The world is officially upside down.

[caleb]

A silver lining in this mess; some thoughts on education.

I make my daily bread as a political science professor. Sometimes it's a humdrum task more dedicated to dealing with banal concerns like advising and accreditation than the life of the mind, but for all of the events of this week I am not despairing. Given what has recently happened, I am now more driven than I've ever been to do what I do because I'm more convinced than ever that it's needed.

On Wednesday morning I asked a class of 25 students how many had any recollection of studying the electoral college in high school. Two or three raised their hands - seriously. We are living as part of a public where most of the citizenry is unequipped with basic knowledge of our political processes and structures to participate in public life.

We don't have to go so far as that old Socratic saw about all evil being due to ignorance to appreciate that education plays a role here, we can look to pretty much any exit poll to see that college is the inoculation against Trumpism. Completing college makes a person far, far less likely to vote for this stuff. I'd like to think that's not because college is a place where a bunch of leftie academics indoctrinate vulnerable students, but rather because learning about the world broadly teaches empathy, humility, and compassion. I'd like to think so, anyways.

Wednesday morning I was teaching a section of early contract law cases in my Constitutional Law course, and I spent some extra time in advance of Proprietors of Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837) dwelling on the rise of Andrew Jackson and the Taney Court, as j44ke mentioned earlier. The students quickly realized that we have indeed gone through this before, but they also realized it was in the run up to, and expressive of the tensions that caused, the Civil War. Sure makes an old pissing match about toll bridges seem heavy, but that's probably appropriate given our moment.

If I weigh my students down with a feeling for the power of politics and their place in history, I guess I'm okay with that. Maybe more than okay, happy with that. If I spend my life teaching students about the political moment they inherit and the power of their actions within that moment, I'm more than okay with that, I'm happy with that. Seems to me like as good a thing as anything spend one's life doing.

[colker]

Sure. Anything can be anything if you want it bad enough, I guess.

I have studied in a school deeply influenced by Bauhaus.. an industrial design school which was not about art.

[bigbill]

A silver lining in this mess; some thoughts on education.

I make my daily bread as a political science professor. Sometimes it's a humdrum task more dedicated to dealing with banal concerns like advising and accreditation than the life of the mind, but for all of the events of this week I am not despairing. Given what has recently happened, I am now more driven than I've ever been to do what I do because I'm more convinced than ever that it's needed.

On Wednesday morning I asked a class of 25 students how many had any recollection of studying the electoral college in high school. Two or three raised their hands - seriously. We are living as part of a public where most of the citizenry is unequipped with basic knowledge of our political processes and structures to participate in public life.

We don't have to go so far as that old Socratic saw about all evil being due to ignorance to appreciate that education plays a role here, we can look to pretty much any exit poll to see that college is the inoculation against Trumpism. Completing college makes a person far, far less likely to vote for this stuff. I'd like to think that's not because college is a place where a bunch of leftie academics indoctrinate vulnerable students, but rather because learning about the world broadly teaches empathy, humility, and compassion. I'd like to think so, anyways.

Wednesday morning I was teaching a section of early contract law cases in my Constitutional Law course, and I spent some extra time in advance of Proprietors of Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837) dwelling on the rise of Andrew Jackson and the Taney Court, as j44ke mentioned earlier. The students quickly realized that we have indeed gone through this before, but they also realized it was in the run up to, and expressive of the tensions that caused, the Civil War. Sure makes an old pissing match about toll bridges seem heavy, but that's probably appropriate given our moment.

If I weigh my students down with a feeling for the power of politics and their place in history, I guess I'm okay with that. Maybe more than okay, happy with that. If I spend my life teaching students about the political moment they inherit and the power of their actions within that moment, I'm more than okay with that, I'm happy with that. Seems to me like as good a thing as anything spend one's life doing.

A friend posted something from Daily Kos with a petition to end the Electoral College. I asked him if this would have come up if the election had gone as expected and Hillary had crushed Trump in Electoral and Popular. I know the original intent of the EC, but now it empowers the smaller states instead of the population concentrations on the coasts. If the EC was done away with, we'd see a fundamental change in the way presidential campaigns are run. This one was run to win the Electoral College, to say we should eliminate it because Hillary won the popular is moot. And not the cool kind of Moots.

Are you going to go into how the democrats ran their campaign? The way that Hillary was so confident this past weekend and every network including Fox saying that it was basically a formality on Tuesday to put her in the White House. Then it all fell apart but did anyone see it coming? To me, it looks like there were enough people feeling disenfranchised in blue states to turn them red, but that's just me.

[Corso]

Whatever the case none of this is any excuse to express your dissatisfaction with your lot in the world, fair or not, with racist ideology. Beyond being entirely unethical and immoral, it is the basest form of whining.

I get confused with the racist term thrown around these days. It appears to me, if you don’t agree with the left, your a racist. Stereotyping the right as racist is becoming sport. Just as I’ve done with my last sentence. It’s a silly circle we’re stuck in.

Have a difference of opinion with an african american? Racist.
Have a difference of opinion with a Muslim? Racist. And hater.
Have a difference of opinion with someone in academia? Moron. And racist.
Have a difference of opinion with the police? Revolutionary. And the cops a racist.
Hmmm, now that I think about it...
Being “white” and not a Democrat or Socialist? Racist.
Not a Bernie Bro? Racist. And anti-semite.
Voted for Trump? Racist and you don’t even know it.
Dare to criticize President Obama? Racist supreme.
Didn’t like Beyonce’s halftime show? Racist.
Didn’t vote for Hillary? Sexist. And racist.
Like NASCAR? Need I go on?

And soon I’ll be called a racist just for this post. Which I’ve been called here before. Simply because my opinion differs from some.

[ericpmoss]

[...] and every network including Fox saying that it was basically a formality on Tuesday to put her in the White House. Then it all fell apart but did anyone see it coming? To me, it looks like there were enough people feeling disenfranchised in blue states to turn them red, but that's just me.

Jordan Chariton of TYT Politics (youtube channel) got it from the beginning. The reason (expanding on what you noted) is because instead of talking to the pundit across the table at WaPo, he went on a "Disappearing Middle Class" tour of the Rust Belt, talking to people in burned out neighborhoods having a hard time paying the bills or giving their kids untainted water. There was some bigotry he ran into, but most people remember their parents being able to support a family, and now they have literally nothing to look forward to. They don't give a crap about the "epic Twitter battle" that someone had with Trump. They want their job back, and when Clinton said "well, that's your opinion" to Trump's bashing of NAFTA, that was that.

[doomridesout]

Hey Mr. Corso, I agree with you that the endless smug policing of language is a tiresome game. Obviously, lots of people feel the way you do. Many people feel like they've been walking on eggshells to avoid suddenly being labelled a racist or an ignorant asshole by somebody who 'knows better'. I'm sure it sucks, and there are clearly a lot of people who feel like this election suddenly validates that feeling and takes the shackles off.

Nonetheless, look carefully at your fellow travellers. The racism we're talking about is people painting swastikas on people's storefronts and houses. The KKK, David Duke, Stormfront, and plenty of other full-on hate groups sure lined up to kiss Trump's ass, and already there are reports of street harassment and violence against Muslims, black folks, and women. That's racism. Period.

I have an emphatic denouement to that last statement, but this thread is trucking along in a pleasantly civil way, so I'll hold back.

[woodworker]

I get confused with the racist term thrown around these days. It appears to me, if you don’t agree with the left, your a racist. Stereotyping the right as racist is becoming sport. Just as I’ve done with my last sentence. It’s a silly circle we’re stuck in.

Have a difference of opinion with an african american? Racist.
Have a difference of opinion with a Muslim? Racist. And hater.
Have a difference of opinion with someone in academia? Moron. And racist.
Have a difference of opinion with the police? Revolutionary. And the cops a racist.
Hmmm, now that I think about it...
Being “white” and not a Democrat or Socialist? Racist.
Not a Bernie Bro? Racist. And anti-semite.
Voted for Trump? Racist and you don’t even know it.
Dare to criticize President Obama? Racist supreme.
Didn’t like Beyonce’s halftime show? Racist.
Didn’t vote for Hillary? Sexist. And racist.
Like NASCAR? Need I go on?

And soon I’ll be called a racist just for this post. Which I’ve been called here before. Simply because my opinion differs from some.

I wouldn't term you racist for your post. I don't know you. However, it's trite to say that people, liberals included, engage in stereotypes ("Stereotyping the right is becoming sport.")

Back to the point: I can say that my views on Trump are based not on stereotypes but on what Trump's said ...about Blacks and Muslims and Mexicans, women etc. The statements are repulsive. I'm not sure that he believes all of this stuff, but I'm just taking him at his word. Most of my friends and acquaintances, Republicans and Democrats, who are appalled by Trump base this on what he's said and done. If your post was intended to address that, it misses the mark, for if folks (wearing Nascar hats or not) are willing to disregard his racist statements, his conduct, and his innuendo, and still support him, then I would have to infer that they support someone who is a racist (and boorish too). That raises a question as to their beliefs, and whether they care that someone who will be viewed as this country's leader says racist things. While someone else may not care that much about this, I do, and so I couldn't vote for him, nor do I understand those who do. And that has nothing to do with the simple and defensive stereotypes and suppositions that you've listed.

Your post seems like a diversion to me.

[ericpmoss]

[...]Not a Bernie Bro? Racist. And anti-semite.[...]

Not sure where this one came from -- the Clinton surrogates were the ones who coined "Bernie Bro", and called him an old white sexist racist. The Trump trolls are the ones that called him things like "dirty commie jew" and a lot worse. People who talk like that deserve to be called bigots, because they are. I never saw anyone who critiqued his *policies* get called an anti-semite if they stayed on topic, but the internet is a big ugly place...

I agree with many of your complaints about the identity politics stuff -- I remember saying that Clinton flip-flopped on the TPP and her surrogates (former friends) said I just "wasn't ready for a woman President" and all sorts of BS that Bernie couldn't be "progressive" because he was white, and male. Ugh.

[vertical_doug]

A leopard can't change its spots.

1. SCOTUS- early on this is going to show us how much influence Mike Pence has, and democrat reaction will set the tone for next 4 years
2. Mass Surveillance- this expanded under Obama. If Giuliani is AG, this will go into overdrive
3. Tax Returns- even as President, this is not required. For all the hyperbole about Clinton's email server, I expect transparency in the adminitration to disappear.
4. Trump Organization - in the 80's and 90's we jokely called Indonesian President Suharto's wife Tien, Mrs Tien Percent. If Trump organization is not in a trust, meet the new Mrs. Tien Percent, Ivanka
5. Health Care- ACA has flaws. But trying to change this without it blowing up in your face is going to be hard.
6. Tax reform- the opposite of trickle down, suck it dry.
7. Public Works Spending (infrastructure) - I saw this tried again and again in Japan, it works for a little bit, financial markets react because of the money coming into the trough, but in the end, you get roads to no where. I doubt the US can manage this any better.
8. Deregulation- depending on how this plays out, it will probably lead to more consolidation and loss of jobs. Too much deregulation in Financial markets (repeal Dobbs Frank) will lead to the next round of excess and boom/bust.

I am pessimistic, but now it is about what they do, and not what they say. So let's wait and see. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised, but I am not holding my breath.

[DOOFUS]

I grew up in the rural midwest, and yes, it's a dead zone now. Mr. Trump's business ventures have been high-risk projects financed from debt and from local (or national) government investment. I am not certain that his economic plan is much different.

*cut corporate tax rate to 15%
* drastic deregulation of industry
* repeal Dodd-Frank
* tarrifs
* abandon or re-leverage free trade agreements to protectionist stances
* devalue the dollar to offset the possible export imbalances from tarrifs and free-trade "reform"
* invest money spent on climate change agreement carbon tax into infrastructure

could it work? possibly. to my mind -- and I'm no economist, so I may 100% full of shit -- it could work in the sense that a double-reverse-hail-mary-into-a-lateral could work on 4th and 20. that's a lot of risky moves that have to fall into place together, not even considering the effects these could have on world markets, and investor confidence. one or two could boost markets but not necessarily lead to more jobs and an economic renewal of flyover nation.

[jclay]

This is a really good article. It's not about the election, it's about cultural and political myopia.

The Big Con: what is really at stake in this US election | US news | The Guardian

[Corso]

Nonetheless, look carefully at your fellow travellers. The racism we're talking about is people painting swastikas on people's storefronts and houses. The KKK, David Duke, Stormfront, and plenty of other full-on hate groups sure lined up to kiss Trump's ass, and already there are reports of street harassment and violence against Muslims, black folks, and women. That's racism. Period.

I have an emphatic denouement to that last statement, but this thread is trucking along in a pleasantly civil way, so I'll hold back.

100% agree that the asshats you listed are indeed racist scumbags who have aligned with Trump. BUT I don’t recall Trump ever saying “Glad to have you along boys!” He denounced Duke, remember?

In this country, those idiots have a right to vote for whoever they want. Just the same as a few BLM followers (should I say “your fellow travelers”-who have moved against the police, either with their words or real violence. The BLM group is a direct line to Soros. No debate there. Soros =Left.

As far as my post being a diversion, a diversion from what? I’m not running for office here.

I’m always trying to point out the “Ying to the Yang”, both sides have issues, not just one.

And I have not read one report of the violence against muslims, women or blacks since he was elected. Where was that? If real, this would be ALL OVER the news. Van Jones has been pretty good a speeding this fear.

But I had read reports about violence and vandalism to trump supporters. Pretty sure a Dem agent was caught on tape admitting to hiring agitators to disrupt Trump rallies.

[dgaddis]

Things I find interesting, and don't really know how to grapple with.

The difference between Clinton & Trump in popular vote was around 338,000 (at last count). Out of the 1.2 million people that voted, those 338,000 votes account for only 0.28%. That's pretty damn tiny.

At the same time, 46ish% of eligible voters didn't vote, which has a lot of people 'outraged'. I'm not sure how to feel about that. In an ideal world we'd all be well informed and we would vote. But if you're not informed, you really shouldn't vote IMO. But it does make you wonder how things would shake out if a higher percentage did vote.

As for the electoral college, again, not sure what to think there. Yes, Hillary got a few more actual-people votes. But when you look at the electoral map by county, man, it's a sea of Red. The election really was urban vs rural.

[Corso]

With due respect--they seem to be doing just that. Discussion is civil. Protest without violence is civil. Anxiety is civil. Taking the winning candidate at his or her word is smart until proven otherwise.

The use of "followers" goes both ways btw. And it's a good point--none of us should be followers. These people work for us, provided we remember that.

Protest without violence is civil, until that line is crossed. Which eventually happens:

Violence erupts in Portland ‘riot’ as anti-Trump protests continue in cities across the nation - The Washington Post

[Dallas Tex]

And soon I’ll be called a racist just for this post. Which I’ve been called here before. Simply because my opinion differs from some.

I don't dare attempt to speak for Corso, but i believe his point speaks to the redefinition of the term Racist & Racism.

Racism is such a horrible practice & ideology that even the mere accusation of racist behavior can be devastating. And yes, as of late the mere accusation is considered more than enough to 'convict'.

The president elect is assumed to be a racist because he wants to enforce our nations borders, like any other nation does. Mexico enforces its border to the south & yes deports illegal immigrants. A nation enforcing its sovereign borders shouldn't be conflated with racism.

[Will Neide]

Yes, Hillary got a few more actual-people votes. But when you look at the electoral map by county, man, it's a sea of Red. The election really was urban vs rural.

All the talk of her winning the popular vote is a straw man. The popular vote isn't the game we're playing here. The vote totals could have looked very different if the popular vote were the deciding factor.

The electoral college isn't going anywhere, and I believe that is a good thing for all of us even if I don't always like the results.

[Matthew J]

Have a difference of opinion with an african american? Racist. In other words getting called out on holding all African Americans responsible for the actions of the few.
Have a difference of opinion with a Muslim? Racist. And hater. In others words getting called out on holding all Muslims (a religion as varied as xtianity btw) for the actions of the few.
Have a difference of opinion with someone in academia? Moron. And racist. In other words not countering science with actual science but accusing scientists of being part of a vast global conspiracy.
Have a difference of opinion with the police? Revolutionary. And the cops a racist. In other words, holding US policing to standards consistent with the rest of the first world is lib'rul poppycock.
Hmmm, now that I think about it...
Being “white” and not a Democrat or Socialist? Racist. Absolute nonsense.
Not a Bernie Bro? Racist. And anti-semite. Absolute nonsense.
Voted for Trump? Racist and you don’t even know it. Absolute nonsense.
Dare to criticize President Obama? Racist supreme. Never even once been suggested.
Didn’t like Beyonce’s halftime show? Racist. Huh?
Didn’t vote for Hillary? Sexist. And racist. Nonsense?
Like NASCAR? Need I go on? Nonsense.

[colker]

Lives Matter.
Once you start shouting Black, White, HIspanic.. you institutionalize racism.

I still don't get why someone is called african american when there is not Irish american or Jewish american.
It's all institutionalized racism: make it harder to disappear. Why? Because you create political jobs, you open space for manipulators.

[Matthew J]

All the talk of her winning the popular vote is a straw man. The popular vote isn't the game we're playing here. The vote totals could have looked very different if the popular vote were the deciding factor.

The electoral college isn't going anywhere, and I believe that is a good thing for all of us even if I don't always like the results.

It will have to go somewhere if this country is to go forward. The system was designed at a time when well over 70% of the U.S. was rural and even a greater percentage of the economy was based on agriculture. The United States is now over 85% urban - and the trend is for more, not less consolidation. Agriculture is only around 10% of the GDP.

Yet the system as it is gives rural America and the agriculture sector power far greater than their numbers and economic significance warrant. Yes, there are more House Reps from urban areas than rural. But even there the Senate has shown how easy it is to steer the SCOTUS to a conservative majority that almost certainly will look favorably on the efforts to silence the voice of the urban people through gerrymandering and voter suppression.

At some point people without a voice will give up on a system that offers no hope of ever getting one.

[j44ke]

I don't know whether Trump is a racist - I think very few people probably know who Trump is at all exactly - but he did harness the energy of ethno-economic anxiety and jealousy to keep his chosen constituency involved and committed to voting. As the PiL song goes, "Anger is an energy", and that energy is infectious, which, for a candidate who has as a primary obstacle getting a largely uninvolved and apathetic constituency to actually go to the polls and vote, is a valuable tool. I also think his carefully crafted responses that seemed at least agnostic about the racist invectives emanating from the crowds at his rallies and elsewhere were effective in energizing opposition to his campaign, so his attitude cut both ways to some extent. I think his primary effort was to pique the opposition at every possible moment in order to endear himself to his constituency and earn their trust as their leader.

The technique is common in politics, but at the extremes of its implementation lie some of the worst invents in history. Or as a friend said (and I am paraphrasing because I don't write down everything my friends say) - Everyone hates their landlord and their boss, but when people are convinced that "landlord" or "boss" is a symbolic euphemism for a group or an ethnicity that must be purged from society in order to preserve or restore the health of that society, that becomes dangerous.

Trump was definitely skirting the edges of that danger. We'll see whether he can bring morality back into the rhetoric surrounding his campaign as he moves toward the office of President. I don't think someone who disburses the matches to a group of people in a movie theater is wholly innocent when the movie theater burns to the ground, even if each of the people they gave matches to came carrying their own cans of gasoline.