Editor’s Note: Hillary Clinton won nearly 90% of the vote on the Upper West Side, but that still means about 4,600 Upper West Siders voted for Trump. One of them, Howard F., is a West Side Rag contributor. Demographics suggest he would vote for Clinton — he’s a longtime Upper West Sider and native New Yorker who works in nonprofit fundraising for an organization that helps at-risk teens. His three boys went to PS 9 and his wife is an architect and artist.
By Howard F.
So…why did I vote for Donald Trump?! Here are three reasons.
I’m a registered Independent. Perhaps that means I don’t stand for anything. Or perhaps it means I’m merely a recovering alcoholic who doesn’t like to have any political party tell me what to do. What it’s meant practically is that I have voted for all affiliations of candidates at all levels for my entire voting life, which started in 1981. Congressman Bill Green and Senator Pat Moynihan are my heroes. I voted for Bill Clinton twice, because I thought he could do the job, and neither time for Barack Obama, because I didn’t think he could, which brings me to my next point.
My vote is always a “hiring decision.” If you can’t do the job, regardless of what you tell me on television or in ads, you’re not getting my vote. “Past performance IS an indicator of future success.” An indicator, not the indicator. I have never hired someone at work based on hypothetical Q&As or what they promise – job candidates and politicians lie – I look at their values and how they live them out with accomplishments that I also value. I was comfortable enough in what I saw in Trump, and equally nonplussed at Clinton’s lack of executive experience, that I believed he could accomplish my two priorities.
Trump as president could do what I valued most. I wanted a candidate who would (1) keep my family (wife and three kids) as safe as possible from terrorism, and (2) foster an economic environment to accelerate job creation for all Americans, especially poor Americans. All I want from a president is results in both these categories. Don’t let us get blown up, and help the most vulnerable by creating a path out of poverty.
I hope and pray I was right in my vote—I really do. Time will tell. But you have neighbors who are willing to look like racists—and who might even BE racists—who cast their vote for a candidate we hope will accomplish good things for all New Yorkers and all Americans.
One more thing…
The WSR ran an article on Inauguration Day about a small plane pulling a banner that read, “WE OUTNUMBER HIM! RESIST!” I had held my tongue for over two months about my vote, but that Friday felt for me like a new chapter, and I frankly was excited and hopeful.
Yet others—most others in NYC—were fearful, and I rudely dismissed that real emotion at the end of my otherwise even-keeled comment. I concluded, “…Get over yourselves and look forward rather than give in to your specious fears.” It was rude and, unfortunately, I embodied the earned reputation of Trump supporters being Neanderthals With Nukes.
Feel free to debate Howard in the comments, but keep it civil. We’ll be deleting comments that don’t adhere to basic community guidelines.
Reading this guy’s reasons for voting for Trump literally makes me sick to my stomach. I find his logic so wrong and his inability to see through Trump’s con artist act mind- boggling. Can he not see that Trump is putting the country and indeed the entire world at greater risk for war? He has three boys. Is he not scared that they will be drafted to go fight a war that would not have happened but for Trump? I am terrified about that possibility for my son. I am very sad that someone who should know better is so misguided.
Hey UWS Mom – So I deeply disagree with those who voted for Trump but I can still disagree with someone without getting personal. We all have different opinions and make different choices, but that doesn’t mean that anyone is right or wrong. Howard made a principled decision that I may not understand (still) but he doesn’t deserve personal attacks (only enlightenment, perhaps)
We might spend more time really trying to understand each other to find common ground (the concept is referred to as civil discourse). A closed mind and lack of curiosity is probably a greater danger to your son than a terrorist attack.
Oh, please! Spare us all the yacketyak about “civil discourse!” As though THAT were something that the liberal Democratic crowd has a lock on! Did you read some of the comments and insults that were thrown at President Trump as a candidate……and continue to be thrown, now that he is the Chief Executive! Civil discourse and having an understanding and tolerance for an opposing point of view is all very well and good, but the liberal leftist progressive Democratic crowd is so intolerant that that has been rendered a virtual impossibility!
I wonder whether you noticed that this was one liberal telling another not to be rude to a Trump supporter?
We had a choice between the misogynist and the criminal. The misogynist won. Only time will tell whether the voting public made the right choice. At least the Constitution is alive and well . . .
I see you comfortable with the misongynist criminal who is trampling all over the constitution with his band of white male thugs. Glad you stand behind that. Oh and what was the crime again on the other side f the ticket…
I think you meant to say the criminal AND misogynist vs. the criminal.
You mean like the longest war in American history that Obama said he would get us out of and didn’t..you that kind of war?
You mean the war that was started by Bush under false pretenses?! That war?
You mean that war that Hillary voted for?
I do love that moment when someone knows they are a hypocrite and stops responding.
How would you win this war, Karen? And what happened to your hero Trump’s secret plan that he couldn’t reveal (and still hasn’t because he has no plan)?
Every attempt he made to pull out was scorned by Republicans. They still blame him for troop reductions. Let’s remember who got us into the wars in the first place.
You’re the misguided one.
Props for coming out of the closet. I’m asking these questions in sincerity, I hope they come across that way and not accusatory.
Do you still 100% stand behind your decision after he’s been in office now for a little over 3 weeks?
Do any of the … alternative facts thing… been bothering you?
If keeping your family safe from terrorism was a main priority, what made you decide to vote for a man with zero experience in that realm against a person who has been surrounded with diplomatic relations for the better part of 30 years?
Do the alternative facts that are given by him, Kellyanne, et al bother you now that he is President?
Thanks for taking the time to do this!
“We Are the 4,600”.
Profile in courage right here. Whether you agree with him or not, you have to respect this guy for “coming out,” so to speak. Being an open Trump supporter in this city is not a popular position and I imagine it could risk friendships, working relationships, etc. Bravo to this guy for standing up for his principles and kudos to WSR for giving him a platform.
I absolutely, totally agree. Thank you, Howard, for having the courage — unfortunately needed in this community — to articulate your thoughts.
I may not agree with them, and you might not agree with mine, but I am grateful that we can have a peaceful dialogue. Thank you for speaking up, and thank you WSR for making the forum available.
hmm. no comments yet. Or maybe they were all un “civil.” Anyway this quote says it all: “I was comfortable enough in what I saw in Trump, and equally nonplussed at Clinton’s lack of executive experience, that I believed he could accomplish my two priorities.” Either this guy needs glasses or he only sees alternative facts.
and/or a dictionary…
Since you are so concerned with children, how do you feel about Trumps new Sec. of Education, Betsy DeVos??
Was she the most qualified? Did Trump have the country’s poor and middle class children’s best interests in mind? Does she have any background or experience whatsoever….at all…anything????
Oh, that’s right…her family donated over $200 million dollars to the Republican Party.
Anyway, what a shame.
UWSider-You’ve got that right! No experience appears to be what is required to be on the Trump team. Billions in campaign contributions is the only criteria. DeVos was brought in to deconstruct our public school system and privatize it. Education-the great equalizer. But I sincerely believe that this is not what is wanted in an Administration riding off the skids of American Democracy. Time will tell, and while we can admire the writer’s honesty, he will suffer the same as those of us who voted for Clinton.
And what about NY Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s naming of Carmen Farina as Chancellor of the school system? She had loads of “experience” as an educator, and hers has been an abysmal tenure in the job! Experience does not always predict how well someone will perform in a job! Betsy DeVos recognizes that the public school system in this country is seriously in need of remediation, and is a supporter of the charter schools and giving parents a choice of where they wish to send their children! She may do well in her position, she may not……..but it is clear that her predecessors on the job have not done a damned thing to improve the situation, WITH all of their experience! The only reason why there was such opposition to DeVos being named was because the teachers’ unions led it, owing to her support for charter schools.
What nonsense…a big Conservative donor is a problem but not liberals (Soros, Steyer, etc.). Unlike the teachers union, she actually cares about public school children.
Soros hasn’t been appointed to anything in the government. See the difference?
Soros does not need to be appointed to anything.
He buys governments.
As do the Koch’s and The Mercer’s. This campaign was a wild dream come true for Citizens United Supporter Steve Bannon who is aligned and backed by Rebekah Mercer. Hope you have read up on both. At least “most” of the left take care of people, and a good portion (not all) on the right just want to deregulate and destroy civil decency. Though you won’t agree. Bottom line we need some government house cleaning and tweaking of our system to get big money exposed. Add that to the list as the orange twisted one rapes this country.
Really? Does he get a deal if he like buys two or three at the same time. Maybe a discount or like a buy one get one free situation.
Hmmm….maybe he cut some coupons out of the paper and got a deal. I’m sure he never pays retail though..I mean, he is Jewish after all and we hate to pay retail.
Reminds me of a quote from that great poet of the 20th Century, Jay-Z….
“you can’t sell us, bulls&%$….we know the prices.”:)
He probably can’t see the difference.
The Right isn’t big on facts and information.
How about:
Matthew Barzun, $3.5M, U.S. Ambassador to Sweden from 2009-2011, President Obama’s National Finance Chair during his 2012 reelection campaign, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Julius Genachowski, $3.5m, Chairman of the FCC
Frank Sanchez, $3.4m, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade
I’m sorry – can you remind me what Cabinet positions have been held by George Soros and Tom Steyer?
The most important positions of all:
Billionar passing on their agendas through mega donations to both parties.
And the democrats always cry foul, yet accept hundreds of millions from their own billionar buddies.
Wake up and smell the stench of freshly minted hundred dollar bills.
No reasonable person would deny the influence of money in politics regardless of political orientation. The issue at hand is the appointment of a wholly unqualified person to a Cabinet position solely as a result of massive political contributions.
Did you just say that the teachers union doesn’t care about children? That’s pretty misguided.
The teachers’ union protects teachers just as every other union protects its employees first. Their #1 priority is to increase teachers compensation and does not include bettering education for the sake of the students. If the teachers’ union was on top of creating a school system where education excelled, there would have been no chance for No Child Left Behind to be a thing. It was created, while ridiculous, as the best option presented because nothing else was being done.
You seem like a nice guy by now you’ve figured out this idiot only emboldening the terrorists and giving them an effective rallying cry to recruit new members and financial supporters. Good going.
you bring up an interesting point about ‘hiring’ a president – the one big question that came out of this entire year for me is : why doesn’t the job of POTUS require an interview of sorts, or vetting (i.e., making income taxes public), or something to confirm the candidate has a thorough understanding of the job responsibilities, the Constitution and how government works (in terms of foreign relations, how to execute an executive order without creating chaos, how to keep the Commander in Chief’s communications in check so as not to effect national security, etc) – this has my blood boiling !!!
I agree. thanks for posting your pro Trump thoughts. Let’s hope the other side allows you your opinion without backlash. I suffered through Obama for 8 years without villifying those who voted for him.
I’m having a hard time believing this is real. I mean – you’re saying Clinton lacks “executive” (I.e. Getting stuff done) experience to be President, but the person who has never been in government a day in his life is fine? Trump was the most unqualified candidate in American history and you’re honestly saying you chose him for his “experience”?
“If you can’t do the job, regardless of what you tell me on television or in ads, you’re not getting my vote.”
Sir, it has been obvious since day 1 of campaign season that Trump can’t do the job. Now that he’s in office, it’s even more glaringly obvious. This was all 100% foreseeable.
What’s the real reason?
If you’re going to discuss why you voted for Trump, at least give us the real reasons. I don’t know how you can honestly say with a straight face that you believe that he will keep us safe from terrorists and help those who are impoverished. This is almost laughable.
Respectfully disagree with your assessment of Trump. I didn’t vote for Clinton either, but instead voted third-party. (Those of you who’ve seen my comments can guess which party.)
My vote was easy because New York isn’t a swing state, so no matter who I voted for my vote didn’t really count. If I were in a swing state…I would have held my nose and voted for Clinton. And I oppose basically all her policies. Trump is just *that* unqualified to be President. It’s not his executive ability that disqualifies him, mind you, but his temperament.
But it does take courage to admit you voted for Trump in this city. I’ll give you that. And, despite how much I dislike Trump and his ideas, I do enjoy watching the left-wing throw a fit over every single thing. But it’s cold comfort knowing how damaging his presidency might be.
I guess he’s not a snowflake. Young people under 45 have very little moral compass, and lack of discipline I’m upper ws over 40 years . This gentleman has it right not flipping out. Trump is a leader that we needed I have voted for every party over time
Please provide evidence to support your claim about people under age 45 having a problem with their “moral compass” and “lack of discipline” when compared to older people.
Don’t worry. I’m just kidding. There is no evidence.
We are very used to seeing people snowflakes the Right have opinions based on “feelings” rather than fact.
Sorry, I have zero respect for anyone who voted for Trump after his misogyny, racism, and evil nature were on display during the election. He is a despicable person with not one iota of compassion or empathy. Once I saw him abuse the Gold Star parents and mock a handicapped reporter about his disability, I knew that I could never respect him or anyone voting for him. He cares only about himself and exhibits mental illness.
He’s a disgrace to this country and the human race. I can hardly think of a worse role model for my children.
You are fake news! I will call you out on just one of your false claims: Trump did not mock a reporter for his disability. Trump uses the same gestures generally to mock people. He did the same to Ted Cruz, for instance. Granted, it’s not the most sophisticated way to ridicule someone, but the way the media has misrepresented it is dishonest and reprehensible.
Oh, well, then, I guess you believe that spazzy and contemptuous mockery done in general rather than in particular befits the protocols of the Oval Office of the United States of America. So presidential! Sad!
Have to agree with you here. Trump is not something we should be normalizing.
You are supposed to be a role model for your children, not the President. I’ll take Trump with all his flaws, because he actually cares about this country and the safety of it’s citizens. Unlike Clinton, whose flaws are much more serious and too many to mention. Thank G-d Clinton was defeated.
Bravo, UWSHebrew…..
Well said, indeed!
How do you really know whether either Trump or Clinton truly and honestly cared about anything beyond their own careers?
In my estimation, Clinton was more believable as she has a long history of advocacy work going back to her time in college.
Is Trump on record anywhere as having done anything that didn’t directly benefit himself?
“Career” regarding Trump?! He has a beautiful wife 25 years younger than him, capped off a decade of very highly rated reality television, and is constantly constructing / renovating buildings. He’s 70 years old, you think he ran for POTUS as a CAREER choice?! He did it because he saw the downhill slope this country has been on, and he wants to change it around, because he loves America. If you want to make that statement about Hillary Clinton, well, that would be spot-on, as she raked in tens of millions for her “speeches” which we all know she was supposed to pay back through favors when she became POTUS.
“You are gross”.
You should consider a job as a Trump speechwriter. Seems you share an intellectual level and linguistic sophistication.
@ Izzy. You are gross. I mentioned what Obama did and now you state that is why I like Trump. What a hateful smear-merchant you are.
Yup.
There are plenty of Jews like me who understand that holding Israel to high standards isn’t anti-Israel.
Real friends can disagree.
Snowflakes require constant adoration and agreement.
AUWSHebrew Now I understand why you “like” Trump. I just read through all of your comments on this thread in an attempt to understand it, and now it’s so obvious to me. This is about Israel and the UN Vote. I get it, I totally disagree with you on that issue, but I get it now. That said, at least do us all a favor and don’t pretend you actually think Trump is a decent president, or decent human being for that matter, when that really isn’t what you’re fighting for.
We all hope you are right, UWShebrew. Every one of us wants peace and prosperity, along with American freedom.
I don’t trust Trump at all – I see him as a lunatic – but I hope I’m mistaken. Like you said, hopefully the fact he is a father and a grandfather means he acts with a calm and realistic eye towards the future.
@ Erica — I’ll take his Holocaust comments all day, every day, as it is better than Obama and his administration, stabbing Israel in the back at the U.N. days before he left office. Even the most liberal, Obama-loving American Jews were in shock when that occurred (I was not surprised one bit).
@ Margaret — you misunderstood me. My point in stating he has a beautiful wife 25 years younger than him is not to congratulate him on it, or to hold him in high regard because of it. It was that he does not need to be President “with all he has” already in his life. But he chose to enter politics and the stress it entails because he wants to steer the country in what he (and what many other Americans believe), is a better direction that Clinton, who would continue down the Obama path (completely failed foreign policy as an example). NOW, your misguided, disgusting comment “Please don’t bitch about intolerance”, is out of left-field, and has more to do with YOUR PREJUDICES, as I have not stated ANYTHING to warrant that.
I am surprised that you still support him after his explanation for ignoring the death of Jews in the Holocaust.
Oh gross.
So in this “in no way sexist” worldview, how much better is a president with a beautiful spouse his own age, vs a president with a somehow less pretty spouse 25 years younger than him? What about someone whose hero in life was literally “no one. Or wait, I guess definitely, myself.” Which one would be the best qualified commander in chief deciding when and how to send American troops off to war?
Please don’t bitch about intolerance if you’re expecting to get away with ridiculous bs like that.
No need to debate with Howard when I totally agree and support him.
How typical and dismissive that you would assume that would be the only replies. Nothing like the loving Liberals, but only if you agree with them.
Howard, the Doomsday clock has already been set closer to midnight under the new president’s watch. So much for him keeping your family safer from terrorism and a major war.
Fake news and alternative facts should be alarming to all Americans, no matter who you voted for in November. As a contributor to the WSR, there’s another thing I think you’d be frightened of–the Trump administration’s efforts to demonize and clamp down on a free press. Certainly the press has a duty to report the facts without bias. However, unless you’re the head of a totalitarian regime, being questioned and critiqued by the press comes with the territory of being president.
Trump is unstable and erratic and is making enemies of allies. This makes the US unsafe
Howard, we all want to keep our families safe from terror and we know that the more wealth is distributed among the
poor and the disadvantaged the stronger the economy is.
The only thing that I didn’t read is the amount and type of
research you did while making up your mind. I do hope you
have the opportunity to research for yourself in the next
election. I wish you well !
“I wanted a candidate who would … (2) foster an economic environment to accelerate job creation for all Americans, especially poor Americans.”
Besides Trump touting that he was going to bring back manufacturing jobs–jobs which are never realistically coming back in significant numbers due to automation–what made you think Trump would foster job creation?
“I look at their values and how they live them out with accomplishments that I also value.”
This is the kind of thinking I will just never be able to wrap my head around, as it seems to emanate from an entirely delusional alternate reality (and I’m not trying to be antagonistic for antagonism’s sake, just conveying my honest sentiments). Trump’s former wife accused him of rape in a sworn deposition. Over a dozen women came forward to allege they were sexually assaulted by him. He was caught on tape boasting about sexual misconduct. His professional career is littered with contractors he has stiffed and mistreated. Politically neutral monitors found that Trump lied during his campaign at rates astronomically higher than Clinton, a pathology that has only worsened in office. And for all his claims that he is not a bigot, it is impossible to deny that Trump’s rhetoric during the campaign at the very least deliberately played to nativist and even outright racist sentiment among certain contingencies of his supporters. And to you, and many others, this was the “values” candidate. I just … don’t get it.
I agree 100% with columbus_crew. I agree that Howard Freeman is courageous to express his minority opinion here. I hope he is brave and open-minded enough to change his mind and stop supporting Trump (and to speak out about it) when he learns more about how ruinous Trump’s actions, words, plans, and character are for our country.
Does it mean that the 90% who voted for Clinton are losers?
I respect that he came out as a Trump voter.
I have three neighbors in my building on West End Avenue who did just that.
It’s amazing how the upper west side is so progressive yet will not accept that not all will be of the same political mind.
Kind of makes you think that the liberals are not the ones to be inclusive.
And one more thing, please do not equate Trump to Hitler.
This lets Hitler off the hook.
And as Rahm Emanuel said:” “take a chill pill and stop whining. Think only on the next battle ground”.
Sorry, Howard, but Dumpf doesn’t care at all about you and your family. You may not have liked Hillary, but to fall for the propaganda and garbage that came out of Dumpf’s mouth during the election to actually vote for him- what a simplistic view of the world you must have..
You made a colossal mistake, especially for your sons. I hope you are not also teaching them to aspire to BE like Dumpf – he is a horrible role model, a racist liar and a disgrace of a leader. A child and narcissist that has no place in the most powerful job in the world. Already he has thrown the wrecking ball through global alliances that were necessary to – as you say – keep us safe. You and your family are FAR FAR FAR less safe now than you were a year ago. And your sons will someday be on the front lines.
No respect for your decision. You will regret it
Are you kidding? Past performance is an indicator of future success. So you voted for a guy who had a terrible record of stiffing vendors, running casinos into the ground, multiple bankruptcies. Man, you’d make a lousy executive recruiter.
How’s your decision feeling now? Feel safer? Is a man who equates the actions of American politicians with those of Putin someone you want to lead this country? And how about this cabinet? Are your public school educated children well-served by a secretary of education who doesn’t believe in public education?
This sounds like it was planted by the GOP. I don’t believe this is a real person. The photo looks like a stock photo.
Are you an expert of photography and stock photos?
Can’t you think that some people will vote for Trump because they think he’s the better candidate?
Mr. Freeman, you are not alone.
Yikes! This person is real! Totally in a bubble of alternative reality.
Dear Lara,
He may be live a bubble, but so are you.
The bubble of NYC and the Upper West side, where anyone and anything that does not agree with you is labeled disgusting, ugly, Nazi, racist, etc.
It’s about time that the far left realize they lost the election, regroup for the next one and take some medicine to calm down.
Cheers all and welcome the snow that will be oh so nice for all you snowflakes.
zeus — thank you.
You should consider reading some Trump tweets and Spicer comments for examples of extreme snowflakery.
Sorry, with “leaders” with the thinnest of skins and who would rather whine, blame, and cry than govern, the Right should think twice about throwing around the “snowflake” label.
I voted for Trump because he seemed to be the better alternative. Hillary came to the election with many issues that left her untrustworthy. I thought Trump presented as more sincere in his desire to help America. She and the Democrats are favored by the urban voters who are also the most affluent, most vocal and most likely to get into the media.
I fit the profile of a Clinton supporter big time.
So how do you feel now? Still upset about the emails and Benghazi?
I don’t get it. He will only endanger our safety by inciting terror, and he has made it quite obvious that he has nothing but disdain for the vulnerable. You can’t be serious. I try to understand what goes on in the minds of Trump’s supporters, but I don’t get it.
I’ve contended that the guy won the presidency because enough folks who hated Clinton lived in the right states. Clinton lost the election because of the deep vitriol many felt towards her. Ask anybody who voted for Donald to describe their opinion of Clinton and you’ll get a mouthful. I doubt the words of praise above for Donald are the real reason for the vote – it is the writer’s feelings about his opponent that really mattered. Not policy, not fear of terrorism (we’re more likely to be shot by a fellow non-Muslim citizen in this country than ever encounter a terrorist), not job preparation.
I appreciate this article. I’ve been curious to hear the reasons for Upper West Siders who voted for Trump.
The president scares me on national security, climate change, American civil rights, and foreign policy. Some of these are areas where any missteps could do deep damage to our future; others can ruin lives.
I’ve seen enough in two weeks to be done with “give Trump a chance.” (Maybe screaming at Australia, or maybe nominating a secretary of energy who didn’t know his position safeguards our nuclear arsenal). My sentiment is that America today feels like a horror movie where we’re the character who just rushed under the chainsaw wall and meanwhile those threatening phonecalls are coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE. The consequences are so alarming. But I hope I’m mistaken and Trump lives up to the faith you put in him.
Dude, you drank the cool aid!
Curious if by “registered Independent” means you are in fact registered with “American Independent Party?” If so, perhaps your research should begin there. It is a far-right organization, not the benign organization many assume it is.
Good for you Howard. Living on the Upper West Side doesn’t mean that we have to apologize for not abiding by the “rules” that some of our neighbors proclaim as defining our neighborhood. I too voted for Trump, albeit reluctantly, mainly for reasons that have to do with our economy. I admit that I am very disappointed with the temperament that he continues to display as well as his Presidential appointments. But I’m also aghast at the fanatical, intolerant behavior that many anti-Trumpers exhibit toward those who voted for him.
Paul RL says: “I am very disappointed with the temperament that he continues to display” I’m curious about what made you think he would not continue to be who he has always been. Please help me understand that.
Sure Kathleen. Simply put, I believed that much of his bluster was in fact bluster. And that once elected, he would calm down his rhetoric, appoint more moderate (and experienced) Cabinet picks, truly reach out to the folks that didn’t vote for him, and take some public speaking training. I also was hoping that since he’s from New York, he wouldn’t lean so far-right on the social issues (abortion, for example) that, in my opinion, have hijacked the Republican party. On the flip side, I feel that the Democratic party has been hijacked by the far-left Progressives, and my first mantra was “Anyone But Bernie.” Most of my job interaction is with people from all over the country who own small businesses and manufacturing companies. They overwhelmingly voted for Trump because they are suffering economically and feel that he could help with lower taxes and job creation. It’s easy for folks who live in the New York Bubble to paint everyone who voted for him as a bigoted, misogynistic homophobe, but that’s simply not the case.
Do you feel that his first weeks in office support your hopes that the bluster will subside?
Nope, not yet.
Howard – I respect your views, but f I don’t agree with them. What I can’t for the life of me understand though is even in the hope of change, how to overlook everything else he represents, I don’t need to name them. All the rules and respect for this position have been shattered. It is incomprehensible to me that this has happened and that he represents our country. I don’t understand how you can look the other way and ignore the rest of the picture. Seriously help me understand this?
Howard, I totally respect your logic. My major issue with him was his temperament (although I had other hesitations). However Hillary was far from perfect either. There was no good candidate for these times. I am curious, how do you like him now?
Well, from this poster who is repulsed by Trump to you – I hope Trump succeeds in keeping our country safe, expanding economic opportunities and well-being, and making America better (I personally think it was great before he was inaugurated).
But I have serious doubts given his:
-illogical travel ban that is likely to make us less secure;
-ongoing behavior of nasty, mean-spirited tweets and comments about anyone who disagrees with him;
-proud ignorance of the nuance that is found in every domestic and international topic;
-appointments of billionaire “elites” who are dogmatic rather than practical and unlikely to understand or care about the ordinary American;
-revival of conservative social views that will likely lead to special laws that will provide safe spaces to religious fundamentalists. Those laws will allow them to avoid doing their jobs while discriminating against people with whom they disagree.
Perhaps he will grow.
I hope so.
I would be thrilled if, after 4 years of Trump, I can look back and say “I was wrong about him”.
At the end of the day, we are all Americans and I would love to see us all safe, secure, and happy.
Your hopes, UWS mom, are empty and have no basis in reality. I read often, “I hope this” about donald trump or “I hope that” about donald trump. It’s so important to understand he is NOT going to change and hoping he will helps people avoid taking action and seeing the truth. We need not hope he will change, we need to hope we can and will effect change because we are taking actions to do so. That is a hope I can get behind because history shows us that resistance, advocacy and activism do change the course of events.
What is interesting is that my goals are similar, and I went the other way. I believe that Trump’s approach and behavior are far more likely to leave us isolated, economically and militarily, and I find his behavior so far to confirm those fears. And I want an economy that serves me, but that does not rest on the backs of people sinking into despair. The ACA is a key piece of that latter element, as are elements of the ever-despised welfare. I wanted to see them amended, but not repealed – magical thinking is not going to solve those problems.
I do believe that captalism has, in general, produced more good for more people than other economic systems have – but when unlimited by regulation and social programs to aid those left at the bottom, it leads to such inequities that the system collapses. Allowing the wealthy to magnify their vote, relying on suppression of minority voters and other tactics in recent use make clear that the current situation can be supported only if many are disenfranchised – and it proves that supporters of these tactics know it.
Ultimately, I believe this election will prove a turning point for this country because it will prove whether we are willing to ignore cruelty, inequity, bias, and exploitation as well as short-sighted destruction of the national patrimony to serve our own short-term economic well being. I do not believe that the majority of Americans will – when they see plainly that this is what they have in their government. I believe that as the antics of this administration continue, more and more people who were willing to “give him a try” will recognize that you can’t dance with the devil and remain untainted. I already see more societal engagement by many (including myself) who were content to let things rise and leave things in the hands of others who, like most activists, are more wedded to theory that practical good and, in the end, I think that will save us. And if some infrastructure actually gets built along the way, so much the better.
In the meantime, I think we would all do well to try to behave like adults and stop name calling. As you can see, I have serious policy and moral differences with your views, but I appreciate your laying them out and having the courage to put your name to them.
I appreciate you presenting your reasons for voting for Trump in a clear, non-combative manner. That being said, regarding your points:
– On executive experience, yes, Trump has run a large company. But he has never worked in government. He ran his large company like a dictator, and he is now doing the same thing in government. Government is all about compromise and negotiation. He is clearly unable to do this.
– Until Trump made it an issue, being safe from terrorists was so far from my top priorities. I am more likely to die getting hit by a truck crossing Broadway than in a terrorist attack. But even if that was a major concern, all Trump has done since entering office is further antagonize terrorists, not make America safer.
– As a parent of children, one of my key points in electing a president is “hiring” someone my kids can look up to. That is why I loved Obama, regardless of his policy – he lives by the principles I believe in. Hillary Clinton was far from a saint, but Trump’s behavior throughout his lifetime has been horrible. His lying, inability to admit mistakes, exaggerations, and overall nastiness are the opposite of what I want my kids to know. I could have agreed with him 100% on policy and I still would not have voted for him.
And thank you, Carlos, for your respectful and thoughtful rebuttal.
Not to mention the demeaning and abusive way he spoke about and treated women who came forward to say he assaulted them, all to be ignored by voters who are so far into denial its deeply disturbing. Our former Mayor Michael Bloomberg knew the real deal as do most of the people who worked with Trump at a high level in NY.
“Throughout his career, Trump has left behind a well-documented record of bankruptcies, thousands of lawsuits, angry shareholders and contractors who feel cheated, and disillusioned customers who feel ripped off. Trump says he wants to run the nation like he’s run his business. God help us,” Bloomberg said.
Dear Howard,
My only hope is you will be able to be truthful if Donald Trump does not perform in the interest of all the people.
Fear and other stuff sometimes cloud an individual’s perceptions. Trump has already revealed his intentions of ignoring the rule of law and appointing cabinet members blatantly unqualified.
Peace be with you,
Nancy Alexander
Thank you, Nancy. I was candid enough to write the article; I will publicly admit I was wrong if I feel Trump has not done what I voted him into to office to do.
Wow! Have you been drinking the Kool-Aid! Trump has made the world less safe ALREADY by isolating us from our allies and emboldening our foes. And, his self-proclaimed business successes are attributable to inherited wealth and manipulation of tax laws, not to great business skill. He has many more failures than successes. Please join me in praying for America to survive the next four years.
To those who votes for Trump: I wonder if you now realize that the republic is being slowly dismantled.
How on earth anyone could fall for the lie that Trump will somehow make us safer is just beyond me.
I applaud WSR’s letting this guy have his say. He seems like an articulate and thoughtful person. To me, he seems incredibly naive. I hope 90% of us are wrong.
I’d love to hear more of what he thinks of Trump’s hiring decisions so far, and in general as we go along. I’d like to know if he is at all embarrassed or ashamed of how the USA is behaving on the world stage.
Thanks again, WSR, for bringing us a divergent view.
Well done for speaking out Howard. We live in a democracy and I’ve been appalled at the “Trump-shaming” of his supporters that has taken place, especially in our great city. I didn’t vote for him (or Hillary for that matter) but I fully support your right to have done so.
Simple question – when you say you’re worried about your family’s safety, do you worry more about a terrorist attack, or being shot? When you look at the number of shooting deaths in this country, they dwarf all other unnatural causes other than, in some states, auto accidents, and of course also dwarf per capita and in raw numbers shooting deaths in peer countries around the world. If Trump were really interested in public safety, wouldn’t he be more focused on defeating the NRA rather than kowtowing to them?
You really need more time to decide if Trump is doing a good job? I pity anymore who bought into Trumps vision that this country is over run with terrorists or that he could bring back 1950s jobs, or that he cares at all about family values. This man only cares about himself his billionaire friends and power! If you do not realize this by now and if you are so well off that the rest of us don’t even enter your thoughts, then I am truly sorry for you. I am especially sorry if you have children as I do, because this madman is going to destroy any future they might have had! If you want to worry about something real, worry bout civil rights, our clean water our clean air and about a living wage, and a planet worth living on in the future for our children and our grandchildren of which I have three!
“I look at their values and how they live them out with accomplishments that I also value” This statement belies any reason to vote for trump whose values are amoral and completely self-serving. As for his accomplishments, at whose cost has he accomplished anything? He has used and abused people all the way along. donald trump has NO values that align themselves with my own and I do not believe he is capable of doing one fourth of the things he boasts he is going to do, and his attempts to do so will continue to be poorly constructed, poorly thought out and regardless of humanitarian and environmental consequences. I’m very glad I don’t work for Mr. Freeman, as his judgment appears distorted at best.
This guy is brave fer posting that he voted for trump. But his thought processes are sadly indicative of a certain mindset… I could pile on and go off on this guy. But it won’t get through… Mebbe the resultant chaos since the election will..
1] Trumps actions in the first two weeks of his Presidency have made us LESS safe.
2] Donald Trump has hired inexperienced billionaires to fill his Cabinet. If you believe they are the least bit interested in helping “the most vulnerable by creating a path out of poverty” then I have a bridge to sell you.
I still don’t understand how 63 million voters could ignore Trump’s racist, narcissistic, bullying, mendacious character but I suppose ignorance really is bliss.
If you still believe that Trump was the candidate that would keep you safer, by now I’m thinking you may not feel this way. Most,not all cabinet nominees are worrisome and unqualified and his business dealings and relationship with Russia, must be troubling. I’m still hard pressed to see what you can feel upbeat about? Have I missed something? Have I misheard all the non fact based assertions? Did I misinterpret his misogynistic declarations?
I’m perplexed.
Howard, thank you for your willingness to do this and for sharing what you care most about. My questions for you are: how did you feel about the way Trump talked and behaved toward all the other candidates? Do you feel his use of language and twitter style is appropriate for a president of the US?
We’re you at all concerned about revelations about his behavior towards women? Did you believe them? What level of safety are you expecting from Trump that you felt you did not have before? Do you think we should sacrifice environmental protections for some job creations? I could ask more, but will leave it for now.
Thanks for the comment, cma. Actually, what I first reacted to was the Administration’s decision to decrease and even eliminate federal grants to municipal transportation. Even though I read that most states/cities, etc., get perhaps 10% of their budgets from the Fed, I assume the MTA would pass along any loss in the form of fare hikes, which might effectively be a regressive tax on the poor. Unless they increase weekly and monthly passes rather than daily fares.