How satisfied are you with your response to the election?

In My Humble Opinion
1

First time I’ve been back to this forum in a while. Was wondering how satisfied any of you were with any choices you’ve made following Trump’s election.

Personally, I’m pretty pleased so far. I resolved to pay far less ongoing attention to things political, and more effort on personal development. Hell, I know what my beliefs and values are, and I know how hard it is to get news which isn’t spin. On just about any major issue, there are organizations that are so much more involved and effective than I. After 3+ decades of being VERY interested in politics and social issues, I’m going to aspire to a little less involvement.

The main things I decided to do were work out more regularly, and play more music. Since November, I have not missed more than 1 day in a row without doing sit-ups and push-ups, and it has been a rare day that I have not touched at least one instrument. I’ve been playing music with other people as many as 5 days a week.

I volunteered to tutor adult literacy, which will be another evening per week. Figured instead of bemoaning national policy, I’d focus on specific ways I could contribute to things I find important. Not spending time reading and thinking about politics has freed up a ton of time - not to mention lowered my internal stress…

Very soon after the election I told my 3 adult kids I wasn’t really interested in simply hearing them bitch about how horrible the election results were, but that I was very happy to discuss with them specific steps they intended to take to address their concerns. My son, for example, has expressed an interest in becoming more active in local elections. My wife and I, and my 3 kids, live in 3 pretty solidly blue states, so it takes something more than simply voting in Presidential elections to make a meaningful impact.

I recently ran across some old letters my mom had received from previous presidents - Ford through Clinton. Made me intend to communicate my opinions more regularly to my elected officials (tho I have not done so yet.)

So, did any of you make any decisions to do anything differently in light of last November’s elections? If so, how has that worked for you?

2

I decided to live thru the Trump Presidency.

So far, so good.

Regards,
Shodan

3

I watch a lot less news these days. I don’t watch live, I just forward the DVR though any coverage of the orange-skinned sexual predator. I spend more time on other things. I do check the news sites several times a day, hoping to see an assassination at the top of the screen but so far no luck.

4

I tend to be a pretty cynical, pessimistic person. I felt so helpless and disappointed following the election, I resolved to do something to make MYSELF a better person, and see how I personally could have some impact on others. My initial response after the election was to simply strive for apathy and ignorance, as I didn’t see what knowledge and conviction had gotten me. But I decided that was not a good log term strategy - not good for my personal psyche, my home dynamic, and not a good role model for my kids/grandkids. It has given me considerable satisfaction to have focussed on positive things I can do - rather than simply avoiding doing things like reading/watching the news.

Not trying to brag or anything, just trying to share what has been of some help to me as i dread the upcoming 4 years.

5

Moved from Elections to IMHO.

[/moderating]

6

This. Even though it would mean President Pence. :eek:

7

I’m trying out the first part. Not really bothering much with the second - I’d hate to get overly ambitious :D.

8

It’s upped the level of my activism. I’m donating more to NOW, NARAL, and Planned Parenthood. I attended and voted in my Assembly District elections for delegates to the State Democratic Convention. I hobnobbed with one of the members of the County Democratic Central Committee (a very nice lady who also writes top-notch science fiction,) and I got invited to join two local Democratic Clubs.

Yes, this is small potatoes, but I’m in the fight, not out of it.

9

I was happily surprised when constituents cried out about the proposal to end that ethics committee. I plan to cling to small encouraging things like that.

But I am still not able to watch him at all, not even short clips on the Daily Show. I’m still not sure what to do about that.

10

He is absolutely unwatchable and unlistenable. His constant and consistent habit of repetition is grotesque. It’s worse than the “um” and “you know” of some really bad public speakers.

(The guy could benefit from a year in Toastmasters.)

11

I joined Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, signed up for automatic donations, and renewed my Sierra Club membership. I write nasty comments on Facebook. I am planning to join my local Women’s March on Washington march. I live in one of the most liberal areas of a liberal state so locally there is not much to push against.

I decided to get back into creative liturgical sewing for my church. I do believe art is one of our bulwarks against the forces of evil now empowered in our country (I guess I’ve given up shying away from hyperbole).

Answer to the OP: no, not satisfied at all. But working on the project. I have extremely limited energy, unfortunately. So I need to really focus. Haven’t found my focus yet.

12

I’m happy insofar as I haven’t talked about it too much IRL.

If people ask me about it, I will talk about how appalled I am, and whatever his latest gaffe is. But I’ll restrain myself from full-on rant.

(maybe one day I’ll EXPLODE)

13

I admire your approach, Dinsdale. As for me, I spent too much time as an activist in my misspent youth and cannot work up the energy to go through that again. And I have never watched the news much, but now I don’t watch it at all. And I don’t read the Elections forum here, for sure. I read a lot of poetry and try not to be angry.

14

Since the election, my husband has extended our transcendental meditation activity. That helps a lot.

15

Frankly who the President was/is hasn’t bother me much one way or another since Nixon; Reagan at the latest. That was probably the last time I saw a major impact on those around me by a change in the White House. This one could be the exception but right now I’m just pretty much ignoring it all and still coming to terms with it in a general sense.

16

Yes. Assassinating Presidents is a good thing.

17

We have always made sure to insulate our lives from economic and political winds. As in past elections, we paid little attention beyond perusing candidates’ websites. We both went to bed at the normal time on election night figuring we’d find out the winner* at breakfast. I remember saying to her: “I predict the corrupt asshole will win.”, and we both chuckled knowing that was certain to be a true statement.

The only political action I took post-election, was to write a few representatives regarding some of Trump’s platform (from his website) that I want them to support. Other than that, I went to work the next morning as usual, out on the boat the following weekend, dinner out on Saturday… nothing changed for us. Exactly as if the other candidate won.

I had made significant investment changes to capture the post-election market, and was pleasantly surprised at how much profit we made following Trump’s win. So I guess I’m very satisfied with that “response.” :smiley:

*I admit to being a little surprised the next morning. We thought a Clinton win was more likely.

18

This election convinced me that the presidential campaign is just a distraction that prevents us from paying attention to what’s going on in our own back yards. So my response has been to look up my senators and representative, see what they’ve done (often very little) and to urge others to do the same. If someone what’s to talk politics I try to move the conversation away from Trump v Clinton and point out that there’s a lot more to our political process that who sits in the big chair. It’s surprising how many people just keep arguing their side (Clinton or Trump) even when I refuse to take the opposing view.

19

Imagine the response here on the SDMB if that comment was made 8 years ago.

Back then it was all about tolerance and acceptance. It seems that only works one way here.

20

Because one poster represents the entire board. Got it.

I don’t want Trump assassinated. I mean, I don’t want anyone assassinated in principle, but in the case of Trump it would merely give added momentum to whatever Pence did next. I’d rather watch him metaphorically hang himself, and hang the current GOP right next to him.

As for what I’m doing: picking my battles more carefully. It’s going to be a long four years.