# Trump will be re-elected -- "Americans are a stupid people. We believe whatever we're told." **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 21, 2019, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844 "2019-04-21T09:50:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/121 "2019-04-26T16:10:52Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Why? My reasoning is it would be fairer and constitutional. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/122 "2019-04-26T18:38:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Why? Most other countries with some sort of district-based representation have far lower population to legislator ratios. A lower ratio, in turn, makes a representative more likely to be able to connect with citizens while allowing for the creation of smaller, more cohesive Congressional districts. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/123 "2019-04-26T19:57:24Z")
I might add that the House could use the manpower. We are a nation of 325 million with only one representative for every three-quarters of a million of us and _they_ have to spend a third of their time fund raising. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/124 "2019-04-26T20:55:53Z")
Meanwhile, the economy is apparently doing pretty well. If this keeps up, I think Trump will be difficult for anyone in the Democratic party to defeat. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/125 "2019-04-26T21:25:28Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Meanwhile, the economy is apparently doing pretty well. If this keeps up, I think Trump will be difficult for anyone in the Democratic party to defeat. NPR reported that the jobs created by tariffs on washing machines cost some $180,000 each. I cannot find a cite on the NPR website. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/126 "2019-04-26T21:26:32Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Most other countries with some sort of district-based representation have far lower population to legislator ratios. A lower ratio, in turn, makes a representative more likely to be able to connect with citizens while allowing for the creation of smaller, more cohesive Congressional districts. > [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I might add that the House could use the manpower. We are a nation of 325 million with only one representative for every three-quarters of a million of us and _they_ have to spend a third of their time fund raising. The problem is that the USA’s population means that even with the present ratio there are more than 500 representatives. More would look like the Senate of the Republic in _Star Wars_. We’re very close, if not past, the size where the body can function effectively- we almost need representatives for the representatives at this point. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/127 "2019-04-26T21:47:28Z")
I guess I was hoping 2016 would be redemption and basically a do-over with the guy who the people (not superdelegates) wanted with Bernie Sanders, but of course the DNC overloads it, because the 2nd ballot WILL count superdelegates. They’re basically handing Trump the re-election. His supporters will NEVER leave him. I know farmers who’ve lost money but mention the Supreme Court or will say “What about the alternative?” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/128 "2019-04-26T23:40:42Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > The problem is that the USA’s population means that even with the present ratio there are more than 500 representatives. More would look like the Senate of the Republic in _Star Wars_. We’re very close, if not past, the size where the body can function effectively- we almost need representatives for the representatives at this point. How many people does a member of Parliament represent? ---
**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:** [April 27, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/129 "2019-04-27T00:03:40Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > The problem is that the USA’s population means that even with the present ratio there are more than 500 representatives. More would look like the Senate of the Republic in _Star Wars_. We’re very close, if not past, the size where the body can function effectively- we almost need representatives for the representatives at this point. The UK manages with 650 MPs in the House of Commons. But you and the other poster are right, the ratio of representatives to voters tends to be much lower in other countries. In the UK this works out to one MP for roughly every 103,000 people. In Canada, 338 members for 37 million works out to one for every 110,000. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/130 "2019-04-27T00:33:00Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > NPR reported that the jobs created by tariffs on washing machines cost some $180,000 each. I cannot find a cite on the NPR website. I doubt anyone knows, or cares. The average American voter is watching GOT on Netflix. Wake them up when they give a fuck. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/131 "2019-04-27T00:58:06Z")
That the people have direct power on their own governance is justice. Democracy is not smarter, nor more efficient, nor stable. Equal power sharing is its sole virtue. Love it or leave it alone, it’s up to you, I’ve made my peace with it. And, of course, does anyone think that being governed by an elite of smart people would be an improvement? Only thing wrong with that, said the Venerable Twain, is that it just ain’t so. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/132 "2019-04-27T03:33:25Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > NPR reported that the jobs created by tariffs on washing machines cost some $180,000 each. I cannot find a cite on the NPR website. I’m happy to pay more if it means my fellow Americans are employed and that de facto slave labor wasn’t used in the production of goods that I purchase. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/133 "2019-04-27T05:00:01Z")
i just returned from a sailing trip during which there was only sporadic internet access and I was not following the political developments. I return to find that there have in fact been some significant developments in the election, and caught up on some of the Democratic town hall, and commentary thereon. My impression: we are fucked. The phrase “circular firing squad” has been used and I believe it applies. I feel this is going to be a disaster and we’re gonna have to see Trump’s fucking face for another 4 years. All the signs are there,and my intuition never fails me. Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/134 "2019-04-27T14:47:04Z")
Is it a slam dunk that Trump will be the Republican nominee? ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/135 "2019-04-27T15:09:31Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > i just returned from a sailing trip during which there was only sporadic internet access and I was not following the political developments. I return to find that there have in fact been some significant developments in the election, and caught up on some of the Democratic town hall, and commentary thereon. My impression: we are fucked. The phrase “circular firing squad” has been used and I believe it applies. I feel this is going to be a disaster and we’re gonna have to see Trump’s fucking face for another 4 years. All the signs are there,and my intuition never fails me. Fuck. Dems have 15 identity silos and on any given day, one or more of their candidates are going to be apologizing to some number of them for something they said last week or last month or last decade or what one of their ancestors said or did. Let’s make them all do 23 and me, that’ll be a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/136 "2019-04-27T15:19:34Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Is it a slam dunk that Trump will be the Republican nominee? His support among self-identitified Republicans is very high. Yes, it’s pretty much a slam dunk. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/137 "2019-04-27T16:56:28Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > His support among self-identitified Republicans is very high. Yes, it’s pretty much a slam dunk. Republicans are working to try to prevent a challenger to Trump. It may not work but they are trying. - [Republicans Could Cancel Primaries to Protect Trump From a Challenge](http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/gop-could-cancel-primaries-to-protect-trump-from-a-challenge.html) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/138 "2019-04-27T17:57:57Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > I’m happy to pay more if it means my fellow Americans are employed and that de facto slave labor wasn’t used in the production of goods that I purchase. You could already get that guarantee. Did you not already “Buy American”? ---
**Author:** ![Aescwynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Aescwynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aescwynn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/139 "2019-04-27T20:29:37Z")
Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I feel something important may happen this year. Listening to Pete Buttigieg really cheers me up, although everybody I talk to says that’s an impossibility. I think a Joe Biden/Cory Booker ticket might pull it off. African American involvement is really ratcheting up. Steve Bannon (of all people) said that a Kamala Harris/Beto O’Rourke ticket would be the best shot. I knocked on doors for Beto, but he seems to be fading fast. I think there’s some combination that might make magic happen, although the effing good economy continues to gnaw at that possibility. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2019, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844/140 "2019-04-28T12:59:02Z")
In yesterday’s _[Washington Post](https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBWmglD?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare)_. > [@](#): > > The 2020 election isn’t going to be close. > > The first-quarter gross domestic product growth rate of 3.2 percent sets up the first reality that will be noted in November 2020 because it telegraphs where the economy will be then: not in recession. Recessions are charted when GDP growth is negative for two consecutive quarters or more. That can and has occurred in sudden fashion — financial panics don’t send “save the date” cards. But the economy over which President Trump is presiding is strong and getting stronger. Innovation is accelerating, not declining. A recession before Election Day looks less and less likely by the day. > > Small wonder then that Trump dominates the GOP with an approval rating above 80 percent.\* > > His administration’s deregulatory push is accelerating. More and more rule-of-law judges, disinclined to accept bureaucrats’ excuses for overregulation, are being confirmed to the bench. Readiness levels in the U.S. military have been renewed. Our relationship with our strongest ally, Israel, is at its closest in decades. > > Meanwhile, the Dems are facing a Hobbesian choice of Sens. Bernie Sanders or Kamala D. Harris, or former vice president Joe Biden. > … Thump’s despicable character and bull-in-a-_China_-shop foreign policy style don’t seem to matter to the Pubbies. [\*“Gallup found that Trump’s job approval remained unchanged from last month among Republicans, with about 9 in 10 approving of his performance.”](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-job-approval-rebounds-after-release-of-mueller-report-summary/2019/04/12/6ed27014-5d0b-11e9-9625-01d48d50ef75_story.html?utm_term=.6543a584b87a) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-be-re-elected-americans-are-a-stupid-people-we-believe-whatever-were-told/832844.md?page=8)