I was a bit surprised that this piece didn't discuss another aspect of November 9. As many of the letters to the editor in today's print copy indicate, quite a few of us are holding our noses and voting on Tuesday. And judging from these letters and this editorial, at the least, the reasons we are holding our noses concern the issues that bind the Sanders and Trump adherents: lack of trust in corporate America, the "uniparty" that takes too much from K Street, income distribution, and the like. Those voters will not disappear after Tuesday. They will not let these issues disappear after Tuesday either. Regardless of who wins, she/he is going to have to address the crazy coalitions that will form around them should nothing impactful happen in the next two years. The US has had an amazing ability to thwart a national "throw the bums out" election. It could happen in 2018, though.
14
It is amazing to see how people draw equivalence between Trumps utter vacuousness and hatemongering to Hillary's e mail server. Hers is a storm in a tea cup compared to his. I find Hillary and Bills milking their former positions for money more distasteful. Hi they Reagan threw a pitch in Japan and got 2 million for it. I guess people may not think much of the president who said " business is America's business ", but the certainly believe and live it.
9
Preaching to the choir. Few readers of NYT will vote for Trump.
30
A win by Hillary Clinton will not demonstrate the decency of the electorate, nor a win by Trump its indecency. The race is close. Are half of the populace who voted indecently swept up and included with the decents if the latter wins? I think not.
What this election demonstrates, without a shadow of a doubt is something that neither party, their respective establishments, or the moneyed ruling class which buys them, has bothered to concern itself with - the will of people.
Year upon year, decade upon decade this entrenched political machine, bought and paid for leaders who only paid lip service to their constituents and their full throated allegiance to those who paid for it.
Election after election the people are treated to the same tired rhetoric. America is good, Hillary tells her audience. We are stronger together scream her banners. What does any of it mean? Where is the vision? Where is the real person? Where is the passion and understanding for the movement sweeping America when the proof of its power is so obvious.
Yes, Hillary must be elected, but in no universe does she have a mandate to maintain the status quo, nor is the Democratic political machine blameless in the debacle this election has been. They anointed Clinton, did not seek any viable alternative. Bernie Sanders rose on the crest of the zeitgeist the Democratic chose to ignore.
There will be much to reckon with after Nov. 8th, the obstructionist GOP may be the least of their worries.
What this election demonstrates, without a shadow of a doubt is something that neither party, their respective establishments, or the moneyed ruling class which buys them, has bothered to concern itself with - the will of people.
Year upon year, decade upon decade this entrenched political machine, bought and paid for leaders who only paid lip service to their constituents and their full throated allegiance to those who paid for it.
Election after election the people are treated to the same tired rhetoric. America is good, Hillary tells her audience. We are stronger together scream her banners. What does any of it mean? Where is the vision? Where is the real person? Where is the passion and understanding for the movement sweeping America when the proof of its power is so obvious.
Yes, Hillary must be elected, but in no universe does she have a mandate to maintain the status quo, nor is the Democratic political machine blameless in the debacle this election has been. They anointed Clinton, did not seek any viable alternative. Bernie Sanders rose on the crest of the zeitgeist the Democratic chose to ignore.
There will be much to reckon with after Nov. 8th, the obstructionist GOP may be the least of their worries.
45
Let's hope, come Tuesday, the overwhelming majority of Americans, reveal The Better Angels of Their Nature, and reflect in their vote, those lines of a Republican, when it meant the highest ideals of America, and not the embarrassment, they and their nominee for President of The United States have become!!!
20
From the speeches of Robert F. Kennedy:
"Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change."
"Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."
"Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, misery, ignorance, and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation."
"Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change."
"Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."
"Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, misery, ignorance, and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation."
82
My guess is that on November 9th, we'll wake up to see that the election is "still too close to call" - with the results ending up in court for another two months.
28
Attempting to delegitimize Republican leaders by smug associations to Trump is dangerous. Hillary is not winning with any type of mandate and our best path forward is forgiveness and understanding.
8
I have a different view. This election will show beyond any shadow of doubt the changing nature of our demographic, and the Republicans will have to sink or swim: they'll have to start working with the Democrats or get forever relegated to a minority party. It's Autumn for Republicans, not for the country.
As for the "deplorables" that Trump whipped up, we've seen worse before, it's true. The current crop is mostly cowards with herd mentality and all we have to is to stand up and let them know that we don't tolerate intolerance and harassment.
As for the "deplorables" that Trump whipped up, we've seen worse before, it's true. The current crop is mostly cowards with herd mentality and all we have to is to stand up and let them know that we don't tolerate intolerance and harassment.
32
This newspaper--supposedly the paradigm of what responsible journalism is meant to be--has seen better times when it comes to the ethics and morals governing acceptable news reporting, not to mention editorial positions. Again, shame on you NY Times for contributing to the gradual but certain deterioration of civic values in this nation of ours, for by supporting the likes of corrupt candidates like Hillary Clinton you have miserably failed this society of ours when it most mattered.
25
thank you!
5
I don't think it is anger, so much as fear, infecting our populace. Not fear of other humans, weather or natural cataclysm but fear of life which is the path we all take to death.
The promise of an afterlife exists to allay the fear this undeniable reality elicits.
Rot in our Democracy is a related point, but one which deals with the daily grind of survival. Those who cheat to gain control or avoid responsibility are cheating every person on the planet and like those who abet them through legislation are guilty of crimes against humanity.
The two are related because the invention of the higher powers of "good and evil" deflects and forgives machinations which without following this concept would be prosecuted more fully and equitably.
Though both may be tarred with the same brush this thought relates to Mr Trump's supporters more than Ms Clinton's.
Due to the disparities brought about through wealth and education few people with working class roots actually have much say in how a government "by and for the people" actually benefits all of us. Neither candidate has a clue how most of us are forced to live.
The disconnect is being voiced in contentetious behavior at political rallies, but this avoids rather than addressing problems most people who do not attend political rallies face.
I trust, as perhaps a child his mother, that Ms Clinton is elected and does not disappoint the family she will head.
Prisons have never been designed to house the wealthy.
The promise of an afterlife exists to allay the fear this undeniable reality elicits.
Rot in our Democracy is a related point, but one which deals with the daily grind of survival. Those who cheat to gain control or avoid responsibility are cheating every person on the planet and like those who abet them through legislation are guilty of crimes against humanity.
The two are related because the invention of the higher powers of "good and evil" deflects and forgives machinations which without following this concept would be prosecuted more fully and equitably.
Though both may be tarred with the same brush this thought relates to Mr Trump's supporters more than Ms Clinton's.
Due to the disparities brought about through wealth and education few people with working class roots actually have much say in how a government "by and for the people" actually benefits all of us. Neither candidate has a clue how most of us are forced to live.
The disconnect is being voiced in contentetious behavior at political rallies, but this avoids rather than addressing problems most people who do not attend political rallies face.
I trust, as perhaps a child his mother, that Ms Clinton is elected and does not disappoint the family she will head.
Prisons have never been designed to house the wealthy.
9
As the President said, if Trump got elected all the gains, that is digging out of the hole a republican Presidency got us into would be lost. The war Bush tricked us into and lost trillions into the profits for Haliburton and other corporate defense contractors would have that National Debt double. The National Debt doesn't just represent money disappeared, authentically its been slammed into government contractors profits. Even entitlements go right back into the economy after the check is cashed. You may begrudge that free money, but its a speed bump in the economic flux compared with investments that linger waiting to collect interest or appreciation. The only reason any republican seeks office is to funnel more tax breaks to his wealthy handlers and its been that way with every GOP operative candidate. This is not a revolution that any average income American will share in. Trump began with the declaration of financing his campaign alone, beholden to no one, now I've read their are multiple billionaires funding it. Pull the wool over your eyes enough little people? Just more trickle down lies that haven't worked with any of the past republican Presidents. Its my belief that they've been nothing but frauds and shills.
13
I seems to me that we nationally need some unbiased (as unbiased as anything can be this year) assessment of what has driven such a deep divide among the voters. I'd like to see perhaps 100 of the claims made for and against the candidates and what is true and what is false, and some means of a coalition of national media who can be fair about it, to lay some groundwork for educating the populace so we can begin to have more than vitriol inform us about not only people but issues which have been really given short shrift. The poison of shrill social media is no basis for voting or criticizing. Hillary Clinton cannot do away with the Second Amendment, but how many understand the process and problems with any change in the Constitution? How about some informed discussion on gun rights? How about addressing questions of voting that is longer than a rant? You get the point. We cannot address civics without first having some civility in discussion and disagreement.
10
Thank you for leading article´s fiery passion. Sharing it are us non-Americans all over the world as filled with indignation about the situation as you, only we are powerless, afraid and desperately dependent of you.
22
This is like Church. "Take this and vote for it." In 1980, I polled a bunch of people and they surprised me by picking Reagan. Then he won in a landslide. Those people didn't shout it from the roofs, attend any rallies, and the press called him 'Ray Gun'. "He's going to get us into a war!!" I voted for Carter. But this is similar. I think Trump is going to win and all the things you didn't tell us about both candidates will come back and bite you in the ink.
6
Even though it was just a year ago when I was sure Trump would never come close to being the GOP nominee,much less have any chance to be elected President,that seems like another century . But Ryan,McConnell,Cruz and Rubio by then had already done everything possible to obstruct Obama no matter the damage to our nation and to our poltical system, and even though the majority of us had elected and then reelected him.So back then even though my first choice was Bernie Sanders,I knew that I'd have no trouble at all voting for Hillary if d she got the Democratic nomination,which I knew was most likely.
But Trump IS the GOP nominee and on this last Sunday of this ordeal still has some chance to win it all.Which made the vote I already cast for Hillary the most important of the 12 Presidential votes I ever cast.Because I consider the threat of Trump being elected a national emergency.And it's my opinion that because as the GOP's leaders Ryan,McConnell,Cruz ,Rubio and Preibus aided and abetted this national emergency they no longer deserve their jobs and their party lost the right to exist.
Because even in the likely event Trump loses,the damage done will worsen afterwards,with Ryan,etc.,having already made clear they will aid and abet that happening.
But Trump IS the GOP nominee and on this last Sunday of this ordeal still has some chance to win it all.Which made the vote I already cast for Hillary the most important of the 12 Presidential votes I ever cast.Because I consider the threat of Trump being elected a national emergency.And it's my opinion that because as the GOP's leaders Ryan,McConnell,Cruz ,Rubio and Preibus aided and abetted this national emergency they no longer deserve their jobs and their party lost the right to exist.
Because even in the likely event Trump loses,the damage done will worsen afterwards,with Ryan,etc.,having already made clear they will aid and abet that happening.
18
I still believe that the media, especially the so-called MSM, have led us to this juncture. They have allowed Trump to set the tone and agenda every day by reporting his nonsense and allowing it to consume the news cycle, squeezing out any real discussion of policy. The MSM, in twisting themselves into pretzels to appear fair, have allowed themselves to become tools of Trump's strategy. Another effect, probably also intended by Trump, is that this has desensitized us such that we are not shocked by and more readily ignore and accept his falsehoods. What we need is a trusted figure like Walter Cronkite to say STOP, what on earth are you people thinking?
14
Very difficult to take anything the NY Times says seriously anymore. It has infused its opinion and tried to sway the election when its main purpose is simply to report the news. Cant trust this paper anymore. Makes me wonder if they have anything connected with the Clinton foundation and how much they stand to lose. When you have a candidate have the US Justice department in her back pocket, you have a major problem. Again, you convict people based on what they DO, not what they say... Clinton is such a criminal its hard to know where to start... Trump may be immature, but Clinton is an outright criminal and you know this..
14
Congressional jihadis. Hyperbole writ large. And this from the paper that could not bring itself to call enhanced interrogation techniques torture?
4
This is surely the worst Presidential Election in my lifetime.
IF HRC is successful on Tuesday, that will not be evidence of a rejection of Donald Trump and his "ideas". It will only mean that slightly more people voted against him and/or them than voted for him/them. HRS's "success" will be largely due to Trump's inability to control his impulses.
"This surreal, miserable presidential campaign exposed a lot of rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace. Those conditions are related."
YES.
That will be THE problem to be addressed.
IF HRC is successful on Tuesday, that will not be evidence of a rejection of Donald Trump and his "ideas". It will only mean that slightly more people voted against him and/or them than voted for him/them. HRS's "success" will be largely due to Trump's inability to control his impulses.
"This surreal, miserable presidential campaign exposed a lot of rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace. Those conditions are related."
YES.
That will be THE problem to be addressed.
8
The worst is yet to come. It seems likely that Clinton will win, short of a 'Truman – Dewey' surprise, and we already hearing of the possibility of impeachment. Perhaps more troubling are the comments by Democrats who are stating that they will investigate the FBI, a scenario which will suggest to many that Democrats will suppress an ongoing investigation. The reason that this is so troubling is that it will confirm in the eyes of many that the government is corrupt, and hence it has no legitimacy to govern. Long, bitter partisan battles in Congress on this issue will only make it worse.
9
What is now being advanced by the GOP is a coup by another name. Donald Trump has commandeered the Republican megaphone but he himself is not the megaphone. The GOP as a whole is promoting the notion is that elections matter only if it wins.
The Party's emerging stance of Supreme Court vacancies not only puts the lie to its year-long "let the people decide" hypocrisy in favor of "let *our* people alone decide" even if our people are in the minority.
What galls the most is that such anti-democratic agitation is pursued under the banner of constitutional purity.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The Party's emerging stance of Supreme Court vacancies not only puts the lie to its year-long "let the people decide" hypocrisy in favor of "let *our* people alone decide" even if our people are in the minority.
What galls the most is that such anti-democratic agitation is pursued under the banner of constitutional purity.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
19
The US has seen worse than Hillary Clinton. I am just not sure when voters seemed poised to have a plurality knowingly vote a criminal into office as the president. There are now two ongoing investigations underway of her, one involving laws she may have broken with her server, and one involving potential financial and public corruption crimes involving the Clinto foundation.
These investigations should continue without interference until they reach a point where there is either sufficient evidence to indict, or there is not, in case they should then be terminated. We have had two impeachment S in my lifetime, and the US has survived, and other countries have shown in recent years that they can survive the removal of criminals from office.
These investigations should continue without interference until they reach a point where there is either sufficient evidence to indict, or there is not, in case they should then be terminated. We have had two impeachment S in my lifetime, and the US has survived, and other countries have shown in recent years that they can survive the removal of criminals from office.
6
The Times correctly identifies a potential Donald Trump presidency as an existential threat to American democracy, and more, to world stability and to the lives of untold millions of people. What makes this even more frightening is that Trump and his surrogates and supporters in the course of the campaign have met this necessary observation with charges that Hillary Clinton is likewise an existential threat to their way of life.
For each American issuing a warning about Trump, there is another American issuing the same warning about Clinton. The sense of impending apocalypse is all we have in common, at least as regards our politics and our society -- which, to think of it, encompasses pretty much everything.
We used to think Barack Obama took office faced with the greatest challenge of any President since WWII. Hillary Clinton, if she wins, will face a crisis orders of magnitude greater. The only hope is that she has demonstrated over her long career and in the course of the campaign that there may be no other figure in American life better equipped to confront, manage, and hopefully defuse the crisis.
For each American issuing a warning about Trump, there is another American issuing the same warning about Clinton. The sense of impending apocalypse is all we have in common, at least as regards our politics and our society -- which, to think of it, encompasses pretty much everything.
We used to think Barack Obama took office faced with the greatest challenge of any President since WWII. Hillary Clinton, if she wins, will face a crisis orders of magnitude greater. The only hope is that she has demonstrated over her long career and in the course of the campaign that there may be no other figure in American life better equipped to confront, manage, and hopefully defuse the crisis.
8
You say that the United States has endured worse than Donald Trump. But other than the Civil War, nothing has threatened the idea of who we are as a country and what we represent--both to ourselves and to the world.
11
Clearly America has seen no worse major-party candidate than Donald Trump since the 1890s, and comparisons against candidacies in the civil war and reconstruction eras are moot -- one can make a case that Trump is worse than Buchanan, Fremont, McClellan, and then R.B. Hayes ... the last never really a "major" candidate, until given the Presidency. While each of those men were disasters in various ways, none were as obviously incompetent and unqualified as Trump.
Perhaps the best comparison to Trump was George Wallace and his 3d-party campaign. Wallace (the pre-epiphany Wallace) was a white-anger populist running on "Segregation now...", he got 13% of the public vote as a minor-party candidate. George's racism was THE appeal, still any sober consideration must find George's qualifications and abilities superior to Trump's.
The tragedy of Trump's success is that the only people he can be compared to in US history are terrible fascist/racist demagogues who were clearly "fringe:" Trump is the embodiment of a new wide-scale white-power rage, hysteria, and pure cray-cray.
The fact of the matter is that America will not become the land of dumb-white-guys-rule -- it cannot become Rhodesia or return to the Jim-Crow 1950s.
Perhaps the best comparison to Trump was George Wallace and his 3d-party campaign. Wallace (the pre-epiphany Wallace) was a white-anger populist running on "Segregation now...", he got 13% of the public vote as a minor-party candidate. George's racism was THE appeal, still any sober consideration must find George's qualifications and abilities superior to Trump's.
The tragedy of Trump's success is that the only people he can be compared to in US history are terrible fascist/racist demagogues who were clearly "fringe:" Trump is the embodiment of a new wide-scale white-power rage, hysteria, and pure cray-cray.
The fact of the matter is that America will not become the land of dumb-white-guys-rule -- it cannot become Rhodesia or return to the Jim-Crow 1950s.
9
You just want more of the same and even WORSE! Forget her, vote for HIM!
5
No matter who wins, it may take decades to repair the damage that this election has wrought, especially to our self image and the image of our institutions. Probably the most lamentable, is the damage to the press. Any thought of the press as a free and fair narrator of the news has been dashed by an increasingly high pitched partisanship.
This take no prisoners narrative that the 'other' side is totally evil will leave our nation divided, and with a deep sense of cynicism. Where once patriots died for our right to a free press, future generations may only get their news from social media that confirms their respective prejudices.
I wonder how historians will judge our role in this.
This take no prisoners narrative that the 'other' side is totally evil will leave our nation divided, and with a deep sense of cynicism. Where once patriots died for our right to a free press, future generations may only get their news from social media that confirms their respective prejudices.
I wonder how historians will judge our role in this.
5
Still here on November 9: a world population still increasing by 1,000,000 every 5 days, climate change, greed. The biggest player on the world scene will continue dithering, denying, and blaming everyone else. No one person can lead us through the complex problems that are symptoms of the above. Working together with the world, we might find a relatively painless way through a dystopian future, but it's so much easier to dither, deny, and blame others.
In the short term, Mrs. Clinton seems more able to listen to and weigh the evidence of experts in various areas, and consider the concerns even of the opposition.
Donald Trump is greed personified, concerned only in further enriching himself. He is the poster boy for the answer to 'who made this mess?' His only solution is to blame others and promote hate and war against them.
World resources are diminishing; world politics are destabilizing; war accelerates both. To be great, to have a world to be great in, we need to lead the world away from that option.
In the short term, Mrs. Clinton seems more able to listen to and weigh the evidence of experts in various areas, and consider the concerns even of the opposition.
Donald Trump is greed personified, concerned only in further enriching himself. He is the poster boy for the answer to 'who made this mess?' His only solution is to blame others and promote hate and war against them.
World resources are diminishing; world politics are destabilizing; war accelerates both. To be great, to have a world to be great in, we need to lead the world away from that option.
10
So, after reading this article, I started perusing the comments section. One after another, commenters fall into lockstep with their vitriol over anyone who disagrees with the mentality of the "progressive" left. I found myself in an echo chamber of all things anti-Trump. I did find a couple of nuggets of ironic humor, wherein commenters called out the author for "islamaphobia" because of his apparently insensitive use of the term "jihad". Other than that humorous example of the left starting to devour itself, I find the mass disdain for anyone who would dare to have opposing opinions jaw-dropping. Have we become so over-sensitive to opposing views that anyone who disagrees with us is considered to be "the enemy"? I've listened until I feel physically ill, about how Trump supporters are "uneducated". This characterization is not being used to describe a demographic, but as an insult. It's just another cog in the machine of Trump-shaming. I'm college educated and I support Donald Trump. However, because I refuse to buy into the collective mentality of the "progressive" left, I am somehow characterized as a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing, sub-human for daring to disagree. I have no doubt that if the Times is "generous" enough to publish my comment, that I will be thoroughly shouted down by the collective. After all, that's what the dear leaders would want, right?
15
You can look into the future and the people that could've done something about stopping this catastrophe that Trump presents will not take any responsibility for it. You can see that in the people that voted for Nader. They take no responsibility for the fact that George Bush destroyed the economy and started a unnecessary war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.
We can only hope that enough people see ridiculousness of a trump presidency. Why anyone would want to put the most obtuse, destructive, moronic, unqualified person in the White House is a question that billions of people across the world would like to know.
We can only hope that enough people see ridiculousness of a trump presidency. Why anyone would want to put the most obtuse, destructive, moronic, unqualified person in the White House is a question that billions of people across the world would like to know.
11
Well here we go again, country being divided by political parties, what ever happened to the old but wise saying our mothers always taught us? Share, we have had eight years of democratic rules, now they should give another political party a turn, and see what they can do,can't get much worse now. This way when voting happens the party, whichever one is up,picks two from their party, example, two from Republican we decide which one becomes president, and after five years, next party picks two from their party, taking turns would give each party a turn in the executive office,to see how they run this country. Lets show world example, quite fighting among eachother, take turns and then live with the out come, for not everyone will be happy or living well no matter who becomes president, look back at the real history of out country, not the new made up version,get a American history book made in the 60's that has what has been taken out,oh yea I am one of those who reads everything I can, books and online,with a photographic memory, and love for this country, hard to see history to keep repeating its self. God bless the USA.
2
A lot of talk about firsts and worsts, but this is clear: if T***p wins it will be the first time we've had a President who:
- has been called an "ignorant and reckless tyrant" by the leading newspaper in the country
- has had a "Never___" movement in his own party and been called a a threat to world peace by hundreds of top foreign policy experts (Goldwater got close, but he was trounced)
- has bragged about sexual assaults he has committed
- has called the US military "a disaster"
- has accused the sitting POTUS and his opponent of founding a terrorist organization
...and on and on
I had big problems with Reagan and Bush2, but I've never experienced anxiety about an election outcome to 1/100 the degree I am now. And I know I have a lot of company. Small comfort. Good luck to us all.
- has been called an "ignorant and reckless tyrant" by the leading newspaper in the country
- has had a "Never___" movement in his own party and been called a a threat to world peace by hundreds of top foreign policy experts (Goldwater got close, but he was trounced)
- has bragged about sexual assaults he has committed
- has called the US military "a disaster"
- has accused the sitting POTUS and his opponent of founding a terrorist organization
...and on and on
I had big problems with Reagan and Bush2, but I've never experienced anxiety about an election outcome to 1/100 the degree I am now. And I know I have a lot of company. Small comfort. Good luck to us all.
19
I think Hillary will prevail Tuesday night, but just barely. With this at best tepid endorsement, Hillary and America will have to confront a moment of pronounced disenchantment. A narrow Clinton victory will illuminate her inadequacies as a candidate as much as those of Donald Trump, given that he is the worst presidential candidate in known memory. For Democrats, this should be most alarming, and further highlight divisions within the party and demographic cleavages among supporters of said party.
As for the GOP, a Clinton triumph should spawn deep and disquieting reflection, insofar that it created the hideous phenomenon known as Trump's candidacy. In its hour zero, will the Republican party acknowledge this fact? Following November 8, 2016, my southern neighbor will face prolonged winters of discontent. I hope this can be rectified in my lifetime.
As for the GOP, a Clinton triumph should spawn deep and disquieting reflection, insofar that it created the hideous phenomenon known as Trump's candidacy. In its hour zero, will the Republican party acknowledge this fact? Following November 8, 2016, my southern neighbor will face prolonged winters of discontent. I hope this can be rectified in my lifetime.
8
If Trump wins we will almost certainly have both a GOP House and Senate.
The first legislation passed will be the privatization of Social Security and Medicare along with the end of Obamacare. Ryan has promised this for years and this will be his best chance.
VOTE BLUE
The first legislation passed will be the privatization of Social Security and Medicare along with the end of Obamacare. Ryan has promised this for years and this will be his best chance.
VOTE BLUE
13
The lesson a divided country should learn, is that you must figure out how to work with your opposition.
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
7
Thank you for this elegant editorial. Like Hillary said, she's the last thing standing between us and apocalypse. People, your children will thank you if you make the right decision on Tuesday.
6
There is a better than 50 percent chance Ms. Clinton will be convicted of felonies for selling access to our State Department in exchange for lining her pockets and those of her corrupt husband. That alone should make her impossible to support for anyone actually eligible to vote. However, even absent that fatal flaw, her proven record of accomplishing nothing, of endless lying, even when it is not necessary, her rampant flip flops, her annoying personality, lack of charisma, lack of any quality worth admiring save perhaps a blind self-interest of staggering proportions, would make her a distant four of the possible choices.
Shame on the New York Times for supporting a woman far more paranoid, corrupt, and narcissistic than Richard Nixon.
Shame on the New York Times for supporting a woman far more paranoid, corrupt, and narcissistic than Richard Nixon.
7
Please share the lies the Republicans have told. Hillary and Bill are the liars. I think the editorial board is a bit confused.
One fact is clear: Republicans have not lied. The lies have come non-stop from Obama, the first black president, and both Clintons. The board seems to have a short memory.
You can keep your doctor with Obama Care, the Iran Deal fictionally created by Ben Rhodes, secret on-the-ground forces in Afghanistan. And, probably the worst lie was 'video caused the killings in Benghazi'. That's, in fact, why Hillary will not win the election.
American people are fed up with Hillary stories.
The problem the NYT will have is what to write about. Republicans won't stand by while you lie about their administration as you have lied about the Clintons and covered up for them.
One fact is clear: Republicans have not lied. The lies have come non-stop from Obama, the first black president, and both Clintons. The board seems to have a short memory.
You can keep your doctor with Obama Care, the Iran Deal fictionally created by Ben Rhodes, secret on-the-ground forces in Afghanistan. And, probably the worst lie was 'video caused the killings in Benghazi'. That's, in fact, why Hillary will not win the election.
American people are fed up with Hillary stories.
The problem the NYT will have is what to write about. Republicans won't stand by while you lie about their administration as you have lied about the Clintons and covered up for them.
7
Why imagine, November the 9th is but a few days away. We shall see what it brings. What I imagine is the next couple of months, the transition of power from Barack to Hillary. I imagine we will see a subsiding of hostilities. Republicans who threatened to prosecute and bring charges of impeachment against Hillary will be cooling their jets. That was campaign rhetoric. The sky is not falling.
Republicans will begin to pivot, making calculated decisions. How are they going to deal with the new President? Are they going to do what they did to Barack, obstruct her from Day One? How did that work out? If they have any sense, they need to try something new, like maybe trying to get some things done.
If this election showed us and them anything, it is a lot of people are awful mad at them and the entire system. Unless Republicans are willing to compromise and try to work with Hillary, it should be made clear they will all be in the same position come 2020. In the old days, and they were better, compromise was struck by the likes of Reagan and O'Neill by making policy where there was a win-win scenario. When each side can come away from the table having gained something in the process then government can function and actually get things done. We the people have the job of making sure our representatives know this must happen, otherwise what occurred this election will repeat itself, and it may be even worse.
DD
Manhattan
Republicans will begin to pivot, making calculated decisions. How are they going to deal with the new President? Are they going to do what they did to Barack, obstruct her from Day One? How did that work out? If they have any sense, they need to try something new, like maybe trying to get some things done.
If this election showed us and them anything, it is a lot of people are awful mad at them and the entire system. Unless Republicans are willing to compromise and try to work with Hillary, it should be made clear they will all be in the same position come 2020. In the old days, and they were better, compromise was struck by the likes of Reagan and O'Neill by making policy where there was a win-win scenario. When each side can come away from the table having gained something in the process then government can function and actually get things done. We the people have the job of making sure our representatives know this must happen, otherwise what occurred this election will repeat itself, and it may be even worse.
DD
Manhattan
8
Americans fought and sacrificed to defeat fascism. If they now elect Trump -famous for his re-tweeting of neo-Nazi propaganda - they will ultimately have only themselves to blame.
But this editorial is spot on: dealing with the conditions that gave Trump his shot will be the hard part.
But this editorial is spot on: dealing with the conditions that gave Trump his shot will be the hard part.
9
In the context of modernist nuances, one may use an intellectual microscope to study the difference between Trump and Hillary. One may also study the difference between green and red despite their similarity as color. An ant, but not an elephant, may study the difference among blades of grass. Trump and Hillary are both statists for whom the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is merely a distraction from governing, no more than conservative faith in tradition. The Enlightenment respect for man's independent mind that caused the American Revolution is not part of their politics.
Given the damage Trump and the party of Trump has done so far, I certainly hope when this is all over that Trump becomes a 108 year curse on the GOP. It is enough to remind future multicultural generations that the Republicans are the party of Trump (not Lincoln or Reagan) to ensure America votes for "other."
4
As for the "depth and complexity" of the nation's problems, no argument. But how about a smidgen of sane perspective?
Job creation is up; poverty is down; wages are rising at last; the economy is thriving more robustly than anywhere else in the world; the financial markets are strong; crime rates are at historical lows; ISIS is on the run. What a catastrophic record!
Is everything perfect? Of course not; it never is. But we could be poised to trash all the progress of eight years to satisfy our inner whining egged on by a bigoted, xenophobic misogynist who has created a new low for the definition of "loserhood."
The question to be answered going forward is: Have we now become a country of losers? We shall know soon soon enough what our national mirror shows us to be. May we turn out to be better than the execrable attributes of this 2016 presidential election from the depths of Hades.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Job creation is up; poverty is down; wages are rising at last; the economy is thriving more robustly than anywhere else in the world; the financial markets are strong; crime rates are at historical lows; ISIS is on the run. What a catastrophic record!
Is everything perfect? Of course not; it never is. But we could be poised to trash all the progress of eight years to satisfy our inner whining egged on by a bigoted, xenophobic misogynist who has created a new low for the definition of "loserhood."
The question to be answered going forward is: Have we now become a country of losers? We shall know soon soon enough what our national mirror shows us to be. May we turn out to be better than the execrable attributes of this 2016 presidential election from the depths of Hades.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
4
The editorial board of the New York Times- often derided unfairly as a tool of the 'lame stream media'- should be commended for publishing such a thoughtful and encompassing realistic projection of where our country could find itself the day and even months after our Tuesday's election for President.
A sincere thank you should also go out to the nation's premiere 'Gray Lady' for opening up the New York Times to everyone with an internet connection waiving subscription fees. I'm just one person but have tried to get the message out so whatever happens on Nov. 9, 2016 it can't be said that we (as American) were caught unawares.
A sincere thank you should also go out to the nation's premiere 'Gray Lady' for opening up the New York Times to everyone with an internet connection waiving subscription fees. I'm just one person but have tried to get the message out so whatever happens on Nov. 9, 2016 it can't be said that we (as American) were caught unawares.
3
My sister and I were recently pondering, over a shared dinner, that we were tired of the fact that Congress is not getting work done in this country. No compromises, and so nothing gets done. Can't we just withhold their paychecks, until they start solving problems? Now, the Republicans are threatening to oppose any new Supreme Court Justices, if Hilary wins? Geez....more work not getting done! Whatever your party affiliation, how do we hold them accountable, while they are in office? It's just infuriating!
6
It's hard to tell if the Times is pro-Clinton or anti-Trump. I'm going with the latter. Despite all of its propaganda over the past year, the Times still has not articulated a good argument for Hillary Clinton, a woman with pathologically bad judgment and no record of success on any front.
Thanks for the important contribution to the discussion.
Thanks for the important contribution to the discussion.
4
Should Hillary lose (not likely as they will rig the electronic voting machines first to guarantee THAT scenario doesn’t go down), blame Hillary, not "third party voters." Blame the hubris of HRC and the self-destructive pathology both she and hubby Bill share, not WikiLeaks. Blame Hillary, who consistently speaks out of both sides of her mouth, never revealing her true intention because her only intent is to win; her allegiance only to herself. For Hillary it's all about winning, making her the perfect model for our vapid, narcissistic “winners” culture.
Hillary, whose main achievement in all her years in public office was to funnel bucket-loads of "Pay-To-Play" Biz to the Foundation, still finds herself struggling to establish her credibility and "connect" with a significant segment of registered Dems who, like myself, can't get past the stench of deceit and blind ambition in this most despicable, sanctimonious, fundamentally dishonest candidate.
Jay Z might ask his wife, another know-nothing of no consequence, where the million bucks that she got from the Gaddafi Family went after she made her “donation" to the Clinton's massive corporate slush fund for “Haiti Relief.” If she has any idea where that money went she should contact the FBI ASAP as they're racking their brains to figure out the money trail in Haiti (and everywhere else the Foundation's tentacles have reached.)
Hillary and Trump: easily the two most reviled candidates of either party in American history.
Hillary, whose main achievement in all her years in public office was to funnel bucket-loads of "Pay-To-Play" Biz to the Foundation, still finds herself struggling to establish her credibility and "connect" with a significant segment of registered Dems who, like myself, can't get past the stench of deceit and blind ambition in this most despicable, sanctimonious, fundamentally dishonest candidate.
Jay Z might ask his wife, another know-nothing of no consequence, where the million bucks that she got from the Gaddafi Family went after she made her “donation" to the Clinton's massive corporate slush fund for “Haiti Relief.” If she has any idea where that money went she should contact the FBI ASAP as they're racking their brains to figure out the money trail in Haiti (and everywhere else the Foundation's tentacles have reached.)
Hillary and Trump: easily the two most reviled candidates of either party in American history.
7
America's worship of the ALMIGHTY GUN surpasses belief in the Bible or the Constitution or any other source of ideas. With guns, you don't need ideas, you don't even need to think (literally, any moron can pull a trigger).
All you need is the explosive charge provided by decades of damage done by the NRA, its whipping-boy the GOP, and the millions of misled men and women cowering in fear of imaginary dangers.
Then add Donald Trump's many suggestions for "2nd amendment folks" to take the law into their own hands, by any means necessary, and lastly add Trump's followers who've been writing of the "coming second civil war" and "bloodshed" and "revolution."
I don't look forward to November 9th at all - we would all be safer holding an open can of gasoline and dropping in a lit match.
All you need is the explosive charge provided by decades of damage done by the NRA, its whipping-boy the GOP, and the millions of misled men and women cowering in fear of imaginary dangers.
Then add Donald Trump's many suggestions for "2nd amendment folks" to take the law into their own hands, by any means necessary, and lastly add Trump's followers who've been writing of the "coming second civil war" and "bloodshed" and "revolution."
I don't look forward to November 9th at all - we would all be safer holding an open can of gasoline and dropping in a lit match.
4
Richard Nixon was also very qualified with lots of inside Washington experience.
The US can't afford another Watergate and that's what you'll get with Clinton.
The US can't afford another Watergate and that's what you'll get with Clinton.
3
One can only hope that enough undecideds in battleground states read your extraordinary editorial and are moved by it to vote for Mrs. Clinton and save the country from the catastrophe that you have so trenchantly described.
8
You are among those to blame for this sad situation, NY Times. Your lack of objectivity over the past has, in part, led to this backlash. American society has fallen to the lowest of the lows. Many have been foolish enough to trust the likes of your publication, along with most of the MSM. 'Reap what you sow.'
7
No doubt that Trump is a despicable and deplorable candidate. And Hillary by far lesser so. Nevertheless, these trying times require brute honesty, and for once let truth be told: we are reaping the whirlwind of America's post-911 politics, when our elites collapsed in craven obeisance to the contrived war on terror and consciously tolerated in the name of an ersatz patriotism the propagation of blatant lies and the evisceration of our constitution. One need look no further than the pictures from Abu Ghraib to show us what America has become. And now we ask for truth? And now we ask for morality? Ethical behaviour? Too little too late America: Trump looms, enjoy the next 4 years, if you can.
1
"The conditions that spawned him" are deep and complex, and were addressed quite clearly by Bernie Sanders. Why did the New York Times, other media, and the DNC, collude to bring him down, giving us instead such a deeply flawed candidate as Mrs. Clinton - she of half measures, at best?
5
Thank you, Times, for the forceful, unvarnished editorial stand that could have been published at any time in the last sixteen months.
5
I disagree with the first line in this piece. I am a fairly astute student of American political history, and if we are talking about major party presidential candidates, I cannot recall one whose election was likely to have been worse for the American people and American interests than Donald Trump's election almost certainly would be.
His history of self-serving fraud, his pathological dishonesty, his view of critics as enemies, his vindictiveness, his ignorance of political and diplomatic issues, his advocacy of nuclear proliferation, his overt bigotry, his vicious misogyny, his disregard for our long-standing alliances, his total lack of understanding of our constitution and its purposes... Shall I go on?
We have NEVER had a candidate like Donald Trump, nor one who poses such risks to our very existence as a republic.
His history of self-serving fraud, his pathological dishonesty, his view of critics as enemies, his vindictiveness, his ignorance of political and diplomatic issues, his advocacy of nuclear proliferation, his overt bigotry, his vicious misogyny, his disregard for our long-standing alliances, his total lack of understanding of our constitution and its purposes... Shall I go on?
We have NEVER had a candidate like Donald Trump, nor one who poses such risks to our very existence as a republic.
112
The Republican Party having employed tactics and strategy that laid the ground work for the Great Liar (Trump), some in the party are content to double down on these tactics- in a self destructive frenzy that says if you can't have me..than you can't have anyone- damn the country. Indeed, this entrenched, despicable way of thinking is the gristmill of revolution- not the Madison Avenue wealth trodden version they have been peddling over the years
And what do we owe this self destructive, angry stance of the party to- sown as it is in decades of division politics, wealthy manipulation and racism? Slavery. It is slavery that split the nation 150 years ago. It is slavery that gave lie to the utterance of our founding that "All men are created equal." Yet what we have seen is the Republican Party since Reagan is the animus of slavery- slavish obedience to wealthy interests, gross manipulation of the electorate on wedge issues such as abortion and gay rights- and much more the pitting of rich versus poor, suburban versus city, their schools versus ours, military spending versus domestic. Always finding themselves on the side of those that feed their coffers. Damn the environment. Damn the constitution. Damn babies killed by machine guns. Damn Blacks and Immigrants. Damn the rest of the world- touting an exceptionalism bred of white racism. No- not all Republicans are racists- unless you are too Black- too poor, too aged or too disabled- then far too many are.
And what do we owe this self destructive, angry stance of the party to- sown as it is in decades of division politics, wealthy manipulation and racism? Slavery. It is slavery that split the nation 150 years ago. It is slavery that gave lie to the utterance of our founding that "All men are created equal." Yet what we have seen is the Republican Party since Reagan is the animus of slavery- slavish obedience to wealthy interests, gross manipulation of the electorate on wedge issues such as abortion and gay rights- and much more the pitting of rich versus poor, suburban versus city, their schools versus ours, military spending versus domestic. Always finding themselves on the side of those that feed their coffers. Damn the environment. Damn the constitution. Damn babies killed by machine guns. Damn Blacks and Immigrants. Damn the rest of the world- touting an exceptionalism bred of white racism. No- not all Republicans are racists- unless you are too Black- too poor, too aged or too disabled- then far too many are.
4
On the day after the election, the United States will still have two political parties financed by Wall Street, corporations and the rest of the 1 percent --and thus heavily beholden to them.
On November 9 we will still have a President and a Congress unable and/or unwilling to work for the good of the American people when this conflicts with the desires and interests of those who funded them into office.
This is a cancer at the heart of our democracy and unless it is treated and eliminated through bold measures initiated by President Hillary Clinton and every decent, far-sighted Senator and Representative, it will ultimately destroy our nation.
And We the People need to rise up and demand that this be a major priority of those we have chosen to lead us. We need to demand it so loudly and so long that our calls cannot be ignored by the politicians or the mainstream media or the wealthy who view America as their personal fiefdom.
It's now or never.
On November 9 we will still have a President and a Congress unable and/or unwilling to work for the good of the American people when this conflicts with the desires and interests of those who funded them into office.
This is a cancer at the heart of our democracy and unless it is treated and eliminated through bold measures initiated by President Hillary Clinton and every decent, far-sighted Senator and Representative, it will ultimately destroy our nation.
And We the People need to rise up and demand that this be a major priority of those we have chosen to lead us. We need to demand it so loudly and so long that our calls cannot be ignored by the politicians or the mainstream media or the wealthy who view America as their personal fiefdom.
It's now or never.
1
Just viewed a James Carville video where he blames America for putting an end to all the good things that the Clinton's do. All I can say is, it was a pleasure, James.
2
In Arizona, early voters who have taken their ballots to voting centers have reported nothing remotely resembling violence. Predictions of harassment, violence, intimidation and even revolution have been made. When this election ends up being as peaceful as most others, are we free to conclude that the ominous predictions were hysterical, foolish, misguided and intended to create fear without justification?
2
Why did Debbie Schultz resign?
Why did CNN cut Donna Brazile?
Why did the Secretary of State feel the need for a secretive email server?
How does a public servant go from middle class to so disgustingly rich?
How will history judge our democracy when the same families rule for generation after generation?
Why did CNN cut Donna Brazile?
Why did the Secretary of State feel the need for a secretive email server?
How does a public servant go from middle class to so disgustingly rich?
How will history judge our democracy when the same families rule for generation after generation?
7
I read this to my children this morning. While they are perfectly capable of reading it themselves, I felt the obligation and the opportunity for a real, substantive conversation. It was one of the best, ever. Thank you.
5
Reject Trump on November 8. This country cannot afford a tyrant, a liar, a thief, or a racist as president. It's really that simple.
6
The election is just two days away and it brings both hope and dread. Hope that Hillary wins, and dread that it could be Trump.
The United States is facing some very serious and divisive issues and if Trump is elected things will become worse across the board. The economy will sink, our foreign relations around the globe will be in peril, and race relations in this country may revert to the Jim Crow era. The problems facing the shrinking middle-class need to be addressed, as well as the cost of health care, college tuition, and the national debt. Trump has no economic strategy other than to slash taxes for the 1%. He depends upon lies, or hyperbole as he likes to say, and shockingly millions of Americans are buying it.
The other day in Hershey, PA, Trump "described" to the throng how President Obama had become unhinged while berating a protester that same day at a rally in Fayetteville, NC. Every word out of Trump’s mouth describing the incident was a lie. Just look at the tape from CNN. He has no problem telling a completely fabricated story in front of thousands of supporters. Facts and the truth to him are superfluous, they only get in the way of what he is selling and he has no respect for the people whom he can so easily deceive.
When this mess is over, Hillary should prevail. Trump however, will continue his rant, denouncing the election as a fraud. Or worse, the mob will have delivered him to the White House. If so, God help us all.
The United States is facing some very serious and divisive issues and if Trump is elected things will become worse across the board. The economy will sink, our foreign relations around the globe will be in peril, and race relations in this country may revert to the Jim Crow era. The problems facing the shrinking middle-class need to be addressed, as well as the cost of health care, college tuition, and the national debt. Trump has no economic strategy other than to slash taxes for the 1%. He depends upon lies, or hyperbole as he likes to say, and shockingly millions of Americans are buying it.
The other day in Hershey, PA, Trump "described" to the throng how President Obama had become unhinged while berating a protester that same day at a rally in Fayetteville, NC. Every word out of Trump’s mouth describing the incident was a lie. Just look at the tape from CNN. He has no problem telling a completely fabricated story in front of thousands of supporters. Facts and the truth to him are superfluous, they only get in the way of what he is selling and he has no respect for the people whom he can so easily deceive.
When this mess is over, Hillary should prevail. Trump however, will continue his rant, denouncing the election as a fraud. Or worse, the mob will have delivered him to the White House. If so, God help us all.
8
"Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio — weaklings all." Well said and, with Pence the rest of them, the face of Party over Country. They claim to be christians, conservatives and Republicans - they are none of those.
6
Yes, Trump is the worse of the 2 evils running for POTUS but it is just as obvious to a majority of voters that the wrong person "won" the Debbie Wasserman Shultz primary. The lost/found emails confirm what most voters already knew.
The sad part is that Hillary is co-owned by the Banksters & worse AIPAC. She will do only what her funders approve. Pity the indigenous people of Palestine with Hillary being called "She sounds like Netanyahu" after her speech to AIPAC.
www.salon.com/
The sad part is that Hillary is co-owned by the Banksters & worse AIPAC. She will do only what her funders approve. Pity the indigenous people of Palestine with Hillary being called "She sounds like Netanyahu" after her speech to AIPAC.
www.salon.com/
I hope Trump loses in a big way. If so that still doesn't mitigate the enormous injustice of Chelsea Manning being tortured in a military prioson while Hillary Clinton continues to wage imperial wars that Manning so courageously risked everything to expose.
2
I have been hooked on politics ever since the 7th grade overnight when we stayed at school to color in the electoral map during the 1968 presidential election. I have never felt that a presidential candidate would do harm to the country, no matter the outcome of the election. Even in my adult years there have many Republican presidential candidates I could have lived with, and did. Both Bushes were fundamentally decent people who I just happened to disagree with. I could have lived with either McCain or Romney as president of our country because I saw in them decent people who, again, I had policy differences with.
In Trump, we have a candidate who terrifies me because he has unleashed the kind of discourse that I haven't seen and heard en masse since I was young, black girl growing up in the south. A resounding defeat of Trump is will not be enough to quiet these voices. BUT, it will show that our country made the choice to repudiate this vitriolic rhetoric, and perhaps begin a time of more civil discourse where a diversity of thought is valued.
I'm with HER, because the alternative is inconceivable.
In Trump, we have a candidate who terrifies me because he has unleashed the kind of discourse that I haven't seen and heard en masse since I was young, black girl growing up in the south. A resounding defeat of Trump is will not be enough to quiet these voices. BUT, it will show that our country made the choice to repudiate this vitriolic rhetoric, and perhaps begin a time of more civil discourse where a diversity of thought is valued.
I'm with HER, because the alternative is inconceivable.
10
We must address the fundamental truth about politics and government - gridlock, disharmony and even chaos is great for business. What stands at the forefront in America is capitalism, led by a cadre of greedy, merciless and mercenary capitalists. Government has failed at its primary function which is to ensure "a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." Politicians are elected to serve and protect all of us but they put their own personal ambition and Party before country.
This election could not have been more anti-establishment. The status quo will not be tolerated any longer. Both parties have dug in and put forward the two most loathed candidates in history ever to run for president. No matter who is elected, the country will be ill served by our corrupt political duopoly. I doubt we have averted the worse and now face an unprecedented crisis. Given that 90% of Americans disapprove of Congress today, politicians may want to consider what happens when it sinks to 99% tomorrow. Politician's attempts at managing gridlock with smoke and mirrors does not address reality for many millions of Americans. I see no way that this can turn out well for either Republican or Democratic partisans, and more importantly for America's future.
This election could not have been more anti-establishment. The status quo will not be tolerated any longer. Both parties have dug in and put forward the two most loathed candidates in history ever to run for president. No matter who is elected, the country will be ill served by our corrupt political duopoly. I doubt we have averted the worse and now face an unprecedented crisis. Given that 90% of Americans disapprove of Congress today, politicians may want to consider what happens when it sinks to 99% tomorrow. Politician's attempts at managing gridlock with smoke and mirrors does not address reality for many millions of Americans. I see no way that this can turn out well for either Republican or Democratic partisans, and more importantly for America's future.
3
If only the people who need to hear this read the Times and could understand this editorial I would be less fearful.
6
"It is a history of coded race-baiting..." writes the editorial board. Well, when did you notice that? What have you done about it?
The Republican party, since New Gingrich, has been willing to win by any means. Suppressing the vote, gerrymandering so the minority rules in the states and in Congress, and recently, threatening to blow up a Clinton administration before it starts and continue the obstruction of the will of the people as represented by their elected president.
That obstruction subverts the Constitution -- the balances put in place to govern the nation. They violate their oath of office.
How long before the Times editorial board writes another tepid observation about that?
The Republican party, since New Gingrich, has been willing to win by any means. Suppressing the vote, gerrymandering so the minority rules in the states and in Congress, and recently, threatening to blow up a Clinton administration before it starts and continue the obstruction of the will of the people as represented by their elected president.
That obstruction subverts the Constitution -- the balances put in place to govern the nation. They violate their oath of office.
How long before the Times editorial board writes another tepid observation about that?
3
I'm not against old fashioned Republicans and enjoy a good discussion with them, but the ones I know have abandoned the current party, headed by teapublicans, bullied by the freedom caucus, led by obstructionists (McConnell) and looters and exploiters. They are voting for Clinton.
Remember: Trump will
crash the world economy
endanger our relatoionships with other countries
prevent working together to solve energy and global warming/climate change
The economy always does better with Democrats. We don't need a president who will start unfunded wars, tell us to go out and shop, and choose hawks like Cheney who will form a shadow government.
We don't need a president who is buddies with Putin and dependent on Russian oligarchs for his wealth.
We don't need a nasty baby in charge who thinks he knows everything and wants to be emperor. He will use the full faith and credit of the US as his personal piggybank.
Remember: Trump will
crash the world economy
endanger our relatoionships with other countries
prevent working together to solve energy and global warming/climate change
The economy always does better with Democrats. We don't need a president who will start unfunded wars, tell us to go out and shop, and choose hawks like Cheney who will form a shadow government.
We don't need a president who is buddies with Putin and dependent on Russian oligarchs for his wealth.
We don't need a nasty baby in charge who thinks he knows everything and wants to be emperor. He will use the full faith and credit of the US as his personal piggybank.
13
The "personal piggybank" issue is far more Hillary's failing than Donald's since it is an established pattern with her, not just a fear.
The "buddies with Putin" is a flat lie, another one from Hillary.
Yes, he is a nasty baby. She is some well-established nasty things too. Some were shown as Sec of State with warmongering, and trade negotiations, and coups. Some were in recent speeches, promising to attack Iran and saying nuclear weapons were "on the table" for that attack. Some were shown for many years before as she threatened and abused the victims of Bill, lied for him, excused him, enabled him, things which were her wrongdoing not just his. And do we really want his sexual shenanigans back in the White House, with the President herself enabling him?
The "buddies with Putin" is a flat lie, another one from Hillary.
Yes, he is a nasty baby. She is some well-established nasty things too. Some were shown as Sec of State with warmongering, and trade negotiations, and coups. Some were in recent speeches, promising to attack Iran and saying nuclear weapons were "on the table" for that attack. Some were shown for many years before as she threatened and abused the victims of Bill, lied for him, excused him, enabled him, things which were her wrongdoing not just his. And do we really want his sexual shenanigans back in the White House, with the President herself enabling him?
9
I watched several episodes last night of “The Crown”, the new Netflix series about Queen Elizabeth. They were mostly about the Queen’s coming to grips with her responsibility for preserving the monarchy for the purpose of unifying and protecting her nation.
We have lost a great deal of our respect for unity and constitutional government in the past year; and the fault lies almost entirely with the Republican Party whose demonstration of incompetence and abject cowardice in failing to reject and oust Mr. Trump in the face of his direct attacks on our liberties, freedoms and traditions is likely to go down in history as the greatest failure of political leadership ever witnessed in this country.
Americans intending to split their ballots between Mrs. Clinton and Republican candidates for Senate and House seats in order to maintain some balance of power between them are doing themselves and this country no service.
The need this time as never before is for a complete routing of one of our major political parties so as to give this still very good and wonderful nation some small chance of eventual recovery.
We have lost a great deal of our respect for unity and constitutional government in the past year; and the fault lies almost entirely with the Republican Party whose demonstration of incompetence and abject cowardice in failing to reject and oust Mr. Trump in the face of his direct attacks on our liberties, freedoms and traditions is likely to go down in history as the greatest failure of political leadership ever witnessed in this country.
Americans intending to split their ballots between Mrs. Clinton and Republican candidates for Senate and House seats in order to maintain some balance of power between them are doing themselves and this country no service.
The need this time as never before is for a complete routing of one of our major political parties so as to give this still very good and wonderful nation some small chance of eventual recovery.
10
"We have lost a great deal of our respect for unity and constitutional government" when people support a president who thinks ruling by executive order and with a "phone and a pen" is the way our republic should function. Trump is decidedly awfully but both parties have done great damage to our country.
3
Who's fear mongering now?
7
And using sex, and name calling, and "red-baiting." It has been a disgusting display, done instead of a positive rallying message that could have put to shame the nonsense spouted by the other side. She is no JFK.
4
It's not fear mongering if it is true.
1
Add to the list of reprobates Arizona Senator John McCain. His endorsement/unendorsement of Mr. Trump followed by his determination to reject any Supreme Court nominee Secretary Clinton may advance show a fecklessness unworthy of his former stature. Senator Jeff Flake has, to his credit, remained steadfast in his repudiation of Mr. Trump.
12
Greetings from Vancouver, BC. As a stereotypical calm, rational Canadian, I have watched your presidential campaign with interest - not envy.
Your frustrations are palpable and understandable. When one trillion dollars is spent on the military every two years (wars cost extra), this is money that does NOT go to rebuilding your infrastructure or educating your kids. It mystifies me why this is not the central debate in your election. It's 'guns or butter' folks. Anyway, enough from an outsider - good luck on Tuesday!
I have tremendous respect/affinity for Americans,
Your frustrations are palpable and understandable. When one trillion dollars is spent on the military every two years (wars cost extra), this is money that does NOT go to rebuilding your infrastructure or educating your kids. It mystifies me why this is not the central debate in your election. It's 'guns or butter' folks. Anyway, enough from an outsider - good luck on Tuesday!
I have tremendous respect/affinity for Americans,
8
It is considerably more than a trillion. Including wars and Homeland Security and nuclear weapons in the separate Energy Dept budget and black budget and 17 intelligence agencies and more, it is nearer a trillion each year.
1
Great points!
However, as a professional editor, I want to point out that in every one of the most important Times editorials about Trump, there has been a needlessly obscure and hard-to-read word inserted just at the key point. In this piece, the words are "cravenness" and "athwart." (In one of the first such editorials, in talking about Trump's lies, the writers used the word "mendacity" when they meant "lies.")
This kind of writing blunts the message and also cannot be read by people without a rigorous college education (or more). Less-educated people are the ones Trump appeals to and whom these editorials need to reach!
The Times is so right on these issues. Stop blunting your message and putting it out of reach! Keep it sharp and direct.
However, as a professional editor, I want to point out that in every one of the most important Times editorials about Trump, there has been a needlessly obscure and hard-to-read word inserted just at the key point. In this piece, the words are "cravenness" and "athwart." (In one of the first such editorials, in talking about Trump's lies, the writers used the word "mendacity" when they meant "lies.")
This kind of writing blunts the message and also cannot be read by people without a rigorous college education (or more). Less-educated people are the ones Trump appeals to and whom these editorials need to reach!
The Times is so right on these issues. Stop blunting your message and putting it out of reach! Keep it sharp and direct.
12
Case in point regarding needlessly obscure words.
"a rigorous college education (or more)"
Take your own advice and "Keep it sharp and direct"!
"a rigorous college education (or more)"
Take your own advice and "Keep it sharp and direct"!
Will it prove true once again that "America invariably does the right thing. After all other solutions have been tried."? We hold our breath... and pray.
2
Yes. We will do the right thing in 2020, as we did in 1860 after the fiasco of 1856. We don't have a "right thing" choice this time around, we already put ourselves in that position.
2
Ya we will, Trump going to win , and I think deep down inside you , you know this .
2
Libertarian Voting Guide:
STEP 1 - Fill Ballot by Voting straight Libertarian Ticket
STEP 2 - Crumple Ballot
STEP 3 - Toss Ballot into nearest trash bin
STEP 4 - Sit back and watch Donald Trump become our next president
STEP 1 - Fill Ballot by Voting straight Libertarian Ticket
STEP 2 - Crumple Ballot
STEP 3 - Toss Ballot into nearest trash bin
STEP 4 - Sit back and watch Donald Trump become our next president
12
It's hard to vote for a democrat when Sotomayor is so openly racist against white people, when affirmative action is law that judges and oppresses based on skin color and when both parties pander based on race but one party sympathies with cop killers while offering no real solution.
There are great reasons to vote for both parties, the reasons cited above are why it's increasingly hard to vote for democrats as a white person.
There are great reasons to vote for both parties, the reasons cited above are why it's increasingly hard to vote for democrats as a white person.
7
There is an obvious cure for the bigotry that afflicts you - it's called "education". You made a statement that Justice Sotomayor is "openly racist against white people", yet you fail to mention ONE instance of her supposed racism. Aside from the usual right wing pundits declaring her so, I cannot find a single issue in which her opinion on the Court was even remotely based on racism. Accepting the bleating of television or radio talking heads without checking the facts is what distinguishes an uneducated voter from a discerning one.
5
This must be the 25th [or is it the 250th] NYT editorial saying essentially the same thing. The choir you're preaching to loves it, I'm sure, but you're not changing any other minds.
14
All good and well but what I and all rational Americans need to understand is how seemingly sane intelligent people support Trump. Believe obvious lies, choose hate, scapegoat innocents, and line up behind a man of little intelligence, or character, and deep personality disorders.
A friend from the past recently contacted me and revealed he is a Trump supporter. He has an absolute firewall that protects him from all factual information, logic, and anything and everything else that suggest electing a complete moron president might not be in the country's best interest.
A friend from the past recently contacted me and revealed he is a Trump supporter. He has an absolute firewall that protects him from all factual information, logic, and anything and everything else that suggest electing a complete moron president might not be in the country's best interest.
19
It seems that historically, in almost every case, mass hate is ultimately self-destructive. I hope that's proven yet again on Tuesday.
3
Well, we are going to have a bright new America! All the obstructionism, filibusters, misogyny, bigotry racism, constant wars and war profiteering and human rights abuses, Corporations United, guns, etc as well as the influences of Reagan and both war criminals Bush administration and families will be gone forever.
The Republican'ts and deplorables and Trumpet will be disappointed but oh well who cares, they should get used to it because of what they are. Destruction over!
President Hillary Clinton and a Democrat Congress will govern over this land and bring us, FINALLY, beginning in January 2017, into the 21st century by creating living wage jobs for unions and manufacturing, increase the minimum wage on McDs and Walmart, more regulations and higher taxes against corporations and the 1%ers, single payer health system just like the rest of the rest of the civilized world, and on and on. It will take time but it will be done!
Of course, FINALLY, a fully functional SCOTUS that no longer obstructs or has "activist judges" but actually goes by the rule of law to overturn Heller, return the Voting Rights Act, get rid of Corporations United and McCutchenson, and on and on. President Obama has a few months left and will continue doing good for this nation and the earth.
BUT, until then, we still have to deal with the unAmerican unpatriotic Republican'ts and deplorables, but fortunately, won't last long.
Thank you, President elect Hillary Clinton and the Democrats!
The Republican'ts and deplorables and Trumpet will be disappointed but oh well who cares, they should get used to it because of what they are. Destruction over!
President Hillary Clinton and a Democrat Congress will govern over this land and bring us, FINALLY, beginning in January 2017, into the 21st century by creating living wage jobs for unions and manufacturing, increase the minimum wage on McDs and Walmart, more regulations and higher taxes against corporations and the 1%ers, single payer health system just like the rest of the rest of the civilized world, and on and on. It will take time but it will be done!
Of course, FINALLY, a fully functional SCOTUS that no longer obstructs or has "activist judges" but actually goes by the rule of law to overturn Heller, return the Voting Rights Act, get rid of Corporations United and McCutchenson, and on and on. President Obama has a few months left and will continue doing good for this nation and the earth.
BUT, until then, we still have to deal with the unAmerican unpatriotic Republican'ts and deplorables, but fortunately, won't last long.
Thank you, President elect Hillary Clinton and the Democrats!
6
Great piece who ever wins could think about being patriotic first and compromise to work together to make America great. We should accept globalization and share wealth across all middle class of the world.Crony capitalism does not make world a safe one.
3
The United States has not seen worse than Donald Trump. Technological advances that exist today at his fingertips would be disaster. Disaster at every level of law enforcement as well. Think their power is on steroids now--just wait. He does not possess restraint, critical thinking, or humility. A Politician needs that collaborative muscle to maneuver successfully. You don't want to even think what could happen--Please Vote.
8
There is no denying what a dreadful man and candidate Trump is, but the effort to portray Hillary as an angelic, all knowing and caring, and embracing to all counterpoint is just as dishonest as she is. She's beholden to Wall Street and her 1% lifestyle as much as the GOP, craves power and, as an other article in the NYT points out, surrounds herself with, shall we say, dubious characters.
I'm sure Hillary will win on Tuesday, with a lot of votes not for her but against him. Of course the Times and the rest of the echo culture will try to tell us how America really loves Hillary and has given her a mandate to govern - nothing could be farther from the truth. Hopefully someone will whisper in her ear that she must be president to all, not just her supporters (something Obama has been very bad at), but the "deplorables" comment hardly gives one much hope. I fear we have four years of division, scandal and corruption to confront.
I'm sure Hillary will win on Tuesday, with a lot of votes not for her but against him. Of course the Times and the rest of the echo culture will try to tell us how America really loves Hillary and has given her a mandate to govern - nothing could be farther from the truth. Hopefully someone will whisper in her ear that she must be president to all, not just her supporters (something Obama has been very bad at), but the "deplorables" comment hardly gives one much hope. I fear we have four years of division, scandal and corruption to confront.
9
I'd suggest that the Clinton supporters who think that they can rest on their laurels on November 9th, after the election of HRC, occupy some kind of delusional state.
The Trump Taliban that Donald has spawned here in America, is not going away anytime soon. Mr. Trump will not concede a loss to Clinton; he will sow seeds of even deeper paranoia, mistrust, and accusation against all of or our foundational principals in the weeks and months after the election. Trump will subvert the outcome of this election into an absolute proof to his supporters that the presidency was "stolen" from him. Even to the point that Donald can continue with his oft heard refrain "I have never lost at anything".
Mr. Trump will leave sufficient blood in the water for the next four years to sustain, and even fortify, the zealotry that he has perpetuated amongst his human equivalency of sharks.
The Trump Taliban that Donald has spawned here in America, is not going away anytime soon. Mr. Trump will not concede a loss to Clinton; he will sow seeds of even deeper paranoia, mistrust, and accusation against all of or our foundational principals in the weeks and months after the election. Trump will subvert the outcome of this election into an absolute proof to his supporters that the presidency was "stolen" from him. Even to the point that Donald can continue with his oft heard refrain "I have never lost at anything".
Mr. Trump will leave sufficient blood in the water for the next four years to sustain, and even fortify, the zealotry that he has perpetuated amongst his human equivalency of sharks.
8
That would be the ultimate irony…..that the people who vote for Trump will, if they win, end up getting rid of their 'water boy' and replace him with someone
who can really run what some think will become a dictatorship,
who can really run what some think will become a dictatorship,
1
"This surreal, miserable presidential campaign exposed a lot of rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace."
Anything that has rot in it is dead.
Anything that has rot in it is dead.
3
Incorrect. All one needs to do is administer antibiotics and, if necessary, excise the rotting flesh.
How about an explanation from Sunday Review Editorial staff why all the comments here are marked "false" instead of giving the time they were published, per usual, in opinion comments. "False" is as pejorative word for "true' as there can be, given the tornado of lies that have enfolded we the people since the crooked DNC and RNC picked their candidates who represent barrels of rotten apples, "baskets of deplorables" and whom we the people are not happy about voting for Tuesday (notwithstanding the millions of us who have voted absentee in last several months). We can't imagine America on Nov. 9, any more than we can imagine it today on 6 November.
So how does the Editorial Board "'SPLAIN" 'FALSE'?
So how does the Editorial Board "'SPLAIN" 'FALSE'?
5
@Nan Socolow: Yes, I was wondering the same thing. Thank you for pointing that out.
Couldn't agree more with ALL your very cogent points.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily you can manipulate and brainwash modern day Americans; an intellectually lazy, uninformed electorate with the increasingly short attention span coupled with an astonishing degree of willful ignorance; the perfect confluence for manipulation and the PRIMARY reason our democracy (or what's left of it) is in such wretched condition.
Maybe in the end we get what we deserve.
Couldn't agree more with ALL your very cogent points.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily you can manipulate and brainwash modern day Americans; an intellectually lazy, uninformed electorate with the increasingly short attention span coupled with an astonishing degree of willful ignorance; the perfect confluence for manipulation and the PRIMARY reason our democracy (or what's left of it) is in such wretched condition.
Maybe in the end we get what we deserve.
WRONG!
The worst effect of this campaign IS Hillary Clinton.
She and her husband are and have always been, grifters. Enriching themselves through political office by selling positions and power.
The worst effect of this campaign IS Hillary Clinton.
She and her husband are and have always been, grifters. Enriching themselves through political office by selling positions and power.
11
Prove it. And you cannot use any conspiracy theories. The evidence you present must be factual and true. Good luck!
2
The problem is Donald Trump; the rest seems rather normal (SNAFU).
He alone began, led, and won the race to the bottom. The ideas and hatred expressed in this campaign are not new in American politics. It is the form in which they have been presented and the messenger selected to do so that make this remarkable.
None of my American friends have lost their minds and on Wed we will all be glad to move on with life; imperfect as it is.
He alone began, led, and won the race to the bottom. The ideas and hatred expressed in this campaign are not new in American politics. It is the form in which they have been presented and the messenger selected to do so that make this remarkable.
None of my American friends have lost their minds and on Wed we will all be glad to move on with life; imperfect as it is.
5
Not really. Joe Wilson shouting "You lie!" at the President on the floor of the House of Representatives during the State of the Union marks the beginning of total disregard for respect and decency in the Republican Party.
5
Finally it's time for the voters to speak. N Y Times, please urge the electoral college to honor the votes we cast.
4
"The urgent thing now is to avert the worst, minimize the damage, save the foundations, clear the mess."
Pure wishful thinking. In the article, the author first makes this plea, then immediately resumes the most vile invective. We have become an Old Testament nation ... eye for eye and tooth for tooth seems not an unfortunate reflex but rather all that we are left with.
Pure wishful thinking. In the article, the author first makes this plea, then immediately resumes the most vile invective. We have become an Old Testament nation ... eye for eye and tooth for tooth seems not an unfortunate reflex but rather all that we are left with.
3
Journalism should be a required subject in high school so that Americans can understand sources of information and opinions. This is not an article but an editorial, the opinion of the editorial board. This election has pointed out a basic lack of understanding by voters of what journalism is. It doesn't help that one candidate does't understand it or its importance in a democracy. Let's open up those libel laws! It also doesn't help that CNN hires former campaign workers, still on campaign payroll. This whole election has been an assault on journalism and facts.
1
I watched Rudy Giuliani behave like a madman this week on cable tv, his eyes popping in a bizarre manner, his voice shrieking about his 'big surprise' coming. Then there's Chris Christie who has been publicly shamed for either his corruption or his inability to manage his staff so they don't commit crimes and who is toxic beyond belief now. Then there's my own governor, LePage, who is a nutcase who is ruining our beautiful state.
Trump and his sycophants must not find their way to Power Over The Rest of Us. It won't be a pretty sight if these corrupt lying men make it on Tuesday. In Trump's own words, "It will be a DISASTER". Believe me. Please.
Trump and his sycophants must not find their way to Power Over The Rest of Us. It won't be a pretty sight if these corrupt lying men make it on Tuesday. In Trump's own words, "It will be a DISASTER". Believe me. Please.
9
What a disappointing and counterproductive editorial.
This election is very much a race to the bottom. Both parties have nominated severely flawed candidates. Many feel that Mrs. Clinton is the lesser of two bad choices, and they are probably right. I hope Mrs. Clinton wins. I hope she becomes a good, even great President, though I don’t expect it.
One of the problems with Donald Trump is that he breeds rage, intolerance, and divisiveness. But with comments suggesting that most Republicans are “deplorable” Mrs. Clinton commits the same offence. And, more to the point, so does the New York Times. The paper publishes multiple repetitive editorials characterized by overwrought Republican bashing, such as this one. The Time is as loud and inappropriate as Mr. Trump, only they are too deaf to hear it.
Personally, I am at odds with some Republican policies. But, overall, I agree with much conservatives stand for. I believe nations should live within their means, and not leave enormous debt to their children. I support the word and rule of law, including the clear meaning of the equal protection clause of our Constitution, which clearly prohibits Affirmative Action. I believe in free markets, with appropriate, but limited, government oversight.
And I believe in tolerance and respect for multiple viewpoints. Which, unfortunately, this editorial surely does not.
This election is very much a race to the bottom. Both parties have nominated severely flawed candidates. Many feel that Mrs. Clinton is the lesser of two bad choices, and they are probably right. I hope Mrs. Clinton wins. I hope she becomes a good, even great President, though I don’t expect it.
One of the problems with Donald Trump is that he breeds rage, intolerance, and divisiveness. But with comments suggesting that most Republicans are “deplorable” Mrs. Clinton commits the same offence. And, more to the point, so does the New York Times. The paper publishes multiple repetitive editorials characterized by overwrought Republican bashing, such as this one. The Time is as loud and inappropriate as Mr. Trump, only they are too deaf to hear it.
Personally, I am at odds with some Republican policies. But, overall, I agree with much conservatives stand for. I believe nations should live within their means, and not leave enormous debt to their children. I support the word and rule of law, including the clear meaning of the equal protection clause of our Constitution, which clearly prohibits Affirmative Action. I believe in free markets, with appropriate, but limited, government oversight.
And I believe in tolerance and respect for multiple viewpoints. Which, unfortunately, this editorial surely does not.
29
Excellent. Comment Aex Clinton supporters are haters, bigoted, racist, especially the white ones. ,oh wait the best one is they are a bunch of hypocrites , absolutely ,
How about the fact that Hillary Clinton has plenty dangerous habits for the President of the US? The constant effort to paint Trump with Putin reflects reckless bias on the part of the NYTs. That said since one cannot say none of the above I'll have to take Hillary Clinton.
1
Sorry, as much as I agree with the basic thrust of this editorial, no likely outcome on Tuesday will convince me of electoral "decency." Allowing this repugnant, anti-American thug to reach this point in a presidential election--whatever the real or imagined reasons that people are using to justify their complicity--is a stain on this country. Maybe we'll dodge a bullet Tuesday, but how in God's name did we allow ourselves to be this close to the line of fire?
13
I'm saddened for this country. Many worry about what "might" happen under Trump, but seem to ignore the unprecedented corruption that has happened under Clinton et al.
In this election I'd take the devil that I don't know over the devil that I do all day long.
In this election I'd take the devil that I don't know over the devil that I do all day long.
5
The corruption is only in your mind and other Republican minds. The day you can prove it in court is the day it makes it relevant. Otherwise it's just right wing jargon.
2
With all do respect, your comments make zero sense and show no real understanding for the issues at hand. I am sorry for your confused mental state.
2
"...the conditions that spawned him (Trump)." President Hillary Clinton, like Barack Obama before her, will inherit a mess of how Donald Trump and, above all, the Republican Party and right wing media like Limbaugh and Fox News has infected the minds of Mrs. Clinton's haters.
Given Donald Trump's crazy and dangerous past behavior of inciting the dangerous anger of his True Believers there's no telling what they will do when he loses.
Given Donald Trump's crazy and dangerous past behavior of inciting the dangerous anger of his True Believers there's no telling what they will do when he loses.
4
If HRC is elected, another storm will come as sure as the sun rises. And it'll be bigger than the usual GOP insanity. If the media, and the political elites don't understand that the majority of Americans have had it with this lopsided, corporate-dominated, Wall Street loving, globalized political and economic system, the people will make their voices heard even louder than they did in this election.
A new way of thinking about the world has to be taken seriously. Not just economically, but ecologically. You can either have a country that is run in the interests of the 1%, corporations and banks, or you can have one that puts the interests of the people first, but you can't have both.
Bernie Sanders had wide support across all political lines and ideologies. He most likely would have won this election handily (altho running the country with GOP obstruction would've been hard, he might also have inspired more down ballot voting) with no real personal or political baggage.
The MSM and the elites ignored and ridiculed him, and now we have this festering disaster. And it won't go away until the needs of all people in this country are addressed with something a lot better than privatization, public-private partnerships and investments. Working class, poor, middle class, the young, have no more time to wait for incremental changes while wealth and power inequality grows ever larger.
The MSM and the elites have been utterly blind to these truths.
A new way of thinking about the world has to be taken seriously. Not just economically, but ecologically. You can either have a country that is run in the interests of the 1%, corporations and banks, or you can have one that puts the interests of the people first, but you can't have both.
Bernie Sanders had wide support across all political lines and ideologies. He most likely would have won this election handily (altho running the country with GOP obstruction would've been hard, he might also have inspired more down ballot voting) with no real personal or political baggage.
The MSM and the elites ignored and ridiculed him, and now we have this festering disaster. And it won't go away until the needs of all people in this country are addressed with something a lot better than privatization, public-private partnerships and investments. Working class, poor, middle class, the young, have no more time to wait for incremental changes while wealth and power inequality grows ever larger.
The MSM and the elites have been utterly blind to these truths.
5
Bernie Sanders lost to Hillary by more than 3 million votes and he would've lost to Donald Trump for sure. Just because he was a poor loser and stuck around for longer than he was supposed to doesn't make him relevant.
He turned out to be a poor loser and he never showed his taxes giving Donald Trump cover for that.
He turned out to be a poor loser and he never showed his taxes giving Donald Trump cover for that.
1
While everything your editorial has to say about Trump is confirmed by his own behaviour he is not really the problem. He will be a despicable but inattentive President should he win. The real problem lies in the compost heap of ideas, values and principals that most of the leaders of the Republic party have embraced and it is that toxic broth that has enabled Donald Trump to flourish. The witches in Macbeth said it best, "by the prickling of my things, something evil this way comes".
8
OMG, the leftist vitriol is unbelievable!! Although not a big fan of Mr Trump Hilary is a criminal. No amount of whitewashing can hide the fact that she is play for pay. So now you are advocating the election of a woman that well may be indicted for high crimes and misdemeanors with her "sex offender partner with her". Another 4 years of o'losers policies ought to finish bankrupting us all. Term limits, Hilary out of politics (jail?), the end of the ACA, restore the rights of individuals and pull together. Mr Obama has been the most devise president in history, wealthy against poor, whites against blacks, poor vs rich, you name it, he forked it. Good RIDDANCE!!
5
What a myopic viewpoint. It ignores and distorts the total white hate if a President who is not white. Get over it. The number of white Presidents will steadily diminish. White hatred unfortunately will not.
1
Even if Trump the tyrant is defeated at the polls, the United States will actually still be ruled by the one percent, the multinational corporations and their lobbyists, and the children of this privileged caste will maintain their amoral hegemony. Why do we not look at how our legislative process has been swallowed whole by these lobbyists and object as strenuously to this, the real ongoing threat to democracy, as we do to Trump?
4
I agree that electing Mr. Trump will be a difficult time in our history. The man has no clue what could be in store for him as the POTUS. I won't begin to talk about his comments about woman and about those from other countries that want to come here for a better life. That is well documented. As POTUS you can not walk away from fiscal and social responsibility, you can not declare bankrupcy and start over. As President Obama stated the other day, when you are given instructions and coding for nuclear weapons, it is sobering.
I have relatives and business owners that talk to me about wanting change and that is why they will vote for Mr. Trump. I try to have conversations about what that change will be. We have a Republican dominated Legislative Branch. But they will rubber stamp any propasals from a Trump President. That could be scary. They point to the ACA and high premiums and deductables that they deal with in real time. I explain that it has covered the poor and low wage eaner but we should not throw out the baby with the bath water. We can tweak it to help the middle income earner. But they are steeled, only wanting change via a Trump President. There is no reasoning in this election cycle.
I was and remain a Mr. Sanders supporter. With the influence of Mrs Wasserman and apparent help from Ms. Brazille, even the primary season appears to be a done deal and the voters are a simple a rubber stamp. I am digusted by what I see from both, so are the millennials.
I have relatives and business owners that talk to me about wanting change and that is why they will vote for Mr. Trump. I try to have conversations about what that change will be. We have a Republican dominated Legislative Branch. But they will rubber stamp any propasals from a Trump President. That could be scary. They point to the ACA and high premiums and deductables that they deal with in real time. I explain that it has covered the poor and low wage eaner but we should not throw out the baby with the bath water. We can tweak it to help the middle income earner. But they are steeled, only wanting change via a Trump President. There is no reasoning in this election cycle.
I was and remain a Mr. Sanders supporter. With the influence of Mrs Wasserman and apparent help from Ms. Brazille, even the primary season appears to be a done deal and the voters are a simple a rubber stamp. I am digusted by what I see from both, so are the millennials.
26
Michael,
how long have you been disgusted, and not taken it to the streets?
Bernie Sanders supporters, you included, are elitist. You are not
yet part of the solution. We are this mess! Each of us need to own it.
To imagine that this republic could step from where we are to where
Mr. Sanders lives speaks of your self-honesty. Self-honesty is the
missing factor in my opinion, in moving towards becoming
a nation again, or for the first time. To the courageous who reflect!
how long have you been disgusted, and not taken it to the streets?
Bernie Sanders supporters, you included, are elitist. You are not
yet part of the solution. We are this mess! Each of us need to own it.
To imagine that this republic could step from where we are to where
Mr. Sanders lives speaks of your self-honesty. Self-honesty is the
missing factor in my opinion, in moving towards becoming
a nation again, or for the first time. To the courageous who reflect!
Where is the statement "I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message'?
Has the NYTimes registered with the Federal Election Commission?
Has the NYTimes registered with the Federal Election Commission?
9
if trump wins (and even if your a bettin' person, his chances are at best low), i fear for the futures of the daughters of those who voted for him that they will not have the right to do with their bodies as they wish. i fear for our sons, who will grow up around a government who looks the other way at sexual assault and harassment. i fear for any adult man or woman who has a sense of decency about how to treat their neighbor who openly carries an assault weapon to the walmart when they are harassed for their beliefs. i fear for the elderly and the disabled who will be mocked and forgotten about. i fear for the middle class (those mining jobs are not coming back, i'm afraid) who are counting on a man who can't handle his own finances much less fill their pockets with a mythical golden american dream. i fear for muslims, jews, the sick, the black folks, the native americans, the refugees, and the hispanics. i fear for the future of our planet. if there is a god, a spirit of the universe, an energy of love and goodness, heck - i'll pray to the great horned spoon - that trump becomes a dirty blip on our political landscape. while HRC will have her hands full dealing with the fallout i hope she finds a way (despite the uphill battle of a stubborn senate), to make their lives better. vote blue and give your country a better chance at survival.
5
I think you fear too much, many felt that way every time a new president took office,some of their fears came true some didn't, so no matter who becomes president, we all have to just deal with the outcome like always, can't please everyone.
If Donald wins on Nov. 9th, America will look a lot Venezuela. A country where Government business is personal business. Government officials sell oil and oil futures and pocket the money in the tax heavens of the world. The US would be more diversified than that.
The difference would be that President Donald already has business debts with China and financial giants who will determine the outcome of America's bilateral negotiations.
In his inaugural speech, President Donald will boast he will the first President making billions out of it. The IRS? Of course, he would think he owns it.
The difference would be that President Donald already has business debts with China and financial giants who will determine the outcome of America's bilateral negotiations.
In his inaugural speech, President Donald will boast he will the first President making billions out of it. The IRS? Of course, he would think he owns it.
1
And if Trump wins, his hometown newspaper, which has known all about the odious NYC realtor for many years, will have to do some serious soul-searching. The Times's investigations into Trump's dubious business practices, tax evasion and character didn't start in earnest until it was clear he'd won the nomination and his naive fans' support was locked in. Had they (and similar hard reporting by the Washington Post and other major news outlets) started when Trump was knocking his competitors out of the box, this catastrophe might have been averted.
4
So, if I read this after coming out of a sealed room, Hillary would merely be victim. Not having been so, I think the TImes lives in a bubble. Trump is awful but this editorial is so in denial of her issues and flaws, it makes me look with excitement to the day the NY Times no longer exits. They are beyond redemption and would make a handy organ in a one party state.
5
This campaign has made clear many Americans are susceptible to electing a narcissistic sociopath.
Trump's supporters have turned a blind eye to the outrageous things he has done during this campaign and in his past - which would have ended the campaigns of "normal" political candidates. His base - blue collar male workers who have lost jobs and status - even ignore the facts that he has never done anything to help their group and has done many things to harm workers - manufacturing his products in low wage countries, buying steel for his buildings in China, fighting unionization in his casino in Las Vegas (one of today's headline articles), shifting his tax burden to the middle class, proposing tax policies that only advantage the super wealthy and do not close the tax loopholes he has used to avoid taxes. How could they need more evidence that his statements that he supports them are fraudulent? Yet, his litany of lies captivates them!
At least he hasn't proposed deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants since his wife's documentation shows she worked illegally in the US
Fortunately, Trump's narcissism has undone him. But, what if a less narcissistic sociopath runs for President in 2020? We need a better educational system. We need to help those who are being left behind by a manufacturing sector driven by automation and globalization. And we need to beat Trump by a margin that will drive the KKK and his other racist supporters back into their dark places
Trump's supporters have turned a blind eye to the outrageous things he has done during this campaign and in his past - which would have ended the campaigns of "normal" political candidates. His base - blue collar male workers who have lost jobs and status - even ignore the facts that he has never done anything to help their group and has done many things to harm workers - manufacturing his products in low wage countries, buying steel for his buildings in China, fighting unionization in his casino in Las Vegas (one of today's headline articles), shifting his tax burden to the middle class, proposing tax policies that only advantage the super wealthy and do not close the tax loopholes he has used to avoid taxes. How could they need more evidence that his statements that he supports them are fraudulent? Yet, his litany of lies captivates them!
At least he hasn't proposed deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants since his wife's documentation shows she worked illegally in the US
Fortunately, Trump's narcissism has undone him. But, what if a less narcissistic sociopath runs for President in 2020? We need a better educational system. We need to help those who are being left behind by a manufacturing sector driven by automation and globalization. And we need to beat Trump by a margin that will drive the KKK and his other racist supporters back into their dark places
5
No better or insightful commentary on the moral and political disease that is manifest in this election.
Trump is symptom of the virus that is within our American body, sometimes dormant, sometimes active, but never gone, because of the various moral infections we have suffered in our young history, from our very beginning.
It remains to be seen whether we as an infected people and nation, will have the collective wisdom to administer sufficient democratic antitdotes to control the present viral outbreak that threatens our health, if not survival, with its debilitating fever.
Whether or not the fever subsides on Tuesday-next, it is clear that the moral virus within our national body will never be eliminated when it periodically arises, as it has done throughout our history, but only suppressed by regular application of enlightened, humane democratic medicine.
Failing our being ready to treat the present, and likely future, viral outbursts generated by our history, our survival as an American species worthy of survival, will be in question.
Thank you for your profound take on our present condition, and prognosis, begin Nov 9.
We shall see.
Trump is symptom of the virus that is within our American body, sometimes dormant, sometimes active, but never gone, because of the various moral infections we have suffered in our young history, from our very beginning.
It remains to be seen whether we as an infected people and nation, will have the collective wisdom to administer sufficient democratic antitdotes to control the present viral outbreak that threatens our health, if not survival, with its debilitating fever.
Whether or not the fever subsides on Tuesday-next, it is clear that the moral virus within our national body will never be eliminated when it periodically arises, as it has done throughout our history, but only suppressed by regular application of enlightened, humane democratic medicine.
Failing our being ready to treat the present, and likely future, viral outbursts generated by our history, our survival as an American species worthy of survival, will be in question.
Thank you for your profound take on our present condition, and prognosis, begin Nov 9.
We shall see.
5
America will survive. America will endure. We will even, at some point celebrate the election of the first woman President in our 240 year history. 3 days until this historic moment and barely a word from anywhere. That a know-nothing vulgarian with delusions of grandeur is within shouting distance of the Presidency is a testament to haw far we still have to go as a nation...
Sexism is still the most virulent strain of racism...
Sexism is still the most virulent strain of racism...
6
Americans need to read more. Evidenced by this lousy Rep. candidate getting this far shows a large section of our society is ill informed.
Turn off the tv, and pick up a paper , teach the kids too.
Internet, faux fox style news and the rest are ruining this wonderful nation.
Vote! Read! And truth will win out?
Turn off the tv, and pick up a paper , teach the kids too.
Internet, faux fox style news and the rest are ruining this wonderful nation.
Vote! Read! And truth will win out?
6
Great editorial. Thank you New York
Times.
Times.
7
The political health of the nation can be measured in the run up to this election and the years to come. We are very sick with no apparent cures to allay fear or raise hopes, we are in Jimmy Carter's land of malaise. The only real comparison to other national plagues would be the years building up to our civil war as different lines are drawn and deeper trenches dug.
We survived the civil war but lived with its consequences for over a century and live with them still. It is past time for leaders in both parties to sit down together and develop their own list for the first 100 days. A list that includes bipartisan efforts to accomplish something, anything, all can agree on and demonstrate their is still a heartbeat in the body politic. We need an era of accommodation, regardless of the outcome of this election. We need to see congress take the first baby steps to living up to its responsibilities or we all are lost to chaos.
We survived the civil war but lived with its consequences for over a century and live with them still. It is past time for leaders in both parties to sit down together and develop their own list for the first 100 days. A list that includes bipartisan efforts to accomplish something, anything, all can agree on and demonstrate their is still a heartbeat in the body politic. We need an era of accommodation, regardless of the outcome of this election. We need to see congress take the first baby steps to living up to its responsibilities or we all are lost to chaos.
If Trump wins and there appears to be fraud involved, Hillary and her supporters MUST be prepared to contest this aggressively and relentlessly. They cannot cave "for the good of the country" as Al Gore did. Our world would have been a much better place environmentally and otherwise had he persevered.
6
It is easy to attack Hillary and Donald. When this is over, we should really focus on members of congress that erode our democracy starting with Mitch McConnell.
8
Oh the bitter irony of reading the editorial board plead for the nation to clean up the mess it so willingly helped construct by its daily adoration of Trump "news" throughout the campaign. Go back and look at any front page over the last 18 months and it's "Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump."
Remember Bernie Sanders? I didn't think so.
Remember Bernie Sanders? I didn't think so.
8
This is a point-on editorial and a continuation of the Times' efforts to awaken America to the obvious futility of Trump as President. You have done an excellent job!
Sadly, outside your doors are around forty million Americans who aren't hearing or reading a word of it.
Overlying too much of this election's outcome is the prospect of continued Congressional stoppage and negativity.
In the best of all worlds, America would give itself a good shake and get back to business, but . . .
Hillary is too aware of the repair work before her. We need to give her a chance to work.
Sadly, outside your doors are around forty million Americans who aren't hearing or reading a word of it.
Overlying too much of this election's outcome is the prospect of continued Congressional stoppage and negativity.
In the best of all worlds, America would give itself a good shake and get back to business, but . . .
Hillary is too aware of the repair work before her. We need to give her a chance to work.
6
If Trump wins, he will never ever ever be my President. Never felt like that before, even with GW.
6
The only best hope for the resurrection of the GOP is a definitive HRC victory. If not then that GOP will not be able to lay claim and move away. Sunday morning it doesn't look like the landslide is on. Too bad for the GOP. Too bad for a reasonable two party debate. Too bad for us.
3
I pray that all of us, the people who go to work each day, pay taxes and care for their families, friends and the nation, will carry the vote for Hillary Clinton. I was touched by this morning's photo of the Latina housekeepers voting in Nevada. These hard working ladies just want to support their families and have something left so they can retire with dignity. Isn't that what most of us hope for? It's the American dream, and not really that complicated, but it is surely at profound risk if an unqualified, amoral candidate leads our country.
3
Clinton only appeals to people on an emotional level.
Clinton's asinine plans for "Australian gun confiscation", bringing in a city's population of Syrian refugees, amnesty for 12 million illegal aliens already in the US will only make a lousy economy worse.
A Clinton presidency will certainly be worse than Bush and Obama combined.
Clinton's asinine plans for "Australian gun confiscation", bringing in a city's population of Syrian refugees, amnesty for 12 million illegal aliens already in the US will only make a lousy economy worse.
A Clinton presidency will certainly be worse than Bush and Obama combined.
3
This election is also an illustration of the unwillingness of so many people to be objective, to be independent thinkers in processing information and making rational decisions. No, they are joining a tribe, seeking something they can relate to, surrendering their souls to a wannabe shaman-in-chief. This editorial is a summons to thinking people to do the right thing.
2
It is easy to make a case against both of these candidates neither of whom are trustworthy. Trump appears ignorant and with a short attention span no less. It would be foolish not to worry that he may be impulsive a trait not suited for the Presidency. On the other hand Mrs. Clinton's record indicates awful judgment. Look at our relations with Russia and China and the mess in the Middle East can be laid, in part, to her policies with blame also for GWBush and President Obama. Her medical plan in 1993 failed when it was shot down, in a Democratic Congress by Harry and Louise, two TV (fictitious) personalities. Finally, we were surprised by Truman so maybe one of these two will surprise us and be an outstanding President.
1
Bravo NYT.
5
Hear now the Dec 9 chorus for the Clintons to shut the Foundation. Madame President, do not allow a hostile media and frothing FBI to hound you into it.
. Noble purpose. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Morocco are among the Foundation’s most generous supporters. CF allows them to express their deepest passions, such as for women’s rights globally. Why deprive them?
. Entrepreneurship. Your facilitation of the enterprises of Giustra, Telfer and others fosters enterprise. Sure, they got rich through the sale of 1/5th of American uranium to Russia, but no one talks about what America gets in return. A stronger Russia is a safer America.
. Jobs. Working people? Trump wanted to attract capital to the US, but imagine the good that will come from Tony Rodham coal mines in West Virginia.
. Diplomacy. Right wingers criticize your grants of special access to donors while at State. What could be more effective than to tell a Crown Prince face-to-face that you will never compromise the interests of the American people? Privacy, not personal email, is essential for these kinds of confrontations.
. Fiscal. The First Man will travel in a style to which he has become accustomed. If he does not travel in the planes provided by sponsors, he will have to travel at great expense to the taxpayer. How could shutting the CF be in the taxpayers’ interest, especially in these times of extreme national debt?
Stand up for what you know is right. Keep the contributions coming.
. Noble purpose. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Morocco are among the Foundation’s most generous supporters. CF allows them to express their deepest passions, such as for women’s rights globally. Why deprive them?
. Entrepreneurship. Your facilitation of the enterprises of Giustra, Telfer and others fosters enterprise. Sure, they got rich through the sale of 1/5th of American uranium to Russia, but no one talks about what America gets in return. A stronger Russia is a safer America.
. Jobs. Working people? Trump wanted to attract capital to the US, but imagine the good that will come from Tony Rodham coal mines in West Virginia.
. Diplomacy. Right wingers criticize your grants of special access to donors while at State. What could be more effective than to tell a Crown Prince face-to-face that you will never compromise the interests of the American people? Privacy, not personal email, is essential for these kinds of confrontations.
. Fiscal. The First Man will travel in a style to which he has become accustomed. If he does not travel in the planes provided by sponsors, he will have to travel at great expense to the taxpayer. How could shutting the CF be in the taxpayers’ interest, especially in these times of extreme national debt?
Stand up for what you know is right. Keep the contributions coming.
2
We can't imagine America on Nov. 9 - notwithstanding the NYTimes Editorial Board's pronunciamentos for Mrs. Clinton and against Donald Trump. Both parties are barrels of rotten apples, "baskets of deplorables", and when Hillary wins on Tuesday she won't be Glinda the Good waving her magical starry wand to delight all the American munchkins in the Land of Oz. The Republican aren't all weaklings and bigoted angry thugs, and the Democrats aren't all wonder women and supermen. We the people have been put to the test during this miserable and disgusting Presidential campaign of 2016. No imagining the scenario the Times has bloviated for November 9. Just another day in the life of Chester A. Riley - William Bendix, in "The Life of Riley", an antique radio show about am American in a plane factory in 1941 just as World War TT broke out. The show played until 1951, and was a hit as Chester A. Riley was an Everyman. trying to make it, as we the American people are trying to make it now 75 years later.
1
On Nov.9th, we can imagine one of FOUR (4) things ;
A ) A Clinton Presidency with a Democrat majority in both the house and the senate. Four to eight years of progress, with equal rights being established and entrenched. Prosperous times in America and around the world. Strife winds down.
B ) A Clinton Presidency with a republican congress and a Democrat Senate. Gridlock continues and perhaps a government shutdown or two. Democrats may enact the nuclear option ( 50 + 1 ) for the senate to at least confirm SCOTUS judges.
C ) A Clinton Presidency with a republican majority in both the house and the senate. Gridlock with the most vetoes and overrides of said vetoes in American History. Republicans hold endless impeachment hearings and wait for liberal leaning judges to die off in the SCOTUS: The number drops from 8 to 6,while republicans keep saying the '' american people must decide in 2020.
D ) A Trump Presidency with a republican house and senate. World markets collapse with shortages of everything. World strife escalates. Nuclear warheads are hijacked and attempted to be sold on the black market. One goes off and then another and then another. Nuclear winter. The end .
Your choice America.
A ) A Clinton Presidency with a Democrat majority in both the house and the senate. Four to eight years of progress, with equal rights being established and entrenched. Prosperous times in America and around the world. Strife winds down.
B ) A Clinton Presidency with a republican congress and a Democrat Senate. Gridlock continues and perhaps a government shutdown or two. Democrats may enact the nuclear option ( 50 + 1 ) for the senate to at least confirm SCOTUS judges.
C ) A Clinton Presidency with a republican majority in both the house and the senate. Gridlock with the most vetoes and overrides of said vetoes in American History. Republicans hold endless impeachment hearings and wait for liberal leaning judges to die off in the SCOTUS: The number drops from 8 to 6,while republicans keep saying the '' american people must decide in 2020.
D ) A Trump Presidency with a republican house and senate. World markets collapse with shortages of everything. World strife escalates. Nuclear warheads are hijacked and attempted to be sold on the black market. One goes off and then another and then another. Nuclear winter. The end .
Your choice America.
5
America unfortunately will probably be more polarized than ever on 9 Nov, after a probable Hillary win. This election has been the biggest mud fest in modern times, and it has stuck to both candidates. Trump and his supporters opposed Hillary during the campaign, but not Hillary's supporters. Hillary attacked not only Trump but also 1/2 of his supporters, with her deplorables comment. And Hillary's supporters, including more than a few NYT commenters, were more than happy to pile on. The increasing level of polarization cannot be good for the country. I do not see that the establishment's hand chosen globalist candidate is in the best position to bridge the divide after the election, and if the GOP retains the majority in congress, expect more gridlock. Not much will get done, but at least there will be checks and balances.
4
Bravo! Well said. But you miss the most salient point - as odious as Trump is, he is merely a symptom of the problems facing America. The real disease is in the minds of his supporters. Without that, Trump would have been relegated to the dustbin of history long ago, a mere footnote to this election, well deserved.
But that disease cannot be cured. It is the underbelly of humanity, ever present to emerge and wreak it's havoc among the values which guide society. It is our duty to maintain all possible vigilance against the illness of Trump, and those like him. Remember Burke: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Vote for Hillary. She is the only choice.
But that disease cannot be cured. It is the underbelly of humanity, ever present to emerge and wreak it's havoc among the values which guide society. It is our duty to maintain all possible vigilance against the illness of Trump, and those like him. Remember Burke: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Vote for Hillary. She is the only choice.
4
"you miss the most salient point - as odious as Trump is, he is merely a symptom of the problems facing America"
I don't think they did miss that: "The rejection of Trump is the simple part. Win or lose, the harder job will be confronting the conditions that spawned him".
I don't think they did miss that: "The rejection of Trump is the simple part. Win or lose, the harder job will be confronting the conditions that spawned him".
2
My most fervent hopes for my beloved America to whose air defense I have devoted 56-years of my adult life:
1. Trump wins.
2. Clinton wins and Congress impeaches her and obstructs the entire process and progress of the government for her entire term of office -- 4 or maybe 8 years.
WHY?
Because I deeply love the very notion of America and the goode intents of the Founding Fathers; and either of those two options above are survivable and represent a profound teaching event for all Americans -- even the 'trailer-trash" GOP who would destroy our freedom in favor of a theocracy
1. Trump wins.
2. Clinton wins and Congress impeaches her and obstructs the entire process and progress of the government for her entire term of office -- 4 or maybe 8 years.
WHY?
Because I deeply love the very notion of America and the goode intents of the Founding Fathers; and either of those two options above are survivable and represent a profound teaching event for all Americans -- even the 'trailer-trash" GOP who would destroy our freedom in favor of a theocracy
1
Three reasons to vote Trump: 1. One issue makes your world - abortion, guns, etc (Trump has equivocated on these issues, and HRC has no desire to take away guns other than automatic weapons, and Roe v. Wade is here to stay because even the most conservative people don't want their daughters giving birth to a child of rape). 2. You are selfish and believe that Trump will be good for your pocket book (nobody likes taxes, but face it, the richer you are the luckier you are to be an American, so please be willing to pay your share). 3. You are afraid of the future or angry about losing your place in America (everyone hates losing what they had, and everyone thinks what they had is their right, but America stands for equality and if you have to have the resilience to retool, that just happens to be American too). Actually, some good arguments can even be made on behalf of these three points of view (usually people combine them and then add in some bunk about how terrible HRC is), but the arguments supporting these three views are, for the most part, extremely weak, and require a bunch of truth massaging. Obviously, the right thing to do is to vote for HRC. I am with her.
2
Trump is dreadful, but you could apply a version your list just as easily to Hillary supporters... 1. One issues here too, like abortion as a litmus test, voting for her just because she's a woman, etc.; 2. You are selfish and want to raise taxes on the demonized other, i.e., those who have more (greedy and unearned being bywords); 3. Anger and status, blaming everything on racism and "angry, old white males" an easy to demonized group.
She's not an obvious choice either fir division will ensue from either of these horrible people.
She's not an obvious choice either fir division will ensue from either of these horrible people.
1
Would that the Times' reporting on the campaign, on Clinton and Trump, had been as clear-sighted and unambiguous as this editorial. But it hasn't been. The Times as well as the entire American media bear a large part of the responsibility for creating the Trump threat to our democracy and society. You have let this monster loose on us, and treated him as if he isn't exactly the monster he is (just a "normal" monster), while hounding Clinton relentlessly. Shameful.
4
Amen. Let's put this lunacy to bed, elect a democratic majority in Congress, and get back to work! Resurrecting anyone of Obama's legislative proposals that would help coal workers and others hard hit by abandoned manufacturing is a fine start. He was listening; an obstructionist Republican congress wasn't. Hilary is listening too and providing ideas. Enough is enough.
108
The first mess to clean up is our national media. Nothing can be done about what is purveyed via Internet, but journalists and pundits, editors and directors in print, television and cable must rise to their responsibility to report ignorance as ignorance, lies as lies, hate-speech as hate-speech, demagoguery as demagoguery, early and often, not as just some alternative view, another opinion, no matter how much ignorance, misinformation, hate and lust for a strongman leader it gives voice to out among the population. Jefferson, in his famous "Tree of Liberty" letter that the alt-right likes to misconstrue through selective quotation, wrote, "The people cannot be all, & always well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. [...] The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them." A Fourth Estate committed to setting the American people "right as to facts," not chasing willy-nilly after sensation and short-term ratings nor striking false equivalencies to project a self-serving shield of impartiality, is fundamental to making democracy work, to prevent it from slipping, as the Founders most feared, into the tyranny of an angry, ignorant, vengeful mob.
125
After your continuing bevy of articles about Donnie--both good and bad--I repeat the AMOUNT of articles--aka free press--because Donnie's sideshow is too much for your ilk to resist, you too--like the GOPers you point at--are culpable. Let's not forget your complicity in the False Equivalencies, both directly and indirectly with quantity and quality.
I voted last week. Looking forward consider Maine's Ranked Choice Voting Initiative on our ballot now. It might have allowed Bernie to harness enough votes for Hillary (who knows, maybe he'd win?) to make this election the landslide it needs to be if the next decades are bear the fruit of a successful, admirable society.
I voted last week. Looking forward consider Maine's Ranked Choice Voting Initiative on our ballot now. It might have allowed Bernie to harness enough votes for Hillary (who knows, maybe he'd win?) to make this election the landslide it needs to be if the next decades are bear the fruit of a successful, admirable society.
Lincoln should have let the South secede.
3
"The U.S. has seen worse than Donald Trump." I am puzzled by this first sentence.
In reality, we do not yet know whether DT is the worst the US has seen. There is honestly no telling what would occur on Nov. 9 and Jan. 20 and beyond.
Everything previous might pale by comparison.
In reality, we do not yet know whether DT is the worst the US has seen. There is honestly no telling what would occur on Nov. 9 and Jan. 20 and beyond.
Everything previous might pale by comparison.
2
We need better education in all corners of this country. So when that vote is cast it is cast with a deeper thought than what a bumper sticker holds
3
Or what you saw on Facebook or in a skit on SNL!
1
The republican house and senate have made a mockery of democracy. The GOP has nothing of value to add to our democracy and has become an anchor on democratic processes and ideals.
5
The damage has already been done. Trump has brought the giant, ugly underbelly of America front and center. He has run a campaign with one goal in mind: to win such a huge majority of white votes, particulary targeting the uneducated ones, to overcome, with the help of Republican efforts to disenfranchise the diverse rest of America, his virtually non-existent support outside the white community. His will be a white mandate, nothing more.
And he is on the verge of accomplishing this as recent polls suggest. HRC's "firewall" in the Electoral College is fracturing, the swing states are becoming closer, and his odds of victory Tuesday are approaching even money. Even if Secretary Clinton manages to eke out a victory thanks to early voting, one thing cannot be denied: any country where this vile bigot can be so close to the Chief Magistracy is a sick one. And that sickness is not going away. Thanks to Trump, win or lose, it might be incurable.
And he is on the verge of accomplishing this as recent polls suggest. HRC's "firewall" in the Electoral College is fracturing, the swing states are becoming closer, and his odds of victory Tuesday are approaching even money. Even if Secretary Clinton manages to eke out a victory thanks to early voting, one thing cannot be denied: any country where this vile bigot can be so close to the Chief Magistracy is a sick one. And that sickness is not going away. Thanks to Trump, win or lose, it might be incurable.
8
My millennial son told me yesterday, via skype, he was "Not voting for anyone" because in the United States, "democracy is a sham."
No amount of fatherly rhetoric could dissuade him from his appointed rounds, simply because "Hillary said she will build a border wall too." He showed me a clip from an old Hillary interview wherein she talked about illegal immigration and remedies that "include physical barriers, in places.."
Of course,she was talking about the very policy in place now, with fencing (largely inneffective) at border-crossing hotpots, but he could not see the difference between that and what Trump is promising. It's almost as if he has decided this one apparent contradiction in Hillary's platform justifies throwing the democratic republic baby out with the bathwater.
I quickly desisted in belaboring my points since I know nothing can get through when people have made up their minds. My son, an ardently liberal, intelligent 26-year-old, has fallen hook line and sinker for alt-right propaganda and it didn't tkae much. I am more fearful now than ever.
In the last two days I have been assailed by Trumpist friends spouting all the alt-right memes they hear on FOX and read on the internet. At every turn, I see people in the throes of credulity, and I'm beginning to believe we are doomed. Hold onto your hats, people.
No amount of fatherly rhetoric could dissuade him from his appointed rounds, simply because "Hillary said she will build a border wall too." He showed me a clip from an old Hillary interview wherein she talked about illegal immigration and remedies that "include physical barriers, in places.."
Of course,she was talking about the very policy in place now, with fencing (largely inneffective) at border-crossing hotpots, but he could not see the difference between that and what Trump is promising. It's almost as if he has decided this one apparent contradiction in Hillary's platform justifies throwing the democratic republic baby out with the bathwater.
I quickly desisted in belaboring my points since I know nothing can get through when people have made up their minds. My son, an ardently liberal, intelligent 26-year-old, has fallen hook line and sinker for alt-right propaganda and it didn't tkae much. I am more fearful now than ever.
In the last two days I have been assailed by Trumpist friends spouting all the alt-right memes they hear on FOX and read on the internet. At every turn, I see people in the throes of credulity, and I'm beginning to believe we are doomed. Hold onto your hats, people.
3
Please with your son to spare a thought for the world outside of America. Save us from a president Trump - that guy who re-tweets neo-Nazis and believes he knows better than than everyone about everything (just as Hitler used to do).
You don't have to love Hillary or agree with everything she does. You don't have to think democracy is perfect. But you do have to face real-world choices, and they matter. Right now, they really, really matter.
You don't have to love Hillary or agree with everything she does. You don't have to think democracy is perfect. But you do have to face real-world choices, and they matter. Right now, they really, really matter.
2
Sorry, but the nightmare is only beginning. Ms. Clinton is likely to win, but the rancor that will follow her victory will make it a hollow victory for America. Half of the American population will be injured and spoiling for a fight. They will not allow their representatives to cooperate with Ms. Clinton, not if they want reelection. Most of the work of Congress will concentrate on defaming the President and preparing for the next election. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump will not have been defeated; instead, he will have legitimized his kind of Republicanism and mini-Trumps--and Trump himself--will pop up all over the place. After all, he was successful. American politics is about to descend into an even worse state than it is in right now, with faction and even raw hatred between all the groups that Mr. Trump, and Ms. Clinton, too, have defined. No, no matter who is elected, the nightmare is just beginning.
1
I was absolutely in agreement with you on all the points you made in this article but your use of the words 'jihad' and 'jihadi' in connection to the Republican strategy of non-governance is Islamophobic. In the midst of a frightening and racist campaign by the Republican Party why play that game through your choice of words? Why didn't you use the word 'crusade' or 'civil war'? It is because 'the term 'jihad' carries the same visceral power that Trump is using in his campaign rhetoric
1
The real name for Mike Huckabee should be "Mike Hucksterbee!"
1
"The candidate of change" will go down in flames. It might take until 2018, but if the electorate wants real change, then they should change Congress. The various splinter groups of Republicans are already promising obstructionism before the woman is even elected. They will continue the shadow they've cast for eight long years: everything that President Obama proposed was automatically opposed and ultimately, for the most part, defeated.
Putting a sociopath in charge of them will be a disaster. He'll con them like he's conned everyone else. And he's good at it: just for one example, he got away with not releasing his taxes after all.
Putting a sociopath in charge of them will be a disaster. He'll con them like he's conned everyone else. And he's good at it: just for one example, he got away with not releasing his taxes after all.
3
As a conservative in a swing state, I am not voting either for he-who-must-not-be-named or her. I left the GOP more than a decade ago when I moved to the South since as a woman and a minority I found the Southern GOP to be frankly, racist. However, as someone who works as an editor in religion, I find this op-ed using the term "jihad" to refer to Republicans as (1) troubling and (2) the wrong context or a postmodern application of the word. It is an expressly religious word that is related to Islam.
2
How can this be even close? Well, 40% of the country are racist, sexist, anti Semitic etc.... Oh, and a big assist for FOX news and other right wing outlets who have no conscience as they " swift boated" another democratic candidate in Hlllary. It's disgusting.
3
Amen. Excellent, well written editorial.
4
In the second debate, I saw a large man standing on a stage pointing a finger at a small woman and attempting, loudly, to intimidate her. She looked at him and didn’t flinch. I believe that was a turning point for our country. She didn’t flinch. As I go to vote on Tuesday, I will keep that moment in mind.
5
Talk about superficial optics
1
One should refrain from predictions, but I have one clear prediction. If Trump wins, the future of America can be seen in Louisiana and Kansas. Hochschild's book, A Stranger in their Own Land, lays out the landscape rather well, with some empathy for those who vote republican so clearly against their personal interests. Yes, race and misogyny have a role, but the crucial role is not played by the "deplorables," but the "disposables." The Dalai Lama's editorial the other day paints the picture rather well, and we are a nation increasing the number of "disposables" daily. Yes, bad trade deals may have played a small part, but the real culprits are more subtle, and perhaps implicit in the very notion of progress -- in the technologies, for example, that improve "productivity" without increasing the demand for labor. What to do? If ever there were a time that called for "real world," pragmatic solutions to the problem of the disposables, it is now, when we are no longer focused on economic survival, but on the dread of returning to mere survival. Unfortunately, pragmatic solutions may be impossible in a limited two party system where one party is engages in "faith healing" -- hawking snake-oil cures that didn't work for the people in Kansas or Louisiana, while blaming the people. It is their insufficient faith in the voodoo economics, not the economics themselves, that are to blame. And oh yes, we are beset by demons. They are legion. They are democrats.
Increasing the nation's population through unchecked immigration and the soaring birth rates of the illegal aliens already here have also led to "disposables." A decent standard of living is hard to come by and the basics of life, such as clean water, will no longer be available to all. There will be additional Flints. Yet Hillary dreams of open borders.
2
It was during the 2008 South Carolina democratic primaries when I decided under no circumstances could I vote for Hillary Clinton because of the dog-whistle racial politics she and her husband played against the then Senator Obama. For those of us with long-term memories and who are deeply offended by the unabashed racist or the alleged nonracist who nevertheless freely avails herself of racism to advance her personal ambitions, this election presents an odious choice.
The fact is both candidates are severely damaged goods; you've just elected to ignore Secretary Clinton's failings. A vote for her on Tuesday . . . you might as well write in Dick Cheney's name, because that's what you're getting. A vote for Donald Trump, on the other hand, may get the dysfunctional Congress working together again--united against this "ignorant and reckless tyrant."
As much as the NYT have supported Secretary Clinton for president, I note your characterisation that electing her averts the worst instead of engenders goodwill among Americans. Perhaps a tacit acknowledgement on your part that she's a deeply flawed candidate.
There are 2 superb columns from the past week imagining America on November 9 and beyond that I'd recommend: Financial Times, "The age of vitriol" and WSJ, "How to Get Beyond Our Tribal Politics." Unfortunately, as wonderful as the WSJ's piece is (written by 2 social psychologists), the comments left you (at least me) feeling hopeless that November 8 changes anything.
The fact is both candidates are severely damaged goods; you've just elected to ignore Secretary Clinton's failings. A vote for her on Tuesday . . . you might as well write in Dick Cheney's name, because that's what you're getting. A vote for Donald Trump, on the other hand, may get the dysfunctional Congress working together again--united against this "ignorant and reckless tyrant."
As much as the NYT have supported Secretary Clinton for president, I note your characterisation that electing her averts the worst instead of engenders goodwill among Americans. Perhaps a tacit acknowledgement on your part that she's a deeply flawed candidate.
There are 2 superb columns from the past week imagining America on November 9 and beyond that I'd recommend: Financial Times, "The age of vitriol" and WSJ, "How to Get Beyond Our Tribal Politics." Unfortunately, as wonderful as the WSJ's piece is (written by 2 social psychologists), the comments left you (at least me) feeling hopeless that November 8 changes anything.
1
In an otherwise excellent editorial, why use the words "jihad" and "jihadist" twice? Is it because "crusade" and crusaders" have too positive a connotation? Why deliberately bring up an inflammatory, misunderstood and misused term like "jihad" in a negative context that can only reinforce the Islamophobia that Donald Trump propagates? Is the irony lost here?
2
Excellent comment. Thank you.
I don't plan on voting for Mr. Trump. But given the ample ways he has impeded his own candidacy, and since the race is still so tight, I have to believe if Mrs. Clinton's opponent was well-mannered, and delivered a thoughtful, rational message, It wouldn't even be close. Unless of course the electorate and the process have simply been hijacked by demagoguery, from which I hope we all recover.
1
What can we cling to? Watching Barack Obama and his family every chance we get now until January 20th, and rejoice we had a president with class here and around the world who tried his best.
An 87 year old lady I know recently said "I can't believe it. I am living long enough to see a woman become president! A dream come true!"
This woman has the beginnings of dementia so maybe she won't see or realize the potential cruelty that comes with it afterwards. In the meanwhile, let's think of this 87 year old and help her rejoice her dream, the dream that she wants. Let's just stop for a minute and try to realize what this may mean across the generations - from our great granddaughters to our great grandmothers. Let us rejoice in the moment. Set aside the cruelty of the opponents, whoever they are, and wrap ourselves up in the happiness of an 87 year old delighted lady. Amen.
An 87 year old lady I know recently said "I can't believe it. I am living long enough to see a woman become president! A dream come true!"
This woman has the beginnings of dementia so maybe she won't see or realize the potential cruelty that comes with it afterwards. In the meanwhile, let's think of this 87 year old and help her rejoice her dream, the dream that she wants. Let's just stop for a minute and try to realize what this may mean across the generations - from our great granddaughters to our great grandmothers. Let us rejoice in the moment. Set aside the cruelty of the opponents, whoever they are, and wrap ourselves up in the happiness of an 87 year old delighted lady. Amen.
6
Why are Congressional Republicans "jihadis" for voting the way their millions of constituents want them to vote? When the NYT Editorial Board insults these members of Congress, it insults the millions of Americans who voted for them. It also contributes to the cheapening of political discourse that it bemoans elsewhere.
Moreover, using the term "jihadi" is an inaccurate analogy. It is Democrats who are promising "revolution," to "transform" the meaning of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and to "change religious beliefs in this country."
Millions of Americans are going to vote for Republican members of Congress next Tuesday precisely to serve as a check on the Democrats's radical, revolutionary agenda.
Moreover, using the term "jihadi" is an inaccurate analogy. It is Democrats who are promising "revolution," to "transform" the meaning of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and to "change religious beliefs in this country."
Millions of Americans are going to vote for Republican members of Congress next Tuesday precisely to serve as a check on the Democrats's radical, revolutionary agenda.
3
Abortion politics is the cutting edge of the war on separation of church and state by people who make quite a racket out of claiming to know what a God made in their own image thinks. It is a crusade.
One thing that anyone who looks at her record will have to acknowledge is that Hilary Clinton will work very hard to be a good president. Trump? Forget it. For him to work hard at being a good president would be for him to admit that he isn't already the greatest, which he would never do.
8
> Hilary Clinton will work very hard to be a good president
Her "good intentions" will have destructive consequences.
Her "good intentions" will have destructive consequences.
What will Nov. 9th look like?
It will be the start of the 2020 Republican presidential race and we will be submitted to four more years of angry campaigning. We will have four more years of dysfunctional federal government led by the "Republican" party who have proven they don't know how to govern but they do know how to obstruct. We could even still have 8 Supreme Court justices by the next election - no new justices until there is a Republican president "so the people can decide". Right Mitch McConnell? We will have four years of Rush Limbaugh, Breitbart, Matthew Drudge, and Faux News bellowing about HRC.
It will be the start of the 2020 Republican presidential race and we will be submitted to four more years of angry campaigning. We will have four more years of dysfunctional federal government led by the "Republican" party who have proven they don't know how to govern but they do know how to obstruct. We could even still have 8 Supreme Court justices by the next election - no new justices until there is a Republican president "so the people can decide". Right Mitch McConnell? We will have four years of Rush Limbaugh, Breitbart, Matthew Drudge, and Faux News bellowing about HRC.
5
>the "Republican" party who have proven they don't know how to govern but they do know how to obstruct.
Obstructing the politics of governing is needed until there is a renaissance of the politics of individual rights.
Obstructing the politics of governing is needed until there is a renaissance of the politics of individual rights.
And we have four more years of Mitch McConnell, since the US system has many asynchronous kingdoms in a system that precludes material changes of public policy in a single election.
1
My own experience over a lifetime is that there are, among us, many with congenital disorders. Trump, for example, is like many I have known to be congenital liers. A lie told today, and believed by the lier, will be forgotten tomorrow as a new lie is created. And, the old lie is not remembered hence Trump's constant denials "I did not say that". He believes it.
Those I have know with this particular disorder had difficulty holding on to relationships. As with Trump, his close circle all depend on him for their incomes which explains his ability to hold on to them.
Picture him as POTUS. Never mind, I can't either.
Those I have know with this particular disorder had difficulty holding on to relationships. As with Trump, his close circle all depend on him for their incomes which explains his ability to hold on to them.
Picture him as POTUS. Never mind, I can't either.
4
Unfortunately, you left out the role of the media in the creation of the monster trump. You took everything he said and gave it coverage above the fold, on the fold and front page. You created false equivalencies as if he and Hillory and Bernie were of equal qualifications. You required no response to questions of policy from the man who couldn't answer them because he had none. He was an obvious front man for himself from the start. His life's failures were no secret but you waited too long to start reporting them. You gave short shrift to his opponents. And why did you do this? Because it was good for headlines, good for clickbait, good for readership or audiences, that is, good for profits. Time for self-examination Mr. New York Times and the rest of the supposedly responsible media. Time to resolve to practice journalism again and keep to it. Time to apologize to your readers and America for your role in the crime of the century. The GOP has pursued a state of treason for many years now and you refuse to examine the charges and call them out. It's a sad affair all around. Shame on you for your participation in it.
13
I agree. If Trump wins, I will never watch cable news again. My fave, MSNBC, showed wall-to-wall Trump last Saturday. If Trump wins, I'll take the ostrich's head-in-the-sand approach to current events. It would be impossible for me to engage in the orange demon being the leader of the free world.
Yes, the TIMES titled toward the circumspect in its early coverage of Trump. I live in Massachusetts, where Trump's ugly lies could not survive withering refutation in a living room or an auditorium. But Massachusetts has had better fortunes than the midwest and other parts of the country with stalled or crippled economies. Now, the only solution over the next decades is to defeat enough Republican senators and congresspeople so that our government can create a better future for our nation.
The fact that two flawed 70 year olds are competing for President exposes an absence than must be corrected before the next presidential election in 2020. We must encourage and recruit men and women in their fifties to prepare for and seek the office. Colleges and universities could encourage its grads to enter politics rather than head to, for instance, Wall Street or, yes, academia.
The fact that two flawed 70 year olds are competing for President exposes an absence than must be corrected before the next presidential election in 2020. We must encourage and recruit men and women in their fifties to prepare for and seek the office. Colleges and universities could encourage its grads to enter politics rather than head to, for instance, Wall Street or, yes, academia.
Thanks for saying what has been true all along in this race. But, tragically Trump is not going away and neither are the throngs of disillusioned and deplorable. Last night Trump said as much, "Never, ever going to stop." And, the clown car of "holier than thous" is not going away either. It is up to the mainstream media through investigative journalism to expose the lies and congressional follies for what they are: an internal threat to our democracy. If HRC ascends the SCOTUS will eventually right some of the recent wrongs but will it alter the hearts of men? I pray so but think otherwise.
4
Many Trump supporters adhere to counter-factual belief systems they fervently work to impose on others. Their Hillary hate has become integral to those belief systems and little if anything that can be said or done will disabuse them of this irrational hatred. Other Trump supporters are strong-arm supremacists, separatists, and anarchists. These people look for excuses and opportunities. Trump's candidacy amply affords them both. Yet other Trump supporters are simply tired of and want to derail if not destroy a detached, essentially meaningless and all-consuming self-serving power structure. In doing so, they wrongly conflate clear Republican rot with the larger national political environment. None of these groups of people will vote for Clinton.
Thus, it's the height of hypocrisy to hear Ryan ask Republicans to "come home" to vote on Tuesday. Republicans come from an abusive home. Still, many will indeed return. It's the height of ignorant delusion, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that a self-identified Republican grandmother proudly proclaimed that she's voting for Trump to benefit her three granddaughters.
The Republicans won't stop their hatred. They'll almost literally bite the hand that feeds them as they benefit from helpful policies and programs that Democrats somehow manage to enact. There are already many examples of this (social security, Medicare/Medicaid, consumer protection, etc.). It won't change until McConnell, Ryan, et. al. are gone.
Thus, it's the height of hypocrisy to hear Ryan ask Republicans to "come home" to vote on Tuesday. Republicans come from an abusive home. Still, many will indeed return. It's the height of ignorant delusion, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that a self-identified Republican grandmother proudly proclaimed that she's voting for Trump to benefit her three granddaughters.
The Republicans won't stop their hatred. They'll almost literally bite the hand that feeds them as they benefit from helpful policies and programs that Democrats somehow manage to enact. There are already many examples of this (social security, Medicare/Medicaid, consumer protection, etc.). It won't change until McConnell, Ryan, et. al. are gone.
12
So many Trump supporters I know become beyond angry and indignant when Trump's overt and verifiable overtures to white nationalism through racist and xenophobic statements are pointed out. At one point in his campaign, a significant number of his staffers followed white nationalist Twitter accounts and up to 65% of his retweets emanated from those sources. In my world, you are known by the company you keep. If you vote for a candidate who has made racism and xenophobia a centerpiece of his campaign, and enabled new-Nazi groups to say he had made their views "mainstream", then you are comfortable with it and no amount of saying otherwise will suffice.
17
Bridgegate, almost tragicomically Shakespearean, is what you get when you have power-greedy people right at the top: a schoolboyish, immature tit-for-tat on a par with the equally tragicomic tiffs between "Bojo" (Boris Johnson) and "Cam" (David Cameron) in the UK resulting into the not-so-comical Brexit that threatened to bring the world finances tanking not seen since the Great Depression, a catastrophe luckily foiled. A Trump government would be proportionally ruinous money-wise if not even worse given the total incapacity of an ignorant liar, bent on heeding his own psychopathological egomania, regardless of the dire consequences. Oh, you may say "but he is a billionaire" - he made his fortune by fawning on crime syndicate that recompensed him generously overtime - and he is making no secret of it in a not-so-twisted way accusing Hillary of crimes he himself committed. Crooked Hillary? Because he is crooked; Victim of a corrupt system? Because he is corrupt (and corrupter) to the bone; to name but a few of the classic tactic features of accusing your adversary of misdeeds you've been doing, thus shifting the attention from your own very ill-gotten deals. He's got no stamina.
6
6-7 States are in a virtual tie right now, it's a coin flip.
The lawyers are engaged, and the rooms are booked in several state capitals.
November 9th will be a circus, with the left wing media and social media in a frenzy.
You think the debates were ugly? This will make the handing chads look like a picnic.
The lawyers are engaged, and the rooms are booked in several state capitals.
November 9th will be a circus, with the left wing media and social media in a frenzy.
You think the debates were ugly? This will make the handing chads look like a picnic.
4
I am one of those terrified that Donald Trump will be our president this time next week. And should this happen—I promise to move forward, in spite of it. I promise to still believe in positive change. I promise to still find ways to nourish my spirit, inspire my heart and calm my soul. In spite of this frightening creature and his frightening surrogates and followers, I promise to still believe that people of good heart and good will can change things for the better. This is my prayer. And for all those I love, who are thinking of voting for Donald Trump or who have already voted for Donald Trump, I weep in fear for what you may unleash upon us, our children, and our grandchildren. May God be with us.
6
Approximately one half of the country will be disappointed with the outcome. But that same half will complain loudly when unpopular policy affects them. And only then can we blame those who elected that person.
1
Trump needs to be defeated--resoundingly. We need to send a message to would-be demagogues that might otherwise try to emulate Trump's rise.
Sending a strong message begins with defeating Trump in the polls. Then, it would be helpful if everyone he has cheated in his long history of unscrupulous business practices would sue him. Next, I hope federal and state authorities have been paying attention to the ample of evidence of his flagrant defiance of the law, and that they will bring multiple criminal charges against him.
Trump needs to be defeated, then crushed, so we don't have to go through this nightmare again.
Sending a strong message begins with defeating Trump in the polls. Then, it would be helpful if everyone he has cheated in his long history of unscrupulous business practices would sue him. Next, I hope federal and state authorities have been paying attention to the ample of evidence of his flagrant defiance of the law, and that they will bring multiple criminal charges against him.
Trump needs to be defeated, then crushed, so we don't have to go through this nightmare again.
11
If the Times hadn't incessantly and continually portrayed the election as a two-horse. When faced with choices including a brash, overt liar and a sly, cunning one, the intelligent voter looks elsewhere and finds a nominee far more worthy than either of these charlatans.
We can rightly accuse the Times of aiding and abetting an utterly toxic two-party system. Neither candidate has anything remotely resembling an agenda and, even less interest in carrying out whatever dishwater agenda its party platform has cobbled out of leftovers and focus-group tested non-starters. Neither party gives a whit about solving problems, but both are myopically focused solely on the acquisition and maintenance of power. Actually solving problems removes chunks of their raisons d'etre, something anathema to their self-preservation.
We can rightly accuse the Times of aiding and abetting an utterly toxic two-party system. Neither candidate has anything remotely resembling an agenda and, even less interest in carrying out whatever dishwater agenda its party platform has cobbled out of leftovers and focus-group tested non-starters. Neither party gives a whit about solving problems, but both are myopically focused solely on the acquisition and maintenance of power. Actually solving problems removes chunks of their raisons d'etre, something anathema to their self-preservation.
3
It's two-party because these two parties have the money to sustain themselves. Putting the disastrous Nader aside, you'll remember Ross Perot had enough cash to be a visible third party candidate in two elections. Americans don't vote and participate in elections in large enough numbers to bring a third party to prominence on a small budget. Bernie should have run as an independent. The money would have surely flowed to him.
Our choice is between a liar like her and a carnival barker like him. This country is fast becoming a banana republic when you see that All the politicians are bought and paid for by the big$$$$$$$$$& interests. HRC is beholden to them and at least Trump will not owe them anything if he is elected. A refreshing change !
4
The election "has exposed a sick Republican Party." The GOP's descent started at least 50 years earlier with the original southern strategies of Goldwater, Nixon, and Reagan. In the succeeding decades they added religious conservatives, libertarians, and most recently the Tea Party fanatics, making the old "Party of Lincoln" unrecognizable and ungovernable. The GOP's own 2012 "autopsy" recognized the problem, but was unable to dial back the "we're mad as hell" rhetoric it uses to spin up its supporters. Trump is only the the latest symptom of the sickness that affects a formerly proud supporter of the American experiment. We can only hope the fever will break after election day or that the patient will expire "peacefully".
8
After the 'Patriot Act' we lost the notion of America being a 'free' country.
After this campaign, we lose the conceit of enjoying a free & impartial Press....
After this campaign, we lose the conceit of enjoying a free & impartial Press....
2
I have watched the ads for Clinton and Trump. Tump's ads attack Clinton's honesty - a cartoon depicting the Clintons and all their old baggage arriving at the White House, an ad telling us that Hillary is crooked.
The ads for Clinton contain no innuendo. No attack. They are just clip after clip of what Trump says in his own speeches, some with children watching, some just leaving us to process his words.
Trump brings the GOP hate machine to attack Hillary, while busily making his own attack ads for Clinton to use against him with every word he speaks.
While we process the ugly Presidential election, our legislative branch is at war with our administrative branch, and have become willing to use whatever weapon necessary to win, even if it means that the nation loses. How is that responsible, Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell? "The ends justify the means" is a formula for self-annhilation in democracy. It is on you all to stop it.
A ox on both our houses.
The ads for Clinton contain no innuendo. No attack. They are just clip after clip of what Trump says in his own speeches, some with children watching, some just leaving us to process his words.
Trump brings the GOP hate machine to attack Hillary, while busily making his own attack ads for Clinton to use against him with every word he speaks.
While we process the ugly Presidential election, our legislative branch is at war with our administrative branch, and have become willing to use whatever weapon necessary to win, even if it means that the nation loses. How is that responsible, Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell? "The ends justify the means" is a formula for self-annhilation in democracy. It is on you all to stop it.
A ox on both our houses.
6
Very insightful summary. You really have said it all.
6
I grew up during the Cold War and remember always calibrating where I was relative to where Soviet nuclear missiles were likely to strike.
For the most part, I would have been west enough of the East Coast targets of New York and Washington that I hoped the radioactive fallout would not blow my way and east enough of Chicago, Los Angeles, and our own missile silos that I likewise hoped the radioactive fallout would not blow my way.
I was also somewhat comforted knowing that if nuclear war came, those who were not instantly killed or injured would pull together to defend ourselves from any invasion.
Only those who grew up during the Cold War; lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis; and lived through the dangerous years of the Reagan Administration, including our invasion of Grenada and the Iran/Contra debacle, will understand.
I woke up this morning again calibrating where I am relative to likely targets of Vladimir Putin, but then I realized, under a President Trump, I could not longer count on our country pulling itself together.
Rather, I imagine martial law would be immediately declared; the private militias would be activated; and either a police state would be implemented or something akin to a civil war would break out.
The delusional rantings of a paranoid old man?
Perhaps. Or, perhaps not.
For the most part, I would have been west enough of the East Coast targets of New York and Washington that I hoped the radioactive fallout would not blow my way and east enough of Chicago, Los Angeles, and our own missile silos that I likewise hoped the radioactive fallout would not blow my way.
I was also somewhat comforted knowing that if nuclear war came, those who were not instantly killed or injured would pull together to defend ourselves from any invasion.
Only those who grew up during the Cold War; lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis; and lived through the dangerous years of the Reagan Administration, including our invasion of Grenada and the Iran/Contra debacle, will understand.
I woke up this morning again calibrating where I am relative to likely targets of Vladimir Putin, but then I realized, under a President Trump, I could not longer count on our country pulling itself together.
Rather, I imagine martial law would be immediately declared; the private militias would be activated; and either a police state would be implemented or something akin to a civil war would break out.
The delusional rantings of a paranoid old man?
Perhaps. Or, perhaps not.
8
While the people from above average education areas will share: "In 2016 we were closer than ever to electing an ignorant and reckless tyrant — what did you do to stop him?" We have but to look at the white people of the South who will have the opposite opinion.
I will be using most of the next 2 days trying to get people to go and vote for Hillary. I will be on edge until at least 270 Electoral College votes are cast for one. I did my 24,000 mile trip to vote and I have given funds, made all kinds of notices so I do feel that I have helped, just wish I could have done more.
I see the freight train rolling towards us. If we can dodge this bullet this time, maybe there will be enough new left people that we never have to go through it again.
I will be using most of the next 2 days trying to get people to go and vote for Hillary. I will be on edge until at least 270 Electoral College votes are cast for one. I did my 24,000 mile trip to vote and I have given funds, made all kinds of notices so I do feel that I have helped, just wish I could have done more.
I see the freight train rolling towards us. If we can dodge this bullet this time, maybe there will be enough new left people that we never have to go through it again.
8
americsns cannot learn from their errors
did they learn from vietnam ?
there you go
1
A prediction of what may happen after the election.
Clinton wins and the Republicans will fight her on everything and keep fighting to get her indicted.
Trump wins and moderates on both sides will team up to keep him in check and work together to get things done.
Be careful of what you wish for
Clinton wins and the Republicans will fight her on everything and keep fighting to get her indicted.
Trump wins and moderates on both sides will team up to keep him in check and work together to get things done.
Be careful of what you wish for
5
The 2 parties "will team up to keep Trump in check" if elected president
JLS you seriously think the 2 parties will unite in that way. Sorry but that is dangerous fantasy speak. What exactly are you wishing for?
JLS you seriously think the 2 parties will unite in that way. Sorry but that is dangerous fantasy speak. What exactly are you wishing for?
2
That's too optimistic a view of a Trump victory. America had already followed the precedent of the Reichstag Fire being used to usher in a police state in 1933 with 9/11, an event that was predicted and nine months of warnings unheeded by the CheneyBush administration and its incompetent front person, Condi Rice, either by order (from Cheney and Rumsfeld) or simple stupidity. By the way, Rice used a private e-mail server, her inaction on nine months of continuous warnings killed some 2,500 people and maimed policemen and firemen, and SHE never got called to task.
Trump and his bullying allies would truly make America the successor to Germany 1933, and those who follow them for some sort of "change" are two narrow-minded (or stupid) to know where THAT political misadventure led.
Trump and his bullying allies would truly make America the successor to Germany 1933, and those who follow them for some sort of "change" are two narrow-minded (or stupid) to know where THAT political misadventure led.
2
Sounds like Republican blackmail to me. There's the Big Black Wolf telling us "We'll huff and we"ll puff and we"ll blow your house down!" Why do they hate our democratic system so? It is really telling that the Democrats are doing all they can to get out the vote, while the Republicans are doing all they can to suppress it,
3
The sickening stench of this election was created solely by President Obama
3
Can't figure how you would come up with that.
2
It is true that the United States has seen worse times. But has these country seen the internal division, much of it related to hate based on bigotry and unfounded conspiracy, in nearly 165 years? Has this country ever seen a time where one of the two political parties is threatening to overrule the will of the people through threats of endless investigations and impeachment? Have we ever had a moment in our history where many voters openly applaud the apparent intervention of a foreign power in our affairs who was once viewed, not so many years ago, as an enemy to much of the world?
I think many would counter that this country faces the most perilous of times. And at this given moment, we don't have courageous leadership who will move the heavens to fight a common foe. Instead, we have leadership, primarily in one party, supported by millions of voters, who would happily throw a stick of dynamite onto the foundations of our government simply for unbridled political gain.
The country is suffering a terrible disease and no one seems to seeking a cure.
I think many would counter that this country faces the most perilous of times. And at this given moment, we don't have courageous leadership who will move the heavens to fight a common foe. Instead, we have leadership, primarily in one party, supported by millions of voters, who would happily throw a stick of dynamite onto the foundations of our government simply for unbridled political gain.
The country is suffering a terrible disease and no one seems to seeking a cure.
116
Your reference to Russia is without merit. There has been no evidence provided us that would lead us to believe that Russia was involved in the hacking, furthermore, putting the blame on Russia only allowed Hillary to conceal the evidence that she may have been involved in the DNC treasonous behavior of helping to sway a primary election. I do not trust Hillary in matters of foreign policy, and her irresponsible comments about Syria and Ukraine suggest that she is willing to go to war with Russia on the territories of their allies in Syria or along the Russia frontier in the Ukraine. What you consider much of the world is the West, and little more. The international community is not in line with US foreign policy, and most polls suggest that people believe that this country is the greatest threat to humanity as a whole.
...actually, yes. It was called the Civil War. And it really was worse than now.
Bikerman - "...where one of the two political parties is threatening to overrule the will of the people through threats of endless investigations and impeachment?"
You mean the will of HALF of the people, there is a very slim margin of support by the people between the two candidates. Why is it that the LEFT always assumes they are correct and that they represent the "will of the people"?
There are people in this country who voted for those congressmen and senators who are doing exactly what they want. Just because you disagree with what they are doing does not make you correct and them wrong!
You mean the will of HALF of the people, there is a very slim margin of support by the people between the two candidates. Why is it that the LEFT always assumes they are correct and that they represent the "will of the people"?
There are people in this country who voted for those congressmen and senators who are doing exactly what they want. Just because you disagree with what they are doing does not make you correct and them wrong!
Perhaps Americans should read this speech from President Carter given in 1979 and see just how favorably it compares to today.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/ca...
He laid out the problems for us and along came "morning in America", which actually ushered in 4 decades of economic deceit that has led us to where we are once again at the point of Carter's thesis.
From his speech "Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally. On the battlefield of energy we can win for our nation a new confidence, and we can seize control again of our common destiny."
Then he was talking about foreign dependency on oil. Today we can move forward with green energy but we need a leader who believes in it and Trump is nothing more than a gadfly.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/ca...
He laid out the problems for us and along came "morning in America", which actually ushered in 4 decades of economic deceit that has led us to where we are once again at the point of Carter's thesis.
From his speech "Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally. On the battlefield of energy we can win for our nation a new confidence, and we can seize control again of our common destiny."
Then he was talking about foreign dependency on oil. Today we can move forward with green energy but we need a leader who believes in it and Trump is nothing more than a gadfly.
5
I'm currently reading a fascinating book about woman, Dorothy Vaughn, who was one of a cadre of black women mathematicians during WWII, referred to as "computers", who worked at Langley Laboratory and who were instrumental in designing and testing everything from the P-51 to the B-29. (Dorothy went on in aeronautical engineering to become the woman that the astronauts would not enter their capsules without consulting.)
But the book also gives u refresher course in the will of the American people during the war; as men left by the millions women, by the millions, flooded out of their homes to take their places in the critical war time and civilian production and construction industries; plane production went from about a thousand planes a year, to over 75,000 - outproducing the Germans by 3 times and the Japanese by 5.
At the pier at Camp Patrick Henry - near Langley - there were detachments composed entirely of'"Negroes", as we know, but also of Japanese Americans, and there was even a Caribbean Regiment.
While, of course, the social ills of the country did not disappear, people relocated, went without meat and sugar and gas and steel and bought war bonds and volunteered at the USO and lived and breathed and ate and slept as one, united in one goal - because they won or lost the war together.
We have lost much of our sense of purpose and patriotism, and I fear we could never rise again as a people to face the challenge of a WW.
But, by GOD, can't we vote?
But the book also gives u refresher course in the will of the American people during the war; as men left by the millions women, by the millions, flooded out of their homes to take their places in the critical war time and civilian production and construction industries; plane production went from about a thousand planes a year, to over 75,000 - outproducing the Germans by 3 times and the Japanese by 5.
At the pier at Camp Patrick Henry - near Langley - there were detachments composed entirely of'"Negroes", as we know, but also of Japanese Americans, and there was even a Caribbean Regiment.
While, of course, the social ills of the country did not disappear, people relocated, went without meat and sugar and gas and steel and bought war bonds and volunteered at the USO and lived and breathed and ate and slept as one, united in one goal - because they won or lost the war together.
We have lost much of our sense of purpose and patriotism, and I fear we could never rise again as a people to face the challenge of a WW.
But, by GOD, can't we vote?
4
Over the last few years, we have watched young men and women living in Western democracies, become radicalized, sometimes self-radicalized. We only think of those raised in the Muslim faith, then running off to Syria or Iraq to join ISIS/ISIL to kill th enemies of Islam and live under Shar'iat law.
But we are blind and deceiving ourselves if we don't recognize that far more young people are becoming radicalized and self-radicalized. But these young people are predominantly White, of European descent, and claim to be Christian. They are the Alt-Right, connected from their sites like Stormfront, 4Chan, 8Chan, et all, to the Trump campaign through...Breitbart and Steve Bannon. Dylann Roof, the Charleston, SC murderer of Black congregants at a church that had welcomed him, is just such a self-radicalized White American. He hoped to set off a race war, and, if the "Deplorables" following Trump don't get their way on Tuesday, or, worse, if they do, Roof may well get his wish--a sea of death and destruction, a 2nd Civil War, just so useless angry White guys can feel they haven't been emasculated by women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Arabs, Muslims, LGBTQ, and "sissified" (to them) White male liberals, like me. And, now, of course, the Jews. Anti-Semitism had retreated into almost non-existence as the evangelical fundamentalist Christian, especially the Conservatives, openly and without reservation, embraced Israel. But as so many support Trump, that melts like ice in summer.
But we are blind and deceiving ourselves if we don't recognize that far more young people are becoming radicalized and self-radicalized. But these young people are predominantly White, of European descent, and claim to be Christian. They are the Alt-Right, connected from their sites like Stormfront, 4Chan, 8Chan, et all, to the Trump campaign through...Breitbart and Steve Bannon. Dylann Roof, the Charleston, SC murderer of Black congregants at a church that had welcomed him, is just such a self-radicalized White American. He hoped to set off a race war, and, if the "Deplorables" following Trump don't get their way on Tuesday, or, worse, if they do, Roof may well get his wish--a sea of death and destruction, a 2nd Civil War, just so useless angry White guys can feel they haven't been emasculated by women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Arabs, Muslims, LGBTQ, and "sissified" (to them) White male liberals, like me. And, now, of course, the Jews. Anti-Semitism had retreated into almost non-existence as the evangelical fundamentalist Christian, especially the Conservatives, openly and without reservation, embraced Israel. But as so many support Trump, that melts like ice in summer.
1
Pandora's political evils will not be assuaged by either the typically preachy tone of NYT condescension, or its ludicrous take on all matters expressed in editorials. Forty years of amoral elitism camouflaged as renaissance has bifurcated the nation to such a degree that for half the population the place is barely recognizable. This page and its ardent followers consider themselves better than the rest - fine. Take the high road. Stop blaming straw men for conditions. Stop your war on the poor. Take ideology out of governing, give up asinine crusades against thought and speech and prove you can do better. If you want to change hearts, cease drumbreating on our heads.
5
> Take ideology out of governing
A Pragmatist jumps off a cliff and yells, "There are no absolutes. Gravity is unrealistic. Floating in the air solves this moment's concrete problems."
A Pragmatist jumps off a cliff and yells, "There are no absolutes. Gravity is unrealistic. Floating in the air solves this moment's concrete problems."
After the destructive Reagan and W. Bush Presidencies, we can have a President who cares about the people, have some peace and start repairing the damages done. Trump is a very high risk and very much like the Ukrainian ousted President, Viktor Yanukovych, who worked with Puten in Russia in an effort to facilitate another Russian takeover of Ukraine. Trump would very likely cooperate with Puten to facilitate a similar takeover of the US, leading to another world war. W. Bush is not only responsible for today’s refugee problem but also the cause of the Middle East turmoil and most of all the fall-out from the Iraq war, where the creation of ISIS comes from the ignoring the people of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, thanks to W. Bush’s ignorance to what it takes to establish transition to a working government. We need Hillary, with her diplomatic abilities to keep us out of a nuclear war, where I am convinced that a Tromp administration; with Trump’s inability to negotiate with foreign government; combined with his hair trigger reactions, the country could end up in a nuclear war with Russia or China
5
How does this Opinion differ from hate speech?
Smearing half of Americans as KKK sympathizes,racists and deplorables is the means to an ugly end,namely historic divisiveness.
Uniting Americans is the responsibility of the President but Obama,has done the opposite for short term political gain.
Neither Clinton nor Trump are likely to reverse the damage.
Smearing half of Americans as KKK sympathizes,racists and deplorables is the means to an ugly end,namely historic divisiveness.
Uniting Americans is the responsibility of the President but Obama,has done the opposite for short term political gain.
Neither Clinton nor Trump are likely to reverse the damage.
9
Hopefully, this will be the last vituperative, slanderous, anti-trump blast from the cushioned elite that sits on the NYT editorial board. The voters are about to speak, and they will reject the shrill, desperate rantings of a biased and discredited media that supports a candidate who is a corrupt liar; who sold the office of the state department to the highest bidders, including the two key funders of ISIS; a blood-thirsty warmonger who gloats over her kill; who knowingly used stolen questions to gain the advantage over Bernie Sanders; who is hated and excoriated behind her back by her closest aides; who has no credible plan to govern except to sell our jobs out to her biggest donors. But most of all, the soon-to-be extinct "mainstream media" has demeaned and de-legitimated itself in its biased and bogus coverage against Mr. Trump. The die will soon be cast. If Trump wins, what does the NYT then propose? What editorial will it write then? Will it counsel us all to leave the country to Trump and his deplorables. Will it continue its screeds to besmirch the President of the
United States? Or will it move to Mexico City?
United States? Or will it move to Mexico City?
4
"The horror! The horror!" America's precarious journey into the "Heart of Darkness." (apologies to Joseph Conrad)
Over the months the sun has grown dim, the air cold. Gray clouds have filled the skies. Ahead, dark storm clouds swirl, growing thunder, flashes of lightening above a horizon lost in windblown rain. The horror!
But we cannot turn back; there is no going back. We must accept our destiny on Nov. 9. The horror!
Nov. 9 frightens us. And well it should. Many of us have seen this movie before. We are like Janet and Brad innocently approaching Dr.Frank-N-Furter's castle in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show". What lies ahead defies our grasp on reality. The horror!
How can seemingly sane Americans support the Republican Party monster? How can they support the Frank-N-Furter Party? We have heard and read many explanations for the rise of the monster; many explanations for the mob that doesn't chase the monster with pitchforks, but with adoration; many explanations for why the mob elects Frank-N-Furter Party candidates. The horror!
Our only hope? Only solace? Sane people go to the polls. Sane people choose sane candidates up and down the ticket. May Nov. 9 renew our faith in America!
Otherwise, we seek comfort that no matter the horror (wars, pestilence, zombie uprisings, a Trump win), we live in the best of all possible worlds. The horror!
Over the months the sun has grown dim, the air cold. Gray clouds have filled the skies. Ahead, dark storm clouds swirl, growing thunder, flashes of lightening above a horizon lost in windblown rain. The horror!
But we cannot turn back; there is no going back. We must accept our destiny on Nov. 9. The horror!
Nov. 9 frightens us. And well it should. Many of us have seen this movie before. We are like Janet and Brad innocently approaching Dr.Frank-N-Furter's castle in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show". What lies ahead defies our grasp on reality. The horror!
How can seemingly sane Americans support the Republican Party monster? How can they support the Frank-N-Furter Party? We have heard and read many explanations for the rise of the monster; many explanations for the mob that doesn't chase the monster with pitchforks, but with adoration; many explanations for why the mob elects Frank-N-Furter Party candidates. The horror!
Our only hope? Only solace? Sane people go to the polls. Sane people choose sane candidates up and down the ticket. May Nov. 9 renew our faith in America!
Otherwise, we seek comfort that no matter the horror (wars, pestilence, zombie uprisings, a Trump win), we live in the best of all possible worlds. The horror!
5
The ugliness of this election, in great part, is the timing of it and was bound to happen at some point in human existence. It is the first Presidential election in American history to take place after climate scientists de Canto and Pollard have most likely, correctly predicted that our end is near. With the now unstoppable meltdown of the West Antarctica Ice Sheet, the last visage of the last Ice Age, we will see the enormous destructive force of nature affecting our human behavior. By 2100, seas will rise 1 metre. By 2500, over 15 metres. New York City, 400 years old, will be gone in the next 400 years, along with many other major cities. Welcome to the new barbarism. Is there any country or leader who can stem the inevitable human barbarisms which will devour our cultures?
6
Thank you for reminding us that the culture and ideological wars are but a distraction to what is by far the biggest issue of our times.
1
What has the USA come to that we are being baited to elect the lesser of 2 corporate candidates for President of the nation? And I just read an editorial here that skirts around that very central issue.
I scoffed in the past, but we are 10 years away full-out-in-the-open Oligarchy. With a severely compromised press in tow that will point at one of 2 presidential candidates that says "that one is better because not as bad as the other one." Ugh.
I scoffed in the past, but we are 10 years away full-out-in-the-open Oligarchy. With a severely compromised press in tow that will point at one of 2 presidential candidates that says "that one is better because not as bad as the other one." Ugh.
5
I am weary. I am emotionally drained. No nation should have to endure an election lasting 2 years out of every 4. No nation should have to endure one candidate so emotionally immature, so reckless, greedy, sociopathic and nasty.
I can envision today what I embraced as a young woman over 50 years ago. But here's what's different for me now. I'm white. But for the first time in my life I wish I were brown or black. Because my sentiments belong more with my minority brothers and sisters. But unlike them, I look just like the voters who would cast a ballot for a Pervert and a hater. I have no way to advertise to the world that my white skin and white hair do not signify hatred or bigotry.
A long time ago in my psychotherapy training, I worked with a young man of Hispanic origin. Early on we needed to address his concerns about meeting with a white woman. He distrusted me instinctively. I asked about the source of his mistrust. "Blue eyes!" he said.
We worked through that. We had the time and space to do so. But how can I do that with every person? How "advertise" my joy in colored skin, dark eyes, burkas, yarmulkas, saris, hearing other languages?
Every 4 years I watch the Democratic Convention with such joy. The Diversity! I love it. "These are my people!" I think to myself. My people, all getting along, having come together in hope of an America that looks like that Convention.
I feel tearful just writing this. I long for such an America. Please...
I can envision today what I embraced as a young woman over 50 years ago. But here's what's different for me now. I'm white. But for the first time in my life I wish I were brown or black. Because my sentiments belong more with my minority brothers and sisters. But unlike them, I look just like the voters who would cast a ballot for a Pervert and a hater. I have no way to advertise to the world that my white skin and white hair do not signify hatred or bigotry.
A long time ago in my psychotherapy training, I worked with a young man of Hispanic origin. Early on we needed to address his concerns about meeting with a white woman. He distrusted me instinctively. I asked about the source of his mistrust. "Blue eyes!" he said.
We worked through that. We had the time and space to do so. But how can I do that with every person? How "advertise" my joy in colored skin, dark eyes, burkas, yarmulkas, saris, hearing other languages?
Every 4 years I watch the Democratic Convention with such joy. The Diversity! I love it. "These are my people!" I think to myself. My people, all getting along, having come together in hope of an America that looks like that Convention.
I feel tearful just writing this. I long for such an America. Please...
20
TherP wrote
" I have no way to advertise to the world that my white skin and white hair do not signify hatred or bigotry."
Put a "Hillary for President" sign on your lawn. We did and also have a Hillary bumper sticker on our car..
" I have no way to advertise to the world that my white skin and white hair do not signify hatred or bigotry."
Put a "Hillary for President" sign on your lawn. We did and also have a Hillary bumper sticker on our car..
Perhaps when we acknowledge that all people are created unique, it will be possible to negotiate a more harmonious coexistence of diversity.
TheraP, I am crying because of your comment. I feel exactly the same way. I am also white, with white hair (and brown eyes, maybe that makes me less suspect!) and just want people of color to know that this is their country, too, just as it is mine, just as it is Trump's.
May we all live in peace and understanding. Maybe Trump ripping off the fabric of decency might help all of us come to terms with this very divided country. We can't go forward hating each other. Our democracy, our We The People, will not survive as a beacon to the world. And the world needs us. Our planet needs us so it can continue to support us all. We need smart, capable leaders, not a man and his sycophants that only cares about solidifying power and enriching themselves and who despise any one who wasn't born with white skin. It's sickening and wrong. May we pass through the portal on Tuesday and come out stronger on the other side.
I don't want to leave this country. I'm 65 and don't have much money. But if Trump somehow wins, I will leave. I lived through the Bush/Cheney regime. I will not watch Trump destroy us all.
May we all live in peace and understanding. Maybe Trump ripping off the fabric of decency might help all of us come to terms with this very divided country. We can't go forward hating each other. Our democracy, our We The People, will not survive as a beacon to the world. And the world needs us. Our planet needs us so it can continue to support us all. We need smart, capable leaders, not a man and his sycophants that only cares about solidifying power and enriching themselves and who despise any one who wasn't born with white skin. It's sickening and wrong. May we pass through the portal on Tuesday and come out stronger on the other side.
I don't want to leave this country. I'm 65 and don't have much money. But if Trump somehow wins, I will leave. I lived through the Bush/Cheney regime. I will not watch Trump destroy us all.
3
The United States has seen worse than Donald Trump? The worst of the lot in recent history has to be Donald Trump. I am stunned by the sheer audacity of this snake oil salesman who peddles his putrid elixir of hate, misogyny, avarice & aggrandizement. His so-called "campaign" has been in reality a train wreck of a self promotional tour . Some of the destruction reaped upon us may never be able to be fully cleaned up. The Trump/Pence
campaign is an updated version of Elmer Gantry pumped up to a ludicrous
level of sheer audacity. It seems that Hillary will be elected which will bode
well for our country. She may be flawed but who among us is not? At
the very least she has boundaries and a sense of responsibility. Trump
has neither. He has altered the direction of political discourse for many years & not in a way that has positive implications.
proprtions.
campaign is an updated version of Elmer Gantry pumped up to a ludicrous
level of sheer audacity. It seems that Hillary will be elected which will bode
well for our country. She may be flawed but who among us is not? At
the very least she has boundaries and a sense of responsibility. Trump
has neither. He has altered the direction of political discourse for many years & not in a way that has positive implications.
proprtions.
6
I imagine on November 09, 40% of Americans will be emotionally depressed and suffer from anxiety because of the current level of polarization where you have at least 40% supporting Hillary Clinton and at least the same number supporting Trump. I do expect a gracious acceptance of the mandate by the losing candidate and I don't expect the outcome to be close and I don't expect a muddy presidential election vote count like 2000. If Trump loses it will be because he failed to gain sufficient Hispanic votes and if Clinton loses it would be because of her untrustworthyness and her numerous scandals. To my fellow Americans I would say don't expect that your candidate may win and be mentally prepared for the eventuality that your candidate will have lost on election day. It will not be an end of the world whoever wins. It could be a new beginning. God bless America.
2
Donald Trump Rushed Offstage by Secret Service Agents
--- NY Times, 11/5/16
Mr. Trump has initiated, encouraged, cheered on and let loose a storm that even years from now could engulf both him and Mrs. Clinton, as well as other political figures.
But the man seems completely ignorant of the damage he is doing or maybe he isn’t.
--- NY Times, 11/5/16
Mr. Trump has initiated, encouraged, cheered on and let loose a storm that even years from now could engulf both him and Mrs. Clinton, as well as other political figures.
But the man seems completely ignorant of the damage he is doing or maybe he isn’t.
6
Mike Huckabee is the definition of a lunatic. Fox "News" can't wait to provide him with his own show again.
Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and their fellow Republican cowards can now be grouped with the incoherently babbling Rudy Giuliani as people not to be taken seriously. The Republicans have poisoned their brand perhaps even more than Mr. Trump has his own. They deserve each other.
Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and their fellow Republican cowards can now be grouped with the incoherently babbling Rudy Giuliani as people not to be taken seriously. The Republicans have poisoned their brand perhaps even more than Mr. Trump has his own. They deserve each other.
15
Alan I couldnt agree more but if Trump becomes President (shiver) everything you say does not matter -- because all of those politicians you name will be part of the ruling Repub party. And they will kiss Trump's shoes for 4 years.
Thanks for that scary thought. You are correct.
I cast my first vote for Dwight D Eisenhower. My second vote vote was for John F Kennedy. I have voted in every election since that time. On Tuesday I will vote for Hillary Clinton, the most important vote of my lifetime.
23
Leave it to the Times editorial page to first write an editorial about America needing to reevaluate after the election, while at the same time printing editorials that demonstrate what is wrong with our political thought now. Both the self-righteous liberal bean counting and whining about men of Jill Filipovic and the religious moralizing of Ross Douthat are examples of how American political thought is stuck in the past.
The absurdity that liberals believe that a free, capitalist society should magically result in all their identity groups being fairly represented in the media is as silly as conservatives believing that all the ills of society can be traced back to the size of families. Ms. Filipovic men will be men, not some feminist’s ideal of what a man should be no matter how much you complain. And Ross, people had bigger families in the past because they didn’t have birth control not because they were better people and it is a very good thing that men and especially women can control their means of reproduction.
We must move on from the past. We are no longer a religious nation and people are not colors or sexes or orientations they are people made of blood, sinew and bone with complex minds capable of incredible feats of imagination and creativity as well as horrendous acts of evil, equally, regardless of color, sex or orientation. We need new ideas, new paradigms and new ways of looking at America’s grand mosaic. And that is a job for this page.
The absurdity that liberals believe that a free, capitalist society should magically result in all their identity groups being fairly represented in the media is as silly as conservatives believing that all the ills of society can be traced back to the size of families. Ms. Filipovic men will be men, not some feminist’s ideal of what a man should be no matter how much you complain. And Ross, people had bigger families in the past because they didn’t have birth control not because they were better people and it is a very good thing that men and especially women can control their means of reproduction.
We must move on from the past. We are no longer a religious nation and people are not colors or sexes or orientations they are people made of blood, sinew and bone with complex minds capable of incredible feats of imagination and creativity as well as horrendous acts of evil, equally, regardless of color, sex or orientation. We need new ideas, new paradigms and new ways of looking at America’s grand mosaic. And that is a job for this page.
6
All of the flap over Supreme Court justices is proof that this election is really about whether the US is a secular or a religious nation.
America is on trial. We stand before the world and are offered the opportunity to redeem ourselves from the worst of our media culture. We take that opportunity on Nov 9 or we disgrace ourselves by electing a toxic clown who needs to write his name in our skies. Anyone who has stood on First Avenue, NYC, on a bright sunny day can attest that from midday on, the tall phallic Trump building that stands across from the UN building casts a deep, long shadow up the avenue, stealing the sun and its light and warmth. The man himself has done that to our lives. Some of us are blessed to be able to get on with life, Nov 9, but the lives of many will remain in shadow awaiting the return of the sun.
6
For Trump's "crazies" as John McCain called Trump's followers, he's the last White hope as they do not consider the members of the Republican establishment as 'true White' or 'Lily White'.
They consider them 'sold out' White men who gave in to the cravings of capturing the White House at any cost, including the Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and all the LGBT members, especially the transgender Americans whom this 'rat pack' considers as nature's revenge on us.
Yes,for Trump's anti-normal followers, most of whom are descendants of KKK members like Trump himself is and who're also from the 'slave slayers' heritage, hatred for the Black people came very naturally.
These descendants of confederate army members felt at home at Trump's rallies because Trump spoke in the same hateful language that their parents and grand parents spoke at home since their births, which was nothing but profanity laced tirade against the Blacks,Jews and other non-Aryans.
And when Trump brought in another race into the mix, the Hispanics, by dehumanizing the Mexicans, these bunch of natural sociopaths thought Trump is the messiah they'd been looking for so long.
The sight of Trump spewing hatred with his horrible rhetoric against everyone except their own, was like finding the only light in a long dark tunnel.
Actually they were already following Trump's birther comments against Obama and their interest on that subject didn't allow Trump to drop the subject.
So now we know why Hillary called them 'sick'.
They consider them 'sold out' White men who gave in to the cravings of capturing the White House at any cost, including the Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and all the LGBT members, especially the transgender Americans whom this 'rat pack' considers as nature's revenge on us.
Yes,for Trump's anti-normal followers, most of whom are descendants of KKK members like Trump himself is and who're also from the 'slave slayers' heritage, hatred for the Black people came very naturally.
These descendants of confederate army members felt at home at Trump's rallies because Trump spoke in the same hateful language that their parents and grand parents spoke at home since their births, which was nothing but profanity laced tirade against the Blacks,Jews and other non-Aryans.
And when Trump brought in another race into the mix, the Hispanics, by dehumanizing the Mexicans, these bunch of natural sociopaths thought Trump is the messiah they'd been looking for so long.
The sight of Trump spewing hatred with his horrible rhetoric against everyone except their own, was like finding the only light in a long dark tunnel.
Actually they were already following Trump's birther comments against Obama and their interest on that subject didn't allow Trump to drop the subject.
So now we know why Hillary called them 'sick'.
4
The idea of that vindictive man-baby being the president of the united states is just too horrible to imagine. But if I had to, I foresee him being impeached within the first year, which would leave Pence president (which is also too horrible to imagine)
8
Even if, as I fervently hope, Hillary wins, that still leaves nearly half of the electorate in the Trump camp. What is there to feel good about a country where guns, racism, misogyny and some parody of religious piety animate so many?
228
A good point. There are strong political divisions from USA state to state -- and even with HC elected as president -- I suspect many Americans will be moving to different states based on their politics. It wont happen overnight and it wont be a mass exodus, but it is going to happen.
Me thinks, as sad as it may be, "only" 30% of voters are in the Trump camp. A solid, sad-sack base which he used as a wrecking ball on the Republican party. Other Trump voters are just playing politics. I remain hopeful that after Clinton's landslide win, Republicans will reach across the aisle and rebuild their party by getting things done in D.C.
What is there to feel good about a country where self-righteousness, intolerance of any other opinion, name calling and disparaging of fellow citizens with different views, and "we're so much smarter than anyone who thinks differently" thinking animate so many?
1
Why has The Times not covered the Newsweek Friday release detailing Mr. Trump's support of Mr. Putin and Russia's manipulations of Mr. Trump? This is a very concerning article and should be breaking news. Or does The Times only carry breaking news about Mrs. Clinton?
14
The editorial does not really address the very real threat of insurrection by some of the extreme right wing Trumpists. And it would be typical of Trump to incite them.
8
Not even the uber-conservative voters in UT want a Trump presidency. There, they are opting out main-stream republicanism by voting for one of their own (a mormon-family-values-guy). Can't say that I blame them given the fact that UT will likely never vote for a Dem. for president, not ever. Nevertheless, it's telling that the vast majority of voters there believe Trump is "immoral" and unfit to be POTUS.
In the end, Mr. Trump has allowed us to see the ugliness that lies just below the surface of American culture and it isn't pretty. It's downright frightening.
In the end, Mr. Trump has allowed us to see the ugliness that lies just below the surface of American culture and it isn't pretty. It's downright frightening.
1
One matter of primary importance looms very large, if Hillary Clinton manages to defeat the self-absorbed barbarian, Donald Trump.
We must take immediate steps to make sure someone like the unhinged, would-be tyrant never gets this close again.
The New York Times, The Washington Post, and a relative handful of other newspapers and magazines have been the only sources of print journalism who have done their jobs in exposing Donald Trump, and even these fine publications got a late start.
As far as broadcast journalism, those two words may form an oxymoron. One would like to see all of the producers, directors, writers, reporters, commentators and anchor persons from every network and most cable channels be compelled to take a course in broadcast journalism.
The faculty best qualified to teach the course should be comprised of John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert.
Why is it that TV comedians have the courage, wisdom and innovative techniques to alert the nation about dangerous politicians like Donald Trump, but the mainstream media do not?
We must take immediate steps to make sure someone like the unhinged, would-be tyrant never gets this close again.
The New York Times, The Washington Post, and a relative handful of other newspapers and magazines have been the only sources of print journalism who have done their jobs in exposing Donald Trump, and even these fine publications got a late start.
As far as broadcast journalism, those two words may form an oxymoron. One would like to see all of the producers, directors, writers, reporters, commentators and anchor persons from every network and most cable channels be compelled to take a course in broadcast journalism.
The faculty best qualified to teach the course should be comprised of John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert.
Why is it that TV comedians have the courage, wisdom and innovative techniques to alert the nation about dangerous politicians like Donald Trump, but the mainstream media do not?
4
It should also be said that this election revealed the witlessness of Third-Party candidates. Gary Johnson lies consistently about his tax plan and economic model while also having little to no knowledge of foreign affairs. Jill Stein is as gutless as she is a failure (she has lost every election she has ever run in). These Third Party candidates complained constantly about not getting any attention and when they did, and they did more in this election than any other, they fell well short of expectations. The only things they are successful at are complaining of media bias (this does exist, but they never go into specifics) and being ideologues who preach about how holy there are.
Yet beneath the thin veneer of their self-righteousness they have their own devils to hide.
Yet beneath the thin veneer of their self-righteousness they have their own devils to hide.
2
*Wealkings* all. Yikes.
1
I never imagined my expectations could be so low as to be thrilled that Donald Trump is not President. The ignorant and crazies that were always there in the shadows are now out in the light, apparently to stay. Newt, the Tea Party and the Freedom Caucus were their point people. The progress of civilization in the US has not been at the level Hollywood has been portraying these past decades. Talk Radio wasn't only a freak side show.
2
I find it alarming that people have to wait in extremely long lines to vote. I've voted in California at every opportunity for 40 years or so and never waited more than 10 minutes. Since the advent of mail-in ballots, not even that.
This is systemic voter suppression. Combine that with apathy and you have the current scenario: a dead heat between left and right (and a dire threat to the republic) when polls show ~60% of Americans hold traditionally "liberal" views on most hot button issues.
This is systemic voter suppression. Combine that with apathy and you have the current scenario: a dead heat between left and right (and a dire threat to the republic) when polls show ~60% of Americans hold traditionally "liberal" views on most hot button issues.
6
Despite all of the hate and rancor that Mr. Trump has spread like an infectious disease, I am certain that on Nov. 8th, the good citizens of this country will offer their formal endorsement, via the ballot box, of Hillary Clinton to be our next president, whereupon, we can all breathe a huge sigh of relief that what seemed to be an endless nightmare for these past several months, punctuated with moments of deep, dark despair, will end with a new day dawning, with the Sun shining against a deep blue sky punctuated with a few puffy clouds floating effortlessly above while, in the background, we hear the pleasant sounds of birds singing, all of which reinforces the belief that, indeed, all is now right with the world. Amen.
2
There have always been Americans with grievances. Often those grievances are legitimate and need to be addressed. But there is no grievance that justifies supporting Donald Trump. Those older, white males who have been Trump's main supporters have, by supporting someone totally unfit to be president, made their grievances secondary. They've shown that they don't really care about the country and they are willing to elect a sociopath out of mindless desperation. Shame on them.
I am an older, white male and there is no imaginable grievance that would ever get me to support Trump.
I am an older, white male and there is no imaginable grievance that would ever get me to support Trump.
9
This has been a difficult election. I’m 65, and have seen many, but have never been through so many wrenching emotional stages. At the very end, though, there is this: I have never loved my country more. I see more clearly than ever before what America means to the world, to history, to human dignity. Placed under threat, my belief in our nation’s ideals, in democracy, have only grown stronger. And when I step into the voting booth this Election Day to choose Mrs. Clinton, I will feel — as if I were there — the hopes of the very first American voters, and understand my place in passing those on. My duty. My moral obligation.
293
"my belief in our nation’s ideals, in democracy, have only grown stronger"
Sorry A. but in light of the deeply troubling election, your whole paragraph is a mix of naivete and rose-colored glasses. Yes, you have a moral obligation to vote, but look at the 2 faulty candidates you got to choose from? Think about that too please?
Sorry A. but in light of the deeply troubling election, your whole paragraph is a mix of naivete and rose-colored glasses. Yes, you have a moral obligation to vote, but look at the 2 faulty candidates you got to choose from? Think about that too please?
2
We have zero moral obligation to vote for either of these dreadful people.
Hi, Alan -
At sixty-four, I'm a year behind you, and I, too, love my country. Far more than Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton do, I suspect.
The question is not so much what our "moral obligation" is on Election Day; rather, it is what do we do after that day - no matter who wins - to dismantle the oligarchy into which our once democratic republic has been transformed.
You and I remember the great days when politicians were serious people who ran serious campaigns and were elected after sober discussion by thoughtful voters. We remember a news media that was peopled by giants such as Cronkite, Huntley, and Brinkley.
I don't know about you, but I plan to get involved, somehow, in our national politics after this election is over. That, I think, is my duty; my "moral obligation".
Cheers.
At sixty-four, I'm a year behind you, and I, too, love my country. Far more than Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton do, I suspect.
The question is not so much what our "moral obligation" is on Election Day; rather, it is what do we do after that day - no matter who wins - to dismantle the oligarchy into which our once democratic republic has been transformed.
You and I remember the great days when politicians were serious people who ran serious campaigns and were elected after sober discussion by thoughtful voters. We remember a news media that was peopled by giants such as Cronkite, Huntley, and Brinkley.
I don't know about you, but I plan to get involved, somehow, in our national politics after this election is over. That, I think, is my duty; my "moral obligation".
Cheers.
1
If I wake up on November 9 to a President-elect Trump, I will know this country is lost. We will have met the enemy and he is us.
13
" Let this election have the salutary effect of reminding Americans as a nation of who we are, and the good we can do, when we are put to the test."
If the Times Editorial Board had any moral courage, they would advise us too not vote for either Clinton or Trump. But there is nor moral courage at the Board, just as their is no moral compass guiding Hillary or the Donald..
If the Times Editorial Board had any moral courage, they would advise us too not vote for either Clinton or Trump. But there is nor moral courage at the Board, just as their is no moral compass guiding Hillary or the Donald..
1
Trump always wanted his name stamped everywhere. Here's what he got:
Paul Trump Ryan
Mitch Trump McConnell
Ted Trump Cruz
Marco Trump Rubio
Newt Trump Gingrich
Chris Trump Christie
Rudy Trump Giuliani
... Trump ...
May America never forget these men middle name.
May their Trump middle name carry these men to their political grave only to be remembered in the same pages in American history books as other American traitors.
Paul Trump Ryan
Mitch Trump McConnell
Ted Trump Cruz
Marco Trump Rubio
Newt Trump Gingrich
Chris Trump Christie
Rudy Trump Giuliani
... Trump ...
May America never forget these men middle name.
May their Trump middle name carry these men to their political grave only to be remembered in the same pages in American history books as other American traitors.
4
A strong statement, adequate to the disturbing times in which we find ourselves. Thank you for this.
3
Dear President Lincoln,
History has bestowed upon you the title of the most important and most revered President of the United States of America. You earned that title by making the Constitutional edict " that all men are created equal...." the law of the Land one more time while keeping the Union united and in one piece. However, Mr. President, it is now evident that you should have let the Confederacy secede to create their own State based on the ideology of White Supremacy and enslavement of the non-white peoples. While the North would have continued on its righteous path of Democracy, Justice and Equality. My guess is that the Confederacy would have lasted into the 20th Century and would have become an ally of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. However, at the end of the war. a defeated Confederacy would have been occupied by the United States of America and re-built into a secular democracy just as Germany and Japan were. The White Supremacy ideology would have been completely eradicated and a cleansed "South" would have emerged asking for re-unification with the "North". The question of Racism would have been solved effectively and permanently so much so that when Barack Obama was elected President, your Party would not see the need to obstruct his efforts to build a better and more prosperous America. In the absence of the Tea Party, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, Donald Trump would have hardly received a dozen votes and I did not need to write you this letter.
History has bestowed upon you the title of the most important and most revered President of the United States of America. You earned that title by making the Constitutional edict " that all men are created equal...." the law of the Land one more time while keeping the Union united and in one piece. However, Mr. President, it is now evident that you should have let the Confederacy secede to create their own State based on the ideology of White Supremacy and enslavement of the non-white peoples. While the North would have continued on its righteous path of Democracy, Justice and Equality. My guess is that the Confederacy would have lasted into the 20th Century and would have become an ally of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. However, at the end of the war. a defeated Confederacy would have been occupied by the United States of America and re-built into a secular democracy just as Germany and Japan were. The White Supremacy ideology would have been completely eradicated and a cleansed "South" would have emerged asking for re-unification with the "North". The question of Racism would have been solved effectively and permanently so much so that when Barack Obama was elected President, your Party would not see the need to obstruct his efforts to build a better and more prosperous America. In the absence of the Tea Party, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, Donald Trump would have hardly received a dozen votes and I did not need to write you this letter.
2
This "surreal, miserable presidential campaign", in addition to exposing a "sick" Republican Party, also exposed a pretty rotten Democratic Party. Perhaps it should stop chasing the mega-bucks and remember that its glory days came by supporting the middle class and the blue collar working class. The Democratic Party had a chance to do that again with Senator Sanders, but noooooo, the DNC decided that Hillary, that guardian of a thoroughly rotten status quo, should be anointed in his stead.
Thanks, Debbie Wasserman Schultz; thanks, Donna Brazile. Not.
Thanks, Debbie Wasserman Schultz; thanks, Donna Brazile. Not.
2
Editors:
It's a little late in the game to now forcefully denounce what has been ongoing for several decades. I'm surprised your plutocratic owners even allowed you this "too little, too late" outcry.
When you failed to object - and more, to counter - the slander and lies spewed by Newt Gingrich, and his offspring, you opened the door to this. When you went along with GWB's obvious lies about his case to invade Iraq, you abandoned your duty as watchdog. And while you have stood by silently all these years as "trickle down" policies were enacted and supported by both Republicans and Dems, you abandoned the middle and working class. Finally, when you anointed Hillary as the de facto President, you revealed your bias. All of this has contributed to the possibility that the worst candidate for President since U.S. Grant may be elected. Rail away, and rend your clothing, but your words don't undo the decades of wrong choices you've made.
It's a little late in the game to now forcefully denounce what has been ongoing for several decades. I'm surprised your plutocratic owners even allowed you this "too little, too late" outcry.
When you failed to object - and more, to counter - the slander and lies spewed by Newt Gingrich, and his offspring, you opened the door to this. When you went along with GWB's obvious lies about his case to invade Iraq, you abandoned your duty as watchdog. And while you have stood by silently all these years as "trickle down" policies were enacted and supported by both Republicans and Dems, you abandoned the middle and working class. Finally, when you anointed Hillary as the de facto President, you revealed your bias. All of this has contributed to the possibility that the worst candidate for President since U.S. Grant may be elected. Rail away, and rend your clothing, but your words don't undo the decades of wrong choices you've made.
2
Hillary Clinton is a screw-up. Even her closest staff & General Powell acknowledge that.
In order to conclude Clinton is the sane/safe one, one must confuse neurosis with psychosis, affect with psychology, PTBarnum with Gen Jack D Ripper (google him), politesse with sanity.
When Clinton warned us she was the only thing standing between us & the Apocalypse, I laughed. She had just spelled out our nuke response time/protocol to the entire world in debate 3. Worse, never once did it cross her mind—such as it is—that this is a no-no.
In a Cartesian sense, Clinton is right. She is wallowing in it: Libya, Syria, Russia reset, 2 insane, nuke-proliferating deals, incalculable deaths, unleashing of ISIS, destabilizing 4 continents, Armageddon pope/generals/King Abdullah call WWIII…
One has only to review her decades in/near the WH to realize she is nuts. Her abuse of women & power, her corruption, her calculated failure to protect national security. The ease with which she let people die. Her fascistic impulses—beware!—they flourish when she has power.
As SoS, she had the highest Secret Service turnover—ever. Routinely abusing the Secret Service is itself insane. Think about that one… Ditto as First Lady. No one was allowed to make eye contact with her.
“Being crazy isn't enough”—Dr Seuss
It's the relative apocalyptic danger (AD)
DT's AD is near zero. HC's approaches certainty. Here's why:
Both are feckless—but Apocalypse requires malice & power. DT has neither. HC has both.
In order to conclude Clinton is the sane/safe one, one must confuse neurosis with psychosis, affect with psychology, PTBarnum with Gen Jack D Ripper (google him), politesse with sanity.
When Clinton warned us she was the only thing standing between us & the Apocalypse, I laughed. She had just spelled out our nuke response time/protocol to the entire world in debate 3. Worse, never once did it cross her mind—such as it is—that this is a no-no.
In a Cartesian sense, Clinton is right. She is wallowing in it: Libya, Syria, Russia reset, 2 insane, nuke-proliferating deals, incalculable deaths, unleashing of ISIS, destabilizing 4 continents, Armageddon pope/generals/King Abdullah call WWIII…
One has only to review her decades in/near the WH to realize she is nuts. Her abuse of women & power, her corruption, her calculated failure to protect national security. The ease with which she let people die. Her fascistic impulses—beware!—they flourish when she has power.
As SoS, she had the highest Secret Service turnover—ever. Routinely abusing the Secret Service is itself insane. Think about that one… Ditto as First Lady. No one was allowed to make eye contact with her.
“Being crazy isn't enough”—Dr Seuss
It's the relative apocalyptic danger (AD)
DT's AD is near zero. HC's approaches certainty. Here's why:
Both are feckless—but Apocalypse requires malice & power. DT has neither. HC has both.
2
"One has only to review her decades in/near the WH to realize she is nuts."
Major distortion field if one reads all the way thru. Fascinating in a way.
Major distortion field if one reads all the way thru. Fascinating in a way.
1
In another era, I probably would've been a Republican (probably a good indication of why I like Hillary). Now I can say I won't vote GOP for nationwide office for the next 20 years- so few have shown any fortitude is standing up to this fraud.
The rage manufactured by right wing propaganda has taken the dignity from a process I love. It has debased the image of my country abroad, and - I think - made us less kind with each other, less of a community. I saw an interview this past week where someone complained of Hillary's "it takes a village to raise a child" quote as being un-American. Since when?
Please let us avert this catastrophe.
The rage manufactured by right wing propaganda has taken the dignity from a process I love. It has debased the image of my country abroad, and - I think - made us less kind with each other, less of a community. I saw an interview this past week where someone complained of Hillary's "it takes a village to raise a child" quote as being un-American. Since when?
Please let us avert this catastrophe.
10
If HRC wins she focus on policies to improve our lives. I do not think you can defeat hatred and paranoia with other than love and reason.
If Trump wins, God help us all.
If Trump wins, God help us all.
11
"I would mount the hobbyhorse of popularity, I would cry out usurpation, danger to liberty, etc. etc. I would endeavour to prostrate the national government, raise a ferment, and then ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm."
--Alexander Hamilton to Edward Carrington, May 1792, denying that he had any intention of subverting the republic and putting a "monarchy" in its place (as Thomas Jefferson was charging him with plotting)--but also showing how a demagogue could overturn the United States's fragile new constitutional order.
Hamilton was envisioning what not only Donald Trump but also all his enablers are attempting in 2016.
Voters: Do what we must, with our ballots, to avert the catastrophe of a Trumpian subversion of our venerable but fragile Great Republic. We are "the last best hope of mankind" (Lincoln). May we rise to the challenge in this hour of peril--and this opportunity, as well, for reaffirming our fundamental values as a people.
STOP TRUMP!
--Alexander Hamilton to Edward Carrington, May 1792, denying that he had any intention of subverting the republic and putting a "monarchy" in its place (as Thomas Jefferson was charging him with plotting)--but also showing how a demagogue could overturn the United States's fragile new constitutional order.
Hamilton was envisioning what not only Donald Trump but also all his enablers are attempting in 2016.
Voters: Do what we must, with our ballots, to avert the catastrophe of a Trumpian subversion of our venerable but fragile Great Republic. We are "the last best hope of mankind" (Lincoln). May we rise to the challenge in this hour of peril--and this opportunity, as well, for reaffirming our fundamental values as a people.
STOP TRUMP!
6
America on November 9th will be much like America on November 8th. We will have a new President elect and Hillary Clinton will still be under investigation by the FBI. We will still be a Nation divided.
Time to switch off from 'the news', time to switch off from 'politics'', time to return to what is REALLY important in life.
I'm going fishing.
Time to switch off from 'the news', time to switch off from 'politics'', time to return to what is REALLY important in life.
I'm going fishing.
4
It gives me no comfort to watch this paper panic the closer to the vote we come. Their editorials speak of how the Trump voters seem unwilling to accept how dangerous this man could be to the country and the world if he is elected, ignoring all the evidence presented to them. How ironic that they were unwilling to change their position on Bernie Sanders when it might have made a difference with poll after poll showing him beating Trump by double digits while also showing Clinton in a dead heat. Looks like the polls were right on the latter race, they were probably right on the former race as well. Guess we will never know.
3
Agreed, but with the warnings posed by increasing income inequality, climate change, and the dangers already exposed by the proliferation of corporate university, and racial justice.
1
Powerful editorial. The world is praying that Americans vote and reject Trump by a large margin. The damage that the Republican Party, with support from Fox News and the like, has inflicted on this country is very sad to watch.
12
It is difficult to wish utter destruction upon an adversary...at least, it's difficult for a reasonable person in reasonably circumstances. One wishes only for winning the present battle, even when (as now) the opponent is terrifyingly insane. Today, unfortunately, the utter destruction of the Republican Party has to be the goal. It is the patriotic course. And one can only hope that from the GOP's ashes will arise a loyal opposition. Whether they adopt the Republican name or some other is no matter, but the current Republican party has disqualified itself from a place at the table. Time for some soul searching amongst my friends on the right. What have you wrought? It's up to folks like me to keep you in check this time, and it's up to you to do better next time. Conservatism is not a problem. Indeed, it's an opportunity, even and maybe especially for progressives, who need their views challenged from time to time. But Trumpism? That way lies disaster...and dishonourable disaster at that. You want a seat at the table? Fine. You can have it...if you denounce the obvious threat that Trump represents. If not, then I'm sorry, but I quite simply can't take you seriously.
2
Frightening, but truly wonderfully written.
4
Perspective and memory is a powerful thing.
Has the NYT ever used the phrase "ignorant and reckless tyrant" to describe a national politician?
I remember -- not too long ago! -- when the Times was reluctant to use the word "lie" to describe any major politician's "misspeaking." Such quaint olden days!
Are the days now this dire? I fear they are. But no election can cure this sickness. The People must come to their senses.
Will they? Or are we at a sea change in our democracy? I would urge every citizen to dig deep and find their higher selves.
Has the NYT ever used the phrase "ignorant and reckless tyrant" to describe a national politician?
I remember -- not too long ago! -- when the Times was reluctant to use the word "lie" to describe any major politician's "misspeaking." Such quaint olden days!
Are the days now this dire? I fear they are. But no election can cure this sickness. The People must come to their senses.
Will they? Or are we at a sea change in our democracy? I would urge every citizen to dig deep and find their higher selves.
164
Why wait until Nov. 9th?
The national soul-searching should have already commenced.
Why did the choice come down to an unqualified, emotionally unstable would be dictator versus a highly qualified but ethically challenged candidate? Both parties failed the country. One failed to vet the candidate, the other has failed to develop the next generation of leaders.
Why did the responsible media allow itself to get highjacked? They gave Trump free publicity for months, covering his repetitious rallies from start to finish. After the first two or three rallies, the only "news" were the insults and the crowds. Parents know that giving the child who is acting out attention is bad. Why couldn't the media figure that out?
Why did the responsible press follow conventional Fox News narratives? The initial reporting on the email controversies and Clinton Foundation accepted the Fox News narrative and only later explored the merits. Why did the responsible press spend so little time on policy discussion?
Why has the social media, especially Twitter, allow the most foul unbridled access to spew hate and make threats anonymously? Where are the Republican leaders with courage to stand up to Trump and the virtual lynch mobs unleashed by Trump? Perhaps party loyalty requires support of the nominee. But it doesn't require support of the lynch mob mentality.
Finally, why has hatred and self pity closed the minds of so many to the imminent danger Trump presents?
The national soul-searching should have already commenced.
Why did the choice come down to an unqualified, emotionally unstable would be dictator versus a highly qualified but ethically challenged candidate? Both parties failed the country. One failed to vet the candidate, the other has failed to develop the next generation of leaders.
Why did the responsible media allow itself to get highjacked? They gave Trump free publicity for months, covering his repetitious rallies from start to finish. After the first two or three rallies, the only "news" were the insults and the crowds. Parents know that giving the child who is acting out attention is bad. Why couldn't the media figure that out?
Why did the responsible press follow conventional Fox News narratives? The initial reporting on the email controversies and Clinton Foundation accepted the Fox News narrative and only later explored the merits. Why did the responsible press spend so little time on policy discussion?
Why has the social media, especially Twitter, allow the most foul unbridled access to spew hate and make threats anonymously? Where are the Republican leaders with courage to stand up to Trump and the virtual lynch mobs unleashed by Trump? Perhaps party loyalty requires support of the nominee. But it doesn't require support of the lynch mob mentality.
Finally, why has hatred and self pity closed the minds of so many to the imminent danger Trump presents?
6
Social media, the republican party and Donald Trump have managed to raise those nasty little junior high school clique fights to the level of a national election. It took NYT awhile to get off of the false equivalency track, Maureen Dowd being the notable exception. Much of the rest of media can’t seem to jump the rails that they think lead to better ratings due to a close race. Maybe there is some alternate universe, anti-Pulitzer we could give them in the event of a Trump victory.
6
Trump will not be elected but a very alarming warning has already rang all around. Eric Fromm thoroughly described what it may happened with millions of American citizens in his "Fear of Freedom". Ironically, millions of Hispanic may help USA get rid of the threat of authoritharism (just watch Florida), at least for now. That demographic bubble grew just in time. Just in time.
6
Perfect Editorial. I was inspired to imagine an outcome of the November 8 election that would serve the long-term interests of our society.
It seems to me that the best outcome would be to wake up on November 9, with a Democratic majority in both the House and Senate. This would allow the new majority to demonstrate to the American people that government works and that the last 6 years of the GOP majority was not in the interests of Americans.
I envision the new majority would build a stronger foundation for the nation to address the problems that were not addressed or solved over the past 6 years. There are priorities that should be immediately solved such as filling out the bench of the Supreme Court and taking steps to reform campaign finance law prior to 2018. I also think we could lead the World in launching R&D, testing, and competition of technologies to reduce the risk for shifting capital investment to technologies that would allow the World to evolve away from fossil fuels and improve the quality of living for the World by creating jobs and economic returns to people who earn their livelihoods from fossil fuels. The need to address global warming is urgent and it will require a mobilization rivaling the successful outcome of WWII, in full socioeconomic terms.
We must create a means to provide affordable access to post secondary education and healthcare. Finally, nearly 40 years of growing income inequality must be addressed.
Mrs. C is perfect.
It seems to me that the best outcome would be to wake up on November 9, with a Democratic majority in both the House and Senate. This would allow the new majority to demonstrate to the American people that government works and that the last 6 years of the GOP majority was not in the interests of Americans.
I envision the new majority would build a stronger foundation for the nation to address the problems that were not addressed or solved over the past 6 years. There are priorities that should be immediately solved such as filling out the bench of the Supreme Court and taking steps to reform campaign finance law prior to 2018. I also think we could lead the World in launching R&D, testing, and competition of technologies to reduce the risk for shifting capital investment to technologies that would allow the World to evolve away from fossil fuels and improve the quality of living for the World by creating jobs and economic returns to people who earn their livelihoods from fossil fuels. The need to address global warming is urgent and it will require a mobilization rivaling the successful outcome of WWII, in full socioeconomic terms.
We must create a means to provide affordable access to post secondary education and healthcare. Finally, nearly 40 years of growing income inequality must be addressed.
Mrs. C is perfect.
10
Anyone who believes that "Mrs. C is perfect" is fooling themselves or in for a very rude awakening. I've never met a "perfect" person yet, and she (while still better than Mr. Trump) is far, far from it
1
Go Hillary, and may you have a Senate to go with you! The Davenport Iowans, on some of whose doors we knocked on today, had a good take on Donald Trump - obvious revulsion for reasons they considered obvious, namely the person they perceive him to be. For this terrified voter, it was a heartwarming experience.
10
>>>>> If Mr. Trump is rejected on Tuesday, the nation will have a momentary breather. And some good news to build on.
That's incredibly optimistic. The momentary breather is more likely to last a nano second.
My recollection is that hundreds of thousands of (mostly) white, mostly angry and (mostly misinformed and ignorant) "Tea Party" activists descend on Washington in their little tricorner hats less than a month after Obama was inaugurated to protest the election of the "lyin' African" and all the tax increases he had supposedly imposed on EVERYONE.
Frankly, this was a guy with a message and not much of a record. The wing nuts all but had the torches and pitchforks out and the GOP leadership was working to establish strategies to block everything the new President hoped to achieve -- "just because."
Since then the GOP has gerrymandered and turned voter suppression conspiracy theory about voter fraud into an art form - and the voters have been ginned up by a Presidential candidate who repeatedly claims the election is rigged.
If Trump fails it will be to a different "not-a-white-guy" with a long track record who un-endeared herself early on by proclaiming that staying home and baking cookies wasn't going to be her thing. The immediate aftermath of a Trump loss on Tuesday is likely to be turmoil and unrest that will make make Obama's first 90 days look like the bucolic halcyon days of a fairy tale.
That's incredibly optimistic. The momentary breather is more likely to last a nano second.
My recollection is that hundreds of thousands of (mostly) white, mostly angry and (mostly misinformed and ignorant) "Tea Party" activists descend on Washington in their little tricorner hats less than a month after Obama was inaugurated to protest the election of the "lyin' African" and all the tax increases he had supposedly imposed on EVERYONE.
Frankly, this was a guy with a message and not much of a record. The wing nuts all but had the torches and pitchforks out and the GOP leadership was working to establish strategies to block everything the new President hoped to achieve -- "just because."
Since then the GOP has gerrymandered and turned voter suppression conspiracy theory about voter fraud into an art form - and the voters have been ginned up by a Presidential candidate who repeatedly claims the election is rigged.
If Trump fails it will be to a different "not-a-white-guy" with a long track record who un-endeared herself early on by proclaiming that staying home and baking cookies wasn't going to be her thing. The immediate aftermath of a Trump loss on Tuesday is likely to be turmoil and unrest that will make make Obama's first 90 days look like the bucolic halcyon days of a fairy tale.
8
The guys prancing around in the tricorner hats may have been angry, but don't be so sure about the ignorant and misinformed part. The first time I saw them on TV I thought, "Wait, that's a real tricorner hat--it has to be made of expensive, high-quality felt to stand up like that, and the whole Colonial outfit must have cost hundreds just to rent." These weren't justifiably outraged blue-collar workers. These guys had money. They were plain old GOP rank-and-file out to attack government for regulating and taxing them. SOS, IOW. The "ism" they brought to the party wasn't racism; it was cynicism.
Even if HRC wins, it is still frightening and depressing that almost half the citizens of this country are so motivated by fear, hate and ignorance that they have lost the ability to separate reality from a false, insane alt-right version of it.
Unfortunately, these people will still remain after the election, led by Trump, the alt-right and it's media propagandists.
Unfortunately, these people will still remain after the election, led by Trump, the alt-right and it's media propagandists.
23
I won't end a friendship over support for Donald Trump. But it's sad how a dear friend of mine worships Donald Trump and all the imaginary enemies (namely Hillary Clinton) and nutty theories like the "One World Government" conspiracies that exist strictly in the minds of Trump's "True Believers" and not in reality.
1
Amen,
8
I would offer a correction, Mr. Bruni. There has been no one and no event worse that what is before our country in the person of Mr. Trump. Sorry.
17
A magnificent if terrifying piece. An excellent closing argument against the biggest criminal ever to come close to capturing the leadership of a western democracy since the end of WWII. And a rightful indictment of his enablers and of the millions of gun-waving ignorants who will vote for him. If this last statement sounds elitist, then so be it.
32
Shame on Trump supporters who are so consumed with their hatred for Hispanics, Blacks, and Muslims that they will vote anybody who will say in public what is in their hearts. This man is the promised Messiah for all racists. Decent Republicans choose to be decent no more. They will vote for this guy but don't endorse him or his destructive and divisive plans? What a joke!
8
When the nominee of the GOP openly threatens to jail his opponent, without any mention of due process or trial, and not many--including, but especially, from his own party--demur, it is hard to imagine *that* America which may emerge in a Trump presidency.
So, if one cares at all about the country turning into a banana republic under Trump, it is time to ensure that it doesn't happen by turning to Mrs. Clinton to lead the country and to stop the madness that is consuming the country.
Vote not for the party, but for what is good for the country.
So, if one cares at all about the country turning into a banana republic under Trump, it is time to ensure that it doesn't happen by turning to Mrs. Clinton to lead the country and to stop the madness that is consuming the country.
Vote not for the party, but for what is good for the country.
12
Thank you NYT editorial board for you stirring courageous words. Now the real work begins as the McCarthy Jihadists begin their attack on our electoral process using the shield of a corrupt power hungry Congress. Every ounce of the courage you display here must be used consistently until this cancer that has leaked into our government over the past decades is displayed and over come for what it is, an attempt to destroy the very structure of our democracy.
9
The world thinks less of America because of this campaign but the strength of America is that we usually overcome the least among us, such as Donald Trump. After the vote is counted, the world will see the strength of our political system is that we can allow free speech to frauds and charlatans like Mr, Trump, and in the end, we exercise good judgment at the ballot box to reject them. But if the world were also to conclude from the sizable vote that Trump receives that America is a huge country that has a large number of people of limited knowledge about government, poor judgment and narrow minded bigotry, they would be right.
6
You cannot be serious.
4
You folks really are overdoing it. You've published editorial after editorial all saying the exactly same thing. Many of us feel the same way. But turning your opinion pages into a loud, repetitive echo chamber accomplishes little other than making yourselves seem silly. It is unlikely you are going to persuade anyone who is not already persuaded to vote for Mrs. Clinton. And you may even anger some undecideds to the point where they go out and vote Trump.
And make no mistake: the polls show Mrs. Clinton as the likely winner, but the reason there is still some doubt is that in Mrs. Clinton the Democrats also came up with a very flawed candidate. Not as bad as the Donald, but a poor choice nonetheless. And the process by which she won the nomination was hardly a level playing field.
It's been a very bad year for American democracy on both sides of the aisle.
And by the way, it's extraordinarily hard to understand how you can print all these editorials, at the same time you so vehemently oppose the SCOTUS decision in Citizens United. Do you truly feel that freedom of the press applies to only one point of view - yours? How can you ignore Mrs. Clinton's promise to try to amend the Bill of Rights to overturn the decision, eviscerating freedom of the press?
Tuesday's election is indeed important, but your repetitive editorials, with their overwrought Republican bashing, are counterproductive, and contribute to the same divisiveness that Mr. Trump is guilty of.
And make no mistake: the polls show Mrs. Clinton as the likely winner, but the reason there is still some doubt is that in Mrs. Clinton the Democrats also came up with a very flawed candidate. Not as bad as the Donald, but a poor choice nonetheless. And the process by which she won the nomination was hardly a level playing field.
It's been a very bad year for American democracy on both sides of the aisle.
And by the way, it's extraordinarily hard to understand how you can print all these editorials, at the same time you so vehemently oppose the SCOTUS decision in Citizens United. Do you truly feel that freedom of the press applies to only one point of view - yours? How can you ignore Mrs. Clinton's promise to try to amend the Bill of Rights to overturn the decision, eviscerating freedom of the press?
Tuesday's election is indeed important, but your repetitive editorials, with their overwrought Republican bashing, are counterproductive, and contribute to the same divisiveness that Mr. Trump is guilty of.
5
A balanced assessment.
Citizens United has handed our electoral process the wealthy. Single candidates are almost solely funded by single billionaires. Whatever the theory behind CU, it failed and must go. It was better before- the wealthy king-makers pay themselves to choose a ( they hope) puppet. What could go wrong?
just watch th movie -- th road --
that will give you a rough idea
you might also want o buy a commercial grade shopping cart while youre at it
1
Within our Constitutional system, there is only so much harm Trump can do. He certainly can't be a tyrant. He can't disregard the rights of women and minorities that have been established by law and the Constitution. He cannot renegotiate treaties without approval of the Senate. And he cannot violate due process rights of illegal immigrants. The Board appears to be fearful that Trump will govern in a lawless manner and that the Republicans in Congress wiill go along. There are 202 lawyers in Congress, many of them Republican. All would stand to lose their licenses if they joined with Trump in breaking the law. Those who speak of an American dictatorship under Trump believe that the Constitution and the law can be ignored in favor of dictatorial rule. I think anyone who suspects that is paranoid, neurotically pessimistic and stupid. This comment may well generate reference to Nazi Germany. Ask yourself if you think Nazism is coming to a nearby theater beginning Nov. 9.
3
We know what he can't do. The point is what he says he is going to do believed by the gullible and falling short of, " I'll fire Congress!"
1
You really don't think Trump can't become a tyrant or disregard the Constitution, which he has obviously never read? The Republicans currently in office have already shown their complete disrespect for that treasured document. They refuse to hold hearings for judicial appointments, including a replacement justice for the United States Supreme Court. They are already refusing to accept the outcome of the election should Hillary Clinton win, and promising to dismantle the Supreme Court by attrition. As for the lawyers, do you really think they are afraid of losing their licences? I think for many law school was simply the first step towards political office, and they have or had no intention of actually making it a career. Which is fortunate for our country, as they also apparently have not read the Constitution.
1
When you see what Republicans are doing to suppress the vote - just check North Carolina if you think I'm making this up - it makes those of us who are looking at Donald Trump's plans look much less "paranoid, pessimistic, and stupid."
And that is only the beginning. His tax plan, already in favor with congressional Republicans, would give even more to the .01%, thus further making the lives of the 99% more desperate.
Trump has shown the Republican Party for what it is: racist, greedy, and stupid. The last because to kill our democracy, or rather finish it off as Republicans since Nixon have been trying to do, is ultimately self-destructive.
And finally, think of the Republican stance on climate change! The Party, led by its quintessential candidate, wants to take the world down with them.
And that is only the beginning. His tax plan, already in favor with congressional Republicans, would give even more to the .01%, thus further making the lives of the 99% more desperate.
Trump has shown the Republican Party for what it is: racist, greedy, and stupid. The last because to kill our democracy, or rather finish it off as Republicans since Nixon have been trying to do, is ultimately self-destructive.
And finally, think of the Republican stance on climate change! The Party, led by its quintessential candidate, wants to take the world down with them.
2
I think she's up to 'managing' the jihadis- she's a formidable woman
9
Finally NYT. This is the toughest and most honest editorial assessment of what Donald Trump is; what his enablers are and what Trump voters must ask themselves. What-took-you-so long?
24
I'm not a religious person, but still...let us pray.
2
I have recently read The Coming Fury by Bruce Caton . The book recounts the disintegration of the political process in 1860 /61 that led to Civil War.The bitter and growing partisanship we experience today seems reminiscent of those days. I am worried about what comes next. I pray that the basic decency and good sense of the electorate will prevail and we will wake one morning and say we'll it was only a nightmare! The Republic abides!!
2
We could have changed the future we woke up to on Nov. 10 : by running Bernie for Presidency.
But we, the people, were given little chance to choose our own future because of the rigged democracy.
We are now left with only one choice -- Trump.
I am with her -- Susan Sarandon.
But we, the people, were given little chance to choose our own future because of the rigged democracy.
We are now left with only one choice -- Trump.
I am with her -- Susan Sarandon.
1
This is nonsense. I voted for Bernie and don't know of anyone who was prevented from voting for him. He wasn't excluded from any primaries or debates. He lost! And let's not forget his baggage. The Republicans cried rivers over Hillary's relationship with Wall St. Can you image what they would have done with the Communist?They managed to smear Kerry, a Vietnam war hero. Bernie would have been decimated in short order.
3
@Dougl1000
History has already been written, whether you choose to live in denial or call it nonsense.
Wikileaks has shown that DNC and Hillary won over Bernie with crooked ways.
The final chapter of that history book will be written when the FBI investigations conclude.
History has already been written, whether you choose to live in denial or call it nonsense.
Wikileaks has shown that DNC and Hillary won over Bernie with crooked ways.
The final chapter of that history book will be written when the FBI investigations conclude.
let's await the Vote of the American People
it's only sixty hours away and all else is useless guessing
the World will watch the decision not only Americans
nothing else can be said of these Two
BUT in the end Democracy needs Voters not hearsay
yours is only one vote
more than 130 million Votes will be cast and we'll need to get over the consequences
it's only sixty hours away and all else is useless guessing
the World will watch the decision not only Americans
nothing else can be said of these Two
BUT in the end Democracy needs Voters not hearsay
yours is only one vote
more than 130 million Votes will be cast and we'll need to get over the consequences
1
You said this all before. I keep logging in, rereading the same endorsement for Hillary Clinton, on different days, with different headlines and ledes. We get it. You think Trump is a threat to the republic and she is, you know, kind of, well, okay, so we have to apologize and make excuses for her and overlook a lot of suspicious behavior, but she isn't him at least--right? Right. But that does not help the USA or the world. He is unacceptable. And so is she. That is why we all keep writing back and forth to each other, solving nothing.
1
And what about México? In 1995 " The tequila effect " was our fault .(I am mexican). The world economic sistem trembled. Bill Clinton acted quikly and all was ok. But is unthinkable what would whappened if our neighbor bitten us. Sorry for my english.
2
As we all are well aware of at this point, we have serious political and cultural divisions in this country. If these divides were old fashioned policy difference on taxes, entitlements, regulation and the like, then one could have a little hope that at least some compromises could be constructed between a President Hillary Clinton and a GOP controlled House. While Democrats are not blameless, it must be acknowledged that the level of obstruction and yes, hatred, promoted by the GOP and their surrogates has reached levels not seen for decades. When you have sitting Senators declaring they will not consider ANY Supreme Court nominations sent by a President Clinton, when you have sitting members of Congress stating they plan to impeach her if she is elected (despite the fact she hasn't been indicted of anything), when you have people at GOP candidate rallies shouting "execute her", it demonstrates the depths to which the Republican Party has fallen -demonstrated also by the crass pandering to an angry, misogynistic and racist segment of their base. The leaders of the GOP should have a duty to step forward after the election if Mrs. Clinton wins and unequivocally state they recognize her election as valid, that it is up to the DOJ to determine if any laws have been broken by Mrs. Clinton, not Congress, and they repudiate the violent, racist, and sexist rhetoric of the GOP base. The long term legitimacy of their party depends upon it.
8
Beautiful writing. Thank you.
3
What kind of people support, endorse, and will vote for such a man as you describe? Surrounded by people with Trump/Pence bumper stickers, I wonder - are they Americans? Christians or religious? Moral and decent? Educated and intelligent? Compassionate? What would a Thanksgiving dinner be like with them? Are they what it means to be American?
"- what did you do to stop him?" Good question. I hope fear of Trump's supporters and GOP voter suppression efforts does not diminish the valiant efforts of many of us to stop this terrifying man.
As with climate change - it will be impossible to fix if we do nothing or after the damage has been done. We will only be able to look back and ask "why did you support him?" of his ilk.
"- what did you do to stop him?" Good question. I hope fear of Trump's supporters and GOP voter suppression efforts does not diminish the valiant efforts of many of us to stop this terrifying man.
As with climate change - it will be impossible to fix if we do nothing or after the damage has been done. We will only be able to look back and ask "why did you support him?" of his ilk.
2
i am sick of the false equivalence stuff. hey the fairness doctrine was gotten rid of by ronnie reagun. to invent false equivalence for this election tells me the system is rigged. where is that network anchor working now. just saying.
2
In this moment, I fear, we may be witness to history. I believe that should Trump win on Tuesday, it will be as pivotal a moment in our 240 years as any in history books. We will have elected a man who's given every indication he will rule autocratically, with the support of a party bent on neutralizing or even eliminating its rival. And with his stated abhorrence for Mexicans, Muslims, women, and even the disabled and overweight, who's to say that a couple of years down the road, emboldened by his unfettered and unchecked power, Donald Trump wouldn't endeavor to do something about his problems; "correct them" as Grady instructs Jack Torrance to do in "The Shining?"
Maybe I'm being melodramatic, but maybe not. Never in history have we had as uninformed, uneducated, immoral, insecure, and obstinate a person so close to being the leader of the free world. Never. All bets are off should he win.
The other day someone who likes neither candidate compared them to a left to the jaw vs a right to the jaw. I corrected him ;) by saying that while Hillary may end up being a left to the jaw, Trump would be a shotgun to the face.
Maybe I'm being melodramatic, but maybe not. Never in history have we had as uninformed, uneducated, immoral, insecure, and obstinate a person so close to being the leader of the free world. Never. All bets are off should he win.
The other day someone who likes neither candidate compared them to a left to the jaw vs a right to the jaw. I corrected him ;) by saying that while Hillary may end up being a left to the jaw, Trump would be a shotgun to the face.
2
Your editorial should have read: In 2016 we were closer than ever to electing a well-documented criminal who would have run her crime syndicate out of the White House without compunction — what did you do to stop her?
Good question, Editorial Board--what will you have to say to justify your relentless amoral propaganda that nearly destroyed a nation in a willfully concerted effort to place her criminal mind and behavior at the center of power? Guilty as charged?
Good question, Editorial Board--what will you have to say to justify your relentless amoral propaganda that nearly destroyed a nation in a willfully concerted effort to place her criminal mind and behavior at the center of power? Guilty as charged?
8
obviously, you are one of those people who just can't get their brain to function properly, to see reality without the blur of bias and delusion. Whereas there is proof of misconduct on the part of Trump with little to no investigations, there is nothing but accusations and assumptions about Hillary with endless investigations, and nothing has been proven, nothing !
1
Eleven good reasons to vote for Hillary:
1. He is an odious man.
2. Hillary will implement whatever parts of the Sanders' agenda are practical and affordable.
3. Hillary will succeed in finding ways to collaborate with Republicans and begin breaking down the paralysis in Washington.
4. Hillary will pursue ISIS and other radical groups in the Middle East in ways so relentless and scary that even battle-scarred veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan will be aghast at the ruthlessness of them.
5. Hillary will be a good partner to Israel without repeating the Obama mistake of making no demands on the Palestinians.
6. Hillary will seek out advisers who favor projecting American strength and values throughout the world.
7. Hillary will cut back on federal regulations and eliminate major parts of the federal bureaucracy in ways that will encourage average Americans to believe in the future of their country again.
8. Hillary will lower, yes lower, our taxes.
9. Her fundamental program for America will be jobs, jobs and more jobs.
10. Hillary will boss men around -- including her husband -- in ways that will be very delightful for young girls and their mothers to witness.
11. He is an odious man.
1. He is an odious man.
2. Hillary will implement whatever parts of the Sanders' agenda are practical and affordable.
3. Hillary will succeed in finding ways to collaborate with Republicans and begin breaking down the paralysis in Washington.
4. Hillary will pursue ISIS and other radical groups in the Middle East in ways so relentless and scary that even battle-scarred veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan will be aghast at the ruthlessness of them.
5. Hillary will be a good partner to Israel without repeating the Obama mistake of making no demands on the Palestinians.
6. Hillary will seek out advisers who favor projecting American strength and values throughout the world.
7. Hillary will cut back on federal regulations and eliminate major parts of the federal bureaucracy in ways that will encourage average Americans to believe in the future of their country again.
8. Hillary will lower, yes lower, our taxes.
9. Her fundamental program for America will be jobs, jobs and more jobs.
10. Hillary will boss men around -- including her husband -- in ways that will be very delightful for young girls and their mothers to witness.
11. He is an odious man.
12
#10 is my favorite!!!
The assumption here is that Clinton is capable of governing honestly. Obviously the editorial board is hostage to its own echo chamber and immune to plain facts. This should be re-branded the humor column.
6
So Clinton can't govern "honestly", what ever that means, but the candidate whose own statements can be easily fact-checked as lying or mostly lying 70% of the time, including contradicting HIS OWN PREVIOUS REMARKS that are documented in news footage, will govern "honestly"? Really?
The editorial board sounds like an establishment diehard. Perhaps the best thing that could happen to it would be for Trump to win and shake up its complacency. How could Hillary and her crew of hangers on be good for the country unless one loved being in a slowly deepening political rut?
4
Reality will allow us no ruts, we should be so lucky.
If Hillary is elected, probably nothing will get done. If Trump is elected.
1.) the stock market will take a dive
2.) an immigration gestapo will be formed
3.) the earth will heat up at a faster rate
4.) 1$ items in the dollar store will cost at least $2
5.) unemployment will rise
6.) tax breaks for the .1%
7.) Obamacare history with 20M with no health insurance
8.) Iran spins up their centrifuges
9.) terrorism increases
10.) death by gun increases
11.) civil liberties compromised
12.) potential for WWIII with nuclear weapons
what have I left out ??
1.) the stock market will take a dive
2.) an immigration gestapo will be formed
3.) the earth will heat up at a faster rate
4.) 1$ items in the dollar store will cost at least $2
5.) unemployment will rise
6.) tax breaks for the .1%
7.) Obamacare history with 20M with no health insurance
8.) Iran spins up their centrifuges
9.) terrorism increases
10.) death by gun increases
11.) civil liberties compromised
12.) potential for WWIII with nuclear weapons
what have I left out ??
24
3 million died and 13 million displaced in Syria, 4 American embassy staff in Libya - a resume that has these should be in trash can, not in as a Presidential candidate.
7
Seeming to make the Executive solely responsible for decades of GOP boostering of the military-industrial complex and trashing of the Middle East is a triumph of propaganda.
Trump even made "good businessman" ring like "good hitman"--personal profit by bilking, consumers, suppliers, contractors, investors maybe the government itself..
As Mark Cuban put it, businessman Trump will just use the Office of President for his own profit--in keeping with his "businessman" ethos.
It's an obvious fallacy to infer that since he is good at bilking others to make money for himself, as president; he will bilk foreigners to make money for US voters.
Sorry folks--there is no invisible hand to turn an egomaniac into an altruistic saint once elected.
Besides, foreigners are not stupid, ill informed and eager to defer to him.
He will do irreparable damage to brand USA--once a voice for truth, justice and compassion.
As Mark Cuban put it, businessman Trump will just use the Office of President for his own profit--in keeping with his "businessman" ethos.
It's an obvious fallacy to infer that since he is good at bilking others to make money for himself, as president; he will bilk foreigners to make money for US voters.
Sorry folks--there is no invisible hand to turn an egomaniac into an altruistic saint once elected.
Besides, foreigners are not stupid, ill informed and eager to defer to him.
He will do irreparable damage to brand USA--once a voice for truth, justice and compassion.
12
Tuesday isn't as much a choice between leaders as it is a choice, as Michelle Obama has suggested, between going high and going low. May the United States avoid the unparalleled misery entailed, as human history has shown us again and again and again, in choosing the latter.
204
If Trump loses, at least the USA has a chance to address the issues of the day, and the revelations of the election. Change is slow - always - but America would have a fighting chance. If Trump wins: chaos ensues and who knows?
140
A majority of the readers of this editorial will agree with it. But I really don't think that is important. What will become important if Ms. Clinton wins is the influence of her husband and if she is able to create legislation that reflects Senator Sanders and his cohort. The latter is unknowable and always will be, the latter is unlikely. Too much is at stake to be summarized by this essay. Though it is obvious that the NY Times should write this more should have been said other than vote for her because she's not Trump.
1
While not a fan of Trump, Ms. Clinton is a liar and two timing politician. She tells one group one thing and a different group another. Benghazi? A result of the video, remember that lie. Unfortunately she will be elected and the count down to ruin for our country will begin immediately. Unfortunate but true.
5
Hardly.
1
With a Clinton presidency the "countdown to ruin" will only continue if the republican party keeps obstructing government keeps corrupting our institutions, like the FBI for their partisan purposes.
3
Are you really still stuck on Benghazi as evidence of two-facedness? The right's obsession with discerning villainy in the fog of that moment is rooted entirely in the preposterous premise that if the attack had been immediately affirmed by the Administration as launched by Al-Queda affiliates it alone would have swung the election against President Obama, somehow entirely undoing his credit with the American people for killing Osama bin Laden. Get over it. You are just going to have to forgive President Obama for getting done what President Bush couldn't and, according to him, "really just don’t spend that much time on, to be honest with you."
2
We survived the Civil War and maybe we survived the Bush/Cheney reign - though that one is still too early to tell because the wars they started are still raging on - so what's all this talk of final doom. Even after eight years of a different Democratic administration some have argued that it's only gotten worse. This election may be too late regardless of its outcome such that maybe nothing can ever be changed for the better. And no one even mentions climate change anymore. November 9 unfortunately promises to be just another day, I'm afraid, one way or the other.
2
the last six years have been a republican administration. The GOP has taken this country backwards to the 1890's. And if Hillary wins but the GOP still controls congress, it will be 4 more years of the same obstruction
1
Yes, we "survived" Bush/Cheney but their 8 years was 8 years wasted that we could not afford. No progress on climate change, no progress on energy policy, absolutely terrible tax policies, especially during war time that left us unable to deal with future challenges. We went in reverse on so many things that required careful thought and progress. While Trump may not cause a near term collapse (but he might) another 4 or 8 years of going backwards will be devastating in the long term.
It's time to convict the Republican party of treason.
32
I agree 100%. The Republican conspiracy against the office of the President of the United States began in 2008, the day after Barack Obama was elected President. Obstructing government under President Obama, and threatening to continue do so under a Hillary Clinton administration, is evidence of their contempt and utter disdain for America and her citizenry. Just imagine where our great nation would be today if there had been cooperation between Congress and the White House. Their actions, past and future, have the potential to destroy the very foundations of our Republic.
1
• The United States has seen worse than Donald Trump.
Really? Hillary Clinton?
~ RC, No Trump Fan!
“Better a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.”
~ EDWARD ABBEY
Really? Hillary Clinton?
~ RC, No Trump Fan!
“Better a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.”
~ EDWARD ABBEY
3
The critical thinking skills of Trump voters will remain the same as now after Nov. 8. Do they really believe that Trump is qualified and that he can deliver on his promises like a wall, deporting millions of immigrants, creating jobs even while cutting taxes for the rich, etc? Given that HRC is an excellent candidate, how could millions of women vote for Trump? Also, why is the expected voter turn out among Blacks lower? Educating voters will remain a big task.
8
Perhaps the voters are already educated, albeit not in your chosen way. I am not voting, primarily because of the condescending nature of comments like this. HRC may be the better candidate because Trump is so, so bad, but to call her an excellent candidate is a myopia beyond belief.
Is it certain that America has seen worse than Trump? No doubt Kent State and the shootings there shook most Americans, as the DNC in Chicago must have done. But was there ever an actual nominee who threatened the constitution, the rule of law, foreign alliances, and security as much as Trump has done? Not in the last 30 years. Trump has no command of diplomatic language or behavior. He even managed to besmirch the Al Smith dinner.
There are dread predictions about America during a possible Clinton presidency. But we know she can work across party lines, and I expect that some sane Republicans will emerge who can agree to work with Democrats. Otherwise, we cannot allow the Neanderthal wing of the GOP to get beyond a few months of deadlock. We must learn from Gandhi and bring our complaints home to the Districts of the offenders. I respect the will of the people of Trey Gowdy’s District, and the people of Paul Ryan’s District, but I have no wish to have them dictate to me what is or is not good for New Yorkers. None of their people will be forced to have an abortion, but if they have their way, my neighbors will be denied that choice. That is medieval.
There are dread predictions about America during a possible Clinton presidency. But we know she can work across party lines, and I expect that some sane Republicans will emerge who can agree to work with Democrats. Otherwise, we cannot allow the Neanderthal wing of the GOP to get beyond a few months of deadlock. We must learn from Gandhi and bring our complaints home to the Districts of the offenders. I respect the will of the people of Trey Gowdy’s District, and the people of Paul Ryan’s District, but I have no wish to have them dictate to me what is or is not good for New Yorkers. None of their people will be forced to have an abortion, but if they have their way, my neighbors will be denied that choice. That is medieval.
280
No one can work across party lines if the GOP decides to stonewall for another four years. Government cannot work under these circumstances.
Not since Nixon. over 40 years ago.
The Bush/Cheney years were terrible, and we don't even know the half of it.
What a contrast with the bizarrely strange, twisted rationale for Trump offered up on today's editorial page of The Wall Street Journal....one of the saddest examples of muddled thinking I have ever seen in any newspaper anywhere. It was so strange that it is impossible to sum up, but I'll try: Trump's not so bad and maybe he'll stumble into doing something good. Beyond pathetic. In the end, the Journal editorial makes almost as good a case for Clinton as the Times because of its sheer stupidity.
19
This is a great GOP victory. For years, they have tried to make Americans cynical and distrustful of the federal government. They have succeeded to an extraordinary degree.
17
The Clinton scandals have drowned Watergate like a tsunami. The Clintons' earnings of a quarter of a billion dollars for nothing but speeches to special interests whose positions are injurious to the public interest gets no respect or mention from the Times editorial board. Where is the serious analysis of the disclosed emails? Where is the detailed analysis of pay for play with the Clinton Foundation being conducted by other responsible organizations? There is no basis or merit in this editorial for warranting serious consideration, in my opinion.
10
Congratulations...I think you were able to sum up every right-wing conspiracy theory that has dominated this election. If only you could get it down to 140 characters I think you would have something.
1
Electing the crypto-fascist Trump would constitute a phase change in the character of our republic. The deficiencies in Hillary Clinton's past can be addressed via impeachment or forced resignation if necessary, just as the revelation of past corruption that brought down Vice President Spiro Agnew.
Even that unpleasant scenario is preferable to the catastrophe, both economic and political, that awaits the nation with a Trump victory.
Even that unpleasant scenario is preferable to the catastrophe, both economic and political, that awaits the nation with a Trump victory.
Is this the result of 50 years of increasing income and asset inequality, poor education, poor healthcare access, 50% of the budget spent on the military, rotting infrastructure, ineffective regulation of immigration, ineffective regulation of banking and finance, and ineffective leadership in almost all areas that concern the 99%?
I think so. In which case both major parties are guilty. The Democrats have supported the wealthy status quo as much as the Republicans have used divisive 'values' issues and race to secure themselves in office.
You folks have a lot of work to do. I hope Ms. Clinton can accomplish some of it. Best wishes.
I think so. In which case both major parties are guilty. The Democrats have supported the wealthy status quo as much as the Republicans have used divisive 'values' issues and race to secure themselves in office.
You folks have a lot of work to do. I hope Ms. Clinton can accomplish some of it. Best wishes.
7
Republicans are where they are through the use of language. For example, the taxes that accrue to the 0.2% of the population upon their demise are not estate taxes, they are a "death tax" implying that they apply to everybody.
The Democrats need to learn to use language as a weapon like the R's have for years.
They should start with using the word obstructionists following the word Republican at every turn. "Republican obstructionist" needs to be connected like "fish and chips" until it gets drilled into the psyche of the American voter.
Only then do we have a chance to get people to quit voting for people who make up pity slogans and instead vote for people who will are America function again.
The Democrats need to learn to use language as a weapon like the R's have for years.
They should start with using the word obstructionists following the word Republican at every turn. "Republican obstructionist" needs to be connected like "fish and chips" until it gets drilled into the psyche of the American voter.
Only then do we have a chance to get people to quit voting for people who make up pity slogans and instead vote for people who will are America function again.
22
There will be no reconciliation if Hillary wins. Democrats have called every Republican voter for Trump racist xenophobes. Hillary has called Republicans deplorables. The NY Times denigrates our candidate and his supporters at every term with gratuitous hyperbole. They snicker at people of faith and dismiss issues of importance to white males as inconsequential. Hillary has zero mandate, and couldn't even win her own party's nomination without inside help (see Brazile and Wasserman-Schultz).
I've got my popcorn ready for the Clinton Global Initiative investigations. Can a President-Elect be impeached before taking office?
I've got my popcorn ready for the Clinton Global Initiative investigations. Can a President-Elect be impeached before taking office?
6
We have to get to a point where the general election if fought between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. One of the parties in the two party system has become dysfunctional, and it is not entertaining anymore. I worry that even if Trump is defeated, there will be a redux in 2020. Who knows who's gotten emboldened in the Republican Party, and who knows what thug will show up in 2020. All right thinking democrats must figure out how to get this right long term.
3
@ TK Look across the country to Maine's Ranked Choice Voting.
Mr.Trump and the Republicans will be the losers on Nov. 9. American democracy will have demonstrated its resilience and core American values of decency and tolerance will have won. But, an enormous price has been paid in this ugly campaign. If the Democrats regain the Senate and the House Republicans are returned with a reduced majority it would be a further vindication of the popular will to discredit the Republicans. The Trump campaign with the tacit connivance of the Republicans has sown the dangerous seeds of racial discontent. Only a handful of them such as Mitt Rimney, John Kasich, Colin Powell, Susan Collins and Jeb Bush showed the courage of their conviction. If Mrs.Clinton wins but narrowly, it will be a Pyrrhic victory whose gains will be hard to consolidate.
5
No matter the result on Tuesday, we can no longer say, with a hint of both pride and relief, "That could never happen here."
The thriving of Trumpism has laid bare the decaying commitment in the country and the political class to responsible democratic rule, a republican form of government, and the basic rule of law.
The thriving of Trumpism has laid bare the decaying commitment in the country and the political class to responsible democratic rule, a republican form of government, and the basic rule of law.
19
Nicely done. Thank you. As I have written before, though, I wish the media (print and electronic) had made more of an effort to shine a light on all of the candidates from the beginning, particularly Trump. He has a long and fully reported record of vile behavior and language, much learned at the knee of Roy Cohn of all people. Television, primarily cable but all of it, found Trump good for ratings and encouraged his candidacy without critical analysis. It was good for rating to provide free air time on the morning shows and Trump thrived. Now the pundits, wringing their hands, are (sometimes) critical of Trump and often force themselves to find an equivalency between Hillary Clinton's email troubles and all of the many truly outrageous, immoral and illegal things Trump has said and done. There is no equivalency. I am counting on Mrs. Clinton to rise above all of this after the election and work with Congress for a better America. I think she can do it. I am with her.
19
They went soft on him in the primaries since they wanted him to win since he was the only candidate that HRC could beat. Once he locked up the nomination, they took the gloves off and coordinated with the MSM to defeat him. They NYT has helped us become a Bananna a Republic. It seems that the shadow of totalitarianism is always on the right but somehow descends on the left.
1
Even the slightest chance that Trump may win the Presidency means we need maximum effort devoted to defeating Republicans running for the US Senate and House of Representatives.
17
Another commenter used the Cuban Missile Crisis as an analogy for the possibility of a Trump presidency. Very apt.
The thought of Russian nuclear missiles at the ready and 90 miles from our shore. The thought still send shudders, 50 years on.
And so does even the remote possibility of a Trump presidency.
What Trump has done for America is expose the deep divides in this nation. Civil rights and women voters was fine as long as white men made up a comfortable majority of the population, and most Hispanics were here illegally. That has all changed, and trends show that the white majority will disappear in the next few years.
Maybe those in the soon to be minority understand how American Indians felt as their country was taken from them. Well, except that they won't be out on reservations, or worse.
The thought of Russian nuclear missiles at the ready and 90 miles from our shore. The thought still send shudders, 50 years on.
And so does even the remote possibility of a Trump presidency.
What Trump has done for America is expose the deep divides in this nation. Civil rights and women voters was fine as long as white men made up a comfortable majority of the population, and most Hispanics were here illegally. That has all changed, and trends show that the white majority will disappear in the next few years.
Maybe those in the soon to be minority understand how American Indians felt as their country was taken from them. Well, except that they won't be out on reservations, or worse.
4
I suspect the Trump supporters will propose insurrection at some point after the election if Trump loses. All the calls for a change will not stop Trump supporters from reelecting the same people and the gridlock will continue. Their anger is misdirected and they apparently can see no further than the top of the ballot. Where are the Trump people on the rest of the ballot?
11
Of course, this comment is just the result of the fear mongering liberal media. It is Trump's opponents that have demonstrated themselves to be violent towards people and property, but don't let facts get in the way of "verified" partisanship.
3
Trump would make a horrible President, in line with the horrible human being he is. But defeated he may lick his wounds and return to his toys, because his business may end up bleeding.
I can hardly see a post-election Trump getting involved for a lengthy period in the expected fratricide war within the GOP. He is not made for that, plus he will get there without the respect and fear he produces as "the people's choice", thus an easy prey to the astute politicians of the GOP elite.
I can hardly see a post-election Trump getting involved for a lengthy period in the expected fratricide war within the GOP. He is not made for that, plus he will get there without the respect and fear he produces as "the people's choice", thus an easy prey to the astute politicians of the GOP elite.
11
The Ugly American
A racist misogynist, a deadbeat and con,
bombastic narcissist - what is he on?
An immoral predator traitor and twit,
homophobe, xenophobe - is that yet it?
Oh, I forgot - how can anyone trust him?
He babbles and twitters - his life is a whim!
But what of his followers, what can be said?
He has them bamboozled and filled them with dread.
There are very real issues, and serious concerns -
but that the election is rigged? That gives me heartburn.
And that Once Great Party of Reagan and Lincoln?
Now just Bottom Line shills - may they twist in his wind.
He eggs them to violence with sly innuendo
Alien. Jail her. Well, there's one thing I do know.
Just listen, and look at him - I don't think so.
A racist misogynist, a deadbeat and con,
bombastic narcissist - what is he on?
An immoral predator traitor and twit,
homophobe, xenophobe - is that yet it?
Oh, I forgot - how can anyone trust him?
He babbles and twitters - his life is a whim!
But what of his followers, what can be said?
He has them bamboozled and filled them with dread.
There are very real issues, and serious concerns -
but that the election is rigged? That gives me heartburn.
And that Once Great Party of Reagan and Lincoln?
Now just Bottom Line shills - may they twist in his wind.
He eggs them to violence with sly innuendo
Alien. Jail her. Well, there's one thing I do know.
Just listen, and look at him - I don't think so.
23
Thanks KEF.
Your post reminds me of the NYT's "resident" Limerick writer, Larry Eisenberg.
Haven't seen your wit lately, Larry. Hang in there- next month you'll be able to celebrate not only Trump's defeat, but also your 97th birthday!
Your post reminds me of the NYT's "resident" Limerick writer, Larry Eisenberg.
Haven't seen your wit lately, Larry. Hang in there- next month you'll be able to celebrate not only Trump's defeat, but also your 97th birthday!
4
Oh is are the hyper-partisans on the board fear mongering again? Revolting.
The hypocrisy of the NYT Editorial Board is truly astounding. It is the NYT and their peers at Fox that are the true cancer on this country. Hillary and Trump will move on, but we will be stuck with the disgusting partisans who have hijacked our media forever.
The hypocrisy of the NYT Editorial Board is truly astounding. It is the NYT and their peers at Fox that are the true cancer on this country. Hillary and Trump will move on, but we will be stuck with the disgusting partisans who have hijacked our media forever.
7
No idea what you're going on about and what is the "hypocricy" and the cancer, but if you're faulting the media for something, why not start your own newspaper or talk show.
3
A lot of opprobrium has been deservedly heaped on the Republican nominee. But if we are looking for a way forward, the solution will likely fail if it does not address the failings of the Republican party and the Republican voter. The party must recognize that Trump has merely declared overtly what it has been covertly advocating for decades. If Trump is to be rejected, then covert Trumpism has be repudiated as well. And the Republican voter has to recognize that he has been misled for decades by his party promising solutions that are undeliverable.
15
The essence of our national nightmare is very direct:
20% of Americans believe that the sun revolves around the earth (Gallup Poll). These people vote.
41% of Americans believe (Pew Research) that the Second Coming of Jesus to earth in the flesh will occur within our lifetimes, a percentage that fits rather neatly with Trump's polling numbers this past month. These people also vote.
We owe it to our fellow citizens to inform them that the planet has a spherical form, that gravity makes apples fall downward from trees, and that epilepsy is not a manifestation of demon-possession. They will not know unless we sweetly tell them.
Once we have charmed, coaxed, or dragged our simple-minded compatriots into the 21st century perhaps we can move on to discussing with them the complexities of health care, infrastructure development, or foreign policy, because a rational discussion will never take place before that happens.
20% of Americans believe that the sun revolves around the earth (Gallup Poll). These people vote.
41% of Americans believe (Pew Research) that the Second Coming of Jesus to earth in the flesh will occur within our lifetimes, a percentage that fits rather neatly with Trump's polling numbers this past month. These people also vote.
We owe it to our fellow citizens to inform them that the planet has a spherical form, that gravity makes apples fall downward from trees, and that epilepsy is not a manifestation of demon-possession. They will not know unless we sweetly tell them.
Once we have charmed, coaxed, or dragged our simple-minded compatriots into the 21st century perhaps we can move on to discussing with them the complexities of health care, infrastructure development, or foreign policy, because a rational discussion will never take place before that happens.
58
They are locked into a juvenile tautology asserting that magic works only by having no connection between cause and effect, and magic is more powerful.
"Doctor Strange" (the movie) inhabits the universe of American brains.
"Doctor Strange" (the movie) inhabits the universe of American brains.
1
As I keep reminding myself: by definition, half of the population is below the median in intelligence, but they too get to vote. And if this election cycle is any indication, even the median is declining!
2
If Clinton wins on Tuesday, and if by some miracle, the Democrats regain the Senate, I will be looking for an immediate move to right the wrongs of the last 8 years: increasing taxes on those who have the ability to pay more, a strong move to a single payer health care system similar to those employed by every sane nation on the planet, infrastructure spending to rival a Marshall plan, a shake up of the FBI, pulling back of military forces where possible, increased spending on veterans needs, an end to gerrymandering from either party, a recognition that workers have justified complaints, an end to anti-Union legislation, tuition free education for those who qualify, environmental protection laws with teeth; my list could go on for a thousand lines, but to finalize, I would like to see a repeal of the Citizen United decision. It is perhaps the single biggest cause of the moral decline of the U.S.A.
45
I couldn't agree more with you.
2
One earlier comment suggests Republicans will continue to
obstruct and try to make another elected president "fail", replacing "birther"
nonsense with impeachment agitation. Another reminds that elements in the FBI seem to have an anti-Clinton agenda and have been effective even before the election. What could a besieged Democratic president do? A lot.
The opposition has gotten away with flying in the face of important traditions (Supreme Court, the whole Trump campaign--no tax statement, no government experience of any kind!--). They won't stop or compromise ( zero Republican votes for Obamacare, 60 votes to repeal) until the Democrats stop complaining
to the bribed or weak-kneed referees and fight back. Perhaps our first female president could take a page from a Chicago woman who unexpectedly won the mayor's race in 1979.
The Democratic machine and the police hierarchy that was an essential part of it had given her some rough and rude treatment. Should she fire them in revenge? No, but shortly after taking over she moved the mayor's office to the most crime-ridden and social services denied housing project: Cabrini-Green. The plush police department bosses' offices had been near the mayor's, in City Hall. Now where did they have to go to "serve and protect" the mayor? And how did that affect the lives of the impoverished who lived there?
The President working out of the Oval Office, now there's a tradition.
obstruct and try to make another elected president "fail", replacing "birther"
nonsense with impeachment agitation. Another reminds that elements in the FBI seem to have an anti-Clinton agenda and have been effective even before the election. What could a besieged Democratic president do? A lot.
The opposition has gotten away with flying in the face of important traditions (Supreme Court, the whole Trump campaign--no tax statement, no government experience of any kind!--). They won't stop or compromise ( zero Republican votes for Obamacare, 60 votes to repeal) until the Democrats stop complaining
to the bribed or weak-kneed referees and fight back. Perhaps our first female president could take a page from a Chicago woman who unexpectedly won the mayor's race in 1979.
The Democratic machine and the police hierarchy that was an essential part of it had given her some rough and rude treatment. Should she fire them in revenge? No, but shortly after taking over she moved the mayor's office to the most crime-ridden and social services denied housing project: Cabrini-Green. The plush police department bosses' offices had been near the mayor's, in City Hall. Now where did they have to go to "serve and protect" the mayor? And how did that affect the lives of the impoverished who lived there?
The President working out of the Oval Office, now there's a tradition.
7
Great editorial, however the folks who would most benefit from reading and heading it, will never see it. The president's power to fix what ails our governing processes is limited. Using powerful analytics to carefully craft congressional districts that protect one party's grasp on elections in many areas, the Republicans sowed the wind and now reap the whirlwind. Until the majority of states create districts that are more balanced, where the competition for political thought drives toward the center, rather than the extreme fringes of one party's ideology, we are stuck. California provides a template - the state seemed ungovernable a decade ago - much like what we have on the national level. A voter initiative was passed in 2008 that created a non-partisan panel to draw districts - this has now been in effect for 3 elections. The state has completely turned around and is now a model of strong governance through executive and legislative cooperation. Yes, the republican party has seen it share of political office holder shrink, but the democrats currently in the majority govern from the center left, rather than from the extreme left. Until we do this as a nation, I don't see how we move beyond the current obstructionism in congress and/or avoid more Donald Trump's in the future.
16
Not a word about Clinton's obsessive hungering for office since 2007. Not a word on her belligerence in foreign policy, a pathological obsession with Putin and Russia, which could lead to nuclear conflagration. Not a word on how she and her husband "earned" $100 million in Wall Street speaking engagements. To oppose Clinton as unworthy of the highest position does not mean one favors Trump.
Both are undesirable. Both exhibit crypto-fascist tendencies. Perhaps it is time to get back to Emerson and Thoreau and say, NO to compromising the nation's moral integrity. I advise, and will follow my own, don't vote. Don't legitimate evil. Don't assent to mediocrity, opportunism, lies. America can best handle this obscene political context and situation by rejecting both horns of the dilemma, and somehow force a renaissance in political consciousness and understanding.
The Times's editorial is pitiful; no attempt at argument or analysis, merely vituperative uttrrings far worse than tabloid standards. Black-and-white, cut-and-dried, a thorough whitewash of one, a condemnation of the other. I grew up under the storm clouds of McCarthyism. The editorial exceeds even Joe in its infantile spewing of hatred.
Both are undesirable. Both exhibit crypto-fascist tendencies. Perhaps it is time to get back to Emerson and Thoreau and say, NO to compromising the nation's moral integrity. I advise, and will follow my own, don't vote. Don't legitimate evil. Don't assent to mediocrity, opportunism, lies. America can best handle this obscene political context and situation by rejecting both horns of the dilemma, and somehow force a renaissance in political consciousness and understanding.
The Times's editorial is pitiful; no attempt at argument or analysis, merely vituperative uttrrings far worse than tabloid standards. Black-and-white, cut-and-dried, a thorough whitewash of one, a condemnation of the other. I grew up under the storm clouds of McCarthyism. The editorial exceeds even Joe in its infantile spewing of hatred.
22
So if nobody votes, then what?
1
All things said Hilliary Clinton has spent a lifetime working to help others. Has she benefited, yes, why shouldn't she. She is neither hateful, homophobic, racist, or out to put America in danger. She is the most prepared candidate to take on the challenges of this country and the world. Her opponent has in his life been out for himself. He will insult, bully, frighten and brag about himself. He is dangerous and unqualified to be President.
For those who don't like their choices work hard in the grass roots movements in your states to promote those with your ideals. But for this election voting 3rd party or even not voting shows a lack of understanding of what American Democracy is. It is as unpatriotic as the obstructionists in congress. Donald Trump is deplorable don't let this movement set our country back to the 1950's.
For those who don't like their choices work hard in the grass roots movements in your states to promote those with your ideals. But for this election voting 3rd party or even not voting shows a lack of understanding of what American Democracy is. It is as unpatriotic as the obstructionists in congress. Donald Trump is deplorable don't let this movement set our country back to the 1950's.
3
Shame on you, Norm! In the future all you'll be able to say you did to stop Trump is...nothing! While I, too, think that HRC isn't the person I'd most like to have as president, not voting at all is an abdication of your responsibility as a citizen. This is not the time to vote third-party or to sit on your hands, Norm. At the very, very least, you could vote for down-ticket candidates! It's not too late, Norm. I'm a fellow EL resident and know you can still vote absentee. Go to city hall on Monday, get a ballot, and VOTE.
1
I don't think the fault lies with Donald Trump. We don't have to vote for him if we disagree with his policies and rhetoric. The fault lies with the citizens who condone and agree with Trump. If in fact Trump is a monster, then what does it say about an America that would elect such a person as its president?
48
I can say the same about Hillary. Who would vote for a criminal who has stolen from Haiti, received foreign cash, sold her office to the highest bidder, disclosed state secrets, sold 20% of our uranium to Putin for $145m, pay-for-play , cronyism, etc et. ?
1
Good point, certainly, but some faults obviously do lie with Trump.
Whether purposely--it's hard to imagine otherwise--or from mere verbal diarrhea, Trump has given voice and almost, in some eyes, a legitimacy, to his worst viciousness and hatred. Maybe it is better to know how much of those horrible thoughts are in our citizens, but now what? Bells are notoriously difficult to unring.
Whether purposely--it's hard to imagine otherwise--or from mere verbal diarrhea, Trump has given voice and almost, in some eyes, a legitimacy, to his worst viciousness and hatred. Maybe it is better to know how much of those horrible thoughts are in our citizens, but now what? Bells are notoriously difficult to unring.
2
Waking up in America on Nov. 9 without Donald as POTUS will be a dream come true for the USA. The alternative is a nightmare that can't be imagined. Anyone with a blind faith that the Donald will wield a magic wand and make all the problems disappear will soon (in a few months) be disillusioned. End of Story.
30
It strikes me that something is wrong with your candidate when she constantly must hide behind celebrities to get her vote out. JZ, Katy Perry, and a bevy of other ultrarich cultural elites are coming out of the woodwork to act as Pied Pipers to rally the rats for Hillary. And it makes some sense. This election has become part of a larger, world-wide referendum of working class people against societal elites. Wall St. backs Hillary. Hollywood backs Hillary. DC’s lobbyists back Hillary. Globalists from the UN and the European Parliament back Hillary.
These are the same groups of people who assured us England would sink into the sea if BREXIT happened. As near as I can tell, London is still above water and doesn’t have a migrant crisis to worry about anymore; meanwhile, refugees destroy the streets of Paris and raise hell in Germany. These are the same people who now assure us we cannot live without NAFTA and TPP. We must be part of the Global Order. We have so many cultural and socioeconomic problems in America, it should be obvious it is time to turn inward. We can no longer be the world’s police man, and it’s debatable as to whether we were any good at it to begin with. We can no longer flood our market with cheap consumer products in the name of free trade. The people of England recognized these truths when they voted to leave the EU, and the elites of that nation have turned to the courts to try and overthrow that referendum. Why?
These are the same groups of people who assured us England would sink into the sea if BREXIT happened. As near as I can tell, London is still above water and doesn’t have a migrant crisis to worry about anymore; meanwhile, refugees destroy the streets of Paris and raise hell in Germany. These are the same people who now assure us we cannot live without NAFTA and TPP. We must be part of the Global Order. We have so many cultural and socioeconomic problems in America, it should be obvious it is time to turn inward. We can no longer be the world’s police man, and it’s debatable as to whether we were any good at it to begin with. We can no longer flood our market with cheap consumer products in the name of free trade. The people of England recognized these truths when they voted to leave the EU, and the elites of that nation have turned to the courts to try and overthrow that referendum. Why?
15
Trump is nothing but a reality TV actor.
The tragedy is that your points are all genuinely needing addressing, and the Republican party has picked as its nominee one of the worst possible candidates to address them. Trump will, if he should win the election, probably hand it all over to Theocrat Mike Pence, Ayn Rand devotee Paul Ryan,
and Old Time Racist Mitch McConnell. While Trump is playing golf and groping women at what will be called the "Florida White House", those three will be doing what they planned to in the first place. There will be no miracle, no relief from those issues--in fact, they'll be made worse--and the never-ended goal of the Republican Party will be achieved. The end of the New Deal, and the return of Gilded Age feudalism, which has been their plan since 1936, will be accompanied by a racist, misogynistic, slimy coating of pseudo-Christian talk, to attempt a cover for the crimes. We will NOT be "made great again".
and Old Time Racist Mitch McConnell. While Trump is playing golf and groping women at what will be called the "Florida White House", those three will be doing what they planned to in the first place. There will be no miracle, no relief from those issues--in fact, they'll be made worse--and the never-ended goal of the Republican Party will be achieved. The end of the New Deal, and the return of Gilded Age feudalism, which has been their plan since 1936, will be accompanied by a racist, misogynistic, slimy coating of pseudo-Christian talk, to attempt a cover for the crimes. We will NOT be "made great again".
3
This summer I had a strong day of foreboding when a friend in MD asked for a sense of direction for these presidential elections, the most important perhaps in our History. 'Hillary, or is it Trump'? Most likely because I am surrounded by his supporters, but I hedged and told my interrogator, it would be the former. Because it had to be, because Trump is not 'real', not anymore as a symbolic person even, he is made of plastic.
If America decides to elect Trump, it will be like voting for a tower, or an institute. We could very well find ourselves in a vacuum. Would Americans unite? Would the Republicans and Democrats work together? Would there be undercover operations for damage control?
It could be the beginning of a Revolution, one that we cannot afford, not now when we are heading towards 2020 and still trying to recover from The Great Recession.
But it could happen, and for some reason the sentence 'Esse Quam Videri' come to mind. God Bless the People of America.
If America decides to elect Trump, it will be like voting for a tower, or an institute. We could very well find ourselves in a vacuum. Would Americans unite? Would the Republicans and Democrats work together? Would there be undercover operations for damage control?
It could be the beginning of a Revolution, one that we cannot afford, not now when we are heading towards 2020 and still trying to recover from The Great Recession.
But it could happen, and for some reason the sentence 'Esse Quam Videri' come to mind. God Bless the People of America.
3
The notion that this country is blessed by an imaginary divinity is one of its worst delusions. It was founded on an entirely different understanding: that there is no personality of nature at all: nature functions automatically and entirely indifferently to humans.
1
On November 9 I plan get up, get dressed, eat breakfast and go to work. Life will go on regardless of who the president elect is.
12
There is a substantial proportion of the American public that has exposed itself as unable to discern what is true. Overridden and overburdened by its awareness of how difficult it is in middle-America to attain a sense of existential security for oneself and one's family, such individuals are willing to follow anyone able to create hope and alleviate their fears no matter how opprobrious his message. When we are willing to sacrifice the welfare of women and racial and religious minorities because of the false but temporarily comforting assurances of demagoguery, we diminish ourselves, most importantly in our own eyes. No matter what we want to believe, reality will ultimately intrude on our reveries and awaken us, revealing us to ourselves.
44
Many Americans have been brought up to believe in fantasy for fantastic benefits. Reality isn't magical.
1
I am more optimistic. I believe that with our first women president we will see a rising economy. Hillary Clinton will encourage more women and men to rise up in the workplace.
I believe that economic growth will happen rapidly and this will bring more optimism and more spending, and more jobs. The economic numbers will speak louder than words.
From a STAG-NATION to an IMAGI-NATION to a DETERMI-NATION
Go Hillary Go. One giant step for (H)umankind!
===================================
I believe that economic growth will happen rapidly and this will bring more optimism and more spending, and more jobs. The economic numbers will speak louder than words.
From a STAG-NATION to an IMAGI-NATION to a DETERMI-NATION
Go Hillary Go. One giant step for (H)umankind!
===================================
47
Absolutely. We need to avert the worst effects of our political Tsunami that’s left wreckage in its wake. So I just can’t wait to stand in a long, long line to elect Clinton, with all her faults. I’m planning my reading material and snacks to give me strength on Tuesday.
The problem is this storm stalled for years in an overlong campaign, causing worse wreckage than usual. How to prevent this? We need a political meteorologist for 2020.
Reverse Citizens United, limit donations, use public funding, and SHORTEN the campaign drastically---like most nations. So what if it cuts media profits? What’s the public interest?
Our most authoritative paper could set a positive example for the rest of the media---less free publicity for the Trumpf types, and more issue talk for all candidates, pro/con, and their effect on our lives. Columnists, that means you.
We need constant editorials tracing the poisonous effects of big money on lawmaking. See Princeton’s Gilens and Page proving our lawmakers listen to the elites, not to the majority’s wishes. Could you mention that?
Issue talk and public financing will eventually help prevent a reality TV star/megalomaniac from getting so far. Instead he would stay the joke that many thought he was.
This focus on campaign finance by the media would at least push lawmakers, and create a norm for reform to occur, thus bring our elections out of their diseased condition toward democratic health. An impossible dream?
The problem is this storm stalled for years in an overlong campaign, causing worse wreckage than usual. How to prevent this? We need a political meteorologist for 2020.
Reverse Citizens United, limit donations, use public funding, and SHORTEN the campaign drastically---like most nations. So what if it cuts media profits? What’s the public interest?
Our most authoritative paper could set a positive example for the rest of the media---less free publicity for the Trumpf types, and more issue talk for all candidates, pro/con, and their effect on our lives. Columnists, that means you.
We need constant editorials tracing the poisonous effects of big money on lawmaking. See Princeton’s Gilens and Page proving our lawmakers listen to the elites, not to the majority’s wishes. Could you mention that?
Issue talk and public financing will eventually help prevent a reality TV star/megalomaniac from getting so far. Instead he would stay the joke that many thought he was.
This focus on campaign finance by the media would at least push lawmakers, and create a norm for reform to occur, thus bring our elections out of their diseased condition toward democratic health. An impossible dream?
52
Meredith: How do you think Campaign finance reform, and the other things you speak of are going to happen if people like you aren't even willing to take the time to vote?
2
No other nation has ever directly copied the US Constitution because it is dysfunctional.
1
Hey, NYT Editorial Board: Just who worse than Donald Trump have we seen? Goldwater maybe -- but he didn't come nearly as close as Trump. Not Nixon -- as paranoid as he appears to have been, he had real accomplishments (opening to China, creation of the EPA) to go along with the horrors (COINTELPRO, carpet bombing Cambodia). With Trump I see deep personality disorder manifesting in all kinds of anti-social behavior. Let's hope we've hit bottom and will now start to climb out of the sewer the Republican Party has led us into.
80
Trump is the biggest liar but somehow Hillary Clinton is the "dishonest" one. When Clinton told those coalminers in Appalachia that those jobs aren't coming back it was brutally honest and more truthful, forthcoming, and politically incorrect than any candidate running for any office in recent history. No one else has the guts to say something like that. Yet I didn't see any of Trump's supporters or Trump himself coming to her defense. Funny how that works.
164
A classic Times editorial. Many thanks for it.
73
My prediction is that Clinton will win, but she will receive less than 50% of the vote. (Of course, Bill Clinton won in 1992 with only 43% of the vote.) Half of the country, including quite a few of those who will vote for her, think she is a corrupt liar. (But that's better than an incompetent corrupt liar.)
Her only saving grace will be that Justice and the FBI will now work for her.
If she is willing to work with the Republicans as her husband did, we might avoid gridlock. If her response to Republicans is Obama's "I won" with no further negotiation, we'll have the same gridlock we've had for 8 years.
Her only saving grace will be that Justice and the FBI will now work for her.
If she is willing to work with the Republicans as her husband did, we might avoid gridlock. If her response to Republicans is Obama's "I won" with no further negotiation, we'll have the same gridlock we've had for 8 years.
5
When she was in the Senate, Ms. Clinton had a track record of reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans with notable results. For example, Rep. Peter King (R. NY) stated on NPR last April that he had "an excellent relationship with her. ... She was very, very good." Other Republicans have echoed that sentiment. Clinton is pragmatic, something Trump and the party of obstructionism are not. If the Republican Party could cease its drumbeat of fact-free hatred for her and actually talk with her, we might all get somewhere.
16
In order words, if Ms. Clinton does exactly what Republicans want her to do, including nominating an anti-abortion justice or two to the Supreme Court, then everything might be fine. Otherwise, prepare for four more years of mindless obstructionism.
2
Sounds like someone is living in the proverbial GOP Bubble.
The gridlock during the past eight years was almost entirely the fault of Republicans that vowed to make Barack Obama a one-term president from the day he took office. This is a party that spoke of impeaching and suing him, and regularly spoke of his "executive overreach". This is a party that wouldn't be caught dead working with him, lest their constituents see that and vote for a more right wing (i.e., Tea Party) candidate.
President Hillary Clinton will do what she can to work with the GOP - as did President Obama - but remember that this is a party whose members (e.g., besides Trump, people like Rep. Chaffetz) want to impeach or jail her even before she's won the election.
It's never too late to try and escape The Bubble.
The gridlock during the past eight years was almost entirely the fault of Republicans that vowed to make Barack Obama a one-term president from the day he took office. This is a party that spoke of impeaching and suing him, and regularly spoke of his "executive overreach". This is a party that wouldn't be caught dead working with him, lest their constituents see that and vote for a more right wing (i.e., Tea Party) candidate.
President Hillary Clinton will do what she can to work with the GOP - as did President Obama - but remember that this is a party whose members (e.g., besides Trump, people like Rep. Chaffetz) want to impeach or jail her even before she's won the election.
It's never too late to try and escape The Bubble.
4
How much convincing does it take? If we don’t remove our politics from rw Gop dominance, plus reform our campaign finance totally captive of big money, and stop this gross political media circus every 4 years, it will get even worse.
Surely some out there are seeing Trumpf as an inspirational role model, after he’s attracted such a large % of voters--- totally unpredicted. They may see a path that he’s cleared, even as most hope we block that path to disaster.
Per Yeats' poem---In 2020, what political beast, its hour come round at last, will slouch toward Washington DC to be born?
Surely some out there are seeing Trumpf as an inspirational role model, after he’s attracted such a large % of voters--- totally unpredicted. They may see a path that he’s cleared, even as most hope we block that path to disaster.
Per Yeats' poem---In 2020, what political beast, its hour come round at last, will slouch toward Washington DC to be born?
20
Thanks...I mentioned that beast slouching toward D.C. more than two months in one of these comments sections.
1
I could go back into equities, or not. You never know, but Trump could actually go back to being a Democrat.
3
But he knows nothing, is not is interested in the things he speaks of, including you and me, and the earth's climate.
There was an expose of Trump on CNN last night, much concerning his business dealings in the 1990's.I think he came off as fairly logical, coherent and honest. Perhaps this is a ruse after all.
I agree with much of this editorial. Donald Trump has fueled his campaign with demagoguery and xenophobia. Trump's election to the presidency would be dangerous for America and the world; Hillary Clinton, while flawed is therefore far the preferable presidential choice. The Times is also correct that many leaders in the Republican Party have facilitated Trump's progress in the general election, if only by their silence.
At the same time, the debasement of American democracy over the course of the 2015-2016 presidential campaign is not solely attributable to Republicans.
-The Democratic National Committee sullied the primary process by favoring Clinton in the Clinton-Sanders primary process by failing to serve as an honest broker.
-The New York Times and many other media outlets facilitated Trump's nomination by according him largely uncritical front page coverage during the primaries, while limiting coverage of his challengers. The media, including the Times, also influenced the Democratic primary race by covering Clinton extensively, while neglecting the Sanders campaign. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we're stuck with Clinton and Trump, both widely distrusted and disliked by the public.
Both major parties and the mainstream media have a lot to answer for this election season. There's plenty of blame to go around, and the American people have good reason to be dissatisfied and disillusioned.
At the same time, the debasement of American democracy over the course of the 2015-2016 presidential campaign is not solely attributable to Republicans.
-The Democratic National Committee sullied the primary process by favoring Clinton in the Clinton-Sanders primary process by failing to serve as an honest broker.
-The New York Times and many other media outlets facilitated Trump's nomination by according him largely uncritical front page coverage during the primaries, while limiting coverage of his challengers. The media, including the Times, also influenced the Democratic primary race by covering Clinton extensively, while neglecting the Sanders campaign. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we're stuck with Clinton and Trump, both widely distrusted and disliked by the public.
Both major parties and the mainstream media have a lot to answer for this election season. There's plenty of blame to go around, and the American people have good reason to be dissatisfied and disillusioned.
34
Did you forget that but for the last 16 months or so that Col. Sanders is not a democrat? You think that may be why the DNC tilted to HRC? And this stupidity about the media is just conservative nonsense.
2
Yes! A powerful editorial worthy of the New York Times of yore - and my hometown paper. Thank you.
The feckless leaders of the Republican congress believe that they could 'control 'their candidate, should he win the presidency, by the process of checks and balances and - obviously- their guidance. That's their excuse for voting for him and supporting him. It's a laugh - they can barely control their members (the House), and absurdly threaten bombastic acts, viz, SCOTUS (the Senate). They are a complete embarrassment.
The sky is not likely to fall on our nation - we are stronger than that. But the worst would be averted - as you say -should Mrs. Clinton be elected, She has gone through tests of fire and remains cool, in charge, and tireless and I trust she will do her best for all Americans. This unprecedented election has been stressful but has exposed much that needs to be done. I fear a hard road ahead and hope there will be enough Democratic gains in congress to help ease the way. As well, our foreign allies and partners will also rest easier with her in the White House. The sky may not fall, but the markets have in the last 8 days with the uncertainty of a Trump win. November 9th can't come soon enough - just as long as it gives us the right answer!
(BTW, It finally came in the sixth paragraph - a mention of Rudy Giuliani - our former mayor who more than many deserves your shout-out.)
The feckless leaders of the Republican congress believe that they could 'control 'their candidate, should he win the presidency, by the process of checks and balances and - obviously- their guidance. That's their excuse for voting for him and supporting him. It's a laugh - they can barely control their members (the House), and absurdly threaten bombastic acts, viz, SCOTUS (the Senate). They are a complete embarrassment.
The sky is not likely to fall on our nation - we are stronger than that. But the worst would be averted - as you say -should Mrs. Clinton be elected, She has gone through tests of fire and remains cool, in charge, and tireless and I trust she will do her best for all Americans. This unprecedented election has been stressful but has exposed much that needs to be done. I fear a hard road ahead and hope there will be enough Democratic gains in congress to help ease the way. As well, our foreign allies and partners will also rest easier with her in the White House. The sky may not fall, but the markets have in the last 8 days with the uncertainty of a Trump win. November 9th can't come soon enough - just as long as it gives us the right answer!
(BTW, It finally came in the sixth paragraph - a mention of Rudy Giuliani - our former mayor who more than many deserves your shout-out.)
34
"This surreal, miserable presidential campaign exposed a lot of rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace. Those conditions are related."
Exactly.
"It has exposed a sick Republican Party."
That is only half of it. Rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace is more than rejecting one choice. We did not say that when we rejected Hoover and elected FDR in a landslide. We did not say that when we rejected Goldwater in a landslide.
No, we have rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace because of both parties failing us at the same time.
So what? We still must pick one or the other. It makes a big difference to acknowledge even as we do our disgust with the lack of choice, our sense of failure, the rot in our democracy and our anger.
Why? Because it will shape what follows.
We do not want more of the same from a President.
Nor do we want more of the same from a Congress set to destroy that President even if it means harming us in the process just to defy our election.
We must make clear that we are not happy with the choices forced upon us by money and a broken system. No honeymoon, no matter who is elected. Whoever takes office will do so entering upon a need to win over, to prove, in the face of intense and very well founded distrust.
Exactly.
"It has exposed a sick Republican Party."
That is only half of it. Rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace is more than rejecting one choice. We did not say that when we rejected Hoover and elected FDR in a landslide. We did not say that when we rejected Goldwater in a landslide.
No, we have rot in our democracy’s infrastructure, and anger in the populace because of both parties failing us at the same time.
So what? We still must pick one or the other. It makes a big difference to acknowledge even as we do our disgust with the lack of choice, our sense of failure, the rot in our democracy and our anger.
Why? Because it will shape what follows.
We do not want more of the same from a President.
Nor do we want more of the same from a Congress set to destroy that President even if it means harming us in the process just to defy our election.
We must make clear that we are not happy with the choices forced upon us by money and a broken system. No honeymoon, no matter who is elected. Whoever takes office will do so entering upon a need to win over, to prove, in the face of intense and very well founded distrust.
20
The election of Trump would be a disaster for the whole world, World leaders are worried and scared. They cannot believe that the same nation that elected its first black president just eight years ago would now rush to embrace a man who has offended Mexicans, Muslims and others. The possibility that Trump might actually win fills great swaths of the planet with dread – with the apparent and notable exception of Vladimir Putin’s Russia – with concerns over everything from trade to the nuclear trigger. Donald trump is not going to win, that is a nightmare.
54
You should not care about what the world thinks We are Americans and most of us are damned proud of it.
1
You can thank the democrats and their stupidity for even giving Trump a chance.
It shouldn't be such a surprise, the world has watched as the Republican Parties elected Congress has treated our first black president with disrespect and obstruction for 6 years now. It is the same voters that elected them as the voters for Trump.
4
I wish I could post a photo in this comment section. I have a good one. It's of an American Nazi Party rally in Madison Square Garden in 1940 or '41, just before the U.S. entered WWII. The Garden is packed, and there is a huge banner of George Washington behind the speaker's podium.
It is estimated that in the pre-WWII days about 15 million people, out of a population of about 110(?) million, supported the Nazi cause. There were many groups, including militias. One group plotted to blow up the bridges into Manhattan, and their plot was exposed just in time.
Then, in terms of divisiveness, we should remember a little squabble called the Civil War that took place after the election of 1860.
As a country, we've got a lot of work to do. The people who have been shafted by globalization must be helped. (Ironically, it is the Republicans who are standing in the way of jobs programs, infrastructure repair and so on.)
Fortunately, our history shows that America is up to the task.
It is estimated that in the pre-WWII days about 15 million people, out of a population of about 110(?) million, supported the Nazi cause. There were many groups, including militias. One group plotted to blow up the bridges into Manhattan, and their plot was exposed just in time.
Then, in terms of divisiveness, we should remember a little squabble called the Civil War that took place after the election of 1860.
As a country, we've got a lot of work to do. The people who have been shafted by globalization must be helped. (Ironically, it is the Republicans who are standing in the way of jobs programs, infrastructure repair and so on.)
Fortunately, our history shows that America is up to the task.
149
Donald Trump is a demagogue that was 35 years in the making. This time you better "hope" America is up to the task.
1
A good book to read on American just before WW2 is "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson. I think support for German first came about in the 1930s because Germany owned the US a huge of money. Those in charge at that time wanted to do all kind of things to ensure that Germany would pay their debt. This book was a real eye opener for me.
a comparison between th america of 1941 and th america of today is facile
might as well try to compare current day americans to th founders
It is like some stage set where all the demons from America's past surged forward together -- the white supremacists, the immigrant haters, those suspicious of other religions and especially of Islam, the misogynists, and others -- wearing their costumes and ranting together, Lock her up! They were jubilant at their moment. They felt that they had common cause, and a shared hatred rising to the levels of hysteria. Fact free, delusional.
I don't know what will happen to the country now that so many people have revealed their inner bigots. How can we look at our neighbors the same way, knowing that they really are racists, xenophobes, sexists, and so forth? In the scandal about Paula Deen, one commenter said, "Everyone uses the n word sometime." But we don't. For many of us, it would never be part of our vocabulary. But Trump supporters have a different vocabulary and a different inner identity drawn from a dark past. It does not represent any American values or any 21st century values.
The other revelation was how much trusted institutions could subvert an election and destroy trust - the FBI, the Supreme Court, a major party - to actually support a know-nothing bigoted fascist like Trump with all his antipathy to minorities and women and his absolute lack of qualifications or temperament. Some deep soul searching and house cleaning is in order.
I don't know what will happen to the country now that so many people have revealed their inner bigots. How can we look at our neighbors the same way, knowing that they really are racists, xenophobes, sexists, and so forth? In the scandal about Paula Deen, one commenter said, "Everyone uses the n word sometime." But we don't. For many of us, it would never be part of our vocabulary. But Trump supporters have a different vocabulary and a different inner identity drawn from a dark past. It does not represent any American values or any 21st century values.
The other revelation was how much trusted institutions could subvert an election and destroy trust - the FBI, the Supreme Court, a major party - to actually support a know-nothing bigoted fascist like Trump with all his antipathy to minorities and women and his absolute lack of qualifications or temperament. Some deep soul searching and house cleaning is in order.
165
"The other revelation was how much trusted institutions could subvert an election and destroy trust - the FBI, the Supreme Court, a major party..."
With a candidate like Hillary, the best the Democrats can do is to keep the attention focused on Trump.
With a candidate like Hillary, the best the Democrats can do is to keep the attention focused on Trump.
1
The Republican party as it exists today is a disgrace and needs to be eradicated. They have disqualified themselves from participation in democracy through their anti democratic moves. I anxiously await the formation of a genuine conservative party with real leaders with strength of their convictions, knowing Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and Reince Priebus will not be among them
174
Yes, we need a new party. It is not one off on the right to represent only a few of those Republicans. It is one on the left, to represent the Americans left out by the choices of center right vs far right.
16
"The Republican party as it exists today is a disgrace and needs to be eradicated."
What will you do? Declare them illegal and arrest them? Firing squad at dawn? Would you mind telling me where the angels are in the Democratic Party? You certainly can't point to Hillary, can you?
What will you do? Declare them illegal and arrest them? Firing squad at dawn? Would you mind telling me where the angels are in the Democratic Party? You certainly can't point to Hillary, can you?
3
It's not new; it's called the Democratic Party. Have you taken a wrong turn and got lost?? There's another term you seem to be unfamiliar with; it's called compromise, wherein one learns to work with others toward a common goal. It's also called Adulthood.
4
And the Clintons are not greedy! "Earning " a quarter billion dollars by selling access. They are emblematic of the legalized corruption in the political class.
17
So what? Hillary will still try to get through raising the minimum wage, getting healthcare for all, affordable child care, and do on to help the least fortunate in society.
You don't get extra points for not being greedy but having horrific policy positions.
You don't get extra points for not being greedy but having horrific policy positions.
4
But we can hope Sanders will have some clout with her.
He predicted all this.
"Democracy" USA is Moneyball. He aimed at something higher.
He predicted all this.
"Democracy" USA is Moneyball. He aimed at something higher.
Probably they didn't. And even if they did, no harm, no foul.
1
When you think of Voting, consider the good Democrats have done for our nation..............
1. Franklin Roosevelt saved the nation from the Depression with his public works program after the financial gamblers destroyed our economy in 1929.
2. Roosevelt started the Social Security program that saved the nation's aged from poverty in older years. It is not a handout as Republicans fool you to believe.
3. President Lyndon Johnson brought us the civil rights act that promised equality and opportunity for all and saved the oppressed black population from social slavery.
4. President Clinton oversaw a remarkable rise in our economy that raised the standard of living for all, democrats as well as Republicans, and enriched the nation with greater wealth and low oil prices.
5. President Obama saved the nation from a full blown depression by saving the banks and creating economic stimulus before the Republicans won control of Congress in 2010. Since the great recession, 15.9 new jobs have been created, even better than Bill Clinton's 12 million jobs.
6. The Democrat Congress and President Obama put forth the controversial Affordable Care Act that has undoubtedly saved countless lives that would otherwise have been lost for lack of care. Health care is assured for both Democrats and Republicans.
7. A new Democrat President and Congress will unleash the resources necessary to leverage a new growth of the American economy and all people will prosper irregardless of party.
VOTE!
1. Franklin Roosevelt saved the nation from the Depression with his public works program after the financial gamblers destroyed our economy in 1929.
2. Roosevelt started the Social Security program that saved the nation's aged from poverty in older years. It is not a handout as Republicans fool you to believe.
3. President Lyndon Johnson brought us the civil rights act that promised equality and opportunity for all and saved the oppressed black population from social slavery.
4. President Clinton oversaw a remarkable rise in our economy that raised the standard of living for all, democrats as well as Republicans, and enriched the nation with greater wealth and low oil prices.
5. President Obama saved the nation from a full blown depression by saving the banks and creating economic stimulus before the Republicans won control of Congress in 2010. Since the great recession, 15.9 new jobs have been created, even better than Bill Clinton's 12 million jobs.
6. The Democrat Congress and President Obama put forth the controversial Affordable Care Act that has undoubtedly saved countless lives that would otherwise have been lost for lack of care. Health care is assured for both Democrats and Republicans.
7. A new Democrat President and Congress will unleash the resources necessary to leverage a new growth of the American economy and all people will prosper irregardless of party.
VOTE!
350
Many in the military died defending my freedom and my rights including the right to vote. I will vote because voting is easier than dying.
This thing called Trump must be voted against and Congress changed back to a majority of Democrats.
There was once Hitler and Mussolini and Stalin.................
Now there is Trump and his numerous "Trumped-up" accusations and claims.
I'm heartened by the Hispanic turnout written about tonight. It is only right that those vilified by an evil man be a last minute savior of Americans. How fitting that the Hispanics should be responsible for vanquishing Trump.
Hispanics are His-panics. It was destiny that good should conquer evil.
This thing called Trump must be voted against and Congress changed back to a majority of Democrats.
There was once Hitler and Mussolini and Stalin.................
Now there is Trump and his numerous "Trumped-up" accusations and claims.
I'm heartened by the Hispanic turnout written about tonight. It is only right that those vilified by an evil man be a last minute savior of Americans. How fitting that the Hispanics should be responsible for vanquishing Trump.
Hispanics are His-panics. It was destiny that good should conquer evil.
61
I hope you are right.. and I hope your irony of the Hispanic vote is also correct. It would be an excellent lesson on so many levels.
We surely do not need a sub-human thing in the White House.
We surely do not need a sub-human thing in the White House.
3
After the current electoral travesty, I have one major concern: Will our two-party system survive?
Whatever the outcome, the GOP will be a basket case. It will be largely up to Dr. Ryanstein to suture this self-dismembered monster back together again.
Speaker Ryan, of course, will be the head of the GOP establishment--a leader whom Mr. Trump and his supporters will continue to revile nearly as much as they currently revile Trump's Democratic opponent.
The GOP House "Freedom" Caucus, a group of radical right-wing Republican-Know-Nothings and quasi-nihilists, will still be inclined to destroy their own party rather than to compromise with GOP "moderates"--much less with Democrats.
Is the GOP's condition all that much better in the Senate where current Majority Leader McConnell so often confronts obstructive opposition from House "Freedom" Caucus ally, Ted Cruz.
The establishment vs. the troglodyte base, Ryan vs. the Luddite Freedom Caucus, McConnel vs. Cruz, Trump and his followers vs. factual reality--can a party in such shambles re-collect itself and continue to shamble on?
Can gerrymandering, voter suppression, the ministrations of Dr. Ryanstein, the donations of billionaire oligarchs, one-or-two issue white fundamentalist Christian voters, uninformed white working-class voters, and thwarted Trump supporters--can all of these forces converge to re-build anything resembling a major American political party?
Whatever the outcome, the GOP will be a basket case. It will be largely up to Dr. Ryanstein to suture this self-dismembered monster back together again.
Speaker Ryan, of course, will be the head of the GOP establishment--a leader whom Mr. Trump and his supporters will continue to revile nearly as much as they currently revile Trump's Democratic opponent.
The GOP House "Freedom" Caucus, a group of radical right-wing Republican-Know-Nothings and quasi-nihilists, will still be inclined to destroy their own party rather than to compromise with GOP "moderates"--much less with Democrats.
Is the GOP's condition all that much better in the Senate where current Majority Leader McConnell so often confronts obstructive opposition from House "Freedom" Caucus ally, Ted Cruz.
The establishment vs. the troglodyte base, Ryan vs. the Luddite Freedom Caucus, McConnel vs. Cruz, Trump and his followers vs. factual reality--can a party in such shambles re-collect itself and continue to shamble on?
Can gerrymandering, voter suppression, the ministrations of Dr. Ryanstein, the donations of billionaire oligarchs, one-or-two issue white fundamentalist Christian voters, uninformed white working-class voters, and thwarted Trump supporters--can all of these forces converge to re-build anything resembling a major American political party?
17
Two parties is structural. These two parties is not. In fact these two have both failed, and two new ones are likely, as in 1856, when all of the factions reorganized into two new alignments.
3
The likeness, in every respect, between D.J. Trump and Benito Mussolini would be (sort-of) amusing, if it weren't so depressing. Two preposterous buffoons, unfathomably egotistical, abysmally ignorant, utterly vulgar, intellectually vacuous, a century or so appart, seeking glory by exploiting the poor and the despondent for whom they could not care less. History has taught us nothing. As Andrew Sullivan described it: "We are living a fascist moment".
"SAD!" as you-know-who would say...
"SAD!" as you-know-who would say...
41
Imagining an America with a President Trump is very hard to do. Let’s hope this nightmare comes to an end on November 9th. We deserve better and the world expects us to do better than “electing an ignorant and reckless tyrant.”
38
This Tuesday, we will witness not only an election, but an allegory. The race between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump is not a competition of platforms, but of decency vs. indecency. There is no middle ground here for those feckless Republicans who have neither the political nor the personal courage to sever ties with Trump. Either one endorses Trump with his bigotry, sexism, greed, dictatorial ways, lies and fear-mongering, or one disavows him completely.
And, as in the ages-old parables, immorality will live on with morality after Nov. 09th. But a Clinton win will demonstrate a victory for respect, responsibility, decency, inclusiveness and hope.
And, as in the ages-old parables, immorality will live on with morality after Nov. 09th. But a Clinton win will demonstrate a victory for respect, responsibility, decency, inclusiveness and hope.
57
That was probably the most powerful, no holds barred editorial I've read in the New York Times. Kudos ladies and gentlemen.
And I am so glad you named names. "Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio — weaklings all."
And I am so glad you named names. "Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio — weaklings all."
91
Bill as the first, first husband, epic.
14
Bill as "First Dude". Has a good ring to it.
2
My daughter and I have agreed that we should call Bill the First Dude or the First Guy. I suspect he will be called the First Gentleman. Either way, we have a problem.
We call the President POTUS and the First Lady FLOTUS. Where does that leave us with Bill???
We call the President POTUS and the First Lady FLOTUS. Where does that leave us with Bill???
I wish this had been on the front page a year ago.
63
Thanks NYT! Hopefully we can raise above partisanship and do what is right for the nation and national fabric. As one of your readers indicates, the fact that close to 50% of people support the Republican politics demonstrates the decline in American politics; when partisan politics is put ahead of the nation. Agreed, the choices in this race are not the greatest, but its time to put the nation ahead of politics. The Republican nominee has made this election an x-rated discourse and its surprising the the party of "holy than thou" and Jesus and its leaders are standing by him!! Time to get ride of the hypocrites!
35
Let's just defeat this egotistical buffoon and never have to hear the name Trump again.
He is such a dispicable excuse for a human being. He should never be in any position of public trust.
I voted for Hillary Clinton. Please join me and let's get on with our lives.
He is such a dispicable excuse for a human being. He should never be in any position of public trust.
I voted for Hillary Clinton. Please join me and let's get on with our lives.
286
"I voted for Hillary Clinton."
What a paragon of virtue she is, right?
What a paragon of virtue she is, right?
2
As Garry Kasparov wrote in last Sunday's NY Times Op-Ed, "America, Your Election Is Not Rigged":
"A democracy is as strong as its people believe it to be. It cannot be destroyed from the outside, only from within."
A vote for a naked authoritarian like Trump is a vote to destroy our democracy.
America doesn't need a strongman or a dictator, but rather an educated, informed electorate.
Every problem we face can be easily solved once our electorate becomes more capable of rising to meeting the intellectual challenges of their times. We have met the enemy, and it is us - or at least some of us.
The people of a democracy are either the tie that binds or its weakest link. Donald Trump is counting on you to be that weakest link.
Break his oligarchic heart!
"A democracy is as strong as its people believe it to be. It cannot be destroyed from the outside, only from within."
A vote for a naked authoritarian like Trump is a vote to destroy our democracy.
America doesn't need a strongman or a dictator, but rather an educated, informed electorate.
Every problem we face can be easily solved once our electorate becomes more capable of rising to meeting the intellectual challenges of their times. We have met the enemy, and it is us - or at least some of us.
The people of a democracy are either the tie that binds or its weakest link. Donald Trump is counting on you to be that weakest link.
Break his oligarchic heart!
54
If Hillary Clinton is elected president, but does not get a Democratic Senate, there will be slow motion undoing of her administration with the impeachment as the main focus of congress. The federal government will grind to a halt. the republicans will refuse to seat SCOTUS justices and we will see continued threats and brinksmenship over the debt ceiling debt ceiling by the republicans.
If Trump becomes president.It will mean a republican congress who's main focus is tax cuts and deregulation. With no one to rein in their worst impulses the economy will crash sooner or later. Climate changes will continue unchecked and the droughts and crop failures will become more frequent. Our allies will begin to go their own ways,because a Trump administration will be too unpredictable. Should this country find itself in a conflict, we will not be able to count on our allies.
When all this occurs, we will look for more scapegoats foreign and domestic. Nothing will be sacred or safe.
That's the best case senario.
If Trump becomes president.It will mean a republican congress who's main focus is tax cuts and deregulation. With no one to rein in their worst impulses the economy will crash sooner or later. Climate changes will continue unchecked and the droughts and crop failures will become more frequent. Our allies will begin to go their own ways,because a Trump administration will be too unpredictable. Should this country find itself in a conflict, we will not be able to count on our allies.
When all this occurs, we will look for more scapegoats foreign and domestic. Nothing will be sacred or safe.
That's the best case senario.
90
"That's the best case senario." No, it is not. It may be the best you can imagine...
2
Somehow the New York Times, and the rest of educated, nice, freaked-out America, is still caught in the grips of the notion that if only Trump is rejected and Hillary is elected, everybody will sigh with relief and go back to telling the rest of the world that American Democracy is the absolute best model of governance, and to feeding cookies to nice Ukrainian protesters.
No, only rejecting Trump will not have the salutary effect of restoring America to the nation of who you are and the good you can do, anymore than only not drinking this next shot of bourbon will not have the salutary effect of propelling an alcoholic back to good health and civic status. At a bare minimum, admit that the so-called "democrats" should abandon wishing that everybody outside Greenwich Village and The Marina should simply turn into a version of theme park for college students' safari-style volunteering missions. And that if tomorrow the Republican party collectively drowned itself in the Missouri River, the liberated Democrats would make America Great Again overnight.
This is no business as usual and a Hillary win itself will not be the painfully-desired catharsis.
No, only rejecting Trump will not have the salutary effect of restoring America to the nation of who you are and the good you can do, anymore than only not drinking this next shot of bourbon will not have the salutary effect of propelling an alcoholic back to good health and civic status. At a bare minimum, admit that the so-called "democrats" should abandon wishing that everybody outside Greenwich Village and The Marina should simply turn into a version of theme park for college students' safari-style volunteering missions. And that if tomorrow the Republican party collectively drowned itself in the Missouri River, the liberated Democrats would make America Great Again overnight.
This is no business as usual and a Hillary win itself will not be the painfully-desired catharsis.
14
True - and a Trump win would not be the necessary cleansing catastrophe... These two candidates and the campaigns they have run are the personification of the pointless nation we have all agreed - actively or tacitly - to become.
1
No, but it is a darned good start.
2
HILLARY Will be a highly qualified, effective president, given her long years of public service. Her record in the Senate is the most direct indicator of her ability to work hard and across the aisle. She was very well regarded by her colleagues there, as she worked very well with GOP members. Her achievements as Secretary of State were outstanding, as she helped to rebuild the status of the US among the community of nations. Chainy Dubya had wrecked our credibility globally. Hillary worked to rebuild the US based on her 8 years as a First Lady popular with world leaders. She has always been very well connected. Hillary has a formidable command of the levers of power, especially since she service as attorney on the Watergate Committee, where her work was most likely instrumental in laying the legal groundwork for moving Nixon toward resignation. I believe that when Bill was elected, those who bore grudges against Hillary though, Now let's see how you like it when we go after Bill. Indeed there has been a great conspiracy by the minions of a right wing cabal against her. We just have to survive the bedlam of the last few days before the election--no mean feat. Though underneath it all, I know that Hillary will be elected, the cacophony in the media is terrifying as well as deafening. A final word: GIVE TRUMP PRECISELY WHAT HE ASKED FOR! VOTE FOR HIM ON 11/28! Meanwhile, let us get on with the business of resolving the problems that face the nation. GO HILLARY!
34
She works well with Gop senate members? Is that good or bad for the public interest? Yes, she's smart, yes, long experienced, and and long a target of rw cabals. But I still haven't seen a list of her actual, concrete achievements. Really. And as a young staff member on the Water gate committee, was she really instrumental in bringing down NIxon?
Btw, how's your health insurance? Quite affordable for you, I'd imagine.
Btw, how's your health insurance? Quite affordable for you, I'd imagine.
2
This election has revealed a lot of ugliness about our country that has been hidden. Sadly as a result we've lost our credibility and standing in the world. One of the beautiful things about America is the ability to rebuild after our failures.
We always seem to produce the leadership we need just when we need them to keep us moving forward. Obama gave us hope when we needed it. Now we need someone who is capable of working with those who have opposing views even in the face of failure.
I came of age just as the Clintons were pushing for universal health care. I remember hillarycare as the health security act was nicknamed. When it failed she didn't give up, she came up with plan B. Now thanks to the children's health insurance program low income children are able to get health insurance which benefits millions of children even today.
We can choose to focus on our problems or we can choose to view the issues that this election has revealed as opportunities. If you look at Hillary's campaign page she has that mindset and solutions to our most pressing issues.
We always seem to produce the leadership we need just when we need them to keep us moving forward. Obama gave us hope when we needed it. Now we need someone who is capable of working with those who have opposing views even in the face of failure.
I came of age just as the Clintons were pushing for universal health care. I remember hillarycare as the health security act was nicknamed. When it failed she didn't give up, she came up with plan B. Now thanks to the children's health insurance program low income children are able to get health insurance which benefits millions of children even today.
We can choose to focus on our problems or we can choose to view the issues that this election has revealed as opportunities. If you look at Hillary's campaign page she has that mindset and solutions to our most pressing issues.
196
"We always seem to produce the leadership we need just when we need them to keep us moving forward."
True. That is the hope for next time.
True. That is the hope for next time.
5
Thank God for the young,the women, and the minorities of the United States of America. If the the white men have their way on Nov 8th, we are all doomed
531
Hey, I'm a white man, and I've already voted against Trump (as has my wife). I know plenty of white men, and they are all horrified by the prospect of Trump getting anywhere near the White House.
Lots of white men are stupid and bigoted, but not all. And there are "Trump Women." How do you explain that?
Let's not make this about gender and ethnicity. That's what Trump is trying to do.
Lots of white men are stupid and bigoted, but not all. And there are "Trump Women." How do you explain that?
Let's not make this about gender and ethnicity. That's what Trump is trying to do.
46
Mark, it was the white men who invented the telephone, the airplane, and the internet. And, it was white men who wrote our constitution.
And no, I am not a white man but fair is fair.
I fully understand their anger and their frustration.
And no, I am not a white man but fair is fair.
I fully understand their anger and their frustration.
5
I'm a white man, and I voted Hillary. Don't generalize.
3
Trump is an anomaly in one sense--a media-savvy but politically naive huckster--but he is also the logical culmination of the GOP's decades-long cultivation of the worst human instincts. Would that Republican politicians could see themselves at last in their creation and resolve to remake themselves in another image. But as you say, there's little chance of that, at least during a Clinton administration.
39
The sickening stench of this election was created solely by Mr. Trump.
Let's be absolutely perfectly clear.
Let's be absolutely perfectly clear.
515
Wrong. The sickening stench is far more pervasive.
4
I agree that Trump's intemperate tone, his brazen lies and his willingness to treat his opponents as enemies has created a stench that rivals that of the George Wallace campaign. But that campaign was the last gasp of blatant de lure segregation and racism, soon to be replaced by "the Southern strategy." This campaign seems to be breathing new life into a more overtly racist and xenophobic view of the world.
9
David Henry, Trump had plenty of help with the stench, from Republican office-holders, from the relentless badgering in Congress, from the bumbling (or was it?) FBI Director, and from the Press and Media, who permitted themselves to be manipulated.
5
Beautiful editorial. This election cycle has been a true Profiles in Cowardice among GOP leaders. The only way they can justify their support of the orange menace is to falsely demonize Ms Clinton in the most crazy, caricature-like manner. I have to admit feeling sad as i write this - sad that there are so many millions of terribly frightening people in this great country who are filled with racist and sexist venom that spews out at any Trump rally they attend. I'm scared for myself and my daughters for being women, I'm scared for people of color, for religious minorities. I'm scared for all of us "others" that we will end up at the wrong place at the wrong time with one of these gun loving, angry trump supporters. And most of all - I'm angry, too! White men don't have the monopoly on getting to be angry. I'm angry that mainstream media has deemed male Christian voters the most significant group that the candidates must speak to. What about my anger? im angry I earn less for the same work than my male colleagues. I'm angry 30% of my salary goes to childcare. I'm angry that school shootings are a semi-annual occurrence. I'm angry too. On Tuesday hear me and the millions of women and the men who love us ROAR!!
421
I dread imagining beyond Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
I find everything about this entire nearly two-year presidential election cycle to be deeply troubling.
How could it be otherwise within a "democracy" wherein, thanks to the Citizens United decision, the influence of money in politics is virtually unregulated? How could it be otherwise: When "corporations are legal persons" and money is just another mode of free speech? When any attempt to limit the length of the campaign season is deemed a threat to the aforementioned freedom? When politicians must devote at least one-third of their time begging donors to fund their next campaign and must start doing so before the exhilaration of their latest electoral victories has scarcely subsided? When so many politicians rely heavily upon gerrymandering and voter suppression to keep themselves in office? When reform efforts within the Federal Election Commission, like so much else within our political system, are stymied by partisan obstructionism?
Our mode of "democratic" electioneering, by all reflective devotees of the democratic spirit and its promise, must be viewed with dismay.
What I really dread is that, in a little more than 2 years, this ludicrous, costly, thoughtless and protracted "entertainment" will once again be foisted upon us.
We are indeed amusing ourselves to death.
We have become, in the world's eyes, a laughingstock "dimocracy", not a model democracy.
I find everything about this entire nearly two-year presidential election cycle to be deeply troubling.
How could it be otherwise within a "democracy" wherein, thanks to the Citizens United decision, the influence of money in politics is virtually unregulated? How could it be otherwise: When "corporations are legal persons" and money is just another mode of free speech? When any attempt to limit the length of the campaign season is deemed a threat to the aforementioned freedom? When politicians must devote at least one-third of their time begging donors to fund their next campaign and must start doing so before the exhilaration of their latest electoral victories has scarcely subsided? When so many politicians rely heavily upon gerrymandering and voter suppression to keep themselves in office? When reform efforts within the Federal Election Commission, like so much else within our political system, are stymied by partisan obstructionism?
Our mode of "democratic" electioneering, by all reflective devotees of the democratic spirit and its promise, must be viewed with dismay.
What I really dread is that, in a little more than 2 years, this ludicrous, costly, thoughtless and protracted "entertainment" will once again be foisted upon us.
We are indeed amusing ourselves to death.
We have become, in the world's eyes, a laughingstock "dimocracy", not a model democracy.
106
"How could it be otherwise within a "democracy" wherein, thanks to the Citizens United decision, the influence of money in politics is virtually unregulated? "
It is Hillary who has garnered most of the unregulated money.
It is Hillary who has garnered most of the unregulated money.
1
Sadly, I agree with you. We are a laughingstock, indeed.
I hope John Roberts and his treasonous co-horts, Alito, Kennedy and Thomas, are proud of what their ignorant decisions in Citizen's United, McCutcheon, and the gutting of the VRA have accomplished.
I hope John Roberts and his treasonous co-horts, Alito, Kennedy and Thomas, are proud of what their ignorant decisions in Citizen's United, McCutcheon, and the gutting of the VRA have accomplished.
5
Its the Republicans who have created and set the rules of our big money politics--Democrats have to play to win office.
3
"Save the foundations, clear the mess," but I wonder if the foundations of our democracy—the presidency, the congress, supreme court, political parties, free press, law enforcement and more—have been irreparably damaged by the lies and half truths, the deluge of dark money, and incivility of this ruthless campaign? If so, how do we build new institutions for a 21st century global community and perhaps resuscitate the embers of humanism that sparked the Enlightenment's project of the United States. As a very young black girl watching the fights equal rights, civil rights, and anti-war efforts to forge a new equitable society in the 60s, I am stunned that this is the world that optimism made.
89
To 'resuscitate the embers of humanism' we need to start with obvious antidote of public financing of our elections, with sharp limits on private donations---like most other nations do.
Other democracies keep their corruption illegal, while our Court has legalized it, pretending money is 'free speech'.
Contradicting this is the 1st basis for any reform to progress. Our branches and foundations are all infected, because once elite mega donors sponsor and set the standards for elections financing, nobody can be quarantined.
Other democracies keep their corruption illegal, while our Court has legalized it, pretending money is 'free speech'.
Contradicting this is the 1st basis for any reform to progress. Our branches and foundations are all infected, because once elite mega donors sponsor and set the standards for elections financing, nobody can be quarantined.
12
I grew up during the Cold War. And the scariest time that I recall in world events was the Cuban Missile Crisis some 54 years ago. My frequent thought at the time was how could it possibly come to this, in a world populated by an overwhelming majority of sane people? I do not exaggerate in saying that this
election has me thinking the same thoughts.
election has me thinking the same thoughts.
250
This is an appropriate analogy for those who lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis. The thought of nuclear missiles at the ready and 90 miles from our shore. The thought send shudders.
And so does even the remote possibility of a Trump presidency.
And so does even the remote possibility of a Trump presidency.
21
I think the answer rests in a possibly faulty premise in your question...
That solution required thought and compromise; the USA removed nuclear missiles from Turkey in return for removal of missiles from Cuba. The bargain worked and a lot of ashes were avoided. Could Trump think and compromise? His own words leave me with a taste of ashes.
4
Trump supporters will not be rioting in the streets next week when he is soundly defeated by Mrs. Clinton. They will be at home watching Fox News, searching hard for signs that someone else, somewhere is rioting in the streets.
Sean Hannity and Mayor Giuliani will hint broadly that large numbers of deceased black people and Mexicans voted for Hillary.
The Clintons and Obamas will be excoriated. The N-word and the B-word will be heard everywhere with the possible exception of the Weather Channel.
Ammunition sales will skyrocket. The NRA will announce a massive fundraising campaign to protect the Second Amendment.
The Trump children will say that they are proud of their father for saying what needed to be said.
Kellyanne Conway will be asked whether she is proud of her guy and, of course, she will answer, “Of course.”
Breitbart News will feature stories suggesting that the voting machines were hacked by agents of the Mossad.
Drudge will report that Martians strongly resembling Hillary have been spotted in the Mojave Desert.
Trump will appear at a rally next week looking strangely serene. Asked whether he will run again, all he will say is that he is “considering his options.” A few months from now he will announce the formation of a new political party to be called Trump For President In 2020 Or Before.
Putin will invite Trump to Moscow for "consultations." A tentative meeting date will be set for January.
Life will go on pretty much as usual. It will rain.
Sean Hannity and Mayor Giuliani will hint broadly that large numbers of deceased black people and Mexicans voted for Hillary.
The Clintons and Obamas will be excoriated. The N-word and the B-word will be heard everywhere with the possible exception of the Weather Channel.
Ammunition sales will skyrocket. The NRA will announce a massive fundraising campaign to protect the Second Amendment.
The Trump children will say that they are proud of their father for saying what needed to be said.
Kellyanne Conway will be asked whether she is proud of her guy and, of course, she will answer, “Of course.”
Breitbart News will feature stories suggesting that the voting machines were hacked by agents of the Mossad.
Drudge will report that Martians strongly resembling Hillary have been spotted in the Mojave Desert.
Trump will appear at a rally next week looking strangely serene. Asked whether he will run again, all he will say is that he is “considering his options.” A few months from now he will announce the formation of a new political party to be called Trump For President In 2020 Or Before.
Putin will invite Trump to Moscow for "consultations." A tentative meeting date will be set for January.
Life will go on pretty much as usual. It will rain.
260
Great commentary
1
Hoping it will rain in Southern California and looking forward to the inauguration in January!! I'm with her!
2
Let's not forget that the New York FBI office is out of control in their attempt to undermine our democracy by picking our next president. They think they are the Roman Praetorean Guard picking the next emperor, in this case the American Nero, Trump.
437
Apparently, our wondering whether the election is rigged is now known. It isn't the voting that's rigged at the polls. The F.B.I. feeds the public fuel to generate scandal that sways millions of voters in their minds.
8
Do you have any evidence, Mr. Boyajian that would be admissible in court to substantiate your accusation of treason?
If not, sir, you are guilty of gross hyperbole with your rant.
If not, sir, you are guilty of gross hyperbole with your rant.
6
The entire FBI is out of control its Chairman Comey working hand and hand with Assange hiding in Russia to undermine the voting process however insufficient the candidates are.
6
Trump and his supporters broke through the Republican establishment and they are in the process of breaking through the Democratic establishment, which is even larger now. We will need to 'confront the conditions that spawned' this immense, political-corporate-media complex. After the smoke clears and justice has taken its course, many people writing here, especially at this paper, may have an opportunity for personal growth. Please pardon my immodesty, but most of us who had predicted the rise of Bernie and Trump more than a year ago now believe that Hillary had engaged in genuinely criminal activity and will be indicted (despite the considerable forces supporting her now). EVERYONE should review their written comments from last year, here and elsewhere, before they make a final decision and vote.
13
And what would be this "criminal behavior"? You can't even name it because it doesn't exist. Don't congratulate yourself for predictions that have come true only in your mind.
22
Whatever you might believe, there is zero evidence to support it. In case I'm unclear that's zero as in none, zed, nil, nada.
5
Speak for yourself.
I supported Bernie, but now support Hillary without reservation.
Republicans Chaffetz, Gowdy, Issa and others have been abusing their offices, waging outright war against the Democratic Party in general and Hillary Clinton in particular -- war including propaganda and star-chamber hearings.
Hillary Clinton's use of emails began when there were little-to-no State Department rules regarding email, State Department support for email was primitive and government-employee use of commercial email was rife. Commercial email servers like those used by SOS Colin Powell were private (nongovernmental).
Trump has mastered the art of purposefully breaking ethics and the law and getting away with it.
I supported Bernie, but now support Hillary without reservation.
Republicans Chaffetz, Gowdy, Issa and others have been abusing their offices, waging outright war against the Democratic Party in general and Hillary Clinton in particular -- war including propaganda and star-chamber hearings.
Hillary Clinton's use of emails began when there were little-to-no State Department rules regarding email, State Department support for email was primitive and government-employee use of commercial email was rife. Commercial email servers like those used by SOS Colin Powell were private (nongovernmental).
Trump has mastered the art of purposefully breaking ethics and the law and getting away with it.
10
The main plan should be to address the wealth disparity in this country which is now worse than it was in the gilded age. Everyday people have been left behind by the politicians who have been bought by the investor class for the pittance of campaign cash. Money out of politics and a return to the taxation rates of the day Ronald Reagan entered office would do wonders.
38
Great comment. Addressing income inequality, underemployment and wage stagnation would be the best medicine for moving America forward.
12
Shelter from the storm ... yes, DT is a danger, bully, buffoon, con man. But after a billion dollar campaign, celebs galore, endless events, HRC is only 1% ahead. Go figure.
We Dems picked the wrong candidate.
We Dems picked the wrong candidate.
22
Darn right that the Dems picked the wrong candidate. With substantial direction from party elites, the Democratic National Committee and the mainstream media.
I've voted for HRC, and ardently hope that she is elected to prevent the disaster that is Trump. But she's widely distrusted and disliked. Another Democratic candidate would likely be cruising to victory.
I've voted for HRC, and ardently hope that she is elected to prevent the disaster that is Trump. But she's widely distrusted and disliked. Another Democratic candidate would likely be cruising to victory.
9
Sorry, Berner. You're looking at the wrong side of the equation. Drumpf and what the Republicans have spawned are the problem, not Hillary.
6
Like the song goes, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you may find, you get what you need."
6
Thank you so much, NY Times. Somehow, amidst all the countless writings, this editorial really said it all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, as an American.
139
I am trying to imagine life after the election
Of course I will be elated when and if Hillary wins. If for some reason Trump wins, the economy will plummet quickly. I along with many others will cringe seeing Trump in the,White House, waiting for God knows what to come out of his mouth. If Hillary is our first female President, we can all relax, sit back and know America is safe for now.
Of course I will be elated when and if Hillary wins. If for some reason Trump wins, the economy will plummet quickly. I along with many others will cringe seeing Trump in the,White House, waiting for God knows what to come out of his mouth. If Hillary is our first female President, we can all relax, sit back and know America is safe for now.
48
If Hillary is our first female president--and I sincerely hope she trounces the orange one so thoroughly he never recovers--there won't be any relaxing. We can all sit back and watch another 4--8 years of republican hysteria and obstructionism. I'm sure it will be even worse than it has been with President Obama, since they have had a 25 year head start in demonizing Mrs. Clinton for absolutely everything she does.
5
Saw a Norwegian movie last night, a true story, where a scientist and small group of resistance joined British forces to stop Nazi attempt to create a atomic bomb in Norway during the German invasion. Said to my friend, we may wake up on Nov. 9th and have to make some of the same decisions. Those, especially intelligent voters, who think they should write in other names, or think their vote does not matter - please think carefully. Think beyond your comfortable lifestyle and see those who have already suffered because of previous administrations uncaring rulings. Think about President Obama who had to endure 8 years of being demeaned by Republicans, daily, just because he had an African family, and without being able to see his many assets. Think about women who have been 2nd class citizens in this country in many ways including unequal salaries. Think about Latinos who have lived in fear of being deported while most work and pay their taxes. Think about Native Americans who formerly were 500 nations now reduced in many cases to living on reservations. Think about years after Selma African Americans are again being the simple right to vote as the lady, 100 yrs old in NC, until a judge stopped it. Think about Bernie's truth that many billionaires, and millionaires, especially in the Republican Party, are deliberately attempting to decimate the Middle Class by enacting laws that are harmful.
If you think about all of this, you will vote for the Democratic candidate Tuesday.
If you think about all of this, you will vote for the Democratic candidate Tuesday.
297
+++++>
I'm not the biggest HRC fan. She's a little too center-right for me, but she has been treated extremely unfairly by the press/media with its inane false balance theorem.
Hillary by all accounts of both Republican and Dem Senate colleagues, all say she is nice, smart, prepared for whatever task is at hand etc..., yet she has been falsely betrayed has satan reincarnated. Now, I expect this from the GOP, but the press is almost just as guilty. The press repeatedly says she not trusted etc....which becomes self fulfilling rhetoric. She has been ahead in all the polls from the start, somebody must trust her.
And if it wasn't emails they'd have found something else. The false balance theorem demands it. If you say something critical of A you must say something critical of B... Just a bunch of nonsense.
The media with their quest for ratings and $$$ has been shameful with this election.
Thank the Gods I have no kids to leave this mess to.
I'm not the biggest HRC fan. She's a little too center-right for me, but she has been treated extremely unfairly by the press/media with its inane false balance theorem.
Hillary by all accounts of both Republican and Dem Senate colleagues, all say she is nice, smart, prepared for whatever task is at hand etc..., yet she has been falsely betrayed has satan reincarnated. Now, I expect this from the GOP, but the press is almost just as guilty. The press repeatedly says she not trusted etc....which becomes self fulfilling rhetoric. She has been ahead in all the polls from the start, somebody must trust her.
And if it wasn't emails they'd have found something else. The false balance theorem demands it. If you say something critical of A you must say something critical of B... Just a bunch of nonsense.
The media with their quest for ratings and $$$ has been shameful with this election.
Thank the Gods I have no kids to leave this mess to.
389
The distrust issue is just the cover. It is the "she is the status quo candidate" that prevents her from having more support from her own party. "She's corrupt" is the condemnation from the other party. Lets be truthful here. The Obama administration has been the least transparent in current times, more so than even Bush 43. And Clinton is just as secretive, which only provides more reason to suspect that she is hiding something. We needed an inspirational candidate that was not afraid to be closely examined and was not afraid to be transparent, and we almost had one.
1
@ Ed
"Almost" is only good in hand-grenades and atom bombs.
Oh boy! I assume you mean Bernie. I'd rather have Bernie too, but Trump and the GOP would have wiped the floor with him. HRC couldn't attack him because she did not want to alienate his supporters. Bernie was treated with kid gloves by HRC, the press, and the GOP. As to the GOP that would have ended the second he became the nominee. You live in the US not NW Europe.
There is a choice to be made, a quite easy one for rational minds, and Bernie is not part of that choice. This is the world that came to be; the past is gone.
“Did you perhaps imagine that the world was made for your benefit?”
Leopardi
"Almost" is only good in hand-grenades and atom bombs.
Oh boy! I assume you mean Bernie. I'd rather have Bernie too, but Trump and the GOP would have wiped the floor with him. HRC couldn't attack him because she did not want to alienate his supporters. Bernie was treated with kid gloves by HRC, the press, and the GOP. As to the GOP that would have ended the second he became the nominee. You live in the US not NW Europe.
There is a choice to be made, a quite easy one for rational minds, and Bernie is not part of that choice. This is the world that came to be; the past is gone.
“Did you perhaps imagine that the world was made for your benefit?”
Leopardi
6
I don't see it that way. I think a Trump Presidency is exactly what this country needs to finally unite us. Our inept and defunct two party system has failed- so much so- a lunatic outsider was able to exploit gaps in both sides and assemble a formidable opposition party- SUCH AS OUR CONSTITUTION ALLOWS! Trump can be elected- but it is now up to ALL of us to ensure his role and power falls within the parameters of our Democracy. This may in fact be the very cause needed to inspire both Republican and Democrats to work together and stave off this potentially rogue Presidency. In simple terms, it's high time Congress in both houses get off their behinds and start working together instead of wasting their time in office with useless partisan bickering. Trump couldn't have come at a better time and his Presidency will be the true test of "checks and balances" in our Democracy. Let him win- I'm not afraid. In fact, I relish the challenges ahead- BIGLY
4
Surely you are joking. Trump might be the proverbial Molotov cocktail to throw into the system, but instead of burning the house down he will take out a whole neighborhood. It will take a generation to recover from the wreckage. Is it worth it?
14
whistling past the graveyard, son.
6
Aaron-- it will not turn out as you expect--look at history.
3
Brilliant! The Editorial Board has explained the realities and consequences of the 2016 election and Donald Trump succinctly. I proudly cast my vote for Hillary Clinton. I hope for civility in the public discourse, the spirit of compromise in every level of politics and government. Perhaps we will learn from this terrible, abusive, and divisive spectacle forced upon us by Donald Trump. Yes we can? Yes we must!
291
@Henry
I disagree. Once Trump is elected, marginalized by BOTH parties and left to rot out his term or possibly impeached- then we can say we have won and actually learned something from the experience. If Hillary wins- get ready for 4 years of intransigent politics and the preparation of somebody more emboldened [worse] than Donald. That is a battle we may not win. Better to get a low level clown in now and prove to the American people it doesn't work.
I disagree. Once Trump is elected, marginalized by BOTH parties and left to rot out his term or possibly impeached- then we can say we have won and actually learned something from the experience. If Hillary wins- get ready for 4 years of intransigent politics and the preparation of somebody more emboldened [worse] than Donald. That is a battle we may not win. Better to get a low level clown in now and prove to the American people it doesn't work.
1
Henry Schissler, I share your hope fundamental as it is to the working of our republic. But if the President has to work with the sniveling likes of McConnell and Ryan, little positive can result.
3
Trump would indeed be a disappointment to his fans if he got to the White House. For whatever reason, they seem to believe that he and he alone (Congress can take a long vacation) can fix all that they don't like.
That said, I'm not sure how anyone can fix what ails them for many of them seem to want to drive the country back about 50 years - lots of good paying factory jobs aren't coming back unless we undo automation and computerization. The desire expressed in a front page article today to have Christianity taught in the public schools would never pass SCOTUS muster, no matter how much those folks proclaim that this is "a Christian country." Nor are women going to return to playing second fiddle in the work place. The clock cannot be turned back.
That said, I'm not sure how anyone can fix what ails them for many of them seem to want to drive the country back about 50 years - lots of good paying factory jobs aren't coming back unless we undo automation and computerization. The desire expressed in a front page article today to have Christianity taught in the public schools would never pass SCOTUS muster, no matter how much those folks proclaim that this is "a Christian country." Nor are women going to return to playing second fiddle in the work place. The clock cannot be turned back.
450
And those supporters will be just a little bit surprised that, like Clinton's backside, Trump is not really impressed with them. Nothing that would have any positive effect on their lives is of the slightest interest to him and would be manifestly counter to his slimy business practices.
6
Is there a way to bring the concepts of the 18th century Enlightenment to the aattention and respect of the American people? The "Christianity" of Mike Pence, for example, would likely have been anathema to the Founding Fathers, who were very strict about no established religion.
4
I think we could have good factory jobs again; we still make some things in the United States. I wish we could buy again American-made clothing, sheets, towels. I remember buying Wamsutta towels, thick and soft, sheets that were cool and smooth and lasted a long time. Why couldn't we do that again? We could; we should. There could be a lot of satisfaction in making our own again.
2
Thank you NYT for stating the stark truth and the danger we all face. It's been said so many times, the detail of the sick unchristian hatred that has possessed those who regard themselves as dispossessed. Hillary offers solutions, if only people had ears to hear. If you don't want to watch a world market crash, the choice is clear. Trump is a dangerous man who lacks conscience or maturity, unable to think or count consequences in his selfish quest for his gold throne.
Meanwhile, it's been said so many times I'm going to offer something completely (but not exactly) off topic, some food for thought:
"Humanity is not an aggregate of individuals, a community of thinkers, each of whom is guaranteed from the outset to be able to reach agreement with the others because all participate in the same thinking essence. Nor, of course, is it a single Being in which the multiplicity of individuals are dissolved and into which these individuals are destined to be reabsorbed. As a matter of principle, humanity is precarious: each person can only believe what he recognizes to be true internally and, at the same time, nobody thinks or makes up his mind without already being caught up in certain relationships with others, which leads him to opt for a particular set of opinions. Everyone is alone and yet nobody can do without other people, not just because they are useful (which is not in dispute here) but also when it comes to happiness.”
― Maurice Merleau-Ponty, The World of Perception
Meanwhile, it's been said so many times I'm going to offer something completely (but not exactly) off topic, some food for thought:
"Humanity is not an aggregate of individuals, a community of thinkers, each of whom is guaranteed from the outset to be able to reach agreement with the others because all participate in the same thinking essence. Nor, of course, is it a single Being in which the multiplicity of individuals are dissolved and into which these individuals are destined to be reabsorbed. As a matter of principle, humanity is precarious: each person can only believe what he recognizes to be true internally and, at the same time, nobody thinks or makes up his mind without already being caught up in certain relationships with others, which leads him to opt for a particular set of opinions. Everyone is alone and yet nobody can do without other people, not just because they are useful (which is not in dispute here) but also when it comes to happiness.”
― Maurice Merleau-Ponty, The World of Perception
44
What scares me most are the masses of people that support Trump. He is a reflection of the decline of America. Not economic decline, or military decline, but moral decline. He represents the rise of "as long as I get mine, I don't care what happens to you. If you lose, that's your problem, don't make it mine." That's not my America.
When I see Trump at his rallies and the thousands that scream these horrible, hateful chants, I can't help but think of my father and uncle.
They both fought in WWII. My uncle fought in Germany in many great battles. Never said a word about it. My father fought in the Philippines. Never said a word about it. I cannot imagine what they endured, what horrors they saw. They along with millions of others went through sheer hell to protect our nation and the entire world from the scourge of hate that threatened to enslave the planet. If there is a God, he was surely on their side. Their battle was just and honorable.
They were not fighting for Trump. They were not fighting so bigots could condemn others with the excuse of free speech. They fought for something much higher, something sacred. They fought for human decency, for the right to live without fear or threat from others. They fought against pure evil.
Our nation has lost that purpose and has fallen under the spell of those who don't understand what America is all about. It's about respecting and caring for each other. Thank you father and uncle for teaching me that.
When I see Trump at his rallies and the thousands that scream these horrible, hateful chants, I can't help but think of my father and uncle.
They both fought in WWII. My uncle fought in Germany in many great battles. Never said a word about it. My father fought in the Philippines. Never said a word about it. I cannot imagine what they endured, what horrors they saw. They along with millions of others went through sheer hell to protect our nation and the entire world from the scourge of hate that threatened to enslave the planet. If there is a God, he was surely on their side. Their battle was just and honorable.
They were not fighting for Trump. They were not fighting so bigots could condemn others with the excuse of free speech. They fought for something much higher, something sacred. They fought for human decency, for the right to live without fear or threat from others. They fought against pure evil.
Our nation has lost that purpose and has fallen under the spell of those who don't understand what America is all about. It's about respecting and caring for each other. Thank you father and uncle for teaching me that.
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Yes, Mr. Rosenblit, but do not forget that shortly after the war the republicans gave us Joseph McCarthy - the communist hate-fear-anger monger - who destroyed the lives of many with his lies. We will always have those who try to destroy democracy in America and we must pay attention and stop them before they gain traction. The majority of people do not want to live that way.
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Who ran as "Tail-Gunner Joe" - a name invented by shooting off a plane's machine gun while it was sitting on the ground...
3
They went to war because they thought it would be exciting and it was their duty, "never liked that word". All of these righteous causes that you apply to that war you have decided are the ones that took them from the farms and cities. There is no question that the Nazis and Japanese Imperialist were brutal in the treatment of others and was a good thing that they were defeated. But romanticizing the reasons for us entering the war and for our people to devote themselves to the effort only serves to distort history. Young men have always been eager to go to war. It is only after they have been there that they regret it. Many of us tried to speak out against invading Iraq but were intimidated and scorned for doing so. It is the Industrialists who profit from war that are behind the war effort and the gullible population feeling themselves patriotic and proud to do their duty that supply the human gun fodder, and the complicit media that builds the case for going.
2
"The United States has seen worse than Donald Trump."
Yes, but not in my lifetime. Let's face it, all politics is personal, as well as local. And for me, the damage Trump's done all by himself, aided and abetted by the feckless former mayor of NYC, is unlike anything I could have imagined even 17 months ago.
If elected, Trump won't "make America great" because he shot his chance the moment he launched his campaign yelling about Mexican rapists. Moreover, as this endless campaign wore on, his threats against the fabric of our society have grown more strident, more antisocial, more criminal.
And seditious. Egging on a crowd of supporters to take a gun to Hillary is seditious. Refusing in advance to concede an election should he lose is seditious. Having your chief surrogate smugly cackle in describing an FBI bombshell due to hit in two days, less than two weeks before an election is seditious, if it means you're conspiring with a law enforcement agency to rig the election for your candidate.
It's hard to know which of Trump's many offenses against our social fabric is the worst. There have been so many, from foul language, misogynistic comments, racial slurs, easily fact-checked lies, to tearing down the country's president while praising one of the country's main adversaries--it's impossible to catalogue them all.
And yet, fantastically, Mr. Trump hasn't had to pay a price for any of this. Which may be the most abhorrent fact of his totally insulting campaign.
Yes, but not in my lifetime. Let's face it, all politics is personal, as well as local. And for me, the damage Trump's done all by himself, aided and abetted by the feckless former mayor of NYC, is unlike anything I could have imagined even 17 months ago.
If elected, Trump won't "make America great" because he shot his chance the moment he launched his campaign yelling about Mexican rapists. Moreover, as this endless campaign wore on, his threats against the fabric of our society have grown more strident, more antisocial, more criminal.
And seditious. Egging on a crowd of supporters to take a gun to Hillary is seditious. Refusing in advance to concede an election should he lose is seditious. Having your chief surrogate smugly cackle in describing an FBI bombshell due to hit in two days, less than two weeks before an election is seditious, if it means you're conspiring with a law enforcement agency to rig the election for your candidate.
It's hard to know which of Trump's many offenses against our social fabric is the worst. There have been so many, from foul language, misogynistic comments, racial slurs, easily fact-checked lies, to tearing down the country's president while praising one of the country's main adversaries--it's impossible to catalogue them all.
And yet, fantastically, Mr. Trump hasn't had to pay a price for any of this. Which may be the most abhorrent fact of his totally insulting campaign.
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Christine, thank You for such a clear headed comment.
24
The price he pays will be at the polls Tuesday.
6
Trump is the result of the economic lie that the Republican party has told its base for these last four decades, that tax cuts will result in a roaring economy when the reality is they have resulted in a 20 trillion dollar debt. The base could only buy the fiction until they figured out their lying eyes weren't actually lying to them.
5
Thank You, New York Times, for a very strong editorial putting the failures, and dangers, of the republican candidate out for all to see. I feel certain our next President will be Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton and agree with this, "The rejection of Trump is the simple part. Win or lose, the harder job will be confronting the conditions that spawned him."
We all need to start with finding and spreading the positive news that will come from electing our first female President in America's story. One of the things that must come is strong progressive voices on the airwaves of America, and the world, to replace the hate-anger-fear-violence-war-lies hate radio and television that has consumed so many. The next thing is to try to understand each other better.
The article linked below is from today's Huffing Post and shows how one young woman who was a participant on "The Apprentice" used what she learned to do something positive. She recently formed a focus group with supporters of Mr. Trump and undocumented people and the results are very surprising. It is well worth reading the article and watching the video. I believe she is going to hold other focus groups for understanding and am looking forward to the results. We CAN and MUST move ahead from this division because we ARE Stronger Together.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/apprentice-elizabeth-jarosz-donald-t...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lNUc2OTkz0&feature=youtu.be
We all need to start with finding and spreading the positive news that will come from electing our first female President in America's story. One of the things that must come is strong progressive voices on the airwaves of America, and the world, to replace the hate-anger-fear-violence-war-lies hate radio and television that has consumed so many. The next thing is to try to understand each other better.
The article linked below is from today's Huffing Post and shows how one young woman who was a participant on "The Apprentice" used what she learned to do something positive. She recently formed a focus group with supporters of Mr. Trump and undocumented people and the results are very surprising. It is well worth reading the article and watching the video. I believe she is going to hold other focus groups for understanding and am looking forward to the results. We CAN and MUST move ahead from this division because we ARE Stronger Together.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/apprentice-elizabeth-jarosz-donald-t...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lNUc2OTkz0&feature=youtu.be
65
Donald Trump is unique in our history. He represents a discontinuity, a pause in our regular politics to provide the opportunity, should he be elected, to attend to matters our normal politics can’t manage, particularly in as polarized and paralyzed a time as now and as big a failure our generations have become at producing leaders who can effectively bridge differences and ACT. The last time we had a discontinuity this profound was our civil war.
The question that might be asked by our posterity isn’t “what did you do to stop Trump?”, but “What did you do in 2016 to halt the political paralysis that rendered government useless for six of the last eight years?” Certainly, voting for Mrs. Clinton appears the safe move, but it certainly won’t halt that political paralysis, and the answer that today’s voters will need to give that posterity in the event of her election is “nothing”.
Simply containing the argument to the economy, our labor is being obsolesced by microchips. To the extent that we can push the sun back in the sky for a few more days of prosperity while we figure out how we must transform ourselves to avoid economic collapse and blood in our streets, we MUST re-energize our industry. Mrs. Clinton’s new taxes and doubled-down regulation will not do that, even if she could get them past congressional rejection, which she can’t. Four MORE years of paralysis when we MUST act.
Trump/Pence 2016: Embrace the Horror. Because survival is worth the risk and a mass.
The question that might be asked by our posterity isn’t “what did you do to stop Trump?”, but “What did you do in 2016 to halt the political paralysis that rendered government useless for six of the last eight years?” Certainly, voting for Mrs. Clinton appears the safe move, but it certainly won’t halt that political paralysis, and the answer that today’s voters will need to give that posterity in the event of her election is “nothing”.
Simply containing the argument to the economy, our labor is being obsolesced by microchips. To the extent that we can push the sun back in the sky for a few more days of prosperity while we figure out how we must transform ourselves to avoid economic collapse and blood in our streets, we MUST re-energize our industry. Mrs. Clinton’s new taxes and doubled-down regulation will not do that, even if she could get them past congressional rejection, which she can’t. Four MORE years of paralysis when we MUST act.
Trump/Pence 2016: Embrace the Horror. Because survival is worth the risk and a mass.
11
I am so consoled by this posting, Mr. Luettigan.
President Trump will step right up, supported by majorities in both the House and Senate, and get the GOP House "Freedom" Caucus to abandon their Tea-Party ways and embrace the plutocratic, Ayn Randian programs of Speaker Ryan. All will be privatized and deregulated without dissent from Republican "moderates" or Democrats. He will then scurry over to the Senate and get the establishment's leading opportunist, Majority Leader McConnell, and "Freedom" Caucus populist darling, senator Cruz, to play kissy-face. Then he will introduce his Scalia clone to both the Senate and to the Justices of the Supreme Court.
All will go so perfectly swimmingly! We will enter the peaceable kingdom!
The lamb will use the lion's paw for a pillow and always enjoy a solid 8-9 hours of dreamless sleep.
All of this will follow in the wake of The Donald's ascendancy--and our entire nation will in no way come resemble Governor Brownbach's fiscally irresponsible, regressive and down-the-tubes Kansas.
Trump indeed will be the great persuader.
I am ever so reassured and consoled.
For a long time, I had thought that with Trump we were being asked to buy a loose Cannon in a poke!
President Trump will step right up, supported by majorities in both the House and Senate, and get the GOP House "Freedom" Caucus to abandon their Tea-Party ways and embrace the plutocratic, Ayn Randian programs of Speaker Ryan. All will be privatized and deregulated without dissent from Republican "moderates" or Democrats. He will then scurry over to the Senate and get the establishment's leading opportunist, Majority Leader McConnell, and "Freedom" Caucus populist darling, senator Cruz, to play kissy-face. Then he will introduce his Scalia clone to both the Senate and to the Justices of the Supreme Court.
All will go so perfectly swimmingly! We will enter the peaceable kingdom!
The lamb will use the lion's paw for a pillow and always enjoy a solid 8-9 hours of dreamless sleep.
All of this will follow in the wake of The Donald's ascendancy--and our entire nation will in no way come resemble Governor Brownbach's fiscally irresponsible, regressive and down-the-tubes Kansas.
Trump indeed will be the great persuader.
I am ever so reassured and consoled.
For a long time, I had thought that with Trump we were being asked to buy a loose Cannon in a poke!
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My apologies, Mr. Luettgen, for misspelling your name.
6
"Embrace the horror?"
Brilliant. It's not possible to discredit yourself more.
Brilliant. It's not possible to discredit yourself more.
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