There has been no election yet. We're stuck with polls, which thus far have been mostly close to accurate. My view of America is that there are apparently a lot more scary people out there, evidenced by the seemingly huge support of Donald Trump, evidently by racists, people who would be his brownshirts, people who would advocate the overthrow of the government, and people who may honestly feel Trump is tough and speaks his mind and that is enough. Ted Cruz is almost equally as frightening. It appears we're possibly on the verge of Nazi Germany 1933 all over again. History repeats itself. Human beings never learn.
It's amazing how thin this veneer we call civilization is. From Germany in the 1930's, to Rwanda and Yugoslavia in the 1990's, and the current Middle East, we can revert back to our familial and tribal roots in an instant. All it takes is someone who can vocalize our grievances toward "the other" and we're off on a pogrom, or ethnic cleansing. People who say "never again" seem to forget we had concentration camps set up in "civilized" Europe in the 1990's, not in those other "third world" countries. I like to think we're better than that, but right now I'm not so sure.
Yes. The election of Obama gave me hope but the subsequent yrs disheartened me. This election has totally convinced me America is polarized in the extreme.
Yes. We are much more polarized than ever before.
I used to think that less than 10% of Americans were uneducated raging bigots, homophobes, and/or zealots but with Trump polling at ~33% for so long I've had to reconsider my assumptions. I find Trump to be a genius at this. He's playing this game perfectly. From his Palinesque speeches devoid of any actual policy, to referring to delusional fantasies like cheering NJ Muslims on 9/11, the mob cheers. Let me be clear: This is not a Trump problem. This has become a plank of the ideological Right and that is a problem not just for the GOP but for America.
The GOP race, and especially the Trump campaign, are embarrassing and even dangerous, and put our country in a poor light across the globe — not to mention how the appeal to the lowest common denominator is cheapening the process and bringing out the worst in the US voting public.
I'm an American living in Canada, and I've been here for a decade (most of my adulthood). This gives me a different perspective, though perhaps an inaccurate one. This election has added to a profound sense of sadness and tragedy that I feel toward America. I don't feel safe there anymore and that breaks my heart.
I have felt consistently shocked, perplexed, saddened and outraged by the Republican candidates this year. It has been very eye-opening to know a candidate like Trump could make it this far. The American people have not necessarily evolved past the civil rights movement. Trump has stirred up and brought out the most hateful feelings in people. This is a very frightening quality. To me, this is not what a leader does. I feel embarrassed and saddened by this. It has put a barrier up between me and my parents. How could anyone possibly find a man like Trump intelligent? I find my self apologizing to all my foreign friends living here. Candidates should have poise and grace. The Republican party has truly dumbed our country down. When I travel, I think I will say I'm Canadian now.
I am so disappointed in my country. We have allowed Congress to make it nearly impossible for really good people with ethics and no personal wealth to run for office.
It's just brought what I knew to exist -- that is racism, lack of intellectualism, ignorance of government, celebrity worship amongst other issues -- to the fore, and unfortunately made it all acceptable by the rise of Trump.
I have studied American history because I love it, and I know that we are subject to periods of intense (whatever)-phobia and isolationism and that those periods give rise to dangerous demagogues. I am sad to be living in one of those times and somewhat frightened that if a movement such as Trump's sweeps up the majority, there will be nothing I can do to stop it.
I'm afraid people have lost faith in government. The political system is broken and there does not appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
The fact that Trump and Cruz can say what he says, lie, and empower the racists in this country tells me a lot about the people and their deep inner beliefs. I'm scared to go to places in the south or predominently white areas, as I now believe a good number of folks probably are not supportive of a diverse multicutural america.
My view has changed. The rise of Trump has shown me how mean-spirited so many in our country have become. The idea that it is OK to be ignorant of and abusive to others is very sad. That the media refuses to do anything other than fan the flames is disheartening.
Unfortunately, yes. It has made me realize just how deeply divided we are as a country. I've never seen this level of vitriol expressed from both sides of the aisle. People I've been friends with for years are now my enemies, simply over who I plan to vote for. It's almost the American Civil War all over again.
It's clear we are a much more racist, misogynistic country than I thought.
I have been very disheartened by this election so far. I do not understand the depth of hate that is being displayed by so many people.
Yes. I am shocked at the tolerance for incivility.
