Who's The Fear Mongerer Now?

pjalive21 said:

tbergs said:

whoanelly15 said:

Well-written article with some interesting takes on our political socialization and immaturity, but I do take exception to a number of these points. Mainly because, like so many articles I'm reading this week, it paints with such a broad brush. I can only speak personally, but isn't that the point? Generalizing language like this that lumps people into large groups and projects the beliefs/voting tendencies of others onto the individual is dangerous, especially when based on skin color, gender, state of residence or sexuality. I'd like to hear more constructive commentary from thoughtful individuals, whether they look like me or not and whether they voted the way I did or not. Whatever your perspective, what are WE doing to make our country a better place to live? How are we making the world a safer place?

Obviously, people in other parts of the world have suffered unimaginable atrocities, under horrible dictators - hopefully, far worse than any Americans will under Donald Trump. That's not the issue and it's not what this is about. Again, personally, I am disappointed because I don't believe that Trump's policies will mean progress for our county or our world. I'm also concerned that as a leader, he doesn't have the qualities that are representative of the best that America has to offer. Truly, I feel that he is among the worst things that we could possibly export to the rest of the world. I am afraid that he will drive the US further from being the goal of being an integral partner in peace to other countries and people around the world. That is my dream, and today, in these United States, I believe we should expect more from our leadership.

The author also draws a comparison between Syrian refugees and Americans "threatening" to leave. The comparison is unfair for many reasons, especially considering the violence and injustices that Syrians are fleeing. For Syrians, this is a matter of escape. For those of us Americans who have the ability to leave, it's a choice. I have the means to live elsewhere and I know where I would go. I am able to weigh the options and make an informed decision regarding the quality of my life and the security of my future. No one else has the right to criticize me for that decision. People make decisions like this all the time when they take a new job, change careers or buy a home.

Trump being elected is polarizing, but let's remind ourselves that this is not happening in a vacuum. Many factors, events, policy decisions, previous elections, economic and cultural changes have led to this point. Literally, all of history led us to this point. However, for me, this one event - although it is a single event, marks a significant step in the wrong direction. His proposed policies on the issues that are most important to me - gun control, climate change and social inequality - are so, so far apart that it's hard to see a compromise. And if I'm being honest, I'm just shocked by the fact that 59 million of my fellow countrymen could align themselves with this individual and his stance on these topics. I'm equally shocked that over 100 million more didn't even care enough to cast a vote. What all this means to me is that this one event marks a significant turning point in our history and I now have serious doubts about my future in this country. I'll add that I am not a racial or ethnic minority as I was when I lived abroad in the past. I can only imagine the insecurity that other people and families of a minority background are feeling right now.

Einstein (pretty smart guy) said that peace can't be kept by force, only by understanding. He also said that the governments of the world won't give peace to their people until we want it desperately enough. It's 2016 - if we can't see by now that what is good for our fellow man or woman down the street, in a neighboring state, country or hemisphere, then what hope do we have?

Sorry it was long. Thanks for reading.

Really good post and great points. Those are exactly the same things I've been discussing with my wife. I don't need anyone telling me to stay calm, I am calm. What I am, is disappointed with our country and the fact that we have elected a man who has only ever cared about making money for himself no matter what the cost or corners cut to make a buck.

It's astounding to think he received 60 million votes, but it's even more astounding to think barely 50% of the country voted! That's really why he won. I'm proud to say that the fine state of MN did our part at about 75%, which still isn't where it should be and should be at least that in every state.

I can't imagine feeling like I needed to move out of the country because of fear for loss of human rights. That is not what our country should be regressing towards. We have a friend who is in an interracial relationship and she talked about some of the fears she was feeling because they are taking a road trip to Texas (from Minnesota) and would be passing through some of the biggest supporting states in the country. She wasn't being irrational or over reacting about it, but just expressing the uncertainty they felt and the challenges they could encounter. No, not every Trump supporter thinks that way, but it makes you wonder if there is less tolerance than what has been portrayed. It's not an issue I have to contemplate, but it is disparaging. The other big fear, is the impact on our environment and the respect we command at an international level. This election result erodes that even if Trump can pull himself together and learn respect, humility and integrity once he takes the oath.

One thing should be clear, this election has got to be the tipping point for American politics and elections. Changes must be made to stop the 2 party stranglehold.

You really think Trump is going to take human rights away?

and yes she is overreacting...yeah people like this are all over the country but this just didnt start because of Trump

fear mongering is worse now than ever

pjalive21 said:

tbergs said:

whoanelly15 said:

Well-written article with some interesting takes on our political socialization and immaturity, but I do take exception to a number of these points. Mainly because, like so many articles I'm reading this week, it paints with such a broad brush. I can only speak personally, but isn't that the point? Generalizing language like this that lumps people into large groups and projects the beliefs/voting tendencies of others onto the individual is dangerous, especially when based on skin color, gender, state of residence or sexuality. I'd like to hear more constructive commentary from thoughtful individuals, whether they look like me or not and whether they voted the way I did or not. Whatever your perspective, what are WE doing to make our country a better place to live? How are we making the world a safer place?

Obviously, people in other parts of the world have suffered unimaginable atrocities, under horrible dictators - hopefully, far worse than any Americans will under Donald Trump. That's not the issue and it's not what this is about. Again, personally, I am disappointed because I don't believe that Trump's policies will mean progress for our county or our world. I'm also concerned that as a leader, he doesn't have the qualities that are representative of the best that America has to offer. Truly, I feel that he is among the worst things that we could possibly export to the rest of the world. I am afraid that he will drive the US further from being the goal of being an integral partner in peace to other countries and people around the world. That is my dream, and today, in these United States, I believe we should expect more from our leadership.

The author also draws a comparison between Syrian refugees and Americans "threatening" to leave. The comparison is unfair for many reasons, especially considering the violence and injustices that Syrians are fleeing. For Syrians, this is a matter of escape. For those of us Americans who have the ability to leave, it's a choice. I have the means to live elsewhere and I know where I would go. I am able to weigh the options and make an informed decision regarding the quality of my life and the security of my future. No one else has the right to criticize me for that decision. People make decisions like this all the time when they take a new job, change careers or buy a home.

Trump being elected is polarizing, but let's remind ourselves that this is not happening in a vacuum. Many factors, events, policy decisions, previous elections, economic and cultural changes have led to this point. Literally, all of history led us to this point. However, for me, this one event - although it is a single event, marks a significant step in the wrong direction. His proposed policies on the issues that are most important to me - gun control, climate change and social inequality - are so, so far apart that it's hard to see a compromise. And if I'm being honest, I'm just shocked by the fact that 59 million of my fellow countrymen could align themselves with this individual and his stance on these topics. I'm equally shocked that over 100 million more didn't even care enough to cast a vote. What all this means to me is that this one event marks a significant turning point in our history and I now have serious doubts about my future in this country. I'll add that I am not a racial or ethnic minority as I was when I lived abroad in the past. I can only imagine the insecurity that other people and families of a minority background are feeling right now.

Einstein (pretty smart guy) said that peace can't be kept by force, only by understanding. He also said that the governments of the world won't give peace to their people until we want it desperately enough. It's 2016 - if we can't see by now that what is good for our fellow man or woman down the street, in a neighboring state, country or hemisphere, then what hope do we have?

Sorry it was long. Thanks for reading.

Really good post and great points. Those are exactly the same things I've been discussing with my wife. I don't need anyone telling me to stay calm, I am calm. What I am, is disappointed with our country and the fact that we have elected a man who has only ever cared about making money for himself no matter what the cost or corners cut to make a buck.

It's astounding to think he received 60 million votes, but it's even more astounding to think barely 50% of the country voted! That's really why he won. I'm proud to say that the fine state of MN did our part at about 75%, which still isn't where it should be and should be at least that in every state.

I can't imagine feeling like I needed to move out of the country because of fear for loss of human rights. That is not what our country should be regressing towards. We have a friend who is in an interracial relationship and she talked about some of the fears she was feeling because they are taking a road trip to Texas (from Minnesota) and would be passing through some of the biggest supporting states in the country. She wasn't being irrational or over reacting about it, but just expressing the uncertainty they felt and the challenges they could encounter. No, not every Trump supporter thinks that way, but it makes you wonder if there is less tolerance than what has been portrayed. It's not an issue I have to contemplate, but it is disparaging. The other big fear, is the impact on our environment and the respect we command at an international level. This election result erodes that even if Trump can pull himself together and learn respect, humility and integrity once he takes the oath.

One thing should be clear, this election has got to be the tipping point for American politics and elections. Changes must be made to stop the 2 party stranglehold.

You really think Trump is going to take human rights away?

and yes she is overreacting...yeah people like this are all over the country but this just didnt start because of Trump

fear mongering is worse now than ever