# If Donald Trump is so awful, then... **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 27, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966 "2017-02-27T19:05:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/101 "2017-03-01T22:43:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > For many voters, “pissing off the opposing side” is an item which they identify as important. So if someone wanted to piss off the Hillary/establishment/media/pundit/SJW/Democratic/elite side, that may have been part of what propelled them to vote Trump. Living in a rural community, I’ve heard “Well I sure wasn’t going to vote for Hillary!” as a reason to vote for Trump more than anything else combined. ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/102 "2017-03-01T22:47:02Z")
Trying again. There is no factual or logical connection between “so-and-so won the election,” and “so-and-so is [good, or smart, or right, or competent, or comparable to whoever he or she defeated] anything.” Elections are not tests of ability, they are tests of relative popularity only. Sometimes not even that, if voters are sufficiently opposed to the other options. Trump will, as all elected people, have to prove himself in the events. The election itself is meaningless, as far as proving his value. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/103 "2017-03-02T01:04:45Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > For many voters, “pissing off the opposing side” is an item which they identify as important. So if someone wanted to piss off the Hillary/establishment/media/pundit/SJW/Democratic/elite side, that may have been part of what propelled them to vote Trump. The person **Bricker** quoted (Asra Q. Nomani) is a self described democrat who voted for Trump because she thinks liberals are too soft on Islamic fundamentalists and too critical of Trump supporters. I think she’s taking this position because it gets her attention on the talking head media circuit where she plays a sympathy troll. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/104 "2017-03-02T01:51:56Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > And the poor that are hurt by high energy prices or anyone that has had their land effectively seized by the government without compensation because they can’t build on it now that some rare bug was discovered on it. I’m pretty sure that there’s a lot of case law on takings, and compensation is supposed to be part of the deal. So, please don’t misrepresent the way Fish & Wildlife do their job. Can a lawyer help me out here? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/105 "2017-03-02T09:05:19Z")
The tree of liberty must be renewed with Trump Compost Accelerator™. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/106 "2017-03-02T22:05:46Z")
Chisquirrel wrote: “Living in a rural community, I’ve heard “Well I sure wasn’t going to vote for Hillary!” as a reason to vote for Trump more than anything else combined.” Proof of what I’ve long contended: That these folks hated Hillary more than they loved America. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/107 "2017-03-05T09:51:25Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Cheaper medical care, job retraining, infrastructure spending - [Clinton had a lot of ideas to help the working and middle classes](https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/12/hillary-clinton-working-class/509477/), though she did a mediocre job of presenting them. If Hillary won the GOP would have obstructed everything she wanted and scapegoated her for anything bad that happened. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/108 "2017-03-05T10:08:20Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > If Hillary won the GOP would have obstructed everything she wanted and scapegoated her for anything bad that happened. But she would have done just a bit of obstruction against the Republican damage being planned & implemented. Like, oh, [slashing the NOAA budget](https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/03/04/four-ways-noaa-benefits-your-life-today/#6f7fafc3cab2): > [@](#): > > _The Washington Post_ broke this story yesterday, and it literally sent shockwaves through many scientific, stakeholder, and industry communities. NOAA is the lead agency for the nation’s weather forecasts, weather satellites, fisheries, ocean services and climate monitoring. If you rely on TV weather forecasts, use a weather app, eat fish, enjoy boating or claim your status as an Earthling, these cuts potentially have implications for you. That information comes in handy during hurricane season. But those satellites occasionally need replacing… ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/109 "2017-03-05T16:07:50Z")
But NOAA also collects the data that supports climate change theory, which makes it an instrument of the devil. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/110 "2017-03-05T18:28:37Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Chisquirrel wrote: “Living in a rural community, I’ve heard “Well I sure wasn’t going to vote for Hillary!” as a reason to vote for Trump more than anything else combined.” > > Proof of what I’ve long contended: That these folks hated Hillary more than they loved America. But if you asked those folks _why_ they hated Hillary – perhaps while throwing in a quick _Do You Think She’d Be Good For America_ – would they say “Oh, she would’ve been awful for America, and I love America, so she had to be stopped, see?” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/111 "2017-03-05T19:18:41Z")
Saw that thing where “Bedhair” Bernie was talking with a bunch of Trump supporters. A theme that kept coming up was their faith that Trump would be hemmed in by reasonable and sensible Republicans. Therefore, it was OK to vote for him because the crazy shit wouldn’t be allowed to happen. I can sorta reach that, there is a logic to it, of a sort. More than anything else, it reminds me of when Minnesota elected Jesse Ventura to be governor. Here on the Central Coast, kinda of a biggy, but no reason for anybody else to pay attention. Liked how he showed up for his inauguration ball in a Jimi Henrix T-shirt and a electric pink feather boa. Sad truth was he was mostly a lout. About 560 millitrumps of lout. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2017, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/112 "2017-03-06T09:12:22Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > But NOAA also collects the data that supports climate change theory, which makes it an instrument of the devil. NOAA is being asked to sell off some of the land where its facilities are housed. Scientists will be laid off. Research associated with climate change, already operating with bare-bones post-sequester funding, will be slashed another 30% or so. Many NOAA programs, e.g. Sea Grant, will be eliminated entirely. The GOP is trying to do as much damage as it can as quickly as it can. How can Americans not be overwhelmed by gloom and grief? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/113 "2017-03-06T09:35:00Z")
Who says we aren’t? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/114 "2017-03-06T10:11:56Z")
There are stages, of course. First stage, “we are fucked!”. Second stage, “No, really, we are fucked but good”. Third, “Seriously, I can’t even believe how fucked we are, that’s how fucked we are!” Don’t know if there is a four, haven’t gotten there yet. Kinda hope not. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/115 "2017-03-06T16:58:15Z")
> [@igor\_frankensteen](#): > > … > > Trump will, as all elected people, have to prove himself in the events. The election itself is meaningless, as far as proving his value. Somebody needs to tell _him_ that. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/116 "2017-03-06T19:22:36Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > There are stages, of course. First stage, “we are fucked!”. Second stage, “No, really, we are fucked but good”. Third, “Seriously, I can’t even believe how fucked we are, that’s how fucked we are!” Don’t know if there is a four, haven’t gotten there yet. Kinda hope not. Stage 4 is “we’re fucked, but at least those fuckers responsible for all the fuckage are going to get fucked right along side us”. I am not proud of Stage 4, but it has helped, a little. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/117 "2017-03-06T19:45:30Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Stage 4 is “we’re fucked, but at least those fuckers responsible for all the fuckage are going to get fucked right along side us”. > > I am not proud of Stage 4, but it has helped, a little. I don’t know. It seems like a variation of “We’re gonna fuck this up, even if we get fucked too, as long as they get fucked up even more” to me. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/118 "2017-03-06T20:41:58Z")
Oh, it totally is, but it’s the only silver lining on the horizon, so it will have to do. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/119 "2017-03-06T21:05:07Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Stage 4 is “we’re fucked, but at least those fuckers responsible for all the fuckage are going to get fucked right along side us”. > > I am not proud of Stage 4, but it has helped, a little. Nonsense. Donald Trump has always been one of the fuckers responsible for all the fuckage. Trump isn’t going to clear the swamp. He made the swamp. And now that he’s President, he’s going to make it bigger. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966/120 "2017-03-06T22:26:51Z")
Yeah. But you know - the more he talks the more I can’t help thinking that he’s not going to get clear of the blast fallout. And really, I’m less mad at Trump himself, who is a crazy person, than I am with all the other so-called responsible adults who voted for him and continue to support him. It’s the Republican Party as a whole that is the problem. Donald’s the latest manifestationof their pathologies. So if Republicans as a whole get burned by this election, whether it’s a direct move from Trump, like say, war in Iraq, or something supposedly helpful like Obamacare “repeal”, I’m pleased to think that Republicans are suffering, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-so-awful-then/780966.md?page=7)