Can someone tell me what is the point of protesting the US election?

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: MotherMayEye
Good to have more insight into how you stand, Annee. We are definitely not miles apart.

I don't really talk about my political beliefs on ATS. They're actually kind of extreme.

I am a Globalist in that we are on this tiny rock in the middle of a vast, violent universe - - - and its just plain stupid not to work together as a whole.

But, definitely fiscal/conservative. I don't support cash handouts. I do support Hand Ups - - but believe you need to do something to earn it. Even if its working a shift in a food co-op.

If we go globalist...I will relent if it is the will of the people and with their informed consent.

It's the globalist masters that scheme behind closed doors, behind our backs, to lead us to their vision of globalism that i reject.

I respect your consent to globalism....seeing it as a next, logical step in the evolution of government...but I hope you expect full transparency.

Also, I agree that it's fair to expect people take some amount of personal responsibility if they are accepting tax-funded resourses.

So taboo to talk about though. A co-op shift is certainly not too much to ask anyone for. We can't expect too much, but we can ask for some return on our investment. Psychic scars are hard to overcome, but goals need to be set and reached and no one should be expected to foot the bill for anyone not willing to try, at all.

We really have a lot of common ground. i actually knew that already.

a reply to: crazyewok. First of all, they are paid protesters complements of Soros whom we know hates America the Republic and wants desperately to transform it into a socialist state. That's why he sent his daughter Hillary to represent him and all his radical causes designed expressly to overthrow the Republic. So that's what that's about. In the meantime many young college kids were brainwashed into believing that electing Hillary as the first woman Prez is a legitimate goal now matter how criminal she is. It's very sad commentary on how the media has promoted unworthy causes. The real danger to our country is the One World Government.

I can only say that where I am, on the other side of the world, the concern is not so much what Trump will do, but about what this says about the accepted cultural values of the American people.

No matter where you are, things like racism and sexism exist.... but cultural disapproval keeps them somewhat contained and people attempt to resist acting upon those attitudes.

The outward acceptance and valorizing of such influences opens the door to actions and behaviors on the part of the populace that risk having profound effect within the country as much as in relation with other countries.

It also opens doors to people of other nations to begin living and expressing such hatred and prejudice actively, seeing it can be done with no cultural resistance (and even a gain in power).

So... seeing evidence that not ALL americans endorse these ideas and attitudes helps a bit...
They can see not all Americans accept racism and sexism so easily.

a reply to: Bluesma

Here's the way I look at it: What resonated with Trump supporters most is his 'drain the swamp' and 'f- the media' messages.

Now, that doesn't he mean he meant it. It remains to be seen. But, I believe that most of his supporters would sill have voted for him and then some, if he left out all the divisive rhetoric. That rhetoric was a weakness, not a strength.

It seems to me that if you don't put racism, sexist, etc. above every problem this country needs to tackle, then you will ultimately be called a racist, sexist, etc. People have had it with that after 8 years.

It's not fair to be held hostage, like that. People are allowed to step away from those issues and care about things like government corruption and media collusion, too. They're equally oppressive problems. Hillary sure wasn't talking about those issues. I think most Trump supporters are like, "I don't care if people call me a racist, bigot, xenophobe, sexist, etc...I know I'm not and I am going to vote for Trump because he said he''s going to do all these other things that matter to me."

We weren't offered a contender candidate that was ideal, but Trump supporters do not deserve to be solely defined by Trump's worst qualities.

Boston Tea Party?
Protests do bare fruit.
Will it change the election?
Probably NOT.

Will it let Trump know that people are unpleased with his win, YES.
That alone may change how he navigates future policies which he'll be to attached to.

Probably the same point as protesting Bush W. in 01' and '05...or... Obama in '08 and '12.... something about the constitution... I dunno.

originally posted by: Bluesma
I can only say that where I am, on the other side of the world, the concern is not so much what Trump will do, but about what this says about the accepted cultural values of the American people.

I'm American and I'm embarrassed and disgusted.

originally posted by: MotherMayEye
a reply to: Bluesma

Here's the way I look at it: What resonated with Trump supporters most is his 'drain the swamp' and 'f- the media' messages.

Now, that doesn't he mean he meant it. It remains to be seen. But, I believe that most of his supporters would sill have voted for him and then some, if he left out all the divisive rhetoric. That rhetoric was a weakness, not a strength.

It seems to me that if you don't put racism and sexism above every problem this country needs to tackle, then you will ultimately be called a racist. People have had it with that after 8 years.

It's not fair to be held hostage, like that. People are allowed to step away from those issues and care about things like government corruption and media collusion, too. They're equally oppressive problems. Hillary sure wasn't talking about those issues. I think most Trump supporters are like, "I don't care if people call me a racist, bigot, xenophobe, sexist, etc...I know I'm not and I am going to vote for Trump because he said he''s going to do all these other things that matter to me."

We weren't offered a contender candidate that was ideal, but Trump supporters do not deserve to be solely defined by Trump's worst qualities.

I've heard all this and I think I understand.

I was just answering the question "what could it serve to protest the election results?"
You are referring to the attitudes within the US- outside the US, most foreigners do not have access to all this rather complicated internal motivations, intents and concerns. Your feelings don't really matter in that particular context- but the facts and actions do.

a reply to: Bluesma

I'm gonna jump in here to say that it's likely feelings do matter as they tend to reflect what the facts become and what actions are taken. It's an incredible twisted web of annoyance and now I just want more coffee (coffee flavored coffee ffs lol)

the republicans now control every federal governing institution, and they are poised to make the supreme court right-wing as well. they also control 33 out of 50 state governments....to finish the job, they need to make the liberals, democrats, and the media their enemies...it's happening on this website as well as in right-wing media....they need to make us out to be unpatriotic, evil, and liars. that way you can separate into "them" vs. "us"...and it is much easier to punish people that are the "them"...even if they were your neighbors
there are many historical examples of this happening in other countries, but that requires reading and research and if you do that, you are labeled an "elite"....already well ingrained into the conservative psyche as being evil.

originally posted by: alphabetaone
a reply to: Bluesma

I'm gonna jump in here to say that it's likely feelings do matter as they tend to reflect what the facts become and what actions are taken. It's an incredible twisted web of annoyance and now I just want more coffee (coffee flavored coffee ffs lol)

I meant, feelings don't matter within the context of foreign relations and the international image of America.

The feelings matter to you that are inside- yes, but a person on the other side of the globe doesn't know your feelings, they only know a man was spouting hateful, ignorant, sexist and racist rhetoric, and a majority vote made him their leader.

If no protests happen, the assumption can only be that all americans either have endorsed or passively accepted those words as expressing the values and ethics of America.

Example: people around me asked, so how does your family feel about the election? They are excited and happy, I guess?

My family is from California and almost entirely against Trump, I explained. "OH! I didn't know some people still weren't supporting him..."

This was the first day of the results. Since then, they have heard and seen that some protests have happened, and have begun to integrate the concept that those ideas they see voted in have not been accepted by all the population and many people still don't approve of them.

I think it is appropriate that the rest of the world be aware that the other side exists. It might aid in limiting the stereotyping and prejudice that is ahead of us.

originally posted by: Bluesma

I think it is appropriate that the rest of the world be aware that the other side exists. It might aid in limiting the stereotyping and prejudice that is ahead of us.

I would never, in a million years, have thought that the world wasn't aware they exist given the media (even the international media coverage of the U.S.) has given that side the vast majority of their attention over the last 8 years. Plus, we just elected a black man, twice.

How can the world not know the 'other side' exists?

originally posted by: MotherMayEye

originally posted by: Bluesma

I think it is appropriate that the rest of the world be aware that the other side exists. It might aid in limiting the stereotyping and prejudice that is ahead of us.

I would never, in a million years, have thought that the world wasn't aware they exist given the media has given that side the vast majority of their attention over the last 8 years. Plus, we just elected a black man, twice.

How can the world not know the 'other side' exists?

Yes, the common comments I get are- it so weird that the americans flipped into a completely different system of ethics and values in such a small time- from a black man (who was greatly respected over here) to the other.

I suspect it is because where I am now, people do a lot of protesting and such, so they assume if no one is doing so, everyone is accepting and agreeing to the change.

You know, it's just like anyone who doesn't know each other and aren't close- they have to rely on rather overt and obvious actions by the other to get an idea of what is going on. If one side of a debate remains quiet and invisible, they don't exist to someone watching from far away.

I don't know, I am reporting what I am picking up here. I try not to scoff at or mock those reactions that seem ignorant, I perceive those from both sides of the ocean! I just try to figure out why they aren't getting the whole picture.

The media here has focused much more on the trump supporters throughout all this because they were the loudest and biggest surprise, I guess. They were the ones that stood out as remarkable and - dangerous.

And already, I have six of my friends on Facebook bragging that they are offending and upsetting many, and their "friends" list is quickly dwindling. I'm sorry but it does seem that "crude and offensive" HAS become the new cool way to be over there... these people are PROUD of their effect upon others. That is really quite an extraordinary phenomen...

a reply to: Bluesma

Well, then it's basically what I wrote earlier...Trump voters or otherwise, in the US, should not be defined solely by Trump's worst qualities. It's just narrow-minded.

originally posted by: MotherMayEye
a reply to: Bluesma

Well, then it's basically what I wrote earlier...Trump voters or otherwise, in the US, should not be defined solely by Trump's worst qualities. It's just narrow-minded.

What should or shouldn't be is sort of irrelevant to me. "How things are" is more important to determine.

(and frankly, I think trying to focus on what one thinks things should be is exactly the source of misconceptions about reality!)

originally posted by: Bluesma

originally posted by: MotherMayEye
a reply to: Bluesma

Well, then it's basically what I wrote earlier...Trump voters or otherwise, in the US, should not be defined solely by Trump's worst qualities. It's just narrow-minded.

(and frankly, I think trying to focus on what one thinks things should be is exactly the source of misconceptions about reality!)

How about where things can go?

Society is not stagnant.

There are many directions those in power can take us. We don't really have that much of a say.

a reply to: Bluesma

The fundamental right of free speech pertains to all ideas, including racist and sexists ones. But that's not the point. The point is, many have been led to believe that outward acceptance and valorizing of those idea is actually occurring, but it turns out the whole charade is a bogeyman of leftist claptrap.

originally posted by: TheTory
a reply to: Bluesma

The fundamental right of free speech pertains to all ideas, including racist and sexists ones. But that's not the point. The point is, many have been led to believe that outward acceptance and valorizing of those idea is actually occurring, but it turns out the whole charade is a bogeyman of leftist claptrap.

Is it though?

I admit, I am not inside anymore- I'm watching from the outside... I am watching my family and friends back in the US mostly through social media. I am watching probably 50% of them are loudly bragging about offending people, about hurting others, about how they don't give a crap about others... a lack of empathy or social conscience is something that are bragging about. This is new to me. I mean, there is always people who are jerks, who take pleasure in hurting others and who really don't have any concern for anyone.. the difference is that it is now cool to be so. It means you are "tough", it means others will be afraid of you, bullied by you, and for some reason, that is now desirable in the US.

This is why I say I am not concerned about what Trump will do, but rather, Trump (seems to me) to be evidence, or manifestation, of a cultural movement in the US. Hatred and violence is now the new peace and love.

Perhaps it is the natural swing of generations, Xers opposing their hippy parents... and their children protesting against their parents.... I don't know.

a reply to: crazyewok

The democrats and liberals never want to take responsibility for the shape of the DNC. They seem to know only blame, blame, blame someone, anyone else but themselves. That's the main reason they are having such a difficult time understanding why they lost not only the presidency but many other powerful political positions.

I'll tell you something though, we'll see even more, greater falsehoods in the MSM regarding Trump's progress as POTUS. The MSM can't stand the idea of Trump outshining Obama. In fact, in just theses last few days, if I ever thought about trusting MSM, they 100% fake news would change my mind.

But Trump is a mover and shaker, he rises at 5a.m. every day. His energy is great and he is what some would call a 'driven' man. He will make Obama's two terms look like they were one long lame duck period. And the protestors, they'll be left in the dust. While they're still crying in their beer, Trump, and most everyone else, will have moved on. We'll be enjoying the changes in the economics and finance of the USA for the better, people will start working in the new field of jobs made available by Trump and people will see life is better. The protestors will look like what many of them are. Hypocrites (they didn't even bother to vote), blindered (no matter what came out regarding HRC's massive corruption, they didn't see any problem and refuse to see the positives of Trump), crushed by a loss - maybe we should eliminate 'a trophy for everyone' culture. They truly cannot handle losing.

originally posted by: reaganero

originally posted by: riiver

originally posted by: Annee

Like, you all got used to Obama?

The difference is that we bitched for eight years, but we didn't go out and burn # down because we were upset. And when no one listened to our complaints, we voted either Trump or Johnson or Stein.

You bitched at what? Were you like "hey black man, fix this mess that the stupid white man made"

"Oh and give me my guns back that you never took"

Wow, good job insinuating I'm a racist, with absolutely nothing in my post to suggest it. I hesitate to even bother to answer, given that, but--you evidently missed the point. Does it matter what we complained about? The entire point was that we did just that--complained. What we DIDN'T do is go out and beat people up for voting for Obama, or set things on fire, or loot, or block of roads just to be jerks, or any of the other crap these people are doing.