2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumI've been following your elections since 1960.
I've read Advise and Consent, your constitution, and your Bill of Rights. You have an amazing form of government, which would be totally awesome if it were rescued from the Republicans and the alt-right business interests. Wouldn't it be lovely if you reclaim the Senate, and can do the things that august body was meant to do!
In order to understand this particular election, I have learned about the primary system, which truly offers any American the opportunity to run for president. Now if only more of the thinking public would vote at primaries, they couldn't be hijacked by the likes of Trump.
I read in-depth articles to such an extent that many of my American friends tell me I know more about this election than they do. (But not, obviously, more than DUers!) I have educated many Canadian friends about the nuances of your process.
I've visited every one of your 50 wonderful states, as well as Puerto Rico. And to several of them: I'll be back.
I support Native American, women's rights, African-American rights, and animal rights through contributions to US charities, for which I can't get a tax receipt.
I can't vote in your elections, or even contribute financially to any campaign, but I have become a DU junkie, and I follow your threads avidly, as well as post when I have something to say. And I honor all of you who have worked your hearts out for this one.
I will be following posts on this site tomorrow, and will have my heart in my throat, like many of you.
But I truly believe Hillary will win, and while she won't change the public perception of women overnight, things will change over time, with her as president, just as they have in many other democracies.
So - I'm ready to celebrate a landslide tomorrow night.
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)lapfog_1
(29,969 posts)but it requires an educated and informed public plus a free and fair press not motivated by viewership
drm604
(16,230 posts)The fact that so many of us support someone like Trump does not say good things about this country.
billymike
(122 posts)and I think that is the core of the significance of the Clinton win, the most significant blow to the rooted patriarchy, ever in American history. Yet it is, in fact, a universal trend that we men are gratefully witnessing.
sunweaver
(75 posts)I've met a lot of men in your country who are as opposed to misogyny as they are to other forms of bigotry, and work very hard to eliminate it from their own lives, and curtail it in others. It's an uphill battle. Keep up the good work!
pennylane100
(3,425 posts)You are probably more informed than the average citizen and certainly more than the average Trump Supporter. I think that there would have many here in the US clamoring to live in your country if the unthinkable happened and we elected a psychotic neanderthal as our leader.
Persondem
(2,075 posts)sinkingfeeling
(52,883 posts)NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)I love Canadians, and Canada (I think Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world).
We're so happy to have you and many other Canadians, on our side! Thank you.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow night to celebrate with us.
Saboburns
(2,807 posts)Sublime.
I salute you.
ProudProgressiveNow
(6,165 posts)niyad
(119,182 posts)much studying and research as you have done.
lostnfound
(16,536 posts)My dad was born in Peterborough in 1906.
Booming car industry lured his family to Detroit a decade later. I enjoyed visiting his childhood home and my grandparents homestead and resting place.
Thanks for the reach out to your brother across the border.
👍🇨🇦
manicraven
(901 posts)I actually live very close to the border, so it's very tempting! Seriously, though, thank you for your awesome post and for not thinking the worst of us down here. I'm mortified that 40%, or so, of fellow citizens actually think Trump is worthy of the Presidency and also by their behavior towards women and minorities and their seeming inability to understand science or appreciate facts and evidence over conspiracy theories.
fierywoman
(8,072 posts)redwitch
(15,059 posts)New Orleans Strong
(212 posts)I am forwarding to the many nervous friends and neighbors who may sleep tonight after reading it. Thank you neighbor.
Upthevibe
(9,000 posts)sunweaver
(75 posts)I visited shortly after Katrina, and did the CD audio self-drive tour of the devastation. It was very informative, while being heart-wrenching at the same time. I have visited several times since, and admire the civic pride of the people who came back to rebuild.
One woman told me she had gone to stay with her family in Atlanta, but had to come back, because, "There ain't no food in Georgia!"
A friend gave me a book - "Why New Orleans Matters," which speaks to the true heart of the city.
I could go on and on - but YOU know what a great city you have!!
SHRED
(28,136 posts)sunweaver
(75 posts)it is paid by provincial taxes. Just like education.
The more you earn, the more you contribute. But the needy don't have to pay anything, or very little.
SHRED
(28,136 posts)...over $7500 in premiums alone this year for my wife and I. Copays are $40-$70 per visit.
Well over 12% of our annual income only counting premiums.
TrekLuver
(2,573 posts)sunweaver
(75 posts)annabanana
(52,791 posts)Welcome to DU. Glad you found your way here.
I think Hillary's a pretty sure bet now.. my fingers are crossed for the Senate so we can get the Court back up to it's proper size (and role).
I don't think we make a big enough deal of civic engagement here in the US. Civics isn't even on the curriculum in public schools, except as a brief lesson or two in Social Studies classes. I would make it a stand alone class, mandatory for grades K through 12.. I would assign a whole WEEK for voting (same week, Nationwide) and I't make that week a Federal Holiday.. with parades and fireworks.
Fer cryin' out loud, our PRIMARY export is marketing. I know we could to better to increase participation.
FairWinds
(1,717 posts)because, after all, it's your empire too.
GusBob
(7,488 posts)The media played a greater part in the outcome of the GOP primary than the will of the voters. Or perhaps had a greater influence upon the voters by giving DT so much free airtime that he drowned out his opponents ( or they- he and the media, controlled the narrative) . The debates were essentially the DT show and centered on himself.
He played and manipulated the airwaves knowing they wanted the ratings bonanza.
He also brazenly lied so much that had to come up with on the spot fact checking ( they failed)
Late in the game the print media actually called out his lies, again too little too late, fail.
Also Hillary hate and broadcasting her untrustworthiness is a cottage industry in all media. To wit: the Comey letter to Congress and the overboard reaction to "re-opening the investigation"
The media cannot be controlled by one candidate and their he said she said equivocations.
No free air time. No call in interviews. And if a candidate outright lies, point out this fact.
TryLogic
(1,840 posts)Raine
(30,592 posts)here. I remember 4yrs ago & 8 yrs ago my cousin in BC wanting reassurance that I knew absolutely the right way to vote ... yes, I knew definitely Obama then, definitely Hillary this time!
Amonester
(11,541 posts)In and around Florida & Niagara Falls, NY.
Feeling the same. Oh please, America! Elect the first woman President!
She's by far your best choice tomorrow! Just watched the rally in Philly.
texanwitch
(18,705 posts)With my parents.
I remember going door to door with my parents handing out little bags of campaign items which I had filled up.
I was a little democrat already.
mountain grammy
(27,160 posts)Hoping we're all celebrating tomorrow.
LovinBlueInKY
(9 posts)mfcorey1
(11,057 posts)texasleo
(11,298 posts)secondwind
(16,903 posts)lillypaddle
(9,605 posts)History will be made in the USA.
LittleGirl
(8,376 posts)I've been to Toronto and Vancouver in the past few years and I have to say, if it wasn't so cold up there, I'd live there. Right now, I live in Europe so like you, I am watching from afar and DU is my home too. I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for helping your fellow citizens understand our complicated system! Cheers mate.
VWolf
(3,944 posts)sunweaver
(75 posts)So many thanks for your kind comments.
I've travelled to many places around the world, and it has always been apparent to me that people of different nations can come together if we talk from the heart. The people I've met in the USA that are most willing to embrace a multi-national perspective are Democrats.
Please elect Hillary today!
Nitram
(24,417 posts)Zing Zing Zingbah
(6,496 posts)I love Canada too. My great grand parents were from Quebec, so I view Canada as part of my heritage. I live in Maine and a lot of people here have family or ancestors from Canada. My community even has a Franco-American heritage center.
Cary
(11,746 posts)have managed to debase and drag down everything and everyone.
sunweaver
(75 posts)and they can only drag you down with your permission!
Cary
(11,746 posts)Not all days are about me. Sometimes I must grieve
Mad_Dem_X
(9,757 posts)Wish us luck!
Response to sunweaver (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Paladin
(28,711 posts)In that 1960 election you remember, the right-wingers were spreading rumors that JFK shouldn't be elected, because as the first Catholic president, he would be taking orders directly from The Vatican. That sort of idiocy seems positively quaint, compared to the national nightmare that Trump has put us through, this time around. God willing, we'll end it all on a positive note tonight.
berksdem
(655 posts)Thanks for all of the good thoughts and vibes!! Now time to bring home the win!!
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)At two year, the House is in constant re-election mode. It would be nice if we could limit the presidential campaign to a year or less.
healthnut7
(249 posts)I think many of our fellow Canadians do. Although I am a little over the top. I think I was an American in my last life and a Democrat. Anyway GO HILLARY!!!!! Nervous but hope that the American people will come through and bounce Trump to the curb...
ngGale
(2,080 posts)Love Canadians....
Butterflies
(1,241 posts)I haven't even been to half of the 50 states and I'm an American. I'll have to do some more traveling
At this point I'd be shocked if Hillary doesn't win. I'm anxious to start the celebrating . . .