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Anyone here take the day off?
Trump doing much better tonight (so far)
Joe Biden has received the endorsement of the leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP).
This endorsement makes a lot of sense seeing his planned taxation and spending policies. New running mate candidate, perhaps?
https://www.cnsnews.com/article/washington/andrew-davenport/revolutionary-communist-party-leader-calls-people-vote-joe
Thoughts on Trump talking about wind?
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I appreciate this post and the respectful discussion that’s based on logic from both sides. The bar is low these days so this is nice to see!
This is the first post in this bowl that is civil and respectful of different views, can we make this the new normal please? It is so much easier to have conversations when people are civil and not attacking each other
...comfortable with the election results. So it doesn’t bother me that certain Republicans are waiting until the process plays out before declaring a victor.
But can someone explain to me how it’s legitimate in any sense for Trump to say he’s won? For Mike Pompeo to talk about a “transition to a second Trump term”?
This to me is beyond wrong. The default, assuming no changes, is that Joe Biden won. That should carry a certain level of respect.
I’m beyond ashamed of the Republican Party for tolerating a blatant disregard for the voice of the American people. This rhetoric needs to be universally condemned.
I think the most frustrating part for me looking at the GOP is that it’s supposed to be the low government involvement party, but on social issues all they’re doing is getting into everyone’s business. Why are topics like abortion and LGBT rights actual platforms for any party? Everyone should have equal and protected rights here, and if someone’s choices don’t affect you personally, the government shouldn’t mandate them period. That’s not getting into the moral and ethical dilemmas involved in either, but why are these government hills to die on?! I’m a registered R, but voted straight blue this year. I’m sick of old assholes making choices I’ll have to live with long after they’re dead. I’m sick of Republican gerrymandering to weasel their way into power they clearly don’t earn. I recognize my “party” is “winning” where it really counts right now, but I’m fully for people being in the government that actually represent the majority living here. Crazy to me that it’s still technically possible for Trump to win again even though he’s lost the popular vote AGAIN.
Will you remember how your Republican reps and senators acted in 2022 and 2024 and vote accordingly? The only reason they act like this is because they know they can get away with it.
To excuse bad behavior. The hypocrisy, partisanship, lack of empathy, and disregard for the basic needs of many Americans seems to have escalated this year to levels that are appalling and embarrassing. Yes, I recognize that Democrats are not blameless. However, many Republicans have taken things to a whole different level - one where it is okay to let dangerous falsehoods stand, demonize anyone that disagrees, encourage behavior that is dangerous to others, and obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. The two parties should be colleagues with different points of view rather than enemies. America pays the price for the toxic political environment. If power is the most important thing to these politicians, then perhaps taking it away and giving it to someone else will encourage change.
Rising Star
I think us center-right Republicans need to be louder within the party.
OP- I voted for Biden but I also voted against my US Senator and Representative (Cornyn and Babin) because they both failed to uphold their oath by not voting to Impeach and Convict.
I was all in for Romney in 2012.
There are a lot of good Republicans, even elected ones, but we're definitely outnumbered by cowards bowing to the cult of personality.
FDR had near cult and dictatorial status. If he'd loved longer he may well have become one. But at least he was competent. Thats what I don't get. People worship the ground DJT walks on and for what!? Look at the turnover in his cabinet. He sucks at life.
Conversation Starter
If we're going to get real here. I'm far from being a political activist. I'm not really even outgoing. shouting from the rooftops might just not be my approach. For now the action I have taken is not voting for Trump.
Because of the way things are now I keep thinking I need to do something but I have no idea what. I care about people and feel like a mainly conservative approach is what's best for society as a whole over the long run. In the short term I give to multiple charities or directly to the people that I'm aware of. And I realize there are some short falls in this approach and think there is necessity for a nuanced approach.
From what I'm currently seeing, it appears people and politicians (I'm not singling out one party) just want to win, get a sound bite or make the opposition look dumb. The win appears to be more important than actually making good things happen.
So where do I go from here. I'm not really sure, currently trying to figure that out. What do you think I should do from here given my thoughts?
I agree with more Republican Party ideals than democrat. But the republicans are spineless and without character. Voted dem down the ticket
I respect that choice - was considering doing that myself but just wanted a balance to some degree.
Pro
I’m still a registered Republican because I want my vote to reflect how disaffected I am with the Republican party, but I’ve been voting Democrat since the 2018 midterms. But I may switch for good given how insane the Republican Party has become. This was an interesting study showing how dangerously autocratic they’ve become https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/26/republican-party-autocratic-hungary-turkey-study-trump
Friends - in case it interests you, I decided to write to Ben Sasse today to voice some of my concerns. I’m not from NE, but I hope he reads my letter anyway.
Here’s what I wrote if interested:
————————————————————————————————-
Dear Senator Sasse,
My name is XXXX and I’m a 27-year-old certified public accountant from the state of YYYY. While I am not a Nebraskan – you and I both share a love for what this country embodies and a respect for the history and the role of government – so I hope you don’t mind me writing to you as a fellow American.
Actually, this year – in my free time after working through some grueling corporate tax returns – I have been trying to read up on our founding fathers. As of recently, I’ve begun reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine. One of my favorite parts is where Paine writes, “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. ‘Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent – of at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. ‘Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now.”
Paine wrote those words in 1776. What amazes me most about them is that somehow, in 1776, Paine and others like him, knew what was at stake with the cause of America. It wasn’t just a war between a colony and its king, but a setting of the stage for the world at large – redefining human rights and paving the path for freedom for so many.
Like 1776, today’s times are also unprecedented – I am writing to you because the days after the election have deeply troubled me – not as a Republican or a Democrat, but as an American. It concerns me to see President Trump declaring victory despite no indication of such, calling our elections rigged without substantive evidence, and previously refusing to promise a peaceful transition of power. It concerns me to see Secretary of State Mike Pompeo state “there will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration” when no indicators show Trump winning a second term. While President Trump certainly has a personality, he is first and foremost the President of the United States – and we can’t continue to take this rhetoric from him and his administration lightly. This is making myself, and many others that I know incredibly uneasy.
By all the figures that we currently have, the American people have selected Joe Biden to be their next President. I respect that recounts are still underway and that various legal avenues may be pursued by President Trump, but again – with the information we have now, Joe Biden will be our next President. I commend you Senator Sasse for recognizing this and even extending a congratulations toward Biden. I say this, not as a Democrat who is happy to have gotten my way, but as a right-leaning moderate, who values our Constitution and our republic.
I ask you though to work with other senators, especially Republicans, to address this rhetoric expressed by the Trump administration. Our country needs a unified message now more than ever. We need to guarantee that the election results, wherever they land once all the dust has settled – will be respected. When we stay silent to this blatant disregard of the voice of the American people and our processes – we spit in the faces of our founding fathers, like Thomas Paine, and the countless Americans who have fought and died for the cause that is America.
I know that you respect that the cause for America has always and will always transcend any one individual, including President Trump. The country has been here long before us, and I pray it will be here long after we are gone. I implore you and other senators to not miss this moment to universally condemn the rhetoric recently expressed by this administration. We need to set a precedent that future generations can look to and be proud of.
Thank you for reading this – I trust that you will continue to be a voice of reason and accountability within the Senate. God Bless.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 bravo
Chief
Their goal is not to ensure the process was done correctly. That’s a rhetorical smokescreen. They’re trying to undermine faith in democracy and delegitimize a Biden presidency.
Enthusiast
There will always be people who will deny truth despite the insurmountable evidence. In some ways, these Trump people remind me of Holocaust deniers.
All we can do now is wait and see. Let them gather evidence, let it be analyzed. But most importantly, we must make sure that everything is documented for posterity. Future generations will see for themselves what we already know is truth.
I agree with you OP. I voted third party though and republican down the line. I know plenty of republicans in office that have accepted trumps loss, however. I typically don’t generalize. But there are a lot of republicans who think the election isn’t over too. It’s hard to vote Democrat though when I don’t believe in most things they do. I’m still praying for a John McCain republican in 2024! I’m begging.. lol
Same. I feel like kasich is the only one to always be honest and candid and never comprised his beliefs
Most normal post I have seen OP. Thank you, I can hold space for this type of conversation.
bUt DeAD pEoPle CaSt baLlOts....
Thank you OP, for sharing a reasonable view.
There is zero evidence of systematic fraud across states and to the order of millions of votes. What the GOP is doing is so corrosive to democracy not to mention endangering to public safety by refusing to facilitate a smooth transition- Biden literally doesn’t have the funds to start the transition. They deserve to lose an entire generation of voters over this destructive behavior.
Sadly there doesn’t seem to be any home for center right political ideology in the US right now. I probably lean a little to the left of the typical centrist voter but I appreciate a center right contingent that keeps the left in check. But the Republican Party has sold its soul. It’s not about being conservative in any sense of the word anymore.
Agreed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I agree with you OP. Sorry we couldn’t persuade you to vote Dem down ticket this time, but I understand where you’re coming from.
;) I’m open minded and evolving on issues. Hoping we can get back to talking about actual issues again!
This is such a breath of fresh perspective from a right leaning person! Thank you!
As a progressive liberal I have to say I now associate conservative views with the bullying tactics of the current administration. So we are even more against Republicans and what they stand for. But thank you for showing that even right leaning and/or Republicans can show decency and denounce this character. If more Republicans stand up to others within the party I would say I speak for a lot of liberals in thinking maybe there is hope. But we are scared shitless right now.
Conversation Starter
What are your main concerns?
Rising Star
The process has played itself out. The election was over last Wednesday.
The reason why it’s not really “over” is because of the electoral college. Because those representatives are voted into their position (and can be replaced mid-vote if the state feels they’re not voting in its best interests), and in some states they can vote against popular vote, it’s still possible for republicans to hijack this election. (Though unlikely).
I feel like most of us center-right Republicans are going to be sorely dissatisfied in the next 12 years. Feel like the left will put up more candidates like Bernie, AOC, and whoever else rises. The right will continue to put crazy people like Trump as the head of the party, and all the moderate people (both left and right) will be left out to dry.
Rising Star
If the left puts these candidates up, they’ll continue to lose primaries. No idea why people continue to worry about this.
Oh my god. I agree with so many things here. The Republican Party is no more. It’s the trumpist cult now. All people of Georgia, please help the Dems win those senate seats. I would have respected a Republican majority but Mitch is just as bad.