves to lose his Medicare and any other benefits he has, and that proper pennance for him would be to spend the rest of his life trying to make life better for all those that didn't deserve it and didn't vote for Chump. .

But does anybody actually deserve Trump? Not even my worst enemy should deal with that psycho. But he does deserve it in a way. He wanted to have it himself, but take it from other people to suppor his bigotries. Now nobody will have it. I asked him if he's proud but he will not answer.

I would say they deserve trump. It's the rest of us that don't.

right with you on this one. Time for people to actually get a dose of their own stupidity.

I turned to my Shrub loving co-workers, now facing being layed off, and asked what do you think of Bush now?

They replied, it's Clinton's fault.

Nothing getting through.

There's really no way to get through to people cracked enough to buy into the Birther nonsense, and at least half the Republicans are that far gone. It's like a cult. Better off spending your time trying to figure out a way to beat Trump and the others, and trying to help some of the victims of this nonsense.

Pain works. We just need to wait.

Those people like your cousin remind me of the poor whites in the south who have voted for the Bourbon Grandees for a century and a half, whether Republican o Democrat. They have had it ugly and painful for six or seven generations now.

In any case, we can't do the job of dishing out the pain.

They are sunk in their hatred and CT fantasies.

Like jpr and free republic. Noting sinks in it just feeds the beast

I refuse to participate in his fake xmas.

Only he has no regrets yet. Of course, I doubt if he reads anything or pays much attention, so he doesn't realise that his social security and medicare are in Trump's crosshairs. His FB page is all tits and ass, guns and the occasional car or bike, and Trump worship. Yet he tells me I have been possessed because I don't support Trump, and he will pray for me. I posted an Advent Calendar of daily acts of kindness, and he said, what, no Jesus? I'd be surprised if he has been in a church in years.
Oy, my head hurts.

I'll wait awhile until the trumpmania calms down before I take a look.

what the hell is going on in his world. He's confused and frightened (I suppose like the rest of us).

He will have to come to terms with the fact that Trump tricked him into voting for him and perhaps maybe Obama wasn't as bad as 'they' said he was.

But he seem to be on the right trail, giving up FOX 'news' for one thing and maybe there is hope for him somewhere down the road.

The Rethuglican, Fux News manufactured, artificial reality. Eventually it reaches a point where you can't fantasize your way out. Maybe that's what it's going to take.

Congrats on finally getting through to him.

Your cousin may be the only unaware of conservative plans. Watches Fox doesn't he?

My misled 74 year old mother who can't get around without a walker asked me what they mean about privatizing Medicare. I told her it means her and dad will get a voucher to try to buy their own insurance. She has had her brain turned to mush by Right Wing propaganda, but she knows they need medicare and cheap medication to be able to survive. She asked me what will they do, I told her, "well mom, maybe you'll have to get a job to cover the costs, that's what you voted for."

Their realization and reckoning with the fact that they were conned. That the rich will get the largest tax breaks, that the Repubs and Trump will work to kill their healthcare, Medicare and then attempt to do the same with Social Security.

For democracy to work, citizens must be informed and engaged. Trumpsters were engaged on November 8, but they are also terribly ignorant. Not stupid, but ignorant of the truth.

So in the end, they'll pay a price for their ignorance.

They need it

Tell him not to feel too bad. Trump is a world-class con man and millions of other people were conned this year, too. He's not alone. Maybe you should also warn with him about emails from Nigerian Princes, phone calls from Microsoft and other common frauds.

Now if he is TRULY sorry he will open himself to the truth and learn from his mistake. Will he make the same type of mistake next go around and plunge the rest of the country into his pit of anger or study the truth before voting on uneducated emotion?