Discussion: Agreed

Except it's just half of America. The other half (including the majority of orienteers) is okay. ;-)

I've been doing a lot of reading over the last two days. Some mix of credible sources, opinion pieces, and very uncredible sources (incredible?). Basically, trying to figure out where the heck the other side is coming from, why they would be so desperate for a change in the system that they'd choose to elect a monster. And I think it has to come down to a hope - that Trump's supporters elected him in spite of what he has said/done, and not because of it.

It doesn't make a difference to the fact that now we have to deal with Mr. Trump as our president for the next four years (and the repercussions of his leadership for lifetimes, possibly), but it does mean that I can get on with my day without losing too much faith in all of America and her people. There are going to be a lot of people who will be needing my help in the near future, and I want to be there for them.

I think you're right, Alex - since I run in circles that include people from both halves, my conclusion is that most of the pro-Trump vote was on the "in spite of" side. At least I wholeheartedly hope so. I don't really want to be the "United Hates of America" as some Brit called us in an opinion piece! It has made for some tough discussions with Anna, though - lots of lessons in democracy, the electoral college, leadership, etc...thank goodness she still believes she can be anything she wants to be.

If nothing else, a whole lot of us are going to care a lot more about democracy and making our country work. Perhaps that isn't such a bad thing?