I have no qualms about voting for Clinton, Ask Me Anything

[kickingandscreaming]

First of all, the protests are largely peaceful. And they are called for in a situation where the popular vote went to the ''loser" who beat the "winner" by approaching 2 millions votes and counting.

Second of all, do you condone the reported increase of abuse and assaults against Muslims, people of color, immigrants, women and girls, and the LGBTQ community, among other minorities?  This is what the Trump people are doing. Protests are an All-American expression of the first amendment.  I, for one, am happy that the public has spontaneiously risen up and is not comatose in the face of this election chicacnery (FBI, Wikileaks, Russian meddling, etc). There have been more hate crimes perpetrated by Trump followers in the last few days as there are on record for a year's time under normal circumstances.  Here's a list of hate crimes http://people.com/politics/swastika-graffiti-and-build-the-wall-taunts-inside-the-racially-charged-incidents-since-trumps-election/

[iolaire]

Second of all, do you condone the reported increase of abuse and assaults against Muslims, people of color, immigrants, women and girls, and the LGBTQ community, among other minorities?

We really did not have much of a fear of this when Bush was in power.  Yes there were events where people were hurt because of bias but the entire government was supportive of our minorities. 

Now my fear is how far this hate will expand, the FBI already tracks low violence groups like environmentalist, will they start locking up those people using anti termism laws because of perceived risk?

[Simon Dog]

First of all, the protests are largely peaceful. And they are called for in a situation where the popular vote went to the ''loser" who beat the "winner" by approaching 2 millions votes and counting.

The problem is these people are not protesting the electoral college, but the result.   If they "should" protest anything, it should be the all or nothing system used by 48 of the states.  Of course, for that to change, we would have to stat with the CA and NY Democratic legislatures agreeing to give a portion of their states votes to the opposition (which is probably why it hasn't, and won't, happen).    Also, note that nobody seems to be protesting "electoral college unfair", but "we don't want Trump".    In my opinion, they are protesting the symptom and not the disease.

Secondarily, the rules effect the result.  If every vote counted (and not just those in battleground states), we would have seen Trump campaign stops and ads in CA and MA, and Clinton visits to the midwest.    As it stands, those of us in MA didn't even get the deluge of Trump/Clinton ads except when there was a market spillover from a neighboring state.

[kickingandscreaming]

The problem is these people are not protesting the electoral college, but the result.

There ARE several protests mounting of the electoral college.  https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19  and  https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/national_vote_full/?bJEDobb&signup=1&cl=11086781694&v=84034/

The people in the streets are expressing shock and disbelief in the wrong that has taken place. 

[MooseMom]

I find it interesting to watch/listen to world reaction.  There is a lot of fear and disbelief around the world, particularly amongst our allies, as a result of Trump's election.  It is palpable.  I've had many friends all the way from Oslo to Sydney contact me to tell me that they are really frightened.  There is a reason for their fear, don't you think?

Many, if not all, of the people who voted for Brexit didn't really think about the consequences for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.  They didn't really care.  The same is happening here.  Of course people vote with their own pocketbooks and bank accounts.  That's entirely fair.  But there is a world beyond our shores, and that world is on edge.

People like Steve Bannon represent the far-right.  That he is anywhere near the White House is troubling.  Steve Bannon has no interest in anything other than the promotion of white nationalism.  Those are his words.  This is not me making this up.  He echoes Marine LePen, Nigel Farage and that pisspot in Hungary, Viktor Orban.  Protesters here are not so much protesting Trump, rather, they're protesting what he has told us he and his team represent. 

There will be fear for at least the next 2 years.  When people are frightened, they protest.  Fear can look like anger.  They're not thinking about the Electoral College.  Changing the system is not going to make Trump go away by January 20, so what is the purpose in protesting they system?  They're not protesting where the candidates decided to make campaign stops! 

[Rerun]

Trump said he is not taking a pay check.  $400,000

Trump also said he wants to implement "term limits."  That will be hard because it is the politician's livelihood.

   

[MooseMom]

Since the Congressional Swamp refuses to pass funding for veterans' benefits, Trump should take his $400,000 and donate it to the Wounded Warrior Project.

[Charlie B53]

There are a whole lot of voting Veterans out here.  Any Congressman the refuses to fund Veterans Administration can count on NOT being reelected.

[Simon Dog]

Since the Congressional Swamp refuses to pass funding for veterans' benefits, Trump should take his $400,000 and donate it to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Which won't even cover the salary of the Wounded Warrior Preisdent, but it would cover one of the 21 additional staffers making $177K to $341K.

[MooseMom]

Then Trump could find another vet charity to which he could give his salary.

[iolaire]

GOP and Trump put deficit on back burner
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/deficit-donald-trump-republicans-231372

we will have to wait another four years to try to get our country's financial health in order... 

[Athena]

I find it interesting to watch/listen to world reaction.  There is a lot of fear and disbelief around the world, particularly amongst our allies, as a result of Trump's election.  It is palpable.  I've had many friends all the way from Oslo to Sydney contact me to tell me that they are really frightened.  There is a reason for their fear, don't you think?

Moosemum, I'm sorry to be the one to burst your bubble but let me inform you that many people around the world, including that of staunch allies, are absolutely rejoicing that Donald Trump has prevailed! I can't even begin to describe to you how happy I felt when I saw the electoral college votes starting to roll in & it became obvious which way it was going to go.

The discontent and uneasiness that drove many people to vote for him is one that is keenly felt in many other countries, including my own. We are already seeing benefits of the Trump-effect locally, more attention towards the forgotten chronically unemployed and calls for restraint in the high rate of immigration infiltrating this country that has become massively unsustainable and ruinous. Donald Trump has suddenly given a voice to all those who have been hurting for a long time but have been routinely ignored by politicians for so long.

So in summary - many of us are celebrating his electoral win and feel so much more hopeful about the future as a result of it.

[kickingandscreaming]

many of us are celebrating his electoral win and feel so much more hopeful about the future as a result of it.

Many of you have been scammed and "had" by this very skillful con artist.  Unfortunately, ALL of us will be harmed.  I would love for it to be true that Trump cares about the "little people" whose voices haven't been heard.  But Donald Trump is no populist.  He's a neo-fascist.  He cares only about Donald Trump, money and power.

[Rerun]

Well, I'm going to give him a 4 year try to make things better.  Bring some jobs back so all have a chance to work.  If they want to sit home on their ass and collect money from the Govt., then that is their choice.  I know.... not all can work.  But, the ones that can and want to.

I see the infrastructure project bringing Jobs to those who need one and Taxes coming in to pay down the deficit.  It is just like our own debt.  You just have to start paying down the smallest credit card and snowball to the largest.

Obama is spending HOW MUCH to make his final world tour?  OMG Really?      

[nursey66]

Highest tax rate going from 35% to 15% ,  lowest tax rate going from 10% to 12% .  Personal exemption is going away,  inheritance tax also going away ,  how many of you expect a big inheritance ??  That is just the start . Rich will get richer , poor will be poorer .Middle Class will  become the lower class , and lower class will have nothing !!   Just my opinion on what's happened and said so far , in less than a week .

[Michael Murphy]

Again the republicans don't have over 60 votes in the Senate so the democrats caned do to drumph the idiot what the republicans did during the 8 years of Obama. Delay,block, obstruct, everything.

[iolaire]

Highest tax rate going from 35% to 15% ,  lowest tax rate going from 10% to 12% .  Personal exemption is going away,  inheritance tax also going away ,  how many of you expect a big inheritance ??  That is just the start . Rich will get richer , poor will be poorer .Middle Class will  become the lower class , and lower class will have nothing !!   Just my opinion on what's happened and said so far , in less than a week .

Plus debt will skyrocket as spending is continued and tax revenue collapses...

Again the republicans don't have over 60 votes in the Senate so the democrats caned do to drumph the idiot what the republicans did during the 8 years of Obama. Delay,block, obstruct, everything.

This hopefully will protect us from the worst, even the republicans have a hard time supporting Trump so I really hope he will have to have valid proposals to get them approved.

[Michael Murphy]

First of all, the protests are largely peaceful. And they are called for in a situation where the popular vote went to the ''loser" who beat the "winner" by approaching 2 millions votes and counting.

The problem is these people are not protesting the electoral college, but the result.   If they "should" protest anything, it should be the all or nothing system used by 48 of the states.  Of course, for that to change, we would have to stat with the CA and NY Democratic legislatures agreeing to give a portion of their states votes to the opposition (which is probably why it hasn't, and won't, happen).    Also, note that nobody seems to be protesting "electoral college unfair", but "we don't want Trump".    In my opinion, they are protesting the symptom and not the disease.

Secondarily, the rules effect the result.  If every vote counted (and not just those in battleground states), we would have seen Trump campaign stops and ads in CA and MA, and Clinton visits to the midwest.    As it stands, those of us in MA didn't even get the deluge of Trump/Clinton ads except when there was a market spillover from a neighboring state.

[Rerun]

 

[Jean]

Guys, and Girls,

When Obama was voted in, I just knew the country was going straight to Hell. Never voiced my opinion tho and in fact, it has. Trump has made a lot of promises, and I for one (Two counting Rerun) am going to give him all the support I can, but not the way Obama supporters were. They thought he was the grand Deliverer. I dont feel that way about Trump, he is just a himan being,but I am willing to give him a chance. This rioting is nonsense and just another excuse to burn and pillage. Many of you are quoting things that are totally not true ( See MM, I learned to research) I am not willing or eager to disprove or research every little belch. My point is, you guys really need to simmer down and give the man a chance. The majority elected him, let them see what happens. At the very least stop doubting every little thing and try to help out instead of ripping YOUR AND MY PRESIDENT apart on a daily basis.
Peace Out

[MooseMom]

But Jean, the majority voted for Hillary Clinton....by almost 1.7 million votes and still counting.

Can you give us details on why you think this country has gone to hell?  And before you say "trade deals", just let me remind you that trade deals reduced barriers to trade for American exports, and American companies that rely on exporting their goods and services employ people, too.   But no one ever talks about that side of the equation.

So tell us more about how this country has "gone to hell".  Is it because a black man became President?  Is that how you knew from the beginning that the US was doomed?

You need to go back and do some more research.

I was willing to give him a chance, but then he puts names forward like Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions.  I rather like Nikki Haley and think it's a shame that they're shuttling her to UN Ambassador.  That' a step downward for her, and I have to wonder who advised Trump to do this. 

My main concern is that since Trump is a political naif, the "swamp" will take advantage and devour him.  He is already surrounding himself with the very lobbyists and swamp monsters that his supporters (and lots of people who didn't support him) wanted to see gone. 

Everyone was soooooooo whipped up about Hillary Clinton's emails, but no one seems to care that Trump has not disclosed any information about his own finances and his own business ties to foreign governments.  Why is that, Jean? 

So I'll give Trump the same chance that you gave Obama, and I'll voice the same opinion that you did eight years ago, that this President-Elect will drive the country straight to Hell.  Fair enough?

[Simon Dog]

One of the biggest differences Trump vs. Clinton will make is the appointment of SCOTUS judges.    The impact of a conservative vs. a liberal majority will be felt for years beyond the next presidential term.   Many of us felt we were voting for composition of SCOTUS more than for a particular presidency.

[kickingandscreaming]

The majority elected him,

I think if you "research" the latest count, you'll find that Hillary Clinton hsa won the popular vote.  So, the majority elected Clinton, not Trump.  Her margin is now over 2 million votes--and still counting.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/23/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-2-million-popular-vote/94339510/

It is interesting to note how unfairly apportioned the electoral votes are per state.

n average a state is awarded one electoral vote for every 565,166 people. However, Wyoming has three electoral votes and only 532,668 citizens (as of 2008 estimates). As a result each of Wyoming's three electoral votes corresponds to 177,556 people. Understood in one way, these people have 3.18 times as much clout in the Electoral College as an average American, or 318% (as listed in the pdf chart, downloadable below).

  http://www.fairvote.org/population_vs_electoral_votes

This pattern can be seen throughout the electoral college.  Therefore small, rural, sparsely-populated states have MORE representation than larger, densely-populated states.  And the citizens of small states are disproportionately represented by electors. 

This rioting is nonsense and just another excuse to burn and pillage.

Lawful protests ARE NOT riots.  They are an appropriate expression of First Amendment, free speech rights.  Get over it. The burning and pillaging seems to be coming entirely from the Trump supporter side.

[kickingandscreaming]

One of the biggest differences Trump vs. Clinton will make is the appointment of SCOTUS judges.    The impact of a conservative vs. a liberal majority will be felt for years beyond the next presidential term.   Many of us felt we were voting for composition of SCOTUS more than for a particular presidency.

Exactly.  And a lot of us (the majority) don't think we need a whole court filled with Scalia knockoffs.  Or worse.

[MooseMom]

One of the biggest differences Trump vs. Clinton will make is the appointment of SCOTUS judges.    The impact of a conservative vs. a liberal majority will be felt for years beyond the next presidential term.   Many of us felt we were voting for composition of SCOTUS more than for a particular presidency.

But many of you have now voted for Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions and Ben Carson who will very probably be a part of that "particular presidency".  You may justify your vote by saying it was "really for the Supreme Court", but your swamp is still there, untouched and as filthy as ever.  You've voted for his kids and his son-in-law as part of his advisory team.  You've voted for a potential Department of Education head whose agenda is to dismantle the public school systems and privatize education.  You've voted for the gradual dismantling of Medicare, putting our most vulnerable citizens in the hands of corporations.  You've all voted for so much more than just SCOTUS that will impact our nation for years, and not in a necessarily good way.

Anybody, please tell me why we should be happy with the likes of Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions.  I really want to know what good they have to offer.  Tell my why these choices will be healing balms for our nation.  I don't understand, I really don't.  Steve Bannon?