Trump's victory this time cannot be blamed on people not knowing him or on Democrats. Voters embraced the authoritarian's cruelty. It will be trained on many of them.
I want to also to apologize to all if I followed the signs coming from the turnout at the polls--and the trumpers saying there was low turnout on election day--and getting caught up in the good feelings that signs pointed a win. I'm always afraid of misleading people, when I'm just reporting what's going on out there. And clearly that wasn't accurate.
No worries, Michelangelo YOU do a GREAT job, I was doing my own research and thought we were solid gold, I was so wrong, imagine Black and Latino men and I am still hunting for all the enraged females.
The FBI yesterday asserted that several of the bomb scares, which disrupted voting in several Florida precincts located in heavily Democratic neighborhoods, had their origins in Putin's Russia.
Hardly a shocker that Putin would once again assist his servant.
Thank you for sharing, but I want to know who is going to take this on ,who is going to investigate ,who is going to fight and not roll over so Trump can takeoff again ????
The sad, pathetic timidity and weakness of Merrick Garland helped doom our democracy. He will go down in the history books, those probably written overseas, as one of the unwitting facilitators of America's fall by not acting with a sense of urgency brining Trump to account after Jan. 6, as well as being the greatest mistake of the Biden Administration.
We are now the most racist country on the planet! Who is safe from this hate? Certainly not Michelangelo and me. The pink triangle became our symbol as a result of gays who were gassed at Auschwitz and Birkenau. I pity the poor Ukrainians as he hands it over to Putin, who I'm sure, helped engineer this wipe out of Democracy. Remember they had 4 yrs to "right the wrong" of 2020.
But here's the problem. They have unchecked power now. They have the backing of the corrupt Supreme Court. They will gerrymander and suppress votes so that any future election will be "pretend". I think it's over for us during our lifetimes. I truly don't know what to do at this point.
I was just thinking about what one does as they are watching an empire dissolve. All empires end, but what do we do while it’s happening? Do we plan to flee, or stay and face impoverishment, violence, othering, oppression? I don’t know. Meanwhile, I am surrounded by people who chose this path. I don’t know how I fit in this country anymore. I’m a veteran, a retired teacher, living in Texas. I don’t want to hate or fear everyone I encounter, but I do. Maybe that will change over time. I feel numb, and lost.
I am in Vermont but that does not feel like it is any real comfort. I am at the end of my rope. Pretty much have given up at this point. Don't know what to do.
Maybe young people will step up now that they are going to learn what fuck-around-and-find-out means. Us oldsters will keep at it but we can’t carry the load alone. Been doing this since the 60s, the baton needs to be picked up by young people.
I can definitely understand the anger, since I certainly feel it myself, and as I wrote on Bluesky: 'if you voted for Trump, or didn't vote at all, especially in the so-called 'swing states':
This will be your fault.
Every child that dies from a sudden outbreak of measles: your fault.
Every migrant dragged from their lives to their likely death: your fault.'
Thank you Michelangelo for your righteous anger and disappointment. It is a sad day to be an American, when the majority of voters looked evil in the eye and said, "more, please." Thank you for sounding the alarm and for fighting for many years for a better country and a better world. I have loved you and your books and writing for a long time and love you even more today.
Thanks Michelangelo. It’s been so tough for all of us and we need your strength more than ever to help us through this. We’re going to need to take some time to grieve, cry, and regroup. We failed at educating, we failed at teaching, in the end we didn’t listen and we’re paying the price.
On Monday night I was at a restaurant in Las Vegas and the young waitress said she wasn’t going to vote and had no idea whom to support. I’m sure she’s one of many who work hard and don’t have the luxury we have to stay informed. They only find out about what elections mean when they can’t get an abortion, lose they job without safety net, have a serious health issue, etc… and it’s too late.
Maybe there are so many uneducated, uninformed people in this country that trying to have a rational, logical discourse isn’t the way to convince them. I don’t know what is. But if we don’t find out we’ll keep on losing to scammers like this monster.
I can’t - I am so done- for the last three election cycles I have called, ballot chased, knocked on doors, did postcards and all for nothing. The USA is a racist, mysoginistic (sp) shit hole. I’m heartbroken, exhausted, disillusioned and have nothing but contempt left.
You are a better person than I Michelangelo. I don’t give a rats ass anymore 💔
I understand this, believe me. I'm not a better person. I'm there too -- but I know myself better and how I'll be feeling in coming days, after the initial grief.
I am scared. Period. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community my marriage, our mere existence is threatened. My sister’s family is bi-racial. Her children and 16, 16 and 8. Her family is threatened. I cannot stay in a country that does not want anyone other than white straight Christian people. I’m 60 years old and have no fight left.
Thank you for this article. It's a good dose of reality. I am stunned that this election was blow out for Trump and his republicans. I just can't understand how everyone got it so wrong -- the pollsters, the prognosticators, the journalists -- nearly everyone. Not just wrong, but massively wrong. That can only mean two things: Either something nefarious happened (cue the conspiracy theories) or Trump voters lied and we all misjudged them. Perhaps some of both.
It's the end of a lot of things: Rule of law, the respect of our allies, the environment and dealing with climate change, and perhaps even our democracy. We can look forward to inflation and recession at the same time, and this time it will be global. Perhaps it won't be as bad as I fear, but there is no question that he will do massive damage to many of the things we care about.
But what is really infuriating is that our world has ended. We are in for a dark period and how long or how deep it will be is anyone's guess.
Your right about the Rapid Change that's coming, Michaelangelo, and it's going to really be hard to change course . Not until people get so hungry and tired of being tread apon, when the social safety nets are completely gone, and there's only disparity. This is what this election was about, and now we're going to get what we Voted for. It's going to take decades to undo the damage that's coming, and I wouldn't live to see it. God help my grandchildren.🙏💔
This is who we are, unfortunately. We have lived in an oligarchy since Citizens United. I am angry, as well as disappointed and sad at certain Americans who voted for him or didn't vote at all. The misogyny, racism, and ignorance just boggles my mind. Thanks, Michelangelo, for helping to keep me sane. Hubby and I initially felt like, what's the use in voting, but we aren't going down without a fight!
I saw in an CNN article about households making $150,000 a year living paycheck to paycheck. Who's fault is that? So, they can't manage their money and expenses, is what my grandparents would have said.
This was a reason they may have voted from Trump the article went on to explain.
CNN has an article today "Why Trump’s return could spark another bout of inflation and delay interest rate cuts".
Trump doesn't have to worry about getting reelected in 2028. But if the economy goes into a long overdue recession, he will have a lot of negativity to deal with.
The deficit is $34 trillion, project 25 is hellbent on cutting spending while trying to keep the tax cuts in place. Elon Musk says the next few years are going to be tough but should pay off eventually.
There's going to be a lot of buyers remorse from this election.
A lot of those same people you just mentioned, bought way too much expensive stuff over the years (i.e. gas guzzling vehicles, overpriced clothes, mcmansions, etc.) and put it all on the credit card.
DC you are so right, if someone makes $12,500 per month, it's on then to manage their life better. I am doing fine (2 bedroom condo, decent neighborhood & drive a 2014 Lexus) retired here in San Jose, CA and I have way less than $12k per month.
I as many am in shock. Gotta say…. Back when Biden dropped out I was so angry at the democrats for getting behind this. To me, changing horses three months before an election was nuts. Um….wonder why Trump wins. His undying support. The democrats are all over the map living in the moment. I commented immediately when he dropped out that Harris could not win a general election. She ran a great campaign. We should have stuck with what we had. The outcome could have been the same but who knows. Harris is an awesome individual. Unfortunately over half of the country is out of their fuckn minds.
I want to also to apologize to all if I followed the signs coming from the turnout at the polls--and the trumpers saying there was low turnout on election day--and getting caught up in the good feelings that signs pointed a win. I'm always afraid of misleading people, when I'm just reporting what's going on out there. And clearly that wasn't accurate.
You do a fantastic Michelangelo. Nothing to apologize for ❤️
No worries, Michelangelo YOU do a GREAT job, I was doing my own research and thought we were solid gold, I was so wrong, imagine Black and Latino men and I am still hunting for all the enraged females.
I suppose I'll be wearing a burka soon as Florida is redder than ever. I'm so down. Putin must be dancing. Everything Trump touches turns to rot.
57% voted to protect abortion rights but voted for trump and Rick Scott, who will take same rights away. The disconnect shows how stupid voters are.
You left out a word. "The disconnect shows how abysmally stupid voters are."
This is truly a very sad day…. The last hope I had for this country is now gone. I am ashamed to be an American…. I’m tired.
I'm truly believe that there is something amiss...Trump had outside help.
The FBI yesterday asserted that several of the bomb scares, which disrupted voting in several Florida precincts located in heavily Democratic neighborhoods, had their origins in Putin's Russia.
Hardly a shocker that Putin would once again assist his servant.
Thank you for sharing, but I want to know who is going to take this on ,who is going to investigate ,who is going to fight and not roll over so Trump can takeoff again ????
No one will. Just like no one took him down after 1/6. He will be the dictator for life.
The sad, pathetic timidity and weakness of Merrick Garland helped doom our democracy. He will go down in the history books, those probably written overseas, as one of the unwitting facilitators of America's fall by not acting with a sense of urgency brining Trump to account after Jan. 6, as well as being the greatest mistake of the Biden Administration.
I'm so frustrated and feeling broken 😡
We are now the most racist country on the planet! Who is safe from this hate? Certainly not Michelangelo and me. The pink triangle became our symbol as a result of gays who were gassed at Auschwitz and Birkenau. I pity the poor Ukrainians as he hands it over to Putin, who I'm sure, helped engineer this wipe out of Democracy. Remember they had 4 yrs to "right the wrong" of 2020.
So many horrors to come for people in the world. Thank you for being here.
But here's the problem. They have unchecked power now. They have the backing of the corrupt Supreme Court. They will gerrymander and suppress votes so that any future election will be "pretend". I think it's over for us during our lifetimes. I truly don't know what to do at this point.
I was just thinking about what one does as they are watching an empire dissolve. All empires end, but what do we do while it’s happening? Do we plan to flee, or stay and face impoverishment, violence, othering, oppression? I don’t know. Meanwhile, I am surrounded by people who chose this path. I don’t know how I fit in this country anymore. I’m a veteran, a retired teacher, living in Texas. I don’t want to hate or fear everyone I encounter, but I do. Maybe that will change over time. I feel numb, and lost.
I am in Vermont but that does not feel like it is any real comfort. I am at the end of my rope. Pretty much have given up at this point. Don't know what to do.
Maybe young people will step up now that they are going to learn what fuck-around-and-find-out means. Us oldsters will keep at it but we can’t carry the load alone. Been doing this since the 60s, the baton needs to be picked up by young people.
I can definitely understand the anger, since I certainly feel it myself, and as I wrote on Bluesky: 'if you voted for Trump, or didn't vote at all, especially in the so-called 'swing states':
This will be your fault.
Every child that dies from a sudden outbreak of measles: your fault.
Every migrant dragged from their lives to their likely death: your fault.'
Thank you Michelangelo for your righteous anger and disappointment. It is a sad day to be an American, when the majority of voters looked evil in the eye and said, "more, please." Thank you for sounding the alarm and for fighting for many years for a better country and a better world. I have loved you and your books and writing for a long time and love you even more today.
Thanks Michelangelo. It’s been so tough for all of us and we need your strength more than ever to help us through this. We’re going to need to take some time to grieve, cry, and regroup. We failed at educating, we failed at teaching, in the end we didn’t listen and we’re paying the price.
On Monday night I was at a restaurant in Las Vegas and the young waitress said she wasn’t going to vote and had no idea whom to support. I’m sure she’s one of many who work hard and don’t have the luxury we have to stay informed. They only find out about what elections mean when they can’t get an abortion, lose they job without safety net, have a serious health issue, etc… and it’s too late.
Maybe there are so many uneducated, uninformed people in this country that trying to have a rational, logical discourse isn’t the way to convince them. I don’t know what is. But if we don’t find out we’ll keep on losing to scammers like this monster.
All you said is true.
it IS the UNEDUCATED! Truth
I can’t - I am so done- for the last three election cycles I have called, ballot chased, knocked on doors, did postcards and all for nothing. The USA is a racist, mysoginistic (sp) shit hole. I’m heartbroken, exhausted, disillusioned and have nothing but contempt left.
You are a better person than I Michelangelo. I don’t give a rats ass anymore 💔
I understand this, believe me. I'm not a better person. I'm there too -- but I know myself better and how I'll be feeling in coming days, after the initial grief.
I am scared. Period. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community my marriage, our mere existence is threatened. My sister’s family is bi-racial. Her children and 16, 16 and 8. Her family is threatened. I cannot stay in a country that does not want anyone other than white straight Christian people. I’m 60 years old and have no fight left.
oh marylou, i'm sorry. We are all here.
This site, you and these people are saving my sanity.
Marylou what state are you in? There will be safe havens.
North Carolina. My wife and I are looking at moving north to a blue state.
For now, Maryland is safe and a good place to live.
New York State. Or come to CA! All are welcome. But both states now have firm protections.
I would move to Canada since my relatives live close to the border in Michigan. But I don't know anyone in Ontario, let alone where to find work.
Thank you for this article. It's a good dose of reality. I am stunned that this election was blow out for Trump and his republicans. I just can't understand how everyone got it so wrong -- the pollsters, the prognosticators, the journalists -- nearly everyone. Not just wrong, but massively wrong. That can only mean two things: Either something nefarious happened (cue the conspiracy theories) or Trump voters lied and we all misjudged them. Perhaps some of both.
It's the end of a lot of things: Rule of law, the respect of our allies, the environment and dealing with climate change, and perhaps even our democracy. We can look forward to inflation and recession at the same time, and this time it will be global. Perhaps it won't be as bad as I fear, but there is no question that he will do massive damage to many of the things we care about.
But what is really infuriating is that our world has ended. We are in for a dark period and how long or how deep it will be is anyone's guess.
Thank you Randall. We can't sugar-coat it . You're right. But we can make a lot of noise together.
Your right about the Rapid Change that's coming, Michaelangelo, and it's going to really be hard to change course . Not until people get so hungry and tired of being tread apon, when the social safety nets are completely gone, and there's only disparity. This is what this election was about, and now we're going to get what we Voted for. It's going to take decades to undo the damage that's coming, and I wouldn't live to see it. God help my grandchildren.🙏💔
This is who we are, unfortunately. We have lived in an oligarchy since Citizens United. I am angry, as well as disappointed and sad at certain Americans who voted for him or didn't vote at all. The misogyny, racism, and ignorance just boggles my mind. Thanks, Michelangelo, for helping to keep me sane. Hubby and I initially felt like, what's the use in voting, but we aren't going down without a fight!
I saw in an CNN article about households making $150,000 a year living paycheck to paycheck. Who's fault is that? So, they can't manage their money and expenses, is what my grandparents would have said.
This was a reason they may have voted from Trump the article went on to explain.
CNN has an article today "Why Trump’s return could spark another bout of inflation and delay interest rate cuts".
Trump doesn't have to worry about getting reelected in 2028. But if the economy goes into a long overdue recession, he will have a lot of negativity to deal with.
The deficit is $34 trillion, project 25 is hellbent on cutting spending while trying to keep the tax cuts in place. Elon Musk says the next few years are going to be tough but should pay off eventually.
There's going to be a lot of buyers remorse from this election.
A lot of those same people you just mentioned, bought way too much expensive stuff over the years (i.e. gas guzzling vehicles, overpriced clothes, mcmansions, etc.) and put it all on the credit card.
Yep...
DC you are so right, if someone makes $12,500 per month, it's on then to manage their life better. I am doing fine (2 bedroom condo, decent neighborhood & drive a 2014 Lexus) retired here in San Jose, CA and I have way less than $12k per month.
I as many am in shock. Gotta say…. Back when Biden dropped out I was so angry at the democrats for getting behind this. To me, changing horses three months before an election was nuts. Um….wonder why Trump wins. His undying support. The democrats are all over the map living in the moment. I commented immediately when he dropped out that Harris could not win a general election. She ran a great campaign. We should have stuck with what we had. The outcome could have been the same but who knows. Harris is an awesome individual. Unfortunately over half of the country is out of their fuckn minds.
I’m with you on this.