# I am dreading Election day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 21, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558 "2024-09-21T16:06:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/101 "2024-09-26T18:17:11Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > That will be the only way for democracy to take root again. Let democracy do its job. Having the US fail, is not a solution. America isn’t much of a democracy, stop pretending it is. We very well might elect a fascist who didn’t even get the most votes. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/102 "2024-09-26T18:17:24Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It’s telling how triggered some people are by the suggestion that America isn’t the force of good that they have been told their whole lives. I just think it proves that batshit radical extremism isn’t limited to MAGA. Then again, you’re advocating that Trump be elected to make America great again (or bring in whatever you think would replace America to be great) so maybe I’m drawing an inaccurate distinction. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/103 "2024-09-26T18:19:37Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It’s telling how triggered some people are by the suggestion that America isn’t the force of good that they have been told their whole lives. Again, this is the problem. We have 45-50% fascists and then another however many percentage of “moderates” who think the whole thing will just blow over. It’s telling that you want the country to burn down and start from scratch. Best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/104 "2024-09-26T18:23:49Z")
I do not see the US as culturally responsible or leading the current global trend of fascism. Its happening all over the world and in some places that have little to do with American anything. A collapse of the American system is not going to stop it. It will just create a vacuum in global politics and more economic hardship and stress that would likely lead to more desperate people supporting fascist and other authoritarian solutions. The Conan philosophy of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is bullshit. The wounds that trauma creates are a diminishing factor more prevalent than any strength of character it may lead to. Societal collapse is not good for anything. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/105 "2024-09-26T18:26:11Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I’ve come to think it might be best for the world for the US to collapse quickly, before it does more harm and I think a Trump victory will bring that about, or at least continue the process at a faster pace. Quite the opposite; putting fascists and religious fanatics in power won’t make America collapse; it will however make America _far_ more aggressive and ruthless. Genocidally so. The fascists want a “Day of the Rope” where everyone not like them is killed; and the religious ones are full of Christian Dominions who want to impose theocracy & End Timers who want an apocalypse. If people like that take power you can expect major wars with a focus on killing anyone with the wrong politics, religion or skin color. And likely the aggressive use of nuclear weapons. And if such a regime _does_ collapse, it’s good odds its last act will be a general nuclear attack on the rest of the planet, especially other nuclear powers since the End Timers want America to be nuked. They think they’ll be taken to Heaven before the bombs hit, you see, and that wont happen unless America is destroyed along with everyone else. “After Hitler, us.” - German Communists in 1931, who thought a Hitler-led collapse would let them take power. We all know how _that_ turned out. That’s what happens when the fascists get into power, not some “peaceful collapse”. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/106 "2024-09-26T18:28:45Z")
I’m not, “triggered,” by you saying the US should fail or whatever you’re advocating. I never have worn rose colored glasses concerning the US. I am, however, not eager to throw in the towel and risk my kids’ and grandkids’ futures, not to mention everyone else’s kids’ and grandkids’ future for some dire, cynical, prediction. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/107 "2024-09-26T18:31:29Z")
Well said. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/108 "2024-09-26T18:34:09Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > 47% of US residents are fascists, morons, or both. No; _both_ political parties are minorities of the population. 47% of the voters or party members is not 47% of the population, or even all that close. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/109 "2024-09-26T18:36:25Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s telling that you want the country to burn down and start from scratch. Best of luck. I’m not talking about rebuilding America from scratch, I’m talking about the well being of rest of the world, you know, Europe, Africa, Asia, maybe you’ve heard of it? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/110 "2024-09-26T18:38:08Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I’m not talking about rebuilding America from scratch, I’m talking about the well being of rest of the world, you know, Europe, Africa, Asia, maybe you’ve heard of it? What makes you think they’d be in any shape _to_ rebuild in the wake of a fascist America? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/111 "2024-09-26T18:41:31Z")
Yes. Well said. The way to stop the destruction of the country is by voting. All of us. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/112 "2024-09-26T18:42:32Z")
I wonder if it is possible to keep a thread on the rails anymore. 🙄 I know it’s the Pit where anything goes, but geez Louise. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/113 "2024-09-26T18:42:39Z")
Good point. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/114 "2024-09-26T18:43:56Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I’m not talking about rebuilding America from scratch, I’m talking about the well being of rest of the world, you know, Europe, Africa, Asia, maybe you’ve heard of it? If Trump is elected, Ukraine is gone. We may back out of NATO. Next step Europe. Maybe you’ve heard of the war? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/115 "2024-09-26T18:44:44Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > [@JKellyMap](#): > > > > 47% of US residents are fascists, morons, or both. > > No; _both_ political parties are minorities of the population. 47% of the voters or party members is not 47% of the population, or even all that close. This is an important point. Biden in 2020 was the first person in our history to ever beat ‘no one’ on the ballot. Apathy has always been the historical victor with second place getting the presidency. Even Trumps claim that though he lost in 2020 he still in fact gained record votes ‘historically’ is accurate. So what I am saying is if nothing else this election is galvanizing a voting electorate. The ‘enemy’ isn’t another States economic livelihood, it’s your neighbor who pays the same Mill Rate. There will be some violence by neck-bearded beige beanbag chairs covered in American flags, but the Secret Service recently gained increased funding without a dissenting vote. It was not to save Trump, it was to save Harris. It’ll be rocky, sure, but I have nothing but optimism for my children’s future. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/116 "2024-09-26T18:47:18Z")
How is this “off the rails”? The turn in this discussion helps explain part of why some are dreading Election Day (because, even if Harris wins, it’s guaranteed to remind us, even more starkly than any pre-election poll, that there are millions upon millions of assholes all around us)… …while at least one Doper opined that a Trump win would have a silver lining (and so they are _not_ dreading Election Day), by sooner bringing our system (maybe there’s a better word for this) closer to our actual nature as an asshole-infested society. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/117 "2024-09-26T18:52:05Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > The turn in this discussion helps explain part of why some are dreading Election Day (because, even if Harris wins, it’s guaranteed to remind us, even more starkly than any pre-election poll, that there are millions upon millions of assholes all around us)… Yeah. The fact is, in a _reasonable_ nation support for Trump should be a rounding error. That it isn’t says bad things about the American public. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/118 "2024-09-26T19:03:01Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If Trump is elected, Ukraine is gone. We may back out of NATO. Next step Europe. Maybe you’ve heard of the war? This. For better or for worse, your country got stuck holding the bag of global power post WW II and if the US goes down, Canada will probably go down in addition to the what @enipla noted. So for @madmonk28 you would probably get, in your scenario, a northern neighbour occupied by China and/or Russia and who knows what else. As others have noted, if enough people vote, this might be recoverable. If Trump wins, however, the US won’t simply collapse with some sort of renaissance magically happening. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/119 "2024-09-26T19:12:00Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > America is becoming a leader in the new wave of fascism we see globally. With its collapse, I’d like to see authoritarianism begin to recede and democracy begin to take root again. If Trump wins he will cause the opposite of this. He is “good” for the United States and others the same way Hitler was “good” for Germany and others. And you are fucking crazy if you think we are going to fall for this shit. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558/120 "2024-09-26T19:18:18Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I’m saying that late stage America does more harm than good. I’m saying that its collapse might be better for the world than for it to lumber along, still able to use its military and economic might to cause havoc. Advocating for the rapid collapse of a society as a better outcome than its continued existence sounds like a page straight out of **[the Unabomber’s playbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Society_and_Its_Future)**: > The 35,000-word manifesto formed the ideological foundation of Kaczynski’s 1978–1995 [mail bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_bomb) campaign, designed to protect [wilderness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness) by hastening the collapse of [industrial society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_society). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-dreading-election-day/1007558.md?page=7)