# I was wrong and you were right. \[Trump-related\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824 "2017-02-02T15:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/101 "2017-02-05T18:37:25Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Umm, in light of the fuckwad currently occupying the Oval Office, I’d feel more comfortable if you didn’t mention “districts.” May the odds be ever in your favor 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/102 "2017-02-05T18:38:57Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > We have an unhinged madman in the whitehouse, an ally late to the cause is still an ally. Big picture people! “The enemy of my enemy, is my friend.” ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/103 "2017-02-06T06:39:05Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > If you are training your dog to not shit in the house, and it takes longer than you thought it would, and he finally does go outside, do you really think that rubbing his nose in it then is going to do any good? > > Now, I realize that humans are not dogs, but dog training philosophy can be adapted, as humans are like dogs but with less self awareness and agency. I don’t object to praising the guy for making a good move. OTOH, dog poop is not a good comparison. One is the non-participation in civic duty, the other is an untrained animal that knows not where to poop. Non-voters really should already have known better. How many valid excuses to the contrary can there really be? We all have to live with these election results for years to come. It isn’t as if threads like this one resolve the problems caused by non-voters. I think non-voters like **Idle Thoughts** ought to perform some act of penance beyond simply getting off their duffs and voting next time. Not something humiliating, but more along the lines of counterbalancing the non-weight of their non-votes. Maybe some form of participation in the political process? ---
**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:** [February 6, 2017, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/104 "2017-02-06T07:47:35Z")
Or, maybe starting a thread with a title like “I Was Wrong and You Were Right?” The non voter could explain that they had made a mistake, why it was a mistake and then pledge to do better and the adults could get the fuck on with their lives. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/105 "2017-02-06T12:39:55Z")
The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged, but maybe our reality would be different through some type of butterfly effect. We could be living in an alternate timeline. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/106 "2017-02-06T12:45:27Z")
If all goes according to plan, hopefully lots of people who voted for Trump, or didn’t vote at all will be coming to the conclusion that they’ve made a mistake. I think it’s in the interest of all of us to create the space for them to do that. If we rub their nose in it when they admitted their mistake, we’re going to create a class of entrenched supporters of Trump. We don’t need to win the argument, we need to win future elections. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/107 "2017-02-06T12:56:19Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged, but maybe our reality would be different through some type of butterfly effect. We could be living in an alternate timeline. Maybe if everyone like the OP had voted, the outcome _would_ have been different; and “everyone” consists of individuals acting individuality. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/108 "2017-02-06T13:03:38Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged, but maybe our reality would be different through some type of butterfly effect. We could be living in an alternate timeline. As I’ve noted before (and you ignored, IIRC), collectively the people do have power if they all believe they do and actually vote. It’s a shared illusion, that only works if enough people actually share it, but it can be a very powerful shared illusion. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/109 "2017-02-06T13:07:04Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged, but maybe our reality would be different through some type of butterfly effect. We could be living in an alternate timeline. What a great idea-Only do the right thing when the majority does it. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/110 "2017-02-06T14:00:49Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Maybe if everyone like the OP had voted, the outcome _would_ have been different; and “everyone” consists of individuals acting individuality. If buffalo had wings, we’d all be ducking. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > As I’ve noted before (and you ignored, IIRC), collectively the people do have power if they all believe they do and actually vote. > > It’s a shared illusion, that only works if enough people actually share it, but it can be a very powerful shared illusion. Strong "if"s there buddy. Same is true of a cult btw. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > What a great idea-Only do the right thing when the majority does it. I’m not sure how that follows from what I said. If the OP would have voted, it would not have made an impact in any way. Do you dispute? ---
**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:** [February 6, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/111 "2017-02-06T14:02:40Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged, but maybe our reality would be different through some type of butterfly effect. We could be living in an alternate timeline. Let’s all stop our discussion and pay attention to **WillFarnaby**. Okay, if voting doesn’t matter why the fuck are you so hell bent on disrupting a discussion of it? What is your solution to the problem? Let me guess about you: libertarian? Failed marriage and a couple of kids who don’t really like you? Go to work in relax fit Dockers and spend a lot of time alone at home in your boxers yelling at the TV? Please pass on this golden wisdom you have on how we all should be thinking about this issue. Please go on, we’re listening. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/112 "2017-02-06T14:16:10Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Strong "if"s there buddy. Same is true of a cult btw. Obviously – any group can have power and influence if large enough numbers agree and share this illusion. This works for your ideology as well – if enough people shared your views, and shared this illusion that they could make a difference, then your views could actually be influential in our society. Funny that you hold in such disdain the only thing that could actually allow your views to come to prominence. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/113 "2017-02-06T15:18:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Let me guess about you: libertarian? Failed marriage and a couple of kids who don’t really like you? Go to work in relax fit Dockers and spend a lot of time alone at home in your boxers yelling at the TV? In my experience libertarians aren’t usually old enough to have children. It’s such a fundamentally stupid philosophy that most people outgrow it in their teens. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/114 "2017-02-06T15:29:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Let’s all stop our discussion and pay attention to **WillFarnaby**. Okay, if voting doesn’t matter why the fuck are you so hell bent on disrupting a discussion of it? > > What is your solution to the problem? > > Let me guess about you: libertarian? Failed marriage and a couple of kids who don’t really like you? Go to work in relax fit Dockers and spend a lot of time alone at home in your boxers yelling at the TV? Please pass on this golden wisdom you have on how we all should be thinking about this issue. Please go on, we’re listening. If this mental image is what helps you to complete, I’m not going to ruin it for you. It would be useless for me to explain the problem to you because you have a personal interest in not solving the problems. You make your living by working for or cuddling up next to the state. You should make it clear that you have a conflict of interest when it comes to maintaining the grip of the state around the necks of the American populace. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/115 "2017-02-06T15:31:37Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Obviously – any group can have power and influence if large enough numbers agree and share this illusion. > > This works for your ideology as well – if enough people shared your views, and shared this illusion that they could make a difference, then your views could actually be influential in our society. > > Funny that you hold in such disdain the only thing that could actually allow your views to come to prominence. My views will come to prominence outside of the political realm. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/116 "2017-02-06T15:51:59Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > … when it comes to maintaining the grip of the state around the necks of the American populace. It’s too bad that “the state” has decided to grip your neck and choke you – or maybe it’s something else entirely that has choked the blood flow to your brain and rendered it unable to function. Because where I live, this thing you imagine is attacking you is something we call “government” – or, more aply, “civilization” – and it builds our roads and bridges and airports and harbors, provides public education for all and health care for all, funds medical and scientific research, and provides pensions and income benefits for the elderly and the needy. Business is good and crime is low, but then, we don’t have a lot of delusional morons hallucinating that “the state” has a grip around their neck. Also, you should educate yourself about how democracy works. It takes considerably more than some unpredictable and clueless half of the population willing to drag their sorry asses out the door on election day, and it requires that most of them actually have a clue about who and what they’re voting for based on actual facts and not “alternative” facts like yours. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/117 "2017-02-06T16:06:29Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The poor OP, if only he would have voted. Of course the outcome of the vote would have been unchanged,… Your “thinking” in this thread is of a oneness with your selfish views on economics and politics. You don’t approve of mandatory vaccination — helping society via herd immunity holds no interest for you, since only personal greed and convenience matter. I’m sure you’re happy to litter in the park or pee in a public pool if you think no one’s watching. The Golden Rule and Kant’s Categorical Imperative are “just for suckers” in your immoral philosophy. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/118 "2017-02-06T16:06:46Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > My views will come to prominence outside of the political realm. Ah! So, we should look beyond the parochial confines of this planet? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/119 "2017-02-06T16:07:21Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s too bad that “the state” has decided to grip your neck and choke you – or maybe it’s something else entirely that has choked the blood flow to your brain and rendered it unable to function. Because where I live, this thing you imagine is attacking you is something we call “government” – or, more aply, “civilization” – and it builds our roads and bridges and airports and harbors, provides public education for all and health care for all, funds medical and scientific research, and provides pensions and income benefits for the elderly and the needy. Business is good and crime is low, but then, we don’t have a lot of delusional morons hallucinating that “the state” has a grip around their neck. Civilization is shorthand for the voluntary interactions of individuals. Civilization provided vast wealth through voluntary exchanges, then the state skimmed off the top and bought some nice things. Unfortunately they killed a lot of people in the process. Now they’ve decided to ban muslims and who knows what else the state has in store. > [@](#): > > Also, you should educate yourself about how democracy works. It takes considerably more than some unpredictable and clueless half of the population willing to drag their sorry asses out the door on election day, and it requires that most of them actually have a clue about who and what they’re voting for based on actual facts and not “alternative” facts like yours. Really is that what democracy requires? You realize they just elected Donald Trump you stupid fuck. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824/120 "2017-02-06T16:15:32Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Really is that what democracy requires? You realize they just elected Donald Trump you stupid fuck. partly because they did what you advocated and stayed home instead of voting, you stupid fuck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-wrong-and-you-were-right-trump-related/778824.md?page=7)