Hellobee Boards

I don't know. And that's probably one of the most frightening aspects of this.

@Pollywog: But of those Senators up for reelection in 2018, only 8 of them are Republicans (23 are Democrats and 2 are Independents that caucus with Democrats). Those states with Republicans up for reelection are: Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Democrats would need to win all 25 of their races and pick up 2-4 of the Republican ones...

Maybe it is naive, but I am trying to stay hopeful. None of us know the future and all we can do is keep fighting for what we believe and teaching our children what is right. One person cannot hold absolute power in this country and I am hoping very strongly that a lot of what he said was just campaigning and things won't be so bad as what we think. I could be totally wrong, but only time will tell and I would prefer to think positive than feel hopeless, you know?

@Pollywog: @Adira: since Democrats cluster in cities, it's very, very hard for them to take back the House of Representatives.

Adira, thanks for the stats you listed... they suck, but it's important to be knowledgeable, and I did not know those numbers.

@Mrs Green Grass: this is exactly how I feel. Trump is an asshole and a pot stirrer and an overall terrible person but I don't at all believe he's actually an alt right republican or even very conservative. He's an opportunist and he saw an opening and ran with it.
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@Madison43: I'm hoping you're right. I've been hoping for the same thing. It makes me sad that it's the best we can hope for at this point!

Even if he somehow reverts back to his less alt right ways... It's still depressing that this country elected based on hate and fear.

First of all, we need to calm down and stay strong. If we worry ourselves into being sick, who will be there for our family and friends when they need us?

I also think we need to be ready for anything. He's an elected president, and maybe will be no worse than some we've had before. I mean, we had quite a few (quiet) womanizers, one who decimated the Native population, one who dropped two atom bombs on civilian cities, one who got us into Vietnam, one who got us into Iraq, and one who tried to "stuff" the Supreme Court with extra judges and put the Japanese in internment camps. For the moment, I'm just praying that there is an election in four years, and that he won't do too much damage to the system of checks and balances before then. Everything else, we've seen and we'll get through it. Hopefully at least he won't try to start any new wars.

I've never felt this scared before. I've been disappointed in the past, but this is terrifying. I'm scared to leave my house today.

I'm totally walking on egg shells at work wondering who these people voted for. How horrible is that? I don't want to be a divided country and I truly feel that is where we are headed. I just hope he proves us wrong and that he was more of a horse and pony show than what really happens.

@MUI831: This morning as I woke DS up, I kissed him on his cheeks and smiled, and he smiled back at me like an angel. I felt horrible inside.... as in I brought him into this world/country at this moment and he's not white. I have never, ever, ever felt scared of being a non-white person in the US. Never. Until now. I really really hope I am paranoid and nothing is going to happen.

Here is my husband's optimistic prediction: (1) We have a very strong system in the government so by the president alone he really can't do much; (2) He probably would "delegate" his "work" to the VP a lot (as he's the BOSS, you know), so we might be OK.

I hope he's right.

I think we need to foster love & kindness in our communities instead of building on the hate that Trump spews. We probably also all need to get more involved & active in serving our communities somehow. I'm thinking of this like the shock that happens after devastating events like earthquakes or hurricanes & hoping it can somehow spur more positive action from the ground up. We can't just stew in our disgust because that energy could be used in positive ways. I thought this short article was filled with some good ideas:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/if-youre-overwhelmed-by-the-election-heres-what-you-can-do-now_us_5822c7d0e4b0e80b02cdf133?ncid=engmodushpmg00000006

I am freaking out! When I woke up this morning, instead of being bummed about my period being here, I was actually relieved. I was relieved that I wasn't pregnant. I am funded by the NIH, and honestly, with this much control from the republicans, I am freaking scared I won't even have a job or health insurance this time next year. I am so angry!!

@NorthStar:

@petitenoisette: Neither of us went to work. We truly cannot believe this happened despite all experts predicting the opposite. This has real implications for our family - our son has two moms. I really don't know how I can even look at the people we know who voted for such a racist, hateful bully.

@Mrs. Cereal: I totally agree. I really need to figure out a way to explain this to my 4 year old in a way that she understands and how she should respond should she hear any information in her preschool. It just makes me so sad and scared for her future. Not to mention this baby that will be coming soon after he becomes president in 2017.

@Mrs. Cereal: That is a wonderful response. I think that I'm just going to tell her that she is strong and to treat others with kindness and fairness. What we can do is treat our children to respect others...

@Mrs. Cereal: Love this response. I haven't told LO about the election yet, honestly because I don't know how. I don't know how to answer to questions, the first of which will undoubtedly be why so many people would vote for him. How do I explain that WE have to remain civil and not call names and not resort to being nasty and mean if our own president isn't held to that standard?

I don't know where we go from here, to be honest. I am sure Trump will hand over most of the real work and power to Pence, because at his core Trump is lazy. Pence is terrifying, much more IMO than Trump. Anyone who likes others (AKA, not just white, straight males) to have equal rights and respect in this country is &%$&&) for a good long time now.

This. This is what we do now.

@meganmp: