Protect the vulnerable and speak the truth
Alright, it is time to reflect after last night. I had to deal with my daughters this morning, they are 13 and 9 years, and they wanted to know the result of the US presidential election first thing in the morning. Especially my older is very curious and she is learning about civics and government in school, so it is my duty to speak the truth in as unbiased way as possible. I try to keep things observation based and factual on my blog always and I do not do prediction.
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| Source | Index showing shift |
This is what I said to my daughters this morning. American people voted Donald Trump convincingly for the office for Jan 2025. The election was peaceful and people chose an American President from the Republican party. Come January he will be my president too, even if I have not voted for him. I am looking forward to a peaceful transition of power during the next couple of months, and I am confident that the transition will be perfectly peaceful. I have added that quite a few of our down ballot initiatives were succesful, most notably, we have been able to elect our house representative Lizzie Fletcher from Texas District 7 to the House of Representatives. Also we have been able to block Proposition A and B of HISD bond initiative presented to the ballot by Mike Miles. They went to school happy after that.
Since I do not do prediction, there is nothing to be surprised about. The chart above in NYTimes show the shift of voting in the United States. It shows almost everywhere the Republican party gained vote. It is not just Red state or Blue states, in all states Trump gained vote. I must say this is something I am surprised about. However, it does make life simple, because there is no room for argument with this result because it is so convincing.
A slightly different but more revealing plot above, how big some of the margin of win is in states like Florida, which just a few years back, was a swing state! Now Trump won Florida by 13 points! That is real strength. Even traditionally blue states like Rhode Island and Virginia, Trump gained enormous ground.
There is gain for the Republican party in almost every single voting blocks above and almost every country. There you have it, it is a convincing win.
Reflection
So it is what it is, and I am glad the election is over with a clear outcome. Now what we do. This is what I am thinking personally. I am from a part of the society and income group that the result of the election matters very little to me personally. In fact, if I am totally honest, based on my location and the industry I work in, a Trump victory will benefit me financially. This morning, my portfolio is up massively, which is full of conventional investments, also likely my crypto investment will do quite well with time. And yet, I am uncomfortable.
That is due to the fact that Trump said that he will do 'many' things to social groups who doesn't have the safety net and resources that I do. Now, how much of those things he will be able to accomplish is a different question. However, his potential treatment of political enemies, or illegal immigrant can put a massive dent on the economy. I am not sure if you are aware, but majority of Texas economy, which is booming, is fueled by immigrants, and some of them are illegal. They are happened to be here for jobs which no American will do for the wages they are willing to do them and they are not criminals.
So I think there will be a real need to protect a vulnerable population. Also it is difficult to fight against lies told by people of power. If the governer of Texas says that they are criminals, it is very difficult to fight that, whether they are criminals or not. Thankfully the governor of Texas understood the problem so far and didn't go that route. But who knows what the future holds. There will be a need to speak the truth for these people, who can't do it properly themselves or rather, they don't have a voice. So some of us have to give them a voice.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the arc of history is long, but “it bends toward justice.”
I hope many of the vulnerable people have the staying power to come out safe on the other side. I am hopeful. No society stays the same over time. When the society regresses, those who have the staying power wins.
I haven't got the heart to write anything (except in response to your blog). You spoke to your daughters wisely.
We live in a democracy. We choose this form of government gladly. That means the people speak. Doesn't mean they agree with us. That's the downside of democracy, but I accept the choice of the plurality...no matter how much it concerns me.
As for deportations. Donald Trump will listen to the business class. That's why the stock market is soaring. He'll find a way to keep cheap labor here. Without cheap immigrant labor, not only would there be a labor shortage, but wage pressure for domestic workers would be up, not down.
So, he'll find a way to keep the useful immigrants here, and his supporters will go along.
Our job now? Have the courage to resist policies that we believe are not democratic.
That's not easy. We may displease our neighbors. We may bring negative attention on ourselves from government. Do we have the courage (do I have the courage?)?
The only thing that's over is the election. Everything else is in flux, and we will have a role in that, if we choose.
Great blog. Lucky daughters. You are more even tempered than I am. I am very sad today.
Thank you for the kind words. I don't think that I excel in wisdom in any way. My older daughter often says to me that "dad, you have learned all parenting from two movies, The Despicable Me and Mr Incredible" and I agree. That is a rather low bar.
That said, I think it is okay to be sad. It is okay to grieve about this. But it should be quick. Because as you said only the election is over and there is a lot to do. We have to be alert at the grassroots level. Is it easy ? No. You mention about neighbors and govt. I think the first can be handled with grace and the second hopefully will be small enough that it never gets between us and the vulnerable population. I know that could be wishful thinking. But hope is the only thing that we have.
I have one good news then. If he wants to listen to the business class. Well I represent one, at the heart of red Texas the roughneck oil country. I am a second generation oil man and my friend circle and roots here are deep. There is no way for him to get around us, he will have to get through us. And we will protect the vulnerable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another chapter begins. Soon enough, we'll find out what has to be done....
This is where I am. I am not happy with my gains. I should be, but I would give them up to have him not be the winner. I am concerned about many of the things he said he will do that will affect people less fortunate than me. I am concerned about what he will inspire in others. I think this pump is only a pump anyway and will go back to where it was in a few days to a few weeks. This euphoria in the market right now makes me feel like it is dirty money and I don't like it.
But it is as it is. As Jon Stewart said when he signed off, "It's not over"
On a different note, I really am very very curious what caused this shift to the right in all groups. I have seen some posts on FB from people claiming to be moderates who said they voted for him because the fear-mongering from the Left was sickening and they don't think he will do any of the things the Left said he will, so they voted for him. That seems like a silly reason to me (to put it mildly) but I wonder if others share that idea and it moved people.
I have done some reading both before and after. I can especially comment on the south. The black votes in Georgia. There is a very good piece here.
The reason is various for various group of people and one thing they all agreed that economy is really bad, Democratic Party and current govt broke it and Trump will fix it. This is the belief. Whether it’s true or not matters not, this is the belief and it’s a great sales pitch
Interesting timing. Just before I read your reply, I saw this on Mastodon:
One of the best first sentence I have read in recent times
“It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,”
The good part is that what politicians say before they get in the office and what they actually do is quite different. So I am betting Trump will not deliver on any of his promises to his electorate. For him the main thing was staying out of jail - mission accomplished. From this point Trump will do what is good for Trump and the voters that voted for him will not get much of what they expect. I predict that there will not be hardly any deportations, government will grow even bigger and national debt will increase during his time in the office.
I think I can agree with most of what you mentioned. I don't think there is any plan there is only a "concept of a plan" :)
I have daughters in the same age, you explained well. The shift to right is global now it seems, I hope Trump won't get out of NATO, a strong and safe Europe is tied to a strong US, everything is connected so his America first is OK, as long as its not America only.
In the last five years the world has changed a lot, and not for the better but like you said no society stays the same over time...
Europe changed a lot as well. I saw Brexit, never thought it is possible. There is a physical war going on to the East and many internal social wars. I also worry about local governments over there. Amsterdam is struggling on over tourism and immigration. Barcelona recently thrown water on tourists while protesting unaffordable housing for the locals. I have seen riots in Paris. So all in all it is a difficult times if you consider all these. Yet we must see the best in people and move on.
FYI JD Vance’s wife is Indian. You can’t imagine two more different people when you see their backgrounds. A middle class highly educated family of immigrants meeting with a family of hill billies. That is also happening in the US
Wise words to your daughters. I really
likeappreciate how cool/level-headed you are approaching the situation. I read your previous blogs about this topic and came here today to check up on you to see if and what you posted. I am glad I did.When I got up this morning and red the news or rather saw Trump's photo glare at me, I won't deny it, tears were falling from my eyes. How could this have happened for a second time? How can people believe him, believe that he'll be good for the middle class? He is a self-centered brat who only thinks of his own well being, and the American people later, maybe - I digress.
It has been a very sad day. My co-worker (reporting to me) came to me today to chat and not two minutes into the talk broke into tears - disappointment, anger - we talked, a lot. I tried doing the 'boss-thing' calming her down but deep down, I felt the same uncertainty - you have to know, we are in the import business and tariffs would have a big impact on our job / company. Not sure what will happen next year.
We really have to wait and see how it all pens out. See if all or any of what he promised will shake out. We will deal with it, I'm sure of it, we are humans after all - very adaptable. Do we want to adapt to that kind of behavior though? I think not. Still, it's a bit of a wait and let's see what will happen.
As I'm writing this tonight, I'm still kind of numb and very sad. I used to look up to America - that has slowly worn down. Makes me even sad-er.
Thank you, Azircon.
As I said above somewhere that it is okay to be sad and griev but it has to be short. We have to pick up the pieces and look forward. Keep our family and friends tight will help immensely.
I'm with you. I am not happy about the outcome, but it is what it is. As a white male, I don't have much to worry about in my corner of the world, but I do feel for those who this vote is a clearly a message against. I guess we will just have to wait and see if it was all fluff or if some of it has teeth.
I don't have to worry in my corner of the world either. However I do worry about a lot of people who voted him to power. They will probably need our help in future.
It's crazy how misguided they are and then they laugh at us like we are the misguided ones.
I'm all for market moves and heavy bags, but I draw the line at fascism. Let's hope the GOP isn't too near-sighted with strong hand tactics.
The gains in your state and especially in the city is alarming.
I hope NYC will still be a place where we can protect the vulnerable and speak the truth. Feels like it has always been that way. Only Staten Island is red!
That is correct. I have hope for the eternal city! Still the vote gain inside the city and the state is alarming.
I wonder how much of the move to the republican side could be attributed to a pendulum swing back from the extreme left craziness around identity politics and inclusion?
No idea. I must say you read and watch a lot of that on TV but I see very little of it on the ground, at least here in Texas.
A huge part of it i assume, some people who would never give 2 shits about politics started to see strange sexualizing of schools, depraved people talking about morals and talking shit about religious Americans and rural people, calling them dumb, the backslash going forward will be epic... most people only want some sanity and tolerated enough of the commies trying to destroy institutions...
I actually have two kids in public schools and it doesn't happen in their school or any local school I know.
Go light on social media :)
Even though I'm not in the US I dread what comes next. The guy has spent to much time attacking minorities, but people still voted for him. I get that there will be selfish motives, but it's not good for a society to be so divided.
If the result had gone the other way would you be expecting a peaceful transition? The lying that has gone on about the integrity of the election is shameful and Musk has been part of that.
I hope things are not as bad as I fear.
That is the new America. It has now been proven that Trumpism is not a fad, or just a right wing conspiracy, or a white supremacy. It goes across all racial profiles, gender and socioeconomic groups. He and Vance have been very successful to point out to Americans that they are suffering and they are not to blame, and those others are to blame. It worked.
the wavy graph thing was a unique and interesting way to see the data. Fun
I like various types of plots and data visualizations
find any other cool ones share in snaps. haha
The dem leadership also needs to have lots of reflecting after loosing to Trump twice and maybe try to prioritize on policy that is popular to people and delivering them instead of chasing for donation money.
I wish politics and life is as simple as you describe but unfortunately it's not. A wise man named Bernie Sanders wrote something today along your line. He said it is a profound first sentence.
”It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,”
Bernie was one of the few honest person in the seat.
I cringe thinking about how destabilizing Trump can be - with two high-profile wars going on and just general nonsense from a lot of governments, I worry that his temperament is the wrong one for the current climate. We'll all see I guess.
Many of us have the same worries. Time will tell.
I don't believe that a lot of things will change.
We will have to wait and see. No idea at this point
The idea that Americans would not be able to build without migrants is absurd to me, what would happen is they would get the proper rights and not work for pennies, making slaves out of migrants is way more racist than having a wall installed and proper borders. Do you know how many BILLIONS the USA tax payer gives to this dead beats?? Along with the resident suburban slobs and lazy asses that eat on food stamps? That money given to the native born Americans would really be a boost, instead people in Carolina got 720$ from the fema people and a fuck you from kamala and friends... Seems to me people on the left strive hard to cope and justify the USA being invaded by miserable people from all over the world...
In regard to the criminality of migrants it is clear to me that if you don't have a criminal history and you are legit you have NO PROBLEM in entering the states legally! If you do it illegally you are already committing a crime and should be deported, sounds basic to any sane country, This is normal, and only in parts of Europe UK and USa is this promoted, you never heard about diversity for Africa or China or any other country that is not white and western... seems very suspect to me...
Where do you live?
Got it. Portugal.
Have you ever been to Texas?
I got a cousin living there, i am with the older folk in Portugal the rest of the fmaily is in Brazil atm.
Great. The reason I ask is because if you don't live here it is very hard for you to understand and appreciate who does the "work" in TX. If you remove illegal immigrants from Texas overnight, say hypothetically, the economy will completely stop. None of the restaurants or fast food places can open, no construction job will happen, the agricultural will stop, the oil production will stop, all the schools and universities will close.... I can go on and on. Basically Texas will stop overnight. So this will never happen, okay?
I don't believe all migrants are illegal, and there is no world when a person in power simply uproots people illegal or not.
Don’t know if the link will work but i promise it is a great listen
https://www.nytimes.com/audio/app/2024/10/24/14txm-topic-the-border-crisis-wont-be.html?referringSource=sharing
wont work for me must have some geo ip limits
When i went to my social pages few weeks ago and just saw everyone talking about trump and how great he is, am sure not suprise when he won the election, like you wrote what is done is done we just have to pray for a peaceful transition
Now that Trump won, the future is bright again. The party of racism, war and division lost this time.
Good luck America and good luck to the vulnerable people - I am still shocked but in all nit surprise - in Germany the current government is also history now (which I think is not totally bad as they were only fighting, found no consensus and the people in cahrge are in my view not skilled enough to drive the country - US / China and many countries laugh at us and our representatives i know) - off to a potential new election after 3 years in March. Still our chancellor has to call a vote of confidence in his government early next year (No idea why we need to wait that long but i am no poilitician but we lose days where something could have been done).
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v3r046pzzo