I have friends on both sides of this, smart, good, and kind people voting for Trump and similarly smart, good, and kind people voting for Kamala. We have had enough conversations for me to understand why they are voting as they are. The crazy thing is all of them want similar ultimate goals. All of them want freedom, a better economy, peace and all that stuff. It really comes down to which stories one believes and what policies will actually achieve the higher goals.
I think the saddest part of the divide in America is that the gulf between the sides is driven by our demonizing the other without understanding them. I can always tell which stories someone believes by the terms and accusations they state as facts - it seems they are even unaware that there is another side to each accusation, that the story they are told is incomplete.
Given that half of America is voting in opposite directions my guess is that you do know some Trump voters, but they don't tell you because they value your friendship more - or they just don't have the energy to start the conversation from the very beginning. Because at this point the tale has been woven into a tapestry so long that simple statements cannot unwind it - it has to be deep conversations.
The thing is you don't seem the type to hate someone over differences and one of the things I love about your writing is that generally you really try to understand the cultures you are in. Maybe it is more difficult to understand the cultures we grew up near.
I hope you find some of those friends to go deep with, not to change your vote, but to help bridge the gap of understanding.
Happy Trails - I love the two of you and your adventures.
Thanks for the comment, Janet. Much appreciated. I can promise that of my close friends that none are Trump supporters. Outside that, possibly but still unlikely.
Yes, there are good people on both sides and I guess some? many? of them want the same things.
But that Trump supporters choose him to represent them is, well, unfathomable to me. Just this week Trump told Ukraine they should just give Russia some land. Abortion is complicated but he's supported by a party setting neck women's health care by decades, and the list goes on.
I accept good people support him but I can't ever be okay with their doing so.
But Republicans keep saying to me, "show me where he's racist or sexist?" And I find myself thinking, "If you can't see it with Trump, you'll never see it, you don't believe
racism and sexism are real." So from my POV, At the bare minimum, these people seem comfortable tolerating open racism (not to mention opposing democracy). So it's hard for me to say, "I guess we'll agree to disagree...." That is a bridge too far for me.
But I do think things are simplified for me in that all the great, moral people I know are horrified by Trump. Maybe it would be different if I had a contrary example in my life, someone I truly respected and admired who supported trump. 🥺
I am more conservative than liberal and did vote for trump in 2016… but not in 2020. I am not horrified by Trump- history tells me he is a mix of many of our bad presidents. I am saddened by the structures that keep “men” in power. I honestly am not sure I agree with Harris on some of her policies and yet, I can not vote for trump. And so, I continue to listen, look, stay curious and ask my maker… “what is the next right thing I can do?”
I am not in a swing state and I think my job for democracy will be more than my vote. Though I will vote. It will be me caring for my neighbor… leaning into uncomfortable spaces with people who don’t look like me and asking - how can we work together for a better tomorrow? What are the actions I can take locally and in my state? I want us as a country to Disagree better and stop attacking character but look at issues for better solutions. Thank you for your thoughts and writing…
Thanks for the comment, Charlene. I love how you define your "job" for democracy. I wish more folks did that. As for not agreeing with some of Kamala's policies, I know I don't. But I think the only candidate whose policies I would agree with 100% is me! LOL. Seriously though, I agree with so many more of Kamala's than Trump's that it's a very easy vote for me.
Predicting politics is a fool's errand, but I will say this: huge swaths of people are bored by The Trump Show. We're in season 9, and how many shows last that long?
Of course the landscape is polarized and he could still win. But I'm increasingly optimistic the culture war nonsense -- and his appeal -- is fading. We shall see.
As a Canadian living in Switzerland, I just don't get the Trump thing at all. Even if some people were deluded into thinking he might change things (what things?!?!?), how can they have out up for so long with his deranged nonsense? Is the education system that flawed that so many can listen to him rambling and think "he speaks clearly on issues of importance"? How can the international stage and media give him so much airtime? It boggles the mind.
Great one Michael! I am left seeing that the ambivalent people distrust or hate Democrats so much that they are more comfortable being ambivalent than voting for a Democrat. Of course the cubic miles of propaganda from the Trump/Vance side might be the single biggest factor. Then I wonder “what would make someone susceptible to falling for all the lies from the right, from JD Vance,” and I am left thinking that someone usually has to have a certain level of xenophobia and prejudice to begin with. I don’t exactly know, TBH, why I am one of the millions of Americans who hear Sean Hannity say something and I instantly know that he is a liar. I am sure I have my own xenophobia and prejudice, I am no angel.
We absolutely all have our blindspots and I'm no angel either. I don't understand how Trump supporters think and even if that thinking is based on Fox propaganda, those folks are still responsible for what they believe.
Not your usual funny self. You actually made me cry. I cried the morning after the vote was tallied in 2016, I was not angry. Sad, so very sad, how could this happen in the country I knew and loved. I still don't understand it.
Beautifully written! I love the symmetry and symbolism of the lighthouse. The thing we "never Trumpers" need to wrestle with is why so many intelligent, informed and kind Americans like Bob vote for him. I think it would go far to breaching the gap in American society if we could figure that out.
I am stumped by this also, however after further analysis I find that most trump supporters have some perceived injustice that has occurred to them in their lives that is effecting their judgement.
They got divorced after their wife turned out to be gay and aborted his child. They are angry because their childhood home has turned onto a crackhouse, they are mad because they can’t understand or communicate with the people that live around them. They are mad because they lost their 401k to a stock market crash. They are mad because they can’t get pain meds, they are angry that they have to constantly learn and use new technology just to function. They are mad because they can’t afford to buy a new pickup every year like they did when they were younger.
Many drink heavily and don’t really care about the facts since they think all politicians lie about everything anyway and they don’t think the details or difference matters. Some are extreme bigots and just don’t think anyone other than a white male should be in charge. They are afraid and want a perceived strong leader to guide them. I think a lot of them are driven by fear frankly.
I agree and the fear and, yeah, I'm sure many suffer what you describe. But half of them? Did you know 52% of MAGA folks think Putin is better than Biden? That's nuts!
I have to think a lot of has to do with people being massively uniformed. Thanks Fox News.
Interesting thought, but no real facts behind it. The other side says the same of Kamala supporters - and even worse. While I do think there are some who are as you described I don't think it is the majority and those voting because of past hurts can be found on both sides. If we are to bridge the gap we must stop demonizing each other. I think our divide in America is more damaging to our country than either candidate.
Lovely piece. I think you summed it up very well and I love the lighthouse reference. I’m praying for a landslide for you from Canada. It’s simply hard to comprehend.
Thanks for sharing this, it seems to be the same conversation i am having with others, especially family members. I too marvel at how they cannot see the way forward is commonsense but rather remain uncertain of what their choice will be. The indecision they display defies logic especially for fairly well educated people who can read and ferret out information. Yet i continue to to hope because that is whst motivates me to continue to have conversations, educate myself, and support candidates who do the hard job of putting themselves out there in states which are red or purple. We do our best.
I am a born and raised PNW'er and am heading out for two months in Italy on Monday. I just voted and mailed my ballot in yesterday. I am honestly looking forward to watching the outcome from afar for the first time. I will continue to hope and pray that I will be coming back home to a country that has elected Kamala as our next President. 2016 just about did me in. That was shocking and DIRE. I fear greatly for our country if he is elected again. I just cannot fathom it. Thank you for your thoughtful piece. 💙
Awww, thanks for sharing that encounter. Maybe your chat made a difference but certainly, we can all try to be kind. There’s been so much hate and brainwashing by Fox News.
I have friends on both sides of this, smart, good, and kind people voting for Trump and similarly smart, good, and kind people voting for Kamala. We have had enough conversations for me to understand why they are voting as they are. The crazy thing is all of them want similar ultimate goals. All of them want freedom, a better economy, peace and all that stuff. It really comes down to which stories one believes and what policies will actually achieve the higher goals.
I think the saddest part of the divide in America is that the gulf between the sides is driven by our demonizing the other without understanding them. I can always tell which stories someone believes by the terms and accusations they state as facts - it seems they are even unaware that there is another side to each accusation, that the story they are told is incomplete.
Given that half of America is voting in opposite directions my guess is that you do know some Trump voters, but they don't tell you because they value your friendship more - or they just don't have the energy to start the conversation from the very beginning. Because at this point the tale has been woven into a tapestry so long that simple statements cannot unwind it - it has to be deep conversations.
The thing is you don't seem the type to hate someone over differences and one of the things I love about your writing is that generally you really try to understand the cultures you are in. Maybe it is more difficult to understand the cultures we grew up near.
I hope you find some of those friends to go deep with, not to change your vote, but to help bridge the gap of understanding.
Happy Trails - I love the two of you and your adventures.
Thanks for the comment, Janet. Much appreciated. I can promise that of my close friends that none are Trump supporters. Outside that, possibly but still unlikely.
Yes, there are good people on both sides and I guess some? many? of them want the same things.
But that Trump supporters choose him to represent them is, well, unfathomable to me. Just this week Trump told Ukraine they should just give Russia some land. Abortion is complicated but he's supported by a party setting neck women's health care by decades, and the list goes on.
I accept good people support him but I can't ever be okay with their doing so.
Wonderful thoughtful comment! 😍
But Republicans keep saying to me, "show me where he's racist or sexist?" And I find myself thinking, "If you can't see it with Trump, you'll never see it, you don't believe
racism and sexism are real." So from my POV, At the bare minimum, these people seem comfortable tolerating open racism (not to mention opposing democracy). So it's hard for me to say, "I guess we'll agree to disagree...." That is a bridge too far for me.
But I do think things are simplified for me in that all the great, moral people I know are horrified by Trump. Maybe it would be different if I had a contrary example in my life, someone I truly respected and admired who supported trump. 🥺
I am more conservative than liberal and did vote for trump in 2016… but not in 2020. I am not horrified by Trump- history tells me he is a mix of many of our bad presidents. I am saddened by the structures that keep “men” in power. I honestly am not sure I agree with Harris on some of her policies and yet, I can not vote for trump. And so, I continue to listen, look, stay curious and ask my maker… “what is the next right thing I can do?”
I am not in a swing state and I think my job for democracy will be more than my vote. Though I will vote. It will be me caring for my neighbor… leaning into uncomfortable spaces with people who don’t look like me and asking - how can we work together for a better tomorrow? What are the actions I can take locally and in my state? I want us as a country to Disagree better and stop attacking character but look at issues for better solutions. Thank you for your thoughts and writing…
Thanks for the comment, Charlene. I love how you define your "job" for democracy. I wish more folks did that. As for not agreeing with some of Kamala's policies, I know I don't. But I think the only candidate whose policies I would agree with 100% is me! LOL. Seriously though, I agree with so many more of Kamala's than Trump's that it's a very easy vote for me.
Predicting politics is a fool's errand, but I will say this: huge swaths of people are bored by The Trump Show. We're in season 9, and how many shows last that long?
Of course the landscape is polarized and he could still win. But I'm increasingly optimistic the culture war nonsense -- and his appeal -- is fading. We shall see.
I'm feeling better as well but after 2016, I'll never be confident again about politics.
This is my sense too.
Love this ❤️
As a Canadian living in Switzerland, I just don't get the Trump thing at all. Even if some people were deluded into thinking he might change things (what things?!?!?), how can they have out up for so long with his deranged nonsense? Is the education system that flawed that so many can listen to him rambling and think "he speaks clearly on issues of importance"? How can the international stage and media give him so much airtime? It boggles the mind.
Boggles isv exactly right. I have no answers.
Great one Michael! I am left seeing that the ambivalent people distrust or hate Democrats so much that they are more comfortable being ambivalent than voting for a Democrat. Of course the cubic miles of propaganda from the Trump/Vance side might be the single biggest factor. Then I wonder “what would make someone susceptible to falling for all the lies from the right, from JD Vance,” and I am left thinking that someone usually has to have a certain level of xenophobia and prejudice to begin with. I don’t exactly know, TBH, why I am one of the millions of Americans who hear Sean Hannity say something and I instantly know that he is a liar. I am sure I have my own xenophobia and prejudice, I am no angel.
We absolutely all have our blindspots and I'm no angel either. I don't understand how Trump supporters think and even if that thinking is based on Fox propaganda, those folks are still responsible for what they believe.
Not your usual funny self. You actually made me cry. I cried the morning after the vote was tallied in 2016, I was not angry. Sad, so very sad, how could this happen in the country I knew and loved. I still don't understand it.
Sorry to have made you cry! And I was numb for weeks after the 2016 election.
Beautifully written.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Great piece, but sadly I think anybody who says 'I'm ambivalent' is just going to quietly vote for Trump again.
Beautifully written! I love the symmetry and symbolism of the lighthouse. The thing we "never Trumpers" need to wrestle with is why so many intelligent, informed and kind Americans like Bob vote for him. I think it would go far to breaching the gap in American society if we could figure that out.
Thanks, Phyllis, and I agree 💯.
I am stumped by this also, however after further analysis I find that most trump supporters have some perceived injustice that has occurred to them in their lives that is effecting their judgement.
They got divorced after their wife turned out to be gay and aborted his child. They are angry because their childhood home has turned onto a crackhouse, they are mad because they can’t understand or communicate with the people that live around them. They are mad because they lost their 401k to a stock market crash. They are mad because they can’t get pain meds, they are angry that they have to constantly learn and use new technology just to function. They are mad because they can’t afford to buy a new pickup every year like they did when they were younger.
Many drink heavily and don’t really care about the facts since they think all politicians lie about everything anyway and they don’t think the details or difference matters. Some are extreme bigots and just don’t think anyone other than a white male should be in charge. They are afraid and want a perceived strong leader to guide them. I think a lot of them are driven by fear frankly.
I agree and the fear and, yeah, I'm sure many suffer what you describe. But half of them? Did you know 52% of MAGA folks think Putin is better than Biden? That's nuts!
I have to think a lot of has to do with people being massively uniformed. Thanks Fox News.
Interesting thought, but no real facts behind it. The other side says the same of Kamala supporters - and even worse. While I do think there are some who are as you described I don't think it is the majority and those voting because of past hurts can be found on both sides. If we are to bridge the gap we must stop demonizing each other. I think our divide in America is more damaging to our country than either candidate.
Lovely piece. I think you summed it up very well and I love the lighthouse reference. I’m praying for a landslide for you from Canada. It’s simply hard to comprehend.
Thank you. And please keep those prayers coming!
Thanks for sharing this, it seems to be the same conversation i am having with others, especially family members. I too marvel at how they cannot see the way forward is commonsense but rather remain uncertain of what their choice will be. The indecision they display defies logic especially for fairly well educated people who can read and ferret out information. Yet i continue to to hope because that is whst motivates me to continue to have conversations, educate myself, and support candidates who do the hard job of putting themselves out there in states which are red or purple. We do our best.
And hopefully our best will be enough.
I am a born and raised PNW'er and am heading out for two months in Italy on Monday. I just voted and mailed my ballot in yesterday. I am honestly looking forward to watching the outcome from afar for the first time. I will continue to hope and pray that I will be coming back home to a country that has elected Kamala as our next President. 2016 just about did me in. That was shocking and DIRE. I fear greatly for our country if he is elected again. I just cannot fathom it. Thank you for your thoughtful piece. 💙
Thanks for reading, Sarah!
I love this. Such good writing, highlighting the unbelievably sad point we have reached in our country.
Thank you for writing this piece and sharing. You captured my thoughts exactly!
Thanks, Lisa.
Fantatstic post. Perfect ending.
Thank you very much!
Awww, thanks for sharing that encounter. Maybe your chat made a difference but certainly, we can all try to be kind. There’s been so much hate and brainwashing by Fox News.
Go Kamala! Go Coach! Win back our country!!