I can't stand Trump. And I didn't vote for him (nor did I vote Clinton). But I don't think that the majority of people voted for Trump share his viewpoints about gays, minorities, etc., that the (clearly, very biased) mass media would have you believe that Trump feels. He has said he has no problems with gays, he has a black woman running his charities (insert token, "But he has black friends" comment here), etc. I don't think Trump is a bad person. I would like to think Trump isn't a bad person, and his words of hatred or intolerance are not a true representation of him. I have been guilty of racism, sexism, etc. Intended or not intended. I can honestly admit that. Even if it's meant to be humorous, it still is what it is. I'll be the first thing to admit that I've said terrible things, things that I'd be embarrassed or ashamed if the general public heard them. Sometimes we say things in private that are not representative of who we are. Sometimes in the context of humor, sometimes out of frustration, sometimes out of...? It doesn't make it right, but in general, those things are not representative of the way I otherwise carry myself and live my life. I see people spewing all sort of terrible shit about Trump and his supporters on FB. Well, guess what? They're no better than he is, or his supporters. Most of my FB friends are people I've grown up with, and I've heard a helluva lot worse come out of their mouths over my lifetime than anything Trump has ever said. So, I can see how some supporters can brush that aside and say that's not who he is. All of that said..... I guess I'm just saying that I think people believe we'll see who Trump is through his ultimate actions, not necessarily through his words. And I think a lot of people clearly were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's not as bad as some of his words would indicate.
If you're willing to overlook that.... then, well, I can see why you'd choose Trump. A lot of people do not like the current economical direction of the country, so they felt the need to see if Trump can shake it up. Very risky, in my opinion. But... if you think things are bad, why stay the current path and vote Hillary? She's been involved in creating the current environment for 30 years. For the people upset that Trump wasn't paying his share of taxes.... well, that's smart business maneuvering. BUT Hillary has been a part of the system that has created the environment that allowed people like Trump to avoid taxes. I can look at the social progress we've made in recent years, and feel comfort in that. I'm sure others do, as well, so maybe the hope of economical growth and improvement was the bigger priority for some people.
It's easy to look at Trump, consider the stupid shit he has said, and say that with support of hate-mongering groups, that Trump clearly is full of hate. Honestly, let's consider this: we have a black president today. We had a woman running against Trump. Most hate groups in the US are white males. So, it didn't matter who was put up by the Republican party, if it was a white male, he was going to get a lot of support from hate groups. I don't completely blame Trump for that (though he could have done more to shut them up, or not have opened his mouth, which encouraged them).
I dunno.... I'm still grasping how/why people would have voted Trump. But then I just look at the other option, and I feel like I was staring at two heaping piles of poop. How do you choose? I wanted Bernie. With Trump as President-elect, I'm putting my faith into believing that Trump will focus on improving the economy and things of that nature, and let the social growth continue as it has before he was elected. I am hoping that his actions speak far more than the words he spoke in the months leading up to election day.
