# Personal reactions to the Presidential election results **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235 "2016-11-09T17:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/41 "2016-11-09T20:12:02Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Hello! I’ve been a lurker and I’m saddened this is the post that convinced me to join. I sympathize with the pain many posters are experiencing, I’ve felt it in other elections. I will probably get a lot of hate here, but I will proudly say I voted for Trump. I find the name calling in your post disturbing. My husband and I are hardworking, kind, tolerant and accepting people. I think both sides, Republican and Democrat have done and said things they regret, it’s the nature of the beast. I am confused that you think a Republican voter would be the hateful things you mentioned or be naive enough to be brainwashed by Trump. Perhaps our vision is different, it doesn’t mean it is hateful and mean. We should all be proud Americans. I respect that he believes in the future of America. Something needs to be done about the healthcare system. Of course Obanacare can’t be repealed and replaced automatically, too many people would lose benefits, but I hear horror stories from friends about rising premiums. I was lucky my husband took a new job a few months ago that offers benefits or our rates would have soared. I have no problem with him putting America and Americans first. We cannot help others in need if we are not healthy ourselves. Yes, I believe in a strong military and support for those who do, and have served. I believe national security is too important to take risks with it. I also think many people on both sides of the aisle have had it with the nonsense in DC. Maybe someone who is not a career politician can bring some fresh faces and ideas to the table. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/42 "2016-11-09T20:13:31Z")
Sorry, I am really not good at this. That was supposed to be in response to Quick Sikver 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/43 "2016-11-09T20:15:09Z")
Quick Silver, sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/44 "2016-11-09T20:18:46Z")
I’m trying to console myself with the fact he will get himself into so much trouble his time in office might not be long. Or barring that, once he’s paraded all his friends (does he have friends?) through the White House and gloated a bit, he’ll get tired of the actual work it takes to be president and just quit. But then the sick feeling comes back with the knowledge that his VP is a bible thumping woman-hater. This is absolutely the wrong time to be an atheist woman in the US. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/45 "2016-11-09T20:23:56Z")
I go to a very “Red” gym (closest gym to Paradise Valley, the enclave of multi-zillionaires in Arizona). I had (foolishly, in retrospect) bet someone $100 that Trump would lose, so I had to go to an ATM before the gym and get some cash. Then had to endure to endless overheard discussions about how wonderful everything was. One guy came over to me and said “I bet you and I are the only two people who aren’t happy today.” I said that no, there were others, but not many… Oh well, if I survived Bush II, I can survive this. Maybe Trump will turn out to be a real RINO, and actually do something good for the country. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/46 "2016-11-09T20:28:21Z")
Mostly I’m relieved the uncertainty is over. I looked with despair at either candidate, so at least now I don’t have to wonder which one it will be any more. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/47 "2016-11-09T20:30:30Z")
So many emotions. I’ve lost all faith in predictive polling. In 2008 and 2012 they were great but now they suck. PEC predicted Trump wouldn’t have a chance of higher than 240evs. 538 got many things wrong with both parties in their primaries. Many wrong calls. I can’t trust polls or predictive polling now. Trump was getting 16% of Latinos in polls, exit polls show 29%. Etc. We are back to a ‘who knows’ method. Also, I’m shocked so many people don’t care that Trump is totally unqualified. This isn’t a slam, he truly isn’t qualified for the job he just got. That bothers me more than the sexism and bigotry. We aren’t electing a reality star, we are picking the person in charge of the military and government policy. I’m worried about all the people who may lose health insurance. There never was a replace in repeal and replace. My only hope is Trump is only a little destructive to quality of life. I feel too numb to cry. I just feel drained. Had Romney won in 2012 I wouldn’t feel this way. Had Jeb won in 2016 I wouldn’t feel this way. People don’t grasp Trump is different. He takes the worst of everything, combined it together and that is his candidacy. For people who say we would feel this way of any Republican won, you don know what you are talking about. Trump is different. The fact that someone this petty, criminal, unqualified, unstable, ignorant, cruel, creepy, mentally ill, vengeful, etc is now our president says something about Americans and American culture that the world will never forget. We destroyed a lot of the dignity we built up. Have you ever met someone who you thought had decent judgement and decent character until you saw their taste in men, then you realize that you can never trust their judgment again because anyone whose taste in men is that bad must have deep psychological problems? That is us now. Bush was decent by comparison. I’ve lost a lot of respect for people in this country. I feel a lot of shame about how we look to the world. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/48 "2016-11-09T20:35:08Z")
not particularly bothered. I knew my candidate would lose. More perplexed that everyone on here is so shocked and surprised, which tells me they were getting information that wasn’t in touch with reality ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/49 "2016-11-09T20:47:46Z")
I was depressed even before the results were in, to think it could be so close. This morning when my husband told me, I couldn’t even reply. On the way to work, I listened to Pink Floyd’s [Pigs: Three Different Ones](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pinkfloyd/pigsthreedifferentones.html) and the lyrics were fucking perfect. I can hardly look my fellow Floridians in the eye today. I know at least one of my relatives voted for Trump, probably more. I am embarrassed, and angry, and sad. Still, there is work to be done today. I’m trying to get through it without speaking to anyone. I’m scared for Roe v. Wade. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/50 "2016-11-09T20:49:23Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I respect that he believes in the future of America. Something needs to be done about the healthcare system. Of course Obanacare can’t be repealed and replaced automatically, too many people would lose benefits, but I hear horror stories from friends about rising premiums. I was lucky my husband took a new job a few months ago that offers benefits or our rates would have soared. > > I have no problem with him putting America and Americans first. We cannot help others in need if we are not healthy ourselves. > > Yes, I believe in a strong military and support for those who do, and have served. I believe national security is too important to take risks with it. > > I also think many people on both sides of the aisle have had it with the nonsense in DC. Maybe someone who is not a career politician can bring some fresh faces and ideas to the table. But how will he reduce health care costs? In the debate all he talked about was letting insurers sell across state lines. All this will do is reduce consumer protections. Health care costs are a major problem, but I do no see anything Trump intends to do to fix it. Truly fixing health care requires government intervention to set prices, promote competition, streamline care, etc. Trump has not come out in favor of that. Neither party has because the medical industry is too rich and powerful to allow it. Also if national security is important, why pick someone as arrogant, thin skinned and poorly informed as Trump. A guy whose narcissism is so severe he openly says he knows more about isis than the generals but who has no idea what the nuclear triad is and who didn’t know Russia was in the Ukraine. The ex head of the CIA said Trump is an unwilling patsy of putin and the Russians. It makes no sense to a lot of people. We can’t figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/51 "2016-11-09T20:52:34Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I respect that he believes in the future of America. Something needs to be done about the healthcare system. Of course Obanacare can’t be repealed and replaced automatically, too many people would lose benefits, but I hear horror stories from friends about rising premiums. I was lucky my husband took a new job a few months ago that offers benefits or our rates would have soared. > > I have no problem with him putting America and Americans first. We cannot help others in need if we are not healthy ourselves. > > Yes, I believe in a strong military and support for those who do, and have served. I believe national security is too important to take risks with it. > > I also think many people on both sides of the aisle have had it with the nonsense in DC. Maybe someone who is not a career politician can bring some fresh faces and ideas to the table. The “nonsense in DC” has little to do with the President, and everything to do with the Congress, who chose to block nearly all legislation for eight years. Your anger is misdirected. Putting a buffoon in the Oval Office will fix absolutely nothing, as tit-for-tat obstruction is what is going to happen. If you want to make a difference, vote out the dipshits who represent you. Trump is a narcissist. He has zero interest in you or America: he cares about enriching himself and his family and promoting his businesses, and about getting revenge on those he feels don’t show him undeserved respect. So you now have a ‘leader’ who cares nothing about the people he is supposed to care about, who has NO viable plans for managing an unimaginably complex government, who wants to return us to the economic strategy that nearly bankrupted us in 2008, who will reduce taxes on the very rich (which means raising them on you), and whose every stupid plan will be a non-starter. That’s a lot to be proud of, all right. Oh, and welcome to the board. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/52 "2016-11-09T21:05:38Z")
I’m not surprised that he won. I knew it he was going to win, I don’t know how everybody else couldn’t see it. I don’t like him, I detest her. Although I do feel sorry for her. She worked hard all of her life for this, and to have it snatched away when she was so close has to hurt. Losing to an unworthy opponent is adding insult to injury. That said, there have been a lot of nasty hateful, ignorant things posted on this board over the last few months. Things posted about Southerners, Republicans, and Trump supporters that if said about any other group of people would have had the board in an uproar about judging a whole group by the actions of a few. People have been pointing fingers, calling names, and even wishing death on baby-boomers, and bashing in the skulls of Trump supports. As baby-boomer, I take offense. As a half Southerner, with a lot of family and friends in the south, I take offense. Being related to and friends with a lot of Trump supporters who are not racist, who are not stupid, who have degrees, who are not hateful people, I take offense. Hearing people say that urban dwellers are smarter, less racist and bigoted, when what they really mean is the educated elite are less likely to be racist and bigoted, I take offense. When rural people are described as stupid and racist and bigoted I take offense. When it is assumed that everybody who votes for a democrat is looking out for the good of the country, and everybody who votes republican is only looking out for themselves, I take offense. Stupidity, racism, and bigotry crosses all lines. It may make some people feel better to be able to point their finger at the ‘other side’. Truth is, there are big fucking assholes on both sides. We are supposed to be one country, united, and anybody who is not willing to hear the other side out and at least try to understand where they are coming from? You’re no better than the ones you judge. Totally unbecoming behavior for posters on a board that is supposed to be fighting ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/53 "2016-11-09T21:08:09Z")
Thanks for the welcome! Wow! I am not angry and am shocked you thought my post sounded that way. Yes, Congress caused many problems. Having a president that wouldn’t work with them or did not follow through also caused problems. Think about how Obamacare got passed, the problems in Syria for example. I don’t know Trump, yes, he comes across as a narcissist. But, imho, Hillary doesn’t care about me either. She has always come across as arrogant and not in touch with the people she so wanted to vote for her. My first few hours here have been a joy, I’m not one to talk politics much, I prefer to let everyone have their opinion without trying to force mine down their throats. So far, it’s going fabulously, as you can probably tell. Getting back to the anger issue, after reading most of the posts in this thread, I’m one of the few posters not angry or sad. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/54 "2016-11-09T21:09:29Z")
Sahirrnee: So what do you think of Mike Pence’s history of advocating gay children be sent to conversion camps? More relevantly, how do you think gay people should react to someone saying that they think such a person should be given a position of power in this country? Just to take one example. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/55 "2016-11-09T21:12:09Z")
My previous was in response to ChefGuy. What am I doing wrong with my response? They aren’t coming up under the poster I’m responding to. My apologies for the confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/56 "2016-11-09T21:15:23Z")
people who voted for hillary and can’t understand how she lost, could get some understanding from Sahirrnee… and maybe this cracked article. > **[How Half Of America Lost Its F\*\*king Mind](https://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reasons-trumps-rise-that-no-one-talks-about)** > > I'm going to explain the Donald Trump phenomenon in three movies. And then some text. > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > I’m not surprised that he won. > I knew it he was going to win, I don’t know how everybody else couldn’t see it. > > I don’t like him, I detest her. > > Although I do feel sorry for her. She worked hard all of her life for this, and to have it snatched away when she was so close has to hurt. Losing to an unworthy opponent is adding insult to injury. > > That said, there have been a lot of nasty hateful, ignorant things posted on this board over the last few months. Things posted about Southerners, Republicans, and Trump supporters that if said about any other group of people would have had the board in an uproar about judging a whole group by the actions of a few. People have been pointing fingers, calling names, and even wishing death on baby-boomers, and bashing in the skulls of Trump supports. > As baby-boomer, I take offense. As a half Southerner, with a lot of family and friends in the south, I take offense. Being related to and friends with a lot of Trump supporters who are not racist, who are not stupid, who have degrees, who are not hateful people, I take offense. > Hearing people say that urban dwellers are smarter, less racist and bigoted, when what they really mean is the educated elite are less likely to be racist and bigoted, I take offense. When rural people are described as stupid and racist and bigoted I take offense. When it is assumed that everybody who votes for a democrat is looking out for the good of the country, and everybody who votes republican is only looking out for themselves, I take offense. > > Stupidity, racism, and bigotry crosses all lines. > It may make some people feel better to be able to point their finger at the ‘other side’. Truth is, there are big fucking assholes on both sides. We are supposed to be one country, united, and anybody who is not willing to hear the other side out and at least try to understand where they are coming from? You’re no better than the ones you judge. > > Totally unbecoming behavior for posters on a board that is supposed to be fighting ignorance. Note that I’m talking about understanding…not agreeing with ---
**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:** [November 9, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/57 "2016-11-09T21:39:17Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > My previous was in response to ChefGuy. What am I doing wrong with my response? They aren’t coming up under the poster I’m responding to. My apologies for the confusion. When you want to respond to a post, hit the “QUOTE” button in the lower right hand corner. A window will appear with that person’s post in it. Insert your cursor at the end of their post and type away. (As I did to produce this post.) Then hit “Submit Reply” at the bottom of the middle of the window. You can edit your post, but you only have five minutes to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/58 "2016-11-09T22:00:58Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Sahirrnee: So what do you think of Mike Pence’s history of advocating gay children be sent to conversion camps? More relevantly, how do you think gay people should react to someone saying that they think such a person should be given a position of power in this country? > > Just to take one example. Not that it is anyone’s business, but I didn’t vote for either of them. I threw my vote away, but it was my vote to do with as I please. I think it is bullshit and not going to happen. Do you really think he’s just going to go out, round up gays, and put them in camps? And everybody is just going to stand there and watch him do it? Do you think that is what ‘the people’ want? It is only one issue of many, and putting that person into power doesn’t mean he is going to get to do whatever he wants. How do you think a person who is against gun control should feel when somebody thinks that person should be put into a position of power? Or people who are against abortion? Or people who are against illegal immigration? There is no way everybody is ever going to agree on everything. People will vote for the person who represents them the best; standing strong on some issues, compromising on others, not caring so much about the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/59 "2016-11-09T22:26:39Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When you want to respond to a post, hit the “QUOTE” button in the lower right hand corner. A window will appear with that person’s post in it. Insert your cursor at the end of their post and type away. (As I did to produce this post.) Then hit “Submit Reply” at the bottom of the middle of the window. You can edit your post, but you only have five minutes to do it. thanks ThelmaLou! ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235/60 "2016-11-09T22:34:43Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > This has been a year of scant hope leading to epic heartache and despair. > > January: something was wrong with my wife, but whatever it was, scans and scoping should should show it to be something benign. > > February: scans and scoping were inconclusive, but did show some things that needed further investigation. But whatever it was, it was most likely a cyst or something. > > March: it was pancreatic cancer. > > July: after months of debilitating and misery-inducing chemotherapy, it had to have had some effect. Scans showed minimal reaction — but it was operable. > > August: surgery went better than expected, they thought they got it all. > > September: pathology reports come back. They got the main mass, but it was too late; it had already metastasised to Stage IV. > > October: new chemo regime without anything to cling to > > November: Hillary went into the election ostensibly strong, but the thuggish and ignorant children outnumbered the adults in voting booths. Utter devastation. Tying it together, instead of watching the returns together, that days chemo rendered her bedridden and barely concious last night. > > This has not been a good year. I’m so, so sorry your family has to go through this. Hugs to you, your wife and kiddo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-reactions-to-the-presidential-election-results/771235.md?page=4)