Doomscrolling the election results thread

[hepcat]

We do lots of 7 Habits of Highky Effective People training. In there, we teach the principle of Circle of Concern vs Circle of Influence.

It’s very simple. If you focus too much time and energy on your circle of concern (things you don’t have direct control over) it saps your mental and emotional energy. Thats where I’ve been living for several months now.

I read that decades ago but had forgotten that very important piece of advice. Thanks for the reminder.

[Smoove_B]

I'm not going to run a play-by-play on this, but one of the toss-ups has just been called for the Dem.

I genuinely respect your optimism with the House. I have fully embraced the darkness.

Spoiler:

[waitingtoconnect]

I’m mighty angry that actual registered democrats decided... to stay home or vote trump.

You and me both. It's all around me. You saw that bit on Dearborn, Mi upthread? I live adjacent to them in the same voting district that became a loudmouthed MAGA neighborhood after housing crash whom are angry among other things at not being nearly enough overcome putting Tlaib in office election after election. I'm done with her. Most important election of my lifetime and she helped sabotage it. It may not have made a difference in the outcome but it's made a difference in cracking the veneer of me voting against the GOP at all levels. She may as well have campaigned for TFG in my book.

Union membership thinks TFG will support them. After 2016 when he attacked them all, until Mary Barra showed her corporate colors and kissed the ring. He was so there for them during their strike. And then openly talking about hating to pay labor.

I don't know how long it's going to take to get my emotion into cold mode. One day obviously was not enough. Video games did waste the day away though.

Tlaib is the sort of democrat who ruins the election for them then defects to the republicans for their own personal advancement while complaining that democrats and muslims have lost their way and the Muslim ban is badly needed as a result. This while saying the Gazans should be deported from the territory for their own protection and that they trust trump will look after them. (He won’t.)

These types once they get the taste of spoiler power they can’t give up that power. Then they go down the dark path like rfk jnr and gabbard.

Time will tell if I’m psychic.

As for me I sacrificed a lot personally at a very difficult time to support Harris and ally with democrats. Frankly I don’t think I’ll make that mistake again. I’ll look at the whole ticket very carefully from now on.

And to the person who mentioned it earlier. No election loss even to trump matches personal loss. It’s not even close.

[Blackhawk]

And to the person who mentioned it earlier. No election loss even to trump matches personal loss. It’s not even close.

I don't think he meant to equate them. I think the point was more that the emotional process was the same - not that the intensity or personal impact was.

I've had more than my share of losses, but even I can't imagine losing a spouse.

[Zaxxon]

And to the person who mentioned it earlier. No election loss even to trump matches personal loss. It’s not even close.

I don't think he meant to equate them. I think the point was more that the emotional process was the same - not that the intensity or personal impact was.

I've had more than my share of losses, but even I can't imagine losing a spouse.

in case this was partially in reference to my comments above, I didn’t mean to imply that they’re equal in degree, just in kind. Like, I recognize the massive negative impact this will have on millions of people (which include several that I love). And in a much less tangible way, the fact that the America I grew up loving is dead and won’t be coming back during my lifetime. Those realizations are absolutely huge, and the pain is real and lasting. It’s not going to disappear; it’ll just dull over the years.

[waitingtoconnect]

And to the person who mentioned it earlier. No election loss even to trump matches personal loss. It’s not even close.

I don't think he meant to equate them. I think the point was more that the emotional process was the same - not that the intensity or personal impact was.

I've had more than my share of losses, but even I can't imagine losing a spouse.

in case this was partially in reference to my comments above, I didn’t mean to imply that they’re equal in degree, just in kind. Like, I recognize the massive negative impact this will have on millions of people (which include several that I love). And in a much less tangible way, the fact that the America I grew up loving is dead and won’t be coming back during my lifetime. Those realizations are absolutely huge, and the pain is real and lasting. It’s not going to disappear; it’ll just dull over the years.

Sorry it’s not an attack just an observation having had both losses.

I feel sorry for my daughters and worry for them and their rights and for any grandchildren I may have thanks to this antivaxxer nonsense.

The agenda I believe is to roll things back to either the 1950s or worse 1913 when most protections we take for granted against the ultra rich really started to be rolled out.

I’m a white middle aged guy who knows AI tech and is paid very well. I was better off under trump. But what he did and his morals and those of his supporters… I can’t understand how he pulled this off.

The America we loved had community and neigborhoods. Volunteers and bake sales to help when things went bad. Guys like Tim Walz next door who’s help you service your car engine on the weekend. Now it’s influencers, worship of the ultra rich like gods and don’t come close because I’m open carrying an AR-15.

[YellowKing]

Here's a bit of brightness:

Tonight for my podcast we had an interview scheduled with the director and two stars of an indie horror film that's coming out soon. I was seriously almost ready to just cancel it because I didn't feel up to it at all. My co-host talked me out of it because the PR folks had been so nice getting it set up. So I logged on at 8 ready to struggle my way through.

They ended up all being really cool people and we joked, we laughed, and for an hour I had genuine human comradery with zero politics. And it was absolutely what I needed. It was wonderful. I felt 1000% better afterwards. Life goes on.

[waitingtoconnect]

For me I look forward to invading Canada to more fairly distribute maple syrup to American mega corporations and its inability to let logging companies manage its forests and liberating Australia from wokeism because Candace Owens was refused a visa and the las time I went to Outback Jacks I didn’t enjoy it.

[YellowKing]

Another bright spot is that the Trumpers are pulling down their stupid fucking cult signs and banners they've trashed up our neighborhood with the last four years.

[hepcat]

In 4 years they’ll just put up Vance and Queen Sleeper Sofa signs.

[A nonny mouse]

Some large number of people, for whatever reason (and it’s incomprehensible to me) just like and trust Donald Trump with a fervor that boggles the mind. I will never ever understand it, but it seems to be true.

I wonder if there's something in common between Harris and Robinson that could explain why racists couldn't bring themselves to vote for him but simultaneously support Donald Trump.

I guess we'll never know.

Hmm. I am not sure why this stuck in my craw so badly last night. Maybe coming from someone in a state that had sen. Menendez? or just making claims that you know nothing about? Not mad at you, jut that you would make this statement.

Robinson being black had nothing to do with it. Robinson is a piece of garbage. Calling himself a "black nazi", saying that they should bring back slavery, and blaming women who are pregnant through rape that it is their fault because "they couldn't keep their skirts down." Would you elect someone like that to the Governor's office?

Yes the majority of North Carolina is very rural, hence, very republican. Wake County (Raleigh, Cary) was blue, as was Buncombe Co. (Asheville). I can honestly say I didn't vote for that piece of shit, but to claim that because Kamala identifies as black and Robinson is black is a connection? Sorry. not the case.

Kamala did not get a lot of votes because she abandoned a large part of who might have voted for her - Indians. She never took ownership of half of her heritage and they basically said F-you. and yes, having a father in law that is an Indian immigrant helps to know these things. I am not speaking out of my ass.

[Skinypupy]

Robinson being black had nothing to do with it. Robinson is a piece of garbage. Calling himself a "black nazi", saying that they should bring back slavery, and blaming women who are pregnant through rape that it is their fault because "they couldn't keep their skirts down." Would you elect someone like that to the Governor's office?

I get that Robinson was truly awful. But that still doesn't explain how Trump has expressed very similar ideas (sometimes in softer language...sometimes not) and they had no problem voting for him for President.

Why is being a vile, sexist, racist pig disqualifying for Robinson but not for Trump?

[Carpet_pissr]

This was not a messaging failure on her part. This was a clear demonstration that half of the voting population is ok with fascism.

Dude. Half of the voting population can't even spell fascism, much less know or care what it means.

[Skinypupy]

This was not a messaging failure on her part. This was a clear demonstration that half of the voting population is ok with fascism.

Dude. Half of the voting population can't even spell fascism, much less know or care what it means.

Isn't that the entire problem?

We have a voting populace who, by and large, are uninformed to the point that they're completely unaware that fascism is exactly what they're voting for. They can't be bothered to even check and see if it's 90% of the ingredients before they gleefully place their order of "stigginit".

Whether it's intentionally or out of sheer ignorance, they're still ok with it.

[Carpet_pissr]

This was not a messaging failure on her part. This was a clear demonstration that half of the voting population is ok with fascism.

Dude. Half of the voting population can't even spell fascism, much less know or care what it means.

Isn't that the entire problem?

We have a voting populace who, by and large, are uninformed to the point that they're completely unaware that fascism is exactly what they're voting for. They can't be bothered to even check and see if it's 90% of the ingredients before they gleefully place their order of "stigginit".

Whether it's intentionally or out of sheer ignorance, they're still ok with it.

Yes to the first part, disagree on the last. They don't know what "it" is (as you so aptly put, they have no idea what's in the cake), so I think it's unfair to say they are ok with it. They are voting on the fact that things are more expensive than they were when Trump was in office, end of story. This has nothing to do with fascism (except for the still fringe MAGA nutjobs, who certainly did not win this (again) for Trump).

[Holman]

Is there any reason Sonia Sotomayor doesn't retire today and let the Dems rush through a replacement? Or is she just dead set on pulling an RBG?

[hepcat]

The problem being that it's not assured that she would BE replaced before Biden leaves. The GOP has already shown they can, and will, stall any nominations that aren't conservative.

[Skinypupy]

This was not a messaging failure on her part. This was a clear demonstration that half of the voting population is ok with fascism.

Dude. Half of the voting population can't even spell fascism, much less know or care what it means.

Isn't that the entire problem?

We have a voting populace who, by and large, are uninformed to the point that they're completely unaware that fascism is exactly what they're voting for. They can't be bothered to even check and see if it's 90% of the ingredients before they gleefully place their order of "stigginit".

Whether it's intentionally or out of sheer ignorance, they're still ok with it.

Yes to the first part, disagree on the last. They don't know what "it" is (as you so aptly put, they have no idea what's in the cake), so I think it's unfair to say they are ok with it. They are voting on the fact that things are more expensive than they were when Trump was in office, end of story. This has nothing to do with fascism (except for the still fringe MAGA nutjobs, who certainly did not win this (again) for Trump).

We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this, as I don't think ignorance excuses it.

When a candidate says over and over again "I'm going to lower the price of eggs...but also round up immigrants into camps, strip women's rights, and give all the money to billionaires" and the only thing you hear is "lower the price of eggs" while going "LALALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU" about the rest, then you're entirely complicit in the fascism as a voter and and a citizen.

[Smoove_B]

Robinson being black had nothing to do with it. Robinson is a piece of garbage. Calling himself a "black nazi", saying that they should bring back slavery, and blaming women who are pregnant through rape that it is their fault because "they couldn't keep their skirts down." Would you elect someone like that to the Governor's office?

I get that Robinson was truly awful. But that still doesn't explain how Trump has expressed very similar ideas (sometimes in softer language...sometimes not) and they had no problem voting for him for President.

Why is being a vile, sexist, racist pig disqualifying for Robinson but not for Trump?

Yeah, that is what I was driving at. And you'll get no disagreement from me about Senator Menendez; he was (is) an absolute piece of garbage. I can absolutely understand why people (unrelated to racial issues) would not vote for Robinson. I cannot understand why the same person would then vote for Trump. Unless there's some kind of mental gymnastics going on where someone is thinking, "Oh, I don't want this genuinely awful person in charge of my state - that will directly affect me. But for President? That won't directly affect me as much."

Is this same line of though what I'm to believe has people in states like Missouri voting to enshrine reproductive rights in their state Constitution but simultaneously voting to elect a President that has telegraphed he'll be enacting a national ban? It's good for us in our state but we don't want others to have it? It's very difficult for me to process, but I guess if I can extend "tribe mentality" to a state level, maybe...

[msduncan]

Update: The DOJ is winding down the federal cases against him as they do not investigate/prosecute sitting Presidents (this is the job of Congress). The States that have cases against him are analyzing what to do (drop or freeze the cases while he's in office). And they are looking into whether the statute of limitations will trigger before the 4 years are up.

[Smoove_B]

Yes, there's a thread.

[msduncan]

Yes, there's a thread.

Ah, I didn't think to check the Investigations thread but that makes sense.

[Smoove_B]

We have lots of Trump-specific threads in R&P, though they all sort of blend together. In light of what just happened, perhaps we should consider a special R&P subforum dedicated just to him.

[ImLawBoy]

The problem being that it's not assured that she would BE replaced before Biden leaves. The GOP has already shown they can, and will, stall any nominations that aren't conservative.

Ds still hold the Senate until January. This is the time to try, or she may die/become incapacitated during the next 4 years. Given that I expect Alito and Thomas to retire during the first two years and be replaced by 40 year-old FedSoc judges, giving them Sotomayor's seat as well would lock in a 7-2 conservative majority for 30+ years.

[raydude]

As for me I sacrificed a lot personally at a very difficult time to support Harris and ally with democrats. Frankly I don’t think I’ll make that mistake again. I’ll look at the whole ticket very carefully from now on.

And to the person who mentioned it earlier. No election loss even to trump matches personal loss. It’s not even close.

That took a lot of courage and determination. And for that I truly and sincerely thank you for voting for Harris.

[raydude]

This was not a messaging failure on her part. This was a clear demonstration that half of the voting population is ok with fascism.

Dude. Half of the voting population can't even spell fascism, much less know or care what it means.

Isn't that the entire problem?

We have a voting populace who, by and large, are uninformed to the point that they're completely unaware that fascism is exactly what they're voting for. They can't be bothered to even check and see if it's 90% of the ingredients before they gleefully place their order of "stigginit".

Whether it's intentionally or out of sheer ignorance, they're still ok with it.

Yes to the first part, disagree on the last. They don't know what "it" is (as you so aptly put, they have no idea what's in the cake), so I think it's unfair to say they are ok with it. They are voting on the fact that things are more expensive than they were when Trump was in office, end of story. This has nothing to do with fascism (except for the still fringe MAGA nutjobs, who certainly did not win this (again) for Trump).

We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this, as I don't think ignorance excuses it.

When a candidate says over and over again "I'm going to lower the price of eggs...but also round up immigrants into camps, strip women's rights, and give all the money to billionaires" and the only thing you hear is "lower the price of eggs" while going "LALALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU" about the rest, then you're entirely complicit in the fascism as a voter and and a citizen.

Also known as the John Scalzi Cinemax theory of racism

[Hyena]

For me I look forward to invading Canada to more fairly distribute maple syrup to American mega corporations and its inability to let logging companies manage its forests and liberating Australia from wokeism because Candace Owens was refused a visa and the las time I went to Outback Jacks I didn’t enjoy it.

You joke about this, but I had a student three years ago do his end-of-year presentation on this. It was hysterical. He wore a 3-piece suit, had a fake earpiece, and a slideshow detailing his invasion plan. He had bar charts comparing maple syrup production in Canada vs. US, where the major production plants are, and which entrances to use to invade.

[Isgrimnur]

We do hate foreign cartels.

[msduncan]

The problem being that it's not assured that she would BE replaced before Biden leaves. The GOP has already shown they can, and will, stall any nominations that aren't conservative.

And in this case, it's not even a stretch to stall. In a normal, non-political-stalling situation it usually takes a couple months to get a SCOTUS nominee through the process.

[ImLawBoy]

Is there any doubt McConnell would get a new nominee approved if the situation were reversed? The Ds control the Senate. She should obviously condition her retirement on a new nominee being confirmed, but they have to try.

[Smoove_B]

Is there any doubt McConnell would get a new nominee approved if the situation were reversed? The Ds control the Senate. She should obviously condition her retirement on a new nominee being confirmed, but they have to try.

I am left with the distinct impression there still exists a large number of elder Democrats that still believe the government is operating fine and should be following norms and historical precedents. And of course the GOP is playing Calvinball so they're running roughshod over everything and will continue to do so in January.

[geezer]

Is there any doubt McConnell would get a new nominee approved if the situation were reversed? The Ds control the Senate. She should obviously condition her retirement on a new nominee being confirmed, but they have to try.

She's gonna RGB it, Guaranteed. But I suspect Thomas and Alito will as well. Senate is critical in 2026, but should favor democrats.

Edit: Er... RBG it. As far as I know, she's not gonna bling out a PC with rainbow lights.

[msduncan]

Is there any doubt McConnell would get a new nominee approved if the situation were reversed? The Ds control the Senate. She should obviously condition her retirement on a new nominee being confirmed, but they have to try.

She's gonna RGB it, Guaranteed. But I suspect Thomas and Alito will as well. Senate is critical in 2026, but should favor democrats.

I suspect you are right on both accounts. Justices rarely retire for political purposes or part of any political strategy regardless of who is in office or external factors.

[ImLawBoy]

There's been a lot of chatter about how Alito wants to retire. Maybe I'm hearing wrong, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't retire in the first 2 years of a Trump term. Thomas is more questionable, but he can coast on the grift chain without having to worry about people complaining about his ethics (or total lack thereof).

[YellowKing]

I don't think I realized how much stress this election had over me. Once I got past the "acceptance" stage of grief I'm feeling like a new man. Part of that has been breaking away from the news and social media for a day, but I think the larger part is just not having to worry about the damn election. There are certainly other things to worry about now, but those worries will come and go as things occur. For right now, the daily anxiety is gone.

[Holman]

Good reminder that perhaps no incumbent executive could win re-election in 2024:

The Global Anti-Incumbent Backlash Doomed Kamala Harris

There’s a strong argument that the electorate was sour on the Democrats for reasons that didn’t necessarily have to do directly with either Harris or Trump. Throughout the democratic world, incumbents have struggled since the covid crisis in 2020 and its subsequent economic dislocations, including global high inflation.

The fact that Harris’s loss may be structural does not mitigate the coming horrors of an unfettered Trump administration. But it may help us think about how to focus resistance as we head towards a frightening future.

As Yglesias says, there’s no one ideological throughline here; parties of the left, right, and center alike have struggled as voters blame them for the dislocations caused by covid. These included shutdowns and recession initially, but lingered with supply chain issues and a global spike in inflation.

Biden’s economic stewardship was among the best in the world; the US has had 27 consecutive months of inflation below four percent, and inflation is currently at its lowest in years. But the anger at inflation and economic dislocation post-covid lingers. In exit polls, 72 percent of respondents said they were angry or dissatisfied with the country’s direction.

Those are brutal numbers — so brutal that you’d usually expect them to result in a landslide victory for the out party. Instead, Democrats almost fought to a draw in the presidency, hung on to many close seats despite a brutal Senate map, and may even have picked up seats in the House.

[Skinypupy]

I don't think I realized how much stress this election had over me. Once I got past the "acceptance" stage of grief I'm feeling like a new man. Part of that has been breaking away from the news and social media for a day, but I think the larger part is just not having to worry about the damn election. There are certainly other things to worry about now, but those worries will come and go as things occur. For right now, the daily anxiety is gone.

I’d probably feel similar if my livelihood wasn’t so entirely intertwined with the coming government budget apocalypse. I’m finding it hard to feel anything but consuming dread right now, both for me and for the broader societal impacts. The challenge will be how to keep pushing forward and not letting it consume me.

But at least when I’m feeling down I can focus back on the things that really matter…like how much Smutly’s 401k has gone up.

[pr0ner]

Well, today on Twitter the theme seems to be that it's "impossible" for 15 million Democratic voters in 2020 to just stay home after all of Harris's packed rallies. It's also impossible that Democratic senators won elections in swing states Harris lost. Of course, the replies are filled with people who agree with the OP, and people repeating memes about 2020 being stolen.

Social media is the worst.

[LordMortis]

If one was to accept that impossibility, one might be inclined to believe that 15 million democratic votes were sabotaged in 2024.

[hepcat]

As long as we agree Vance has sexual relations with living room furniture, I'll be okay.

Speaking of which, let's check in with our lovely, newly elected second lady right now!