Racism and misogyny won

[Sweet Freedom]

Yes, it's a simplistic overview and I know there are many other factors at play, but at the root of it all, I think that is what happened.

When Bush became president*, stupidity became socially acceptable and stupid people came out of the woodwork. Then the Tea Party rose, and their racism and misogyny became socially acceptable. (I've been flabbergasted and appalled by people I considered friends who now openly voice their hatred like it's a badge of honor. I have two "friends" who started nonchalantly throwing around the n word! ) The republican party easily caters to those fears. Their message is simple: blacks, immigrants and women need to be kept in their place or else. Racists and misogynists ran to the polls and voted for hatred and fear because they have been convinced that they will lose their "freedoms" if they support minorities.

[shenmue]

1. True

[Basic LA]

2. Very True

In making sense of it, I have to remind myself that most of the voting public don't see poverty & inequality. Instead they see "lazy moochers" who want something for nothing, esp "minorities." Handouts to this hated element, & those who would coddle "them" must be eliminated. It's the unifying theme of those on the right, & in much of this country, they are the majority.

[Sweet Freedom]

3. Yes, they do.

And welcome to DU!

[maced666]

4. Yea, none of this explains 2008 and 2012 so, sorry.

Try something else.

[Sweet Freedom]

5. I wasn't trying to explain the 08 or 12 presidential election. /nt

[Orsino]

6. Boot-lickers strutting about, pretending to strength they don't possess. n/t

[Odin2005]

7. I can't believe all the racism over on Reddit.

Any thread on voter disenfranchisement was spammed by right-wing idiots screaming about Illegals and "black people who are too lazy to get an ID".

[B2G]

8. I don't know

They put a lot of minorities and women in office last night.