Put There By The People

[Sultan Of Swing]

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.

We British are a rather unrevolutionary people.

After Leave won, most Remainers were like "Well, that sucks... Time to get on with my life." If Remain won, I suspect the same would have happened with most Leavers.

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.

Brexit was very polarising and came as a shock, but people did not respond as strongly as some feared.

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.

John Major was elected (in a loose sense, I know the parliamentary system does not technically elect individuals). He did indeed take over after Maggie was ousted, but then remained in power after the 1992 election.

 

[esmith]

IMO, which doesn't count for much, I believe that there are professional protesters who can turn a peaceful protest into a riot. I think that if there was real consequences given to those that cause property damage vice catch and release the incidents of property damage might be reduced. By consequences I mean brought before a court of law (judge only).
Wonder why there are very few business in certain areas?

 

[McBell]

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.

Please source how you know these 92 million are protesting.
Of course, you also left out the possibility that they would be protesting even if Hillary won.
Seems your 92 million is not the ace you think it is.

 

[Neo Deist]

Please source how you know these 92 million are protesting.
Of course, you also left out the possibility that they would be protesting even if Hillary won.
Seems your 92 million is not the ace you think it is.

I never stated those 92,000,000 were protesting.

 

[McBell]

I never stated those 92,000,000 were protesting.

Hmmm.....?

Ah.
My apologies.
I misread your post.

 

[idav]

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.

It isn't an over reaction. Trump won with the least popular vote in history. People on his side of the isle were even in protest and has the worst approval rating going into office. Even the electoral had issues with faithless electors, the most in 200 years. The landowners got there say though, city folk will be dictated by rural needs.

It may not surprise people why city folks have to act more like a melting pot, but because people flee the rural areas for dear life, for more opportunity. Hopefully capitalistic cronyism is in farmers best interest but I highly doubt it, heck extreme capitalism isn't bad for cities just goes at the expense of laborers. I am with @tytlyf that working class have no business voting republican.

 

[Rival]

It isn't an over reaction. Trump won with the least popular vote in history. People on his side of the isle were even in protest and has the worst approval rating going into office. Even the electoral had issues with faithless electors, the most in 200 years. The landowners got there say though, city folk will be dictated by rural needs.

It may not surprise people why city folks have to act more like a melting pot, but because people flee the rural areas for dear life, for more opportunity. Hopefully capitalistic cronyism is in farmers best interest but I highly doubt it, heck extreme capitalism isn't bad for cities just goes at the expense of laborers. I am with @tytlyf that working class have no business voting republican.

He won according to how your system works. End of story. The % of people in this country who voted Leave was only a fraction higher than those who voted Remain, and the Remainers didn't burn cars and smash windows.

 

[columbus]

He won according to how your system works. End of story.

If it were the end of the story things would be different.
But Trumps supporters seem to think he won an election and therefore represents the will of the people when he didn't and doesn't.
He has power but no democratic mandate. Because we Americans voted for someone else.
That is different from Brexit which did win the vote.
Tom

 

[Rival]

That is different from Brexit which did win the vote.

Brexit wasn't even a 'real' vote; it was a referendum and technically non-binding.

 

[idav]

He won according to how your system works. End of story. The % of people in this country who voted Leave was only a fraction higher than those who voted Remain, and the Remainers didn't burn cars and smash windows.

Right so the rural minority ruling the non-rural majority which is what the system is for to give the minirities a voice. They want a vote against their best interests that's their deal.

Oh and you didn't address tre facts of him being the least popular in history. That's why not an over reaction.

 

[Rival]

Right so the rural minority ruling the non-rural majority which is what the system is for to give the minirities a voice. They want a vote against their best interests that's their deal.

Oh and you didn't address tre facts of him being the least popular in history. That's why not an over reaction.

I'm a conservative who lives in a rural area *shrug*.

Setting fires is an overreaction. Smashing windows is an overraction. It is.

 

[idav]

Setting fires is an overreaction. Smashing windows is an overraction. It is.

Liberal views generally allow people to hold opinions without any need for violence.

 

[Rival]

Liberal views generally allow people to hold opinions without any need for violence.

Uh, exactly?

So why set fires and smash windows? Why the uncivilised behaviour?

 

[idav]

Uh, exactly?

So why set fires and smash windows? Why the uncivilised behaviour?

I can't really speak for all liberals, I try not to generalize from a some bad apples but sounds like protests just getting out of hand. My point was that in history as well as in memory there was never a more disliked elected president. I never agree with riots though.

 

[roger1440]

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?

Obama said it best. “He’s an unconventional candidate. I don’t think there’s anybody who’s run a campaign like his successfully in modern history. Because he didn’t have the support of many of the establishment in his own party, because he ran an improvisation campaign.”

Read more: The Moment From Obama's '60 Minutes' Interview That People Can't Stop Talking About

 

[LuisDantas]

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).

His having been elected does not negate what he does and promises.

Simple as that.

 

[columbus]

Brexit wasn't even a 'real' vote; it was a referendum and technically non-binding.

However, the issue was put to a vote and "leave" got the most votes. That's the democratic process. That is completely different from Trump being installed, despite losing the vote by the people.

He did win. Just don't call it democratic or pretend that the American people chose Trump. He is what "We the People" voted against. Get over it.
Tom

 

[icehorse]

Shouting NOT MY PRESIDENT in the street is an overreaction. Smashing things, burning things, beating people, is an overreaction.

Is blocking a supreme court justice nomination an overreaction?

To me, the disobedience on the streets is NOTHING compared to the cheating and swindling and pillaging that goes on in the halls of congress every day.

 

[Rival]

He did win. Just don't call it democratic or pretend that the American people chose Trump. He is what "We the People" voted against. Get over it.

Yes, but that is how the U.S. system works. That is how it has always worked. Trump won because of it. This gives no-one the right to set fires and smash places.

 

[Rival]

To me, the disobedience on the streets is NOTHING compared to the cheating and swindling and pillaging that goes on in the halls of congress every day.

Being a Brit, I can't comment on this with any real depth of knowledge.