What just happened? I'm not really into politics and economy, I live in my "own little world" and hardly ever do I actively watch news or read newspapers, but today something happened and I just need to talk about it. When I heard the news this morning, I surprisingly found myself in shock. I didn't think I would be so effected but I had to catch my breath in disbelief and it felt like my brain just went blank. Really? Noooooo... REALLY?
My husband has followed the US election closely for months and months on end and naturally we all have been drawn into the spectacle being played out through news channels and shows on TV, in magazines and newspapers. Yes, it has been a weird election and the candidates Clinton v. Trump has not been the greatest to choose in between, but this... What a shock!
Today it is the 9th of November, and I can't help but noticing that the European way of writing today's date is 9/11/2016. And suddenly it hits me that this is like a political 9/11 for us who NEVER EVER believed that Trump ever would win. But he did... And at work this morning, the first thing out of my colleagues mouths were: "Have you heard about the election?", because they know my husband is American. They know I'm involved... I just shook my head - couldn't even reply. The girls laughed and said: "It is unbelievable isn't it but, this is what the Americans want. They voted Trump for president, ain't that stupid?" It made me feel ashamed as I realized that this is the picture of Americans other countries will have now.
My man is upset. He says he can't even watch the news. He is ashamed of being American today. My oldest daughter is effected too. She said: "Mama, you know this is going down in history. I mean that my children are going to read about this in History class in school in the future. That type of history." And you know, I think she is right. That History class will not be about how GREAT America was in 2016, that class will focus more on the election that shocked the world.
All day I've had all these emotions running wild within; sadness, anger, shock, disbelief. And more than anything else fear. Fear for the future, for our children. Where is this world going if America chooses a narcissistic chauvinistic pig, sexist, racist and bully to lead their country? Is that the person we want as role model for our children growing up? I honestly think the world has gone totally bonkers and it will take a while for me to digest this. Its a little bit like when one of those "bad" acts ALMOST wins X-factor over all the other super talented singers... It is just that the great talent always does take it home in the end. That is not the case in this election...
I think I'll just return back into my "own little world" again. At least I know how to handle that. Crochet, kids, love and food on the table... Hopefully something will be learned through this mess and inspire a new generation of smarter, more educated, sophisticated and simply polite and respectful people to become candidates for future presidential elections. That would be a dream come true, wouldn't it?
My husband has followed the US election closely for months and months on end and naturally we all have been drawn into the spectacle being played out through news channels and shows on TV, in magazines and newspapers. Yes, it has been a weird election and the candidates Clinton v. Trump has not been the greatest to choose in between, but this... What a shock!
Today it is the 9th of November, and I can't help but noticing that the European way of writing today's date is 9/11/2016. And suddenly it hits me that this is like a political 9/11 for us who NEVER EVER believed that Trump ever would win. But he did... And at work this morning, the first thing out of my colleagues mouths were: "Have you heard about the election?", because they know my husband is American. They know I'm involved... I just shook my head - couldn't even reply. The girls laughed and said: "It is unbelievable isn't it but, this is what the Americans want. They voted Trump for president, ain't that stupid?" It made me feel ashamed as I realized that this is the picture of Americans other countries will have now.
My man is upset. He says he can't even watch the news. He is ashamed of being American today. My oldest daughter is effected too. She said: "Mama, you know this is going down in history. I mean that my children are going to read about this in History class in school in the future. That type of history." And you know, I think she is right. That History class will not be about how GREAT America was in 2016, that class will focus more on the election that shocked the world.
All day I've had all these emotions running wild within; sadness, anger, shock, disbelief. And more than anything else fear. Fear for the future, for our children. Where is this world going if America chooses a narcissistic chauvinistic pig, sexist, racist and bully to lead their country? Is that the person we want as role model for our children growing up? I honestly think the world has gone totally bonkers and it will take a while for me to digest this. Its a little bit like when one of those "bad" acts ALMOST wins X-factor over all the other super talented singers... It is just that the great talent always does take it home in the end. That is not the case in this election...
I think I'll just return back into my "own little world" again. At least I know how to handle that. Crochet, kids, love and food on the table... Hopefully something will be learned through this mess and inspire a new generation of smarter, more educated, sophisticated and simply polite and respectful people to become candidates for future presidential elections. That would be a dream come true, wouldn't it?
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
I am so sick and sad today. I cannot believe this is who my countrymen have elected.
ReplyDeleteMy world was shaken by Brexit and having studied that closely I am not shocked by today's result as there were similar reasons. The financial crash of 8 years ago has impacted on the poorest in society the most. They are disenfranchised, feel that no-one is listening to their problems, just the politicians are adding to them. Sadly they do not seem to realise that there protest votes will make them worse off. There is also the politics of hatred, racism and bigotry fuelled by mass movement of people eg from Syria and also because women and LGBT commun ities are more in control now, which scares men and homophobes. Then there are just nasty thick people out there. There is too little interest in politics so people don't understand what's at stake. There's a lack of good politicians on offer. Obviously if I were American and could vote, I'd have voted Clinton but only because she isnt Trump. She wasn't a great candidate, albeit she was very well qualified. Politics is badly failing us all at the moment. That's probably oversimplifying but I don't want to keep on as this is all so frightening. People really need to be careful with their precious votes. Americans have just unleashed a new and far more powerful Hitler on the world. Hugs to you xx
ReplyDeleteIm here in United States I don't have tv because it makes me ill that we pay a hundred and something every month, for garbage so I cut mine off. This is the first I heard of trump winning.. Omg hold on to our pants.. You think were where in a mess already.. Boy we are going down.. I haven't a clue why Americans picked this sick man. We need to pray hard for our country. We might have had a chance with Hillary.. They haven't a clue what they've done. Sad. Me too im going back to my own world.. With love Janice
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that when I hear comments like "this is what the Americans want" I feel sick.. I'm American and that is definitely NOT what I wanted, nor is it what thousands of other Americans wanted. To all those Americans who did want Trump to win...hope that works for you! Let there be peace is my fervent prayer for all of the world.
ReplyDeleteI'm so saddened to read the negative reactions here. Although Trump was certainly not my pick, the American people understandably want someone outside of politics. I lived through the Clinton scandals of the 1990's and even before and didn't want to go back there. The bad judgement and decisions made by Clinton affected many more people than the crass and inappropriate comments and behavior of Trump. Obamacare was forced on Americans and now is completely unaffordable for most of us. My son and his family went from paying $550 per month for insurance (up from less than $320 before Obamacare) to having to pay $1300 per month for much less coverage. There are always two sides to every story and I believe we all must focus on the positive and work within our communities to make life better for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThe Clinton scandals were nothing compared to the Trump scandals. Ability Bush was fired for talking to Trump about his use and abuse of women. How could anyone possibly think that the one who actually did the using and abusing could possibly be fit to be our president, which is so much more important than a media figure. When I hear people say they voted for him be cause the tax burden on middle class Americans is too great, I want to shake them. Trump, who cheats and lies to avoid paying taxes, and who said he was happy about the housing crash because it was beneficial to him, will not be working to lessen the burden on the middle class. He has already said numerous times that he doesn't care about them
DeleteI am very thankful to live in the U.S.- at least I know my vote counted. Will delete this blog from my list now.
ReplyDeleteYour vote didn't necessarily count - a winner was called before all the votes were in.
DeleteGoodbye and good riddance!
DeleteIt's a shame that others can't accept the will of the electorate....the ignored americans who were heard. There were many reasons for voting against one candidate or the other, but in all my 68 years I don't remember such bitterness and vitriol. What about listening and watching to see how we move forward from this? Sorry to say goodbye, but my list is growing just because others can't be civil.
DeleteI can hardly believe your post. What happened in this election is what makes America a great nation. Freedom to choose. There are two sides to every coin and just because the side you are swayed by didn't win, doesn't mean it's a "mess". Our (the American) government has become too big and the taxes the average american are expected to pay has become a heavy burden. Although my husbands salary has slightly increased over the past eight years, he brings home less in his paycheck due to increased taxes and the ever rising cost of health insurance. The American people are struggling to make ends meet. The area I live in is called "the rust belt". It's called that because we have huge factories where there were once American companies doing business. The factories are now empty shells and "our" jobs, the american jobs, are being shipped over seas. How can you be ashamed of MY country? I'm proud of American, for the freedoms we stand for and for this process, whomever wins. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
ReplyDeleteReally? You can hardly believe this post? You lament about your tax burden has become too high and yet we now have a president elect who has admitted and bragged about the fact he hasn't paid any taxes in 20 years? Yeah, please just defend that.Please defend the indefensible. It doesn't take an American citizen to be ashamed of another country's actions but I as an American citizen am certainly ashamed of my country's choice and this post has every right to express their opinions too or do you and Trumpateers want to take that right away too? Good luck with your false prophet because your emperor wears no clothes.
DeleteAmen. How he won the vote is beyond me.
DeleteThe freedom to put up two awful main candidates and then the stupidity for people to vote for the worst of them is nothing to write home about. Shocking! The US is not much to be admired. As a model of democracy - which it loves to spread around the world as an ideal it is laughable.
DeleteHome Meadows, I applaud you post. We have experienced the exact same issues over the last few years, whilst our neighbors who do nothing, are able bodied, put their hand out for everything. It is frustrating and upsetting to work so hard and watch those around you with their feet up and hands out getting ahead and never having to think twice if they can afford to go to the doctor. I can't say I wasn't shocked by the news, but I remember this man will not be making decisions singlehanded for the next four years. I am not American, but I am proud to live in America.
DeleteYou should not judge others , especially when you do not have all the information. Just because someone looks able bodied does not mean they are. My daughter looks able bodied, and she puts her hands out to receive assistance. But if you were to take the time to look through her medical files--over 30 inches of medical records--you would see that she is not able bodied. She has IIH, a disease that almost always leads to blindness, and commonly leads to stroke and or death. She suffers from debilitating migraines about 20 days a month. You won't see her on those days. She will be huddled up in her dark bedroom, vomiting into a trash can, and injecting herself with medication in the hope of a little relief. She also suffers from Addison's Disease. This disease can also lead to death, and almost did for her when she was in college. When she didn't show up for a visit we had planned, I drove to her dorm, and found her in a coma. Something as minor as a disagreement with a friend or an asthma attack can send her into shock because her body cannot produce the adrenaline needed to face situations like these. Before you judge someone, get your facts straight, and believe me when I say no one in their right mind would choose to be disabled and on disability if they didn't have to be. Making ends meet on about $733.00 a month, giving up your hopes and dreams for a career you've wanted since childhood, and worked so hard for, losing friends because they don't understand why you cancel on them so frequently--and facing all the nasty, judgemental looks when you pay for groceries with a food stamp card, even though you look healthy on the outside.
DeleteIf you know nothing about the tax laws here in the US do not go saying something that is not true. The tax law is a burden to the average American because the rich get the tax breaks. Trump said himself as a businessman he knows the tax laws better and can remove the loopholes in the tax law...which he will. In 1995 Trump had a business loss of nearly 1 billion...mind boggling I know. With our tax laws he COULD HAVE TAKEN A WRITE OFF FOR 18 YEARS. As many wealthy businesses do every year. I quote a NBC report..."Three tax experts hired by the Times said the size of the deduction and tax rules governing wealthy filers could have allowed Trump to legally pay no federal income taxes for 18 years. There is nothing in the report that shows he actually took advantage of the rules to avoid paying taxes."
DeleteIt is not like he set out to avoid paying taxes he owed. Due to the loss he could have and very well may have. It would have been within the law. Even the average American who lost their homes/business during the recession could have taken a write off.
By the way, Hillary did not win the popular vote. She won 48%...47.8% if you wish to be technical. Yes, that means over 52% of Americans voted for someone other than Hillary. Most Americans love our Constitution and free elections, electoral college until their candidate loses. And remember, most folks in this world can not vote including women, simply for being women. Of course, when ones candidate does not win some with cry foul play. I find it sad that so many are protesting violently. Take your anger out on your own home or business, not someone else. The damage from the Baltimore protesting/riots in 2015 cost taxpayers well over 9 million dollars. Time will tell how much the current protests/riots will cost hard working Americans. Protestors must be rich as my husband and I certainly could not afford to miss work to protest.
Det enda positiva med detta är att han inte kan vara kvar längre än 8 år...låt oss hoppas att världen överlever de åtta (helst 4) åren!
ReplyDeleteKram till dig och din familj; håller med er fullständigt<3
it's a sad day :(
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with several of these comments. Anyone who wants racist, xenophobe, anti-woman man handler for a president needs their heads examined. I am about equal rights for all. And the gridlock in the American government these past 8 years is because republicans refuse to do anything Obama wanted. They vowed to disrupt him and they did. As for Obamacare, yes it needs to be fixed, but it has allowed millions of Americans to get healthcare. It is not a perfect system, but now they will be without it. am sickened by all of this, like your husband I am ashamed about what has happened.
ReplyDeletewith you. totally ashamed that a racist bigot sleezebag was chosen. disgusted and NO this is not what America wanted. This is what HALF of America wanted and they aren't my half!
DeleteI too live in the "Rust Belt" and I'm appalled at what happened. Embarrassed to be American today. Saddened by what this will mean for the environment, for women's rights, for gay rights, for minorities, for immigrants. So many people have been marginalized overnight, and the scariest thing is that the people who voted for Trump decided to marginalize other because they themselves felt marginalized. Pulling the rest of the nation down in the mud with them. They are blaming their fellow victims for their problems. Gays did not cause this. Blacks did not cause this. Hatred-spewing reality TV show stars who ride around in gold-plated private jets who somehow managed to lose $1 billion (I mean, HOW is that possible?!) caused this. Now we will all suffer for it. A dark day for America and the world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about this, Annette. The people who delete your blog from their feed because you do not agree with them do not at all epitomize America, which is supposed to stand for free speech (NOT hate speech).
Very well put. I am so fearful for our country's future. I will never replace love with hate, and I will never pull myself up by pushing someone else down.
DeleteI am American as well, and my husband and I are sickened by the election results. Since I turned 18, I have voted in every Presidential election. Out of 12 elections, only half the candidates I voted for, won, and I keenly felt the losses. But this feels like our country is dying.
ReplyDeletePlease tell your girls this is not what America wants. I have been stunned by some of my fellow Americans' effectiveness to the hate Donald Trump spews. I wonder if his ugliness and ignorance gave people permission to let out what they have felt all along, and I sincerely hope that is not true. A few things give me a bit of hope in the face of this. I saw a map of how young people ages 18 to 25 voted, and it was overwhelmingly for Hillary. I've been having a bit of a back and forth with a college student in the comments section of our local paper for the past week or so, in response to UW chancellor's letter to the university following a Trump rally and the brutal murder of a Muslim student. I told him he sounded like my racist, elderly grandmother, and that I hoped he was in the minority of young people, holding onto views that never should have existed in the first place. This map makes me believe that I am right, and that racism will continue to be more and more a thing of the past, despite recent evidence pointing to the contrary. Another thing that gives me hope is a snippet of conversation I read. I cannot remember where, but a man stated, that as horrified he is that Trump won, he will never wish that he fails, and he will never try to make him fail, as the Republicans have our current president. I agree. This is too important, and the consequences too horrific if Trump should fail--and when I say fail, I mean fail in serving our country well, not fail in furthering his agenda of hate. I have to admit I am terrified though. I will be applying for a passport as soon as possible, and perhaps, like so many others are doing today, applying for a Canadian residency. I have been wondering all day if this dread I am feeling is a bit like Jewish people felt as Hitler destroyed their homelands and lives. I am not a minority. I can only guess what they are feeling today.
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to say receptiveness, not effectiveness.
DeleteMe too saw that map that shows how the younger (up to 30 years old) would have voted and it gives me hope for a better future. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts here today. Much appreciated.
DeleteXxx
If you were so surprised and shocked Annett then indeed you live in your little world :) Don't worry, it doesn't matter who won, US presidents are puppets to the horrible shadow government that there clearly is in the US. I'm not American, and to me it doesn't matter so much what is Trump rambling about regarding e.g. women, but how much more misery the American foreign policy of spreading 'democracy' and 'fighting terrorism' brings to the world.
ReplyDeleteYou do not need to apologize for your post. I am embarrassed by the outcome. I live in the Northeast and really thought Hillary would win- a woman at last! This is the second time in 16 years that the electoral college did not follow the popular vote. The first time was George W vs Gore- a Democrat and now Trump vs. Hillary. As an American I think this is wrong! The USA is democracy so this is what we abide by. There are checks and balances of Congress and the Supreme Court so hopefully we wil survive the next 4 years.
ReplyDeleteWe had two choices...a nut with boobs, or a boob with nuts.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering how other countries would view this election. I don't blame them for wondering what in the hecks going on! But I understand why Trump was elected.It wasn't because we wanted him as our president , it was because we didn't want Hilary. With Hilary we would continue on into the path of government getting into everything! We are supposed to be free from government control but it's slowly infiltrating all areas without us even realizing it. Hopefully that can be fixed. Pray for us, because we don't know what's going to happen either. Oh and I love your blog ,and would never stop following someone because they have a different opinion than I do.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteThank you Miss Ann. :)
DeleteI think you have a point there. It is not only in America that people are frustrated with the politicians and government. I can understand your point. No one knows where this will go, lets just hope it goes well.
Xxx
My American cousin emailed me with the title 'Embarrassed' in the subject title. Please do not assume this was the choice of all.
ReplyDeleteI don't. But many of the landsmen here in Switzerland, and in other countries around the world, believes that this is what ALL American's wanted. It is the distorted impression this election gives other countries in the world that makes me sad as that picture really is deceiving.
DeleteI am so tired of the comments from both sides of the political issue. I knit and crochet to relax and leave the real world behind. Even though I didn't vote for Trump, I certainly don't follow crochet blogs to get your political opinion or of anyone else's. I will no longer be following your blog.
ReplyDeleteI too am an American and yesterday was a difficult day for me. I stayed up well past midnight hoping the results would change. How can one candidate win the most votes and lose the election, only in America. You expressed in words so well how I felt yesterday. I was in a daze all day and not only due to lack of sleep. I know our government is in need of help. Greed is the big culprit. Just look at Trump who like many business people got out of paying taxes that are needed by the government to pay for all the services they should provide. Due to these actions the middle class has been carrying the burden. Yes, our government needs changes and that is why so many people voted for Trump, they believe he can make the necessary changes that we sorely need. I have my doubts. I hope time proves me wrong.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an American, I'm a German who lives in the Netherlands and I we where also in shock about the elections! But life goes on and I wish the best for all the people in America, and of course the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteLet's crochet and not make War!
Agreed!
DeleteXxx
Thank you for having the courage to write this blog post Annette!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain and I hope this global populist fury doesn't continue in Europe (thinking about France's elections in May). Now we can only hope Trump nominates moderate qualified people but I'm not holding my breath!
All the Best to you and yours,
Hi Alexandra S.M
DeleteThank you for your encouragement. I never thought of it to be brave when writing this blogpost as I so often before have written blog posts about different topics straight from my heart, but maybe it was. :)All the best for you and yours as well!
Xxx
I wouldn't expect your husband to explain to the kids the intricacies of the American voting system as it relates to the "electoral college", but it is electoral votes which are counted. Each of the 50 states is assigned a value, a number of electoral votes; first candidate to get to 270 electoral votes wins. The votes of the individual voters, called the popular vote, do not decide presidential elections, but they are accounted for. It has happened before that a president won the electoral vote but lost the popular vote. And Hillary Clinton won the "popular vote". On a one for one basis, she had more votes. Which shows what Americans actually wanted.
ReplyDeleteI woke up having to look at my country in a new way! Stunned is not a strong enough word. Our country actually elected a racist, vulgar, misogynist to lead our nation! It breaks my heart
ReplyDeleteThe media has run away with this whole mess. Look beyond what they say. Do your own digging. The media in America is learning a hard lesson. Still, after the election, they are talking gloom and doom. I have seen more division in this country in the last 8 years than my whole lifetime. We are a strong people. We'll move forward but we need to work together.
ReplyDeleteI'm not American but my political family is, and they voted Trump because they didn't want to see two man/woman walking hand by hand, or black people having the same rights as whites, or families having a proper obamacare. I'm very very sad for my family and how poor their minds and hearts are.
ReplyDeleteAmericans are feed up with their government and neither party was really worth voting for when looking at their past record. Sending a message to the status quo I guess.
ReplyDeleteYou have put into words here my very own thoughts on the matter. And for those who choose to no longer follow along with you because of your honesty and authenticity, good riddance. They've just proven how petty and small minded they really are and who has time for that. I swear, people really have lost their minds.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed this blog had to go political. Unsubscribing...
ReplyDelete