The 2012 US Election

Post by **yovargas** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:15 pm

Dave_LF wrote:Edit: Randall Munroe is unsurprisingly taking a similar tack:
http://xkcd.com/1131/

Man I love that guy.

eta - wait...I just found out Nate Silver is gay. Is this generally known info?? Cuz I gotta

at gay geekiness!

Post by **The Watcher** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:46 pm

Living in Wisconsin, all I can feel right now is relief tinged with a bit of elation. I happen to live in the most red county in Wisconsin, Waukesha, and Romney signs outnumbered Obama by at least 25:1. I have kept my mouth shut quite a bit this past year, or even bit my tongue.

We also elected Tammy Baldwin, our first woman and openly lesbian U.S. senator. She will lessen the sting of Governor Walker and our other senator, Ron Johnson. (Maybe all of Wisconsin is psychotic - we sure are when it comes to our politics.

)

So,

It will be a good day.

Post by **anthriel** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:58 pm

Erunáme wrote: I dunno Frelga.. I'm watching comments on Facebook, comments telling people things like start saving can goods and stocking up on ammo, we still have some republican control so good luck passing any socialist agenda, people saying they're physically sick, etc.. it's sad and disturbing.

While I am not surprised by the election results, and I am not personally fearful for the future, I find comments like this to be puzzling. Okay, so the saving can goods and ammo thing is a bit over the top, but I can totally understand people (perhaps the majority of the people who voted yesterday) to be unhappy with the results of this election. And glad that there is a balance of power in the government, so that their viewpoints are not overrun with decisions they do not support.

Yes, there are many who are physically sick, today. Is that really sad and disturbing to you? Or maybe just understandable, if you were to put the shoe on the other foot? Not everyone agrees with Obama's agenda. Isn't that okay?

I am glad that the candidates who said those puzzling and shocking things about rape are out of office. There sure needs to be a culling of anyone who thinks like that. My head is still spinning from reading those quotes. Good Riddance.

I am also grateful that there will be no tanks in the streets today. I'm not sure I can share The Watcher's pom-poms, but I think we are in fairly decent shape today.

Post by **yovargas** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:07 pm

anthriel wrote:
Erunáme wrote: I dunno Frelga.. I'm watching comments on Facebook, comments telling people things like start saving can goods and stocking up on ammo, we still have some republican control so good luck passing any socialist agenda, people saying they're physically sick, etc.. it's sad and disturbing.

While I am not surprised by the election results, and I am not personally fearful for the future, I find comments like this to be puzzling. Okay, so the saving can goods and ammo thing is a bit over the top, but I can totally understand people (perhaps the majority of the people who voted yesterday) to be unhappy with the results of this election. And glad that there is a balance of power in the government, so that their viewpoints are not overrun with decisions they do not support.

I had meant to say last nite, in response that Eru's comment, that that response sounded very similar to the comments I heard from the left in 04.

Post by **anthriel** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:12 pm

Okay, so you've copied it, so I can't erase it. <pouts>

But I might have let that one stand, actually. (Or maybe not;I hate to be the one voice not in step with the others, and this is a very liberal board.)
I thought there would be more pom-poms, actually.

But I totally agree with what you, yov. Wasn't Alec Baldwin going to leave the country if Bush were elected? Of course he didn't (too bad, really).

Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:23 pm

Now comes the hard part, figuring out to to move forward with a divided government facing intractible problems. I guarantee that some of the same people celebrating today are going to be ones yelling and screaming about Obama "selling out" in the next weeks and months as we move Forward.

Post by **JewelSong** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:32 pm

All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.
(Julian of Norwich)

Post by **yovargas** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:33 pm

Unless we're all doomed. DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!

Post by **axordil** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:36 pm

The most gratifying thing from last night for me is the closing of any window of opportunity for attempts at dismantling the HCA (aka Obamacare) before implementation. By 2016 all parts of it will be fully operational. The states holding out for an election night reprieve no longer have any option but to obey the law, and start or join insurance exchanges.

Post by **Holbytla** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:57 pm

anthriel wrote:Okay, so you've copied it, so I can't erase it. <pouts>

But I might have let that one stand, actually. (Or maybe not;I hate to be the one voice not in step with the others, and this is a very liberal board.)
I thought there would be more pom-poms, actually.

But I totally agree with what you, yov. Wasn't Alec Baldwin going to leave the country if Bush were elected? Of course he didn't (too bad, really).

You're not alone. I voted for Jill Stein.

Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:06 pm

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America's future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers. A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow. We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this -- this world has ever known. But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.

We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag. To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner. To the furniture worker's child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president -- that's the future we hope for. That's the vision we share. That's where we need to go -- forward. That's where we need to go.

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path. By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin.

...

I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We're not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/political/ ... z2BXrFL800

Post by **Lalaith** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:34 pm

I am not stockpiling, nor am I rushing out to buy ammo or whatever.

Am I happy? No, I am worried about this country, but that is way bigger than who is currently president or not.

However, I am not afraid because God is bigger than Obama, bigger than Romney, the US government, and any other world government or leader.

So let's see what happens from here. I have no hope in Obama, and I would have had only a small hope in Romney. I'll keep my main hope on God.

Post by **The Watcher** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:10 pm

Oh, don't get me wrong - I am very independent in my voting patterns, but this newer version of the GOP really makes me ill. Mainly I think for me it came down to who would be least polarizing and play on an open and equal field. I admit I have deep suspicions of an uber wealthy former venture capitalist heading America, who went from more moderate on social positions to the ultra conservative right just to please his party.

Honestly, I felt as a woman who lost everything financially and then nearly lost my health and my life that Romney would not be the choice for me. The last thing I need is another silver spoon set appointee telling me that the rich and the corporations are keys to rebuilding America's economy. All that ever comes from such administrations is greed to most of the haves while the rest just get ignored.

In no little way, I feel that this is a big factor in Obama's victory. People were voting against Romney and still not overly thrilled with Obama. Obama did make voters feel like they were not going to be shoved aside, and the ultra wealthy may have to pay a bit more, along with all of those corporations who ran our economy into the ground.

Post by **anthriel** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:14 pm

I think a lot of people who voted for Romney were really voting against Obama and not overly thrilled with Romney. Heh.

Lali, I agree with your post word for word.

Not suprising, I know!

Post by **JewelSong** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:17 pm

I have no hope in Obama

Really? NO hope at all?

I didn't think much of Romney, but if he HAD been elected, I would have had at least a little bit of hope...the man did organize the Olympics and he's not an idiot, after all.

Obama's ideals are closer to mine - he seems much more attuned to the common man, for lack of a better word and he certainly seems more supportive of women and gay rights. So he got my vote, over Romney, who seems very much oriented to big business and the rich.

Post by **axordil** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:27 pm

I think one would have to be in a coma not to be worried about the country. It's a big country. There's always something going wrong, or something that might go wrong, or a natural disaster lurking around the corner, or a long-term trend that's less than comforting and not likely to be addressed by anyone in office.

That last one has been troubling me for a bit, as some of my recent posts suggest. There's a chunk of the population for whom employment is going to get harder and harder, simply because the jobs they are capable of doing are becoming fewer and fewer. Traditionally there were sectors of the economy where you could be below average and survive--but they've been dwindling and will continue to do so, barring upheaval. Farming went first, followed by manufacturing, and now retail, which didn't create much wealth, but at least required bodies in stores. Now it doesn't.

That's another topic, I suppose--but it's one that the election didn't touch, likely because there's nothing to be done about it, politically. It will work its way out and we'll play catch up, as usual.

Post by **River** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:43 pm

In 2008 I wanted to wave pom-poms but was a little too busy to spend much time doing it. This year, I have time to indulge but just don't want to. I'm feeling more relieved about the outcome than celebratory. The core problems that we face - weak economy, high deficits, an intractable Congress, and so on remain. But the barricades between the extremists in Congress and the rest of us remain. And maybe, maybe maybe maybe, having failed to deprive Obama of a second term, Congress will actually get down to the business of legislating instead of just being silly.

anthriel wrote:I think a lot of people who voted for Romney were really voting against Obama and not overly thrilled with Romney. Heh.

And that's probably why Romney ultimately lost. He was, basically, the GOP equivalent to John Kerry in 2004.

So, to the conservatives...I get the disappointment. I've been there and done that and since I was young and dumb and 23 at the time, I probably said some very regrettable, over-the-top, hyperbolic things. But you know what? It's going to be okay. Really. You'll survive. Though stocking up on canned goods isn't necessarily a bad idea if you live in an area that gets hit by real winter weather.

Post by **Erunáme** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:56 pm

Post by **anthriel** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:59 pm

River wrote:
anthriel wrote:I think a lot of people who voted for Romney were really voting against Obama and not overly thrilled with Romney. Heh.
And that's probably why Romney ultimately lost. He was, basically, the GOP equivalent to John Kerry in 2004.

That's kinda funny, River, because I was mirroring The Watcher's comment, where she had the flip scenario and felt that that was why Obama WON.

In no little way, I feel that this is a big factor in Obama's victory. People were voting against Romney and still not overly thrilled with Obama

Heh.

So, to the conservatives...I get the disappointment. I've been there and done that and since I was young and dumb and 23 at the time, I probably said some very regrettable, over-the-top, hyperbolic things. But you know what? It's going to be okay. Really. You'll survive. Though stocking up on canned goods isn't necessarily a bad idea if you live in an area that gets hit by real winter weather.

Yeah, I'm not sure why an Obama win means we should stockpile food.

Unless he's resposible for the hurricanes, like Bush always was. THEN we need some cans of Spam for sure.

I think it is pretty normal for the losers to feel a bit burned the day after the election. On either side.

That's why the "sad and disturbing"comment that Eru made was odd, to me. Lots of people, maybe even the majority in the country, are disappointed, today. Isn't that okay?

And if Obama tries to compromise and take the other side's views into account (because he has to, usually, but it's still nice) he's seen as weak.

Poor guy, really. I'm sure there are days he wonders why the heck he ever wanted the job.

Edit: Thanks, Eru, for answering that. I don't think you will lose any friends here, in fact you might strengthen a few friendships.

But I am way too sure that there are good people on the side opposite from yours to agree with you. For example, I am a conservative who is pro gay marriage. And anti death penalty. And pro and anti lots of things that may not fit the profle assigned to me.

I don't really agree with how you are protraying the belief system on the "other side", but I do know that no amount of posting what I think here is going to change anyone's perception on that. People see what they want to see, usually.

Eru wrote:I suppose it can be understandable if one only thinks about how a person's favourite losing is a tough thing

I just wanted to let you know that I think this statement is a bit condenscending. Perhaps you didn't mean it that way, but that is the way it reads to me.

Post by **Dave_LF** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:09 pm

So despite governing under some of the worst economic circumstances most Americans have ever seen, despite having half of Congress striving for four years to limit him to one term, despite facing prejudice for being black, despite laws that allow corporations and billionaires to spend as much money as they want trying to defeat him, and despite being all over the lightning-rod healthcare issue that was too hot even for Clinton, Obama wins another term. Whether you like him or not, it's hard to deny the man has an extraordinary record of accomplishment.