So, by electing Donald Trump, the people who voted him get tagged as "racists and intolerant"?
I would say yes.
Because they voted for him, they know exactly about his ideas, his background, what he represents and they can't say that 'they didn't know'.
Even if they didn't vote for DT's ideas or don't endorse them - they gave him a mandate to implement them,
which is the same thing. It's just too easy to skirt responsibility.
Voting is a right, a civic duty but also a tremendous responsibility. Unfortunately the idea of personal responsibility no longer takes hold in the poll booths it seems.
Voters had a choice, it didn't have to be DT or HC. They need to take responsibility for their choices.
And in what way is Trump going to affect "You" in your life?
Let me ask this: what is the point of voting if it's not going to have an influence on your everyday life ? Of course, the elections are important and the outcome affects all of us one way or the other.
I wasn't happy when GWB was elected but I was willing to give a chance. He messed up miserably and he's been a total disaster to this country. (You would think that the country that brought us GWB would be more cautious in the future in light of the recent experience, but no...)
So I am not optimistic about DT. I think that even if DT and his team were to stick to a more 'moderate' and conciliatory line, they are still going to do a lot of damage.
You should be very much concerned when positions are filled in the state apparatus by people who have shown their contempt for the rule of law and civil rights. They are here to push an agenda, that is what they are for and they have been elected for that purpose.
This is what I expect:
- The surveillance state will be expended dramatically, Big Brother will not be pushed back (sorry Snowden, you're stuck). Say goodbye to the remnants of your freedoms.
- Guantanamo will not close down, instead the experiment could even be replicated elsewhere, that is on US soil proper. We will see internment camps, generalization of martial rule. The military is already on the streets and people are used to it. It's like living on the battlefield, during a ceasefire. But the idea behind mass surveillance is that everybody is an Enemy of the State. If you don't like the current social order, you will be the target.
- The erosion of democracy will continue (what's left of it). Unlike other countries, the US has strong institutions that act as a balance and make American democracy more resilient against ill-inspired leaders. But that doesn't suffice. Over the last 15 years America has been quietly sliding into tyranny at a breath-taking pace.
- In terms of foreign policy: IMO this is going to be the biggest casualty. DT will probably focus more on national issues and neglect international affairs. Like his predecessor, he will attempt a 'reset' of relations with Russia and turn a blind eye on the multiple destabilization efforts of Putin. Then when it's too late he will realize the 'reset' doesn't work because Putin doesn't play by our rules anyway.
Biggest loser: the rest of the world.
