It has not so much changed my view just confirmed it. I have long thought Americans get real life and "reality tv" very confused. If more people would think about the future of a country run by a P.T. Barnum character perhaps we have a chance to rein in the fanatics.
I became increasingly shocked at the negative impact Donald Trump possessed during the election. I kept thinking a moderate Republican would come to the forefront, backed by intelligent, responsible Republicans. I was sure his bullying tactics would be shut down by reasonable people. I began having stomach aches and anxiety as he gained more and more support, thinking "This is not how we operate today! This is not how we do a presidential race in America!" I was ashamed. I was alarmed at how this political circus must look to the rest of the world. To date, I have lost faith in a mainstream political party--Republican--to reign in OR kick out such a hate-mongering, divisive bully such as Trump.
Yes it has changed my view. It makes me sad that this is what is being put forward as not only the people to lead this country, but for what could be the most powerful position in the world.
No. It has validated my concerns that we are becoming more polarized as a nation. Although we have had many power struggles within our political system, I am concerned that the people that are allowing themselves to become more extreme in their views are forgetting history. They are forgetting the lessons from the past. I am just as concerned that more and more people in our nation have very skewed and unfounded beliefs that are exacerbated by a profound lack of boundaries and refusal to educate themselves with the facts. These are the red flags that were present before the Civil War. So far, the current "Civil War" has continued to play out in our political process. That political process, however, is becoming more rigid. There must be flexibility within our political process, just as there must be flexibility within personal relationships. Rigidity leads to a brittle system that is much easier to break.
Yes. I am disappointed with the public, the percentage of people who participate in our democracy and our pathetic media.
Yes, it truly brought the decline of society into prominence, and emphasized how very little influence the "common man" has over the political machine that has grown to such proportions that it is now a egomaniacal entity striving only to self perpetuate and has very little to do with true policy making.
I feel that the Trump campaign has fooled a lot of people into thinking that it is OK to hate and to be ignorant, and also that it is better to declare your hate and intolerance regardless of others' beliefs or sensitivities. "Speaking one's mind" isn't a virtue, especially when one's mind is polluted with intolerance, narcissism and destructive rhetoric. I'm worried that so many people are caught up in this, but I am more worried that more people are letting it happen without challenge.
I'm seeing the campaign of Bernie Sanders as both igniting social and political awareness and focus, but also setting some people up for more political apathy when he ultimately is defeated. Worse yet, he is elected and finds less traction that Obama has been able to get.
The glaring difference between Democrats and "Republicans" this election is that one party is educated and sensible and somewhat responsible, and the other is devolved into an incoherent hot mess that appeals only to base emotion.
