Election Nerves

[Arkady]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

 

[bdtex]

I slept like a rock. Participated in a Civil War chat about Gettysburg for about an hour before lights out and tuned everything else out.

 

[as seen on tv]

and then the dot.com bubble burst, erasing every indicator you're giving credit to Bubba for, LOL

 

[PhilFish]

Here's what scares me...

Given all of Trumps deficiencies...boor, political novice, boor, well..the hair..etc.

He's a hairs breadth away from the presidency..

That says more to me about the caliber of his opponent, than anything.

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

Never before have we seen people so terrified of a possible election result.

Trump is obviously an ignorant, clinically narcissistic blowhard with an array of very serious issues. Very dangerous. Sane people - GOP and Dem alike - are horrified by the prospect of making him president.

On the other side, many GOP cultists hate Hillary's guts, but they have no rational reason to be terrified of a Hillary victory. She's obviously extremely knowledgeable and well qualified.

I don't think the nation is nuts enough to elect Trump. The Comey stinkbomb gave Trump an outside chance, but I still think sanity will prevail. It helped me sleep last night.

 

[resident_evil]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

You live in a delusional world.

As far as Bill Clinton goes... he promoted China into permanent WTO status, he signed NAFTA, he signed banking de-regulation, he failed at killing OBL before 9/11, and all while getting oval office blow jobs on the tax payers time. All stuff that, like Obamacare, do their worst damage a few years down the road.

Only a delusional person would keep worshiping the HillBillies.

 

[Addy]

Here's what scares me...

Given all of Trumps deficiencies...boor, political novice, boor, well..the hair..etc.

He's a hairs breadth away from the presidency..

That says more to me about the caliber of his opponent, than anything.

I think Trump's base of support says more about the dumbing down of America than their dislike/regard for Hillary.

 

[PhilFish]

I think Trump's base of support says more about the dumbing down of America than their dislike/regard for Hillary.

interesting. by the same token, Hillary's base is no flock of angels.

 

[Addy]

interesting. by the same token, Hillary's base is no flock of angels.

Maybe not... but they are smart/tuned in enough to know which candidate's policies are workable/ good for the country.

 

[Zam-Zam]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

I slept well.

You can vote. After that, there's not much you can do. You could wring your hands and fret that you might not get your way, but that's useless, a complete waste of time and energy. Anti-intellectual, illogical. Foolish.

Sometimes you get what you want, sometimes you don't. Either way, life goes on. Someone once said, to live well, keep these two rules in mind: 1) Don't sweat the small stuff, and 2) It's mostly small stuff.

The results of this or any other election will not impact the quality of my life, because I've decided it won't. You can insist it will if you care to, but then, you don't get to decide that for me. I do, and only I do. The same is true for you, so if you're rattled by election results, or any other triviality, that's your choice.

I'll sleep well again tonight. It's all good.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

Ruling-class Knight of Disinformation

Thanks for sharing your silly soliloquy. I feel your pain. I feel good because you are in pain. As in the eye of a hurricane, the hole whirled is watching.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

and then the dot.com bubble burst, erasing every indicator you're giving credit to Bubba for, LOL

Everyone Was Asleep But the Sleeper Cells

Given that the President is supposed to be privy to what is going on in the world, Billyclub should have been able to prevent 9/11. Instead, he even went to war in defense of the Al Qaida outpost of Bosnia.

 

[Zam-Zam]

I slept like a rock. Participated in a Civil War chat about Gettysburg for about an hour before lights out and tuned everything else out.

A worthwhile endeavor. I believe you have the correct attitude about this, as evidenced by the fact the you slept well.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

I slept well.

You can vote. After that, there's not much you can do. You could wring your hands and fret that you might not get your way, but that's useless, a complete waste of time and energy. Anti-intellectual, illogical. Foolish.

Sometimes you get what you want, sometimes you don't. Either way, life goes on. Someone once said, to live well, keep these two rules in mind: 1) Don't sweat the small stuff, and 2) It's mostly small stuff.

The results of this or any other election will not impact the quality of my life, because I've decided it won't. You can insist it will if you care to, but then, you don't get to decide that for me. I do, and only I do. The same is true for you, so if you're rattled by election results, or any other triviality, that's your choice.

I'll sleep well again tonight. It's all good.

Apathy Is Pathetic

Never mind, and you will never matter.

 

[Zam-Zam]

The Pathology of Apathy

Never mind, and you will never matter.

Other than vote, what course of action do you suggest?

 

[Sunset Rose]

I slept like a rock. Participated in a Civil War chat about Gettysburg for about an hour before lights out and tuned everything else out.

I've just finished watching the Ken Burn's Civil War documentary on YouTube. I've seen it before, but I learn something new every time I watch it.

 

[Zam-Zam]

I've just finished watching the Ken Burn's Civil War documentary on YouTube. I've seen it before, but I learn something new every time I watch it.

I bought the DVD set of that a long time ago, and also his series on baseball as well as jazz. I recommend them all highly.

 

[Arkady]

and then the dot.com bubble burst, erasing every indicator you're giving credit to Bubba for, LOL

No, that's clearly incorrect. As you certainly know, it took YEARS for Bush to completely wipe out the progress of the Clinton years. For example, we weren't back up to pre-Clinton-era deficits until after Bush's insane war on Iraq was underway, and the stock market was actually in positive territory on Bush's watch as late as 2007, before taking a nose-dive. Clinton did so much good in his eight years, that it took a long run of utter incompetence to obliterate the gains, not just the sector-specific readjustment in stock values we saw in 2000 and 2001.

 

[Arkady]

Here's what scares me...

Given all of Trumps deficiencies...boor, political novice, boor, well..the hair..etc.

He's a hairs breadth away from the presidency..

That says more to me about the caliber of his opponent, than anything.

No. It says a great deal about the caliber of the American people. His opponent did a good job. She ran a strong campaign, debated masterfully, raised plenty of money, and did everything else it took to win. But, she was up against the last desperate gasp of bigoted old white people, and that made for tough sledding. She was also up against an avalanche of pseudo-scandals -- like the idea she'd done something illegal with regard to her email. As we now know, there was never anything there, but for a year, the media made sure to make it seem like there might be, and that makes the tough sledding even tougher.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

I had trouble sleeping last night because of the election. That's unusual for me. Even though I've long been highly political, I don't get generally get particularly nervous, regardless of the likely outcome. I've been watching elections closely since 1988, and usually the gap between the candidates, in terms of temperament, expertise, philosophy of government, etc., is narrow enough that it lowers the emotional stakes for me. If Dukakis, GHW Bush, Dole, McCain, or Romney had won, I'm not convinced the nation or world would be drastically different today. And during the last couple elections, specifically, I felt like I'd done a good job to insulate myself and my family from the repercussions if things had gone badly. A McCain or Romney victory would have been unfortunate for vulnerable Americans, but for a relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, white, citizen couple living in one of the nation's most prosperous regions, it was unlikely to be a big problem.

There's only one time I can remember feeling anywhere near as nervous as I do now, about an election: 2000. That year, like this one, the polls were close and the candidates were far apart. GW Bush looks like an angel, in temperamental terms, next to Trump, but like Trump he very clearly was not mentally qualified for the job. And it was already clear his administration would be staffed with a parade of the worst human beings the GOP has to offer. I had a sinking feeling that if he won, the nation would take a very ugly turn.

Of course, that's just what happened. During the Clinton years, nearly every measurable indicator of social and economic well-being had improved for America. During the Bush years, they nearly all got worse. Unemployment rose. We went from record surpluses to record deficits. Real median incomes fell. Poverty rose. Stock values fell. The trend of rapidly declining crime rates petered out. The twin towers fell, New Orleans drowned, US approval ratings around the world collapsed, we got embroiled in multiple torture scandals, the financial system melted down, the housing market imploded, a long list of large and storied corporations went bankrupt, and we got bogged down in a three trillion dollar war on Iraq in a humiliating search for non-existent WMDs. It was the most catastrophic turn of events we'd seen in this country since 1929.

I'm not one for superstition, but I do think humans have an ability to perceive things through subtle cues we may not even consciously be aware of. In 2000, something was telling me the stakes were much higher than they'd been in the prior elections I'd followed. This year, I've got that same feeling, intensified.

I don't think you have much to worry about, being a Clinton supporter. This is just me, but I'd say she easily has an 80% chance of winning. The big time states that will swing this thing appear to be Pennsylvania and Michigan, and she appears to have a trim lead in both.