Put There By The People

[Rival]

I understand that many U.S. citizens are angered by Trump's win, but I am having trouble understanding this over-reaction (which it is, in my opinion). Why?

Well, because he was elected. According to how the U.S. electoral system works, he was put there the same way as any other President.

However, within living memory, my country has had two unelected Prime Ministers: the current one, Theresa May, and Gordon Brown (who succeeded Tony Blair). No-one put these two people there; the subjects didn't vote them in. Also, our PMs can hold office slightly longer than the U.S. President.

To make matters worse this current unelected leader is in-charge of Brexit, one of the most monumental moves in modern British history, and no-one put her there.

And we are not running riot in the streets.

Different attitudes I guess.

 

[allfoak]

The overreaction is induced by media, education and government meddling.

 

[Father Heathen]

I understand that many U.S. citizens are angered by Trump's win, but I am having trouble understanding this over-reaction (which it is, in my opinion). Why?

Well, because he was elected. According to how the U.S. electoral system works, he was put there the same way as any other President.

However, within living memory, my country has had two unelected Prime Ministers. The current one, Theresa May, and Gordon Brown who succeeded Tony Blair. Also, our PMs can hold office slightly longer than the U.S. President. No-one put these people there; the subjects didn't vote them in. To make matters worse, this current unelected leader is in-charge of Brexit, one of the most monumental moves in modern British history, and no-one put her there.

And we are not running riot in the streets.

Different attitudes I guess.

I think the different attitudes is because the U.K.'s society isn't as polarized as the U.S.'s and the U.K. hasn't had to deal with anyone quite as inept and unethical as Trump, Bush, etc.

 

[Neo Deist]

92,000,000 US citizens did not even vote. That's 92,000,000 that should be fine with the outcome of the election. If they are out there marching, protesting and screaming "not my president" then they are hypocrites.

 

[Father Heathen]

I voted Johnson, so the outcome was going to be unfavorable for me regardless.

 

[Augustus]

However, within living memory, my country has had two unelected Prime Ministers. The current one, Theresa May, and Gordon Brown who succeeded Tony Blair. No-one put these people there; the subjects didn't vote them in. To make matters worse, this unelected leader is in-charge of Brexit, one of the most monumental moves in mdoern British history, and no-one put her there.

And we are not running riot in the streets.

Different attitudes I guess.

John Major too.

It's not quite the same thing though as no PM has ever been elected as it is a parliamentary system. They can be replaced at any time if their party chooses to replace them as leader. Australia seems to change their PM about 3 times between each election usually with the same 2 people swapping places a few times.

Lots of Americans do seem to be really weird though. If you are on the wrong side of the centre left/centre right divide then you are literally evil, a follower of the antichrist, pro-Hitler, a Stalinist, etc.

The paranoia, total absence of proportionality and complete refusal to be influenced by reality shown by a fair chunk of the electorate is quite comical to this outsider

 

[Rival]

John Major too.

It's not quite the same thing though as no PM has ever been elected as it is a parliamentary system. They can be replaced at any time if their party chooses to replace them as leader. Australia seems to change their PM about 3 times between each election usually with the same 2 people swapping places a few times.

Lots of Americans do seem to be really weird though. If you are on the wrong side of the centre left/centre right divide then you are literally evil, a follower of the antichrist, pro-Hitler, a Stalinist, etc.

The paranoia, total absence of proportionality and complete refusal to be influenced by reality shown by a fair chunk of the electorate is quite comical to this outsider

I was about to say John Major; you beat me to it.

 

[Neo Deist]

I voted Johnson, so the outcome was going to be unfavorable for me regardless.

Know what is funny (or sad)? I am a vocal Libertarian but everyone assumes I am a Republican. It's not that I was pro-Trump, I was just vehemently anti-Hillary.

 

[Quetzal]

I understand that many U.S. citizens are angered by Trump's win, but I am having trouble understanding this over-reaction (which it is, in my opinion). Why?

I think the media has a lot to say about this. The liberal media tended to really blast Trump and draw conclusions that may or may not have been correct. At any rate, when the media dominates coverage on an individual and paints that individual as evil, it is understandable that hysteria might follow should that individual win an election. As for me? Let's wait a see.

 

[Augustus]

Know what is funny (or sad)? I am a vocal Libertarian but everyone assumes I am a Republican. It's not that I was pro-Trump, I was just vehemently anti-Hillary.

Being libertarian but anti-abortion, do you think the government should outlaw abortion or is it just your personal moral stance?

 

[Rival]

I think the media has a lot to say about this. The liberal media tended to really blast Trump and draw conclusions that may or may not have been correct. At any rate, when the media dominates coverage on an individual and paints that individual as evil, it is understandable that hysteria might follow should that individual win an election. As for me? Let's wait a see.

But if the electorate know that the media lies and decieves them, why do they bother with it? Why listen? British people weren't surprised when the Lib Dems promised that University tuition fees would not rise (one of their sticking points), then when they were elected in a coalition government with the Conservaties, tuition fees rose. No-one is surprised when the Conservatives tell us they will help the NHS, then go and privatise parts of it like they did with the Post Office.

 

[Father Heathen]

Know what is funny (or sad)? I am a vocal Libertarian but everyone assumes I am a Republican. It's not that I was pro-Trump, I was just vehemently anti-Hillary.

I don't like Hillary, but if I have to have a crooked president, I'd rather they not be a buffoon with an entourage of homophobes, misogynists, racists, and science deniers.

 

[Quetzal]

But if the electorate know that the media lies and decieves them, why do they bother with it? Why listen?

I'm not sure. I am addressing it less and less.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

British people weren't surprised when Labour promised that University Tuition fees would not rise, then when they were elected in a coalition government with the Conservaties, tuition fees rose.

I think you mean the Liberal Democrats

 

[Rival]

I think you mean the Liberal Democrats

You're right. My mistake. Thanks.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I understand that many U.S. citizens are angered by Trump's win, but I am having trouble understanding this over-reaction (which it is, in my opinion). Why?

Because it very much looks like the victory of this crude, lying, and misogynistic nativist was facilitated by Putin and Comey. He was not "put there by the people" but, rather. "put there by a minority of the people" influenced by this facilitation.

 

[Neo Deist]

Being libertarian but anti-abortion, do you think the government should outlaw abortion or is it just your personal moral stance?

I am not going to debate abortion, but to answer the question I will say this ONE time:

I am not 100% against abortion. If a woman was raped, then she should have the choice. If a woman's life is in jeopardy due to the pregnancy, then she should have the choice.

If a woman got drunk, had consensual sex but did not use protection and wound up pregnant, abortion should NOT be an option for birth control. The baby can be given up for adoption and sent to a good home. Adults know the risks involved with sex. Act accordingly and take some responsibility. If you are not going to take steps to prevent an unwanted birth, then keep your damn legs closed. Men, if you are not prepared to support a woman and a child, then keep it in your pants.

An abortion is not a pretty sight to see. It is usually done in 1 of 3 ways: suction that rips the baby into pieces, grips that tears the baby from limb to limb, or injections into the brain or heart that slowly kills the baby. The latter is sometimes done with the baby partially breached, and its arms/legs will be moving while it dies.

Abortions could potentially kill the one child that would have grown up to cure cancer, hepatitis, AIDS, alzheimer's, etc. If it has a heartbeat, it is alive. Unborn babies have the right to live just like everyone else.

That is all I will say about abortion.

 

[Kemosloby]

I don't get it either. Even though it's rainy and dreary in the DC area today, it's like the sun is shining, and a new day dawning where darkness once stood.

 

[Quintessence]

I understand that many U.S. citizens are angered by Trump's win, but I am having trouble understanding this over-reaction (which it is, in my opinion). Why?

Why do you perceive it as an overreaction? What is causing you to have that conclusion?

Something very important I would like to point out here that relates to this that was alluded to by @allfoak - media we pay attention to is not a representative sample of what is going on. This is important to remember not just for election coverage, but everything. Without looking at sound data, it is too easy for all the noise to fool us into thinking something is more common or serious than it actually is. Riots and protests about elections are not new. All of this needs to be put in context. Today, in this overconnected era of twitter feeds, blog commentators, and crap journalism, there is more noise than ever. The signal gets lost. We need to remember to look for the signal.

I haven't found that signal yet myself. Often, it takes time for it to be uncovered by academics and historians. But just speaking personally as someone who finds this inauguration to be a farce, it's hard to write myself off as overreacting when events have only confirmed my unease.

 

[Nietzsche]

I voted Johnson, so the outcome was going to be unfavorable for me regardless.

I imagine Johnson lost because the vast majority of voters had the same reaction he himself did when asked about anything remotely foreign-policy related.