What we need to worry about once trump is gone.

[Jakes Progress]

Once the orange gibbon is put in an orange jump suit, and most of the country breaks out in a dance, we still have to worry about what this last year said about our country.

How did this churl become president? How? And more importantly, what will we do if the next liar in line isn't as stone cold stupid as this one? Our country has already proven that it will fall for hatred and meanness if it dresses up in populist rhetoric. People from this country will vote for racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and LBGT hatred. They will happily support a celebrity for dictator. Luckily, this one was too stupid for his own good. What happens if the next one to pull this game isn't that dumb?

Our electorate has proven it is a danger to itself.

I'm what most consider old. I have to have hope that the majority of young people won't fall for this shit, that they won't be so addicted to (anti)social media that it will happen again.

[denbot]

1. Three words

The Fairness Doctrine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine

[WhiteTara]

2. Indeed!

[Jakes Progress]

3. And these words stopped us from electing trump

in what way?

[denbot]

4. There isnt a Fairness Doctrine in place anymore.

The Fairness Doctrine was repealed by Reagan in 1987, so your reply puzzles me.

[Jakes Progress]

5. Why?

My OP suggested that we needed to worry about a smart version of trump and asked what we should do about it. The first reply indicated that the Fairness Doctrine (three words) would be the answer.

I ask again how a rule that has been repealed will help a new generation avoid another "populist" disaster?

[ChoppinBroccoli]

6. Maybe We'll Actually Learn From This

I mean, I guess you could look to Germany. When they made the biggest mistake in their country's history, they never repeated it. It's been 75 years, and they haven't elected another Hitler.

I do agree with you, though, that it certainly seems like this country is a lot stupider than most, and I could very easily see the same thing happening again. The 30% of the population who follow him like a cult leader are not just going to disappear when he goes to prison. And truth be told, I thought after people saw what a disaster Bush was, that this country had turned a corner. Obviously we haven't. The only thing that gives me hope is the fact that the really hateful RWers are generally older (whereas the younger generation is overwhelmingly liberal), and old people die. And hopefully their hateful politics will die with them.