Earlier quoted context omitted.
First and foremost, I appreciate the civil dialog and will do my best to maintain it; I'm doing this because of a desperate desire to find some commonality, not to score points. >> That's a silly question. You asked for numbers of a population that has no census, I stated that it was significant, which is the point in question. I can prove that those people exist and then it's a matter of threshold. E.g, "how many at…
> You asked for numbers of a population that has no census, I stated that it was significant, which is the point in question. I can prove that those people exist and then it's a matter of threshold. E.g, "how many atoms in that falling piano" -- "enough to kill you if it hits you". You could have stated all of that without insult. I probably travel in different circles than you do, but Americans voting from the motiv…
Clinton actually was the better choice; in fact, technically one of the most qualified candidates in history (trained lawyer, 8 years in the white house next to the president, a stint as US senator and then as secretary of state).
Versus a reality teevee "billionaire" with a long track record of (likely) criminal behavior and clear narcissistic tendencies.
It was a popularity contest and Mrs. Clinton, whilst intelligent and experienced, lacks the charisma of her husband and has had decades of coordinated conditioning of hate.
Hell, I voted for her and resented her for being the only choice (but could safely assume she'd at least hold to the status quo). I felt like she thought she was entitled to the office....
> rural voters have suffered economic devastation from government policies
I challenge that -- re: the government. They have been decimated but by big business that moved their jobs offshore. Anything the government did to allow that was influenced by same big business that effectively controls the government.
And that quiet part out loud? I see plenty of evidence to support that as a theme (and why I asked about your faith).
We are not rational actors, we are emotional responders (yes, there are exceptions but it still holds). Gods, Guns, and Gays are mainstays of political messaging to instill fear and anger.
Just look at the anti-trans stuff happening now: fear baiting. The party of small government wants to pass laws against people having control over their own bodies. As a nod to the concerns in that realm, I recognize and agree that athletic competition should be able to decide if/how they want to allow competition with transitioned people.
One last thought for this pass: I encountered a Trump supporter who declared she hoped Trump would "burn Washington to the ground". I assume she's not alone in that, and that frustration is understandable.
But.... then you're left with nothing and need to rebuild and no thought is given to what should rise up to replace it. Hating government is stupid, as "government" is inevitable in society and as bad as it is today there's plenty of ways to make it worse (e.g., a Kleptocratic Mafia State like Russia (whose head Mr. Trump appears to be unduly devoted to)).