Election Day: Today, we vote for oversight, investigations and subpoenas

United States President Donald J. Trump makes remarks on the illegal immigration crisis and provides an update on border security

Today is Election Day, Midterm Day, GOTV Day and PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD VOTE Day. I’m not allowing myself to feel any hope or anything other than nervous and scared. This is how it should be. Many of us have given into despair and anger and frustration. Many of us have walked away from the hourly fascistic onslaught that is the 24-hour newscycle. Many of us have felt like we’ve been holding our breath for the past two years. My final message to every voter is: vote. It matters. Vote like the future of our country depends on it, because it does. Vote like there will be a tomorrow, and vote like you’ll have to tell your kids and grandkids and great-grandkids about what you did during the Fascist Years.

I honestly think this should be a reason to get to the polls: just a cold, wonkish, analytical description of “what happens next.” Why is it so important? Because even if we get just one chamber of Congress back in Democrats’ hands, that means OVERSIGHT. It’s not sexy. But it calmed me, and this should be something that every voter is thinking about too. That even a narrow majority in either the House or Senate will mean huge changes in how Trump is investigated.

Isn’t it slightly calming to think that somewhere in Congress, various congressmen have been keeping a list of all the sh-t they’re going to investigate if and when??

And here’s something else: no matter what, Robert Mueller is going to have some news in the coming months. New York Magazine, CNN, Politico and other outlets have all run suspiciously-timed pieces about how far-ranging Mueller’s investigation has gotten, and how many issues are pending with various Trump henchmen.

United States President Donald J. Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC to attend a political rally in Missouri

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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155 Responses to “Election Day: Today, we vote for oversight, investigations and subpoenas”

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  1. OriginalLala says:

    I’m so stressed about the election I have bitten off all my nails and I’m Canadian!
    the repercussions of Republicans holding on to power are real and terrifying for the US and the world.

    • Who ARE these people? says:

      Hi from Canada too, hoping you can do something nice for yourself today. Thanks for caring.

      • kristen says:

        Thank you, Canada! I promise, the majority of Americans aren’t part of this Trump cult. We love our neighbors to the north and we will restore sanity to this country.

      • Brian B says:

        Kristen,

        But they are. I think it’s delusional to discount the heritage of american hatred as if it was some isolated incident a long time ago. The MAJORITY of this country is quite conservative and bigoted.

      • kristen says:

        No Brian. I’m sorry, but no. A majority of Americans voted to elect Hillary Clinton. The Trump cult is just the loudest voice in the room right now.

      • Down and Out says:

        The majority of America is not conservative. The reason it even seems that way is that red and swing states have been gerrymandered like hell, giving one party a significant electoral advantage. Yes, there are MANY conservatives in the US, but it is not the majority.

      • Silent Star says:

        Another nervous Canadian here! I’m at a conference related to our own government right now, and we’re all talking about what might happen in the US today. We’re rooting for you, for compassion and strength!

    • vanna says:

      I am from Austria and this election has been preoccupying my mind all week! I hate that I have to sleep before I see the results next morning.

      • TaniaOG says:

        I’m Canadian and if I could, I’d drive down and vote! Lol My most sincere wishes to you all for some reprieve from this real life horror show. Sending all the American celebitches a great big Canadian bear hug!

    • Mamunia says:

      Thanks so much for caring. You remind us of all the pain and fear across the whole planet this lunatic has brought. I’m so excited to vote today, I can barely stand it!

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Praying today for 24 hours of thunderstorms and heavy hale in all red districts

      and sunshine and butterlies in every blue district.

      Lots of luck Democrats! 🙂 🙂

  2. grabbyhands says:

    Everything is riding on this. Everything.

    If you don’t vote, you’re part of the problem and every bit as culpable as the people who vote in favor of his horrendous policies.

    I voted and will always continue to do so, but I’ve lost faith in my fellow Americans to do the right thing so I am going to avoid election coverage until tomorrow. If there is going to be a bunch of bad news, I’d rather get it over with all at once.

    • Tania says:

      This is how I feel. We were invited to our congressional watch party but I said no thanks. I would rather stay home and watch netflix. A lot of results won’t come in until tomorrow so why not just wait for the good or the bad news until Wednesday morning.

      I say this but I’ll be sneaking peeks to see and if it’s good news I’ll non-stop watch. Maybe I’ll even drive up and down my neighborhood honking my horn like my team just won a championship.

      • Esmom says:

        Lol, wouldn’t it be nice if people cared about democracy as much as they care about their sports teams?

      • Lightpurple says:

        My college roommate and I have spent some part of election night since our freshman year discussing the election returns. She’s a political science professor and pretty much knows how most districts across the country vote. Most years, we’re on our respective couches, phones in hand, channel surfing and updating one another. We’ll be on our phones tonight starting at 9 PM.

      • Christin says:

        Esmom, it would also be great if people would have the same fervor for voting that they do for standing in line for Black Friday sales.

      • Esmom says:

        Christin, Seriously. Grr. Although some of the photos of the lines at polling places do approach Black Friday levels, which is encouraging.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @Christin you’ve just given me a great idea actually……the next democratic administration should pass a law mandating compulsory voting for all…….the penalty will be: *NO BLACK FRIDAY SALES FOR YOU FOR 4 YEARS!*

        It’ll have the double bonus of motivating lower income voters while having no motivating effect on the rich since they don’t do sales, anyway. 😀 😀

      • Christin says:

        Add to that “no new smartphone for you” and the that should help capture millennials, etc., who are willing to wait in lines for new releases.

      • Lokigal says:

        @Christin,
        in my country those who voted get special discounts and/or freebies from many shops and outlets just by showing their voting marked/inked fingers. i think it ranged from just the day of the vote to a few days. The budget airlines even held special GOTV ticket sales, so that people could get to their hometowns to vote. The highways had Voting Day rebates on their tolls. Some places even held voting day sales, they also made a huge deal about allowing their workers to vote of course.

        i think aside from the doom and danger, the concerted effort to celebrate the right to vote also plays an huge role in enculturating people going out to vote. Hopes and prayers you guys get rid of your Repugs the same way we toppled ours.

    • jessamine says:

      Lord, this is exactly my plan. Election night watch parties are always a thing … but this year I just can’t. The stakes are too high and my 2016 ptsd is too fresh. My SO and I are planning to stay in, consume whiskey, play board games, and pass out by 9pm. I may not even read CB tomorrow morning just to prolong my blissful, schrodinger’s cat-esque ignorance.

    • The Other Katherine says:

      I voted the morning of the first day of early voting because, in the week before, anxiety would actually make my chest hurt every time I thought about the possibility of not being able to vote for any reason (up to and including sudden accidental death). Voted at 9:30 am, and after that — hey presto! — no more anxiety pains! I was so worried about getting my vote counted that it literally hurt.

      I don’t have the self-discipline not to be glued to the returns tonight, at least until control of the House either becomes clear or comes down to counting of paper ballots in California. My politically oriented friends and I will all be texting one another frantically until late, I expect.

      My prediction is that either we will see a huge blue wave as many close elections get put over the top for Dem candidates, or else the Republicans will hold the House and gain seats in the Senate. In either case, I expect to be a wreck tomorrow from either overexcitement or despair. If it is the latter, I fear that will we will see the levers of government used much faster than they have been so far to take us well and truly into corrupt, oligarchic rule wrapped in a poisonous shell of Christofascism. I hope people understand the risk and vote accordingly. I hope. I hope. I hope.

      • I did the same as you, voted as soon as I could! Here in California registered voters receive their ballot in the mail, I’m pretty sure going forward they’re going to make it so you can only vote by mail, which means paper trail! Also, I could check that my vote was actually counted, and that was when my anxiety calmed.

  3. LW says:

    God, I barely slept last night!

    • jan90067 says:

      I slept about 3 hrs; been up since 3 am. For the last few weeks I’ve been waking up about 3/3:30 a.m. and the midterms/voting has been pretty much my first waking thought. I’m literally exhausted from it all (as well as volunteering for my DH, phone calls, writing post cards, etc).

      The added fear, for me (as a Jew, and the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor) is the rise of Neo-Nazis/fascists (here and abroad), the bold rise in hate crimes, all of these xenophobics who have crawled out of the slime and from under the rocks they’ve lived in and under all these years… it scares the bejesus out of me! I NEVER thought we’d see this again after WWII.

      • The Other Katherine says:

        It is a horror. And it makes it clear that, after WWII, Naziism never went away — its adherents and admirers just quietly nurtured their hate, passing it on to future generations whenever and wherever they could. It has been a devastating revelation to me as a gentile (albeit one with some ancestors who survived a different kind of genocide) — I can only imagine what it is like for my Jewish friends.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        Hugs and peace to you, Jan.

        My heart goes out to the Jewish community. The president has really provoked the worst to come out of hiding, and I can’t imagine what it feels like for you.

        I wish I could send you something comforting, like homemade chocolate chip cookies and a fuzzy blanket. Be kind to yourself and rest as if you are ill. It sounds like the stress has impacted your sleep, and that isn’t something to take lightly. Be good to yourself, because I’m not there to do it for you.

      • Flan says:

        Wow, Jan. Thank you for all your hard work.

        Signed, the rest of the world.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      Me too. I also was in a minor car accident last night, and the compounded stress of dealing with that and the election is overwhelming. I just feel shaken, and I wish it would go away!

      Honestly, I know that the dems won’t win everything I want them to win…but I hope that there is one big victory. Senate in Arizona, Florida or Missouri, Governor in Florida or Georgia. If we can snag one of these crowns, I think I will breathe a bit easier.

      The good thing is that a lot of state houses and governorships are probably going to tilt more blue, and that will help SO MUCH in 2020.

      • The Other Katherine says:

        I’m sorry about your car accident. I know even a small fender-bender is super-stressful.

        Like you, I need a marquee win — a big tossup Senate seat or governorship. Obviously, retaking the House is top priority, closely followed by bluing the state houses, but on an emotional level I want to see one of these big statewide wins to excite voters and make them feel like it’s worth turning up in 2020.

  4. tmbg says:

    Everyone says to get out and vote, but if you’re a Trumper, why not just stay home and take the day off? Relax! 😂

    Seriously, I hope something good happens today – anything positive to hold onto would be a blessing.

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      Republicans vote on November 9th. I thought everyone knew this! /s

      • Eric says:

        Any republicans?
        Remember…if you don’t see the name “Trump” on the ballot, don’t vote!

        🤣

    • Brian B says:

      So, voter suppression is funny?

      • Veronica S. says:

        Suppression involves active maneuvering on the part of government or illegal bodies designed to undermine, disenfranchise, or outright strip people’s right to vote, not a smart ass comment made on a celebrity discussion forum. Considering that shit is actually going on in places in America by their local and state governments, conflating the two just makes you look like an uneducated tool. Stop making false equivalences that anybody who’s read thirty pages of a civics textbook could see through.

      • jwoolman says:

        Some Republican candidates have been deliberately sending out information to select voters giving them the wrong date for the voting…. One guy is doing it again for the second time.

        That’s attempted voter suppression big time, not making a joke about it online. That joke was actually based on a Republican mailing that tried to convince people that Republicans vote on the actual Election Day but Democrats are supposed to vote two days later.

  5. Jenns says:

    There was a line outside my voting center this morning. I’ve never seen a line like that for a midterm election.

    I also live in an area that is majority Republican. So…yeah.

    • Tania says:

      Fingers crossed for you!

    • ByTheSea says:

      The Repugs are fired up, for sure. I live in a red county/district of New York and they are out in full force up here, too. That being said, Democrats have to be equally fired up. This is the only chance we get to stop this runaway train.

      • dietcokehead says:

        I live in a thoroughly blue district, no chance of flipping, but the sheer number of people who’ve said they are voting republican or leaning republican has me worried about more than just this election. Republicans are getting fired up and they tend to cling to their anger.

    • cannibell says:

      Same here with the line, although I’m in Milwaukee and one of those “stuff the Dems into a single district” areas. But my ward is historically deadsville. When I showed up at 7 this morning, I was fourth in line, there were people behind me and someone else was registering on-site.

      More activity than I’ve seen at that polling place in a non-presidential year in the 18 years I’ve been voting there.

      Here’s hoping!!!!

      Also, if anyone is in Iowa City, please send Zach Wahls to the State Senate.

    • Louisa says:

      Same here. First time I’ve ever had to wait to vote. And I live in a neighborhood covered with Republican yard signs 🙁

    • Elle says:

      Same here – blue state but red county. I fear we may lose our 1 Senate seat held by a Democrat (a race not at all in the headlines). I had this sinking feeling Trump was going to win in 2016 and now the same feeling. I can only pray that we get AZ, NV, TX.

      If the majority of Americans vote against their own best interests then starting tomorrow I’ll stop throwing money into this economy. I will specifically make sure not a single penny goes into any GOP businesses or donors.

  6. Lightpurple says:

    VOTED! Straight Blue Ticket. Voted to send Elizabeth Warren, Katherine Clark, and the indefatigable Maura Healey back to continue their persistent butt-kicking of this administration.

    • Kitten says:

      Same but I voted Gonzalez. Sorrynotsorry, Baker.

      I decided to go this morning because they’re forecasting heavy rain for this evening. Never seen a line that long for a midterm election.

      • Lightpurple says:

        I voted for Jay too, straight blue. I was just listing the powerful kickass women on my ticket who have been fighting Trump. Of the three of them, Maura is the greatest warrior. Hear her file litigation and WIN!

      • Kitten says:

        Maura lives in my ‘hood 🙂 Love her.

        I voted straight blue and straight YES on all the ballot questions. Easy peasy.

  7. Tootsie McJingle says:

    Me and my kids are all wearing a lot of blue today and trying to think positive!

  8. OSTONE says:

    So nervous, but we have to remain hopeful. Without hope there’s no will to keep fighting. You ladies at Celebitchy have a voice, use it wisely. Voted blue down the ballot and have motivated my fellow millenials to vote for equality, tolerance and accountability.

  9. Tania says:

    Yesterday my dear racist aunt Marsha said, “I’m sure you came here legally dear” while she was probably calling ICE on me. She lives in Florida. Vote so I can do a post about thanking her racism for getting me out to canvass and despite her racist ways, their new governor will protect her socialist programs she hates but is entitled to like social security and medicaid.

    She’s an effing idiot and I want to punch her in the face, and one way to do that is to have her have an African American Governor.

    VOTE!

    • Gemma13 says:

      Central Floridian here! I got you 🙂

    • Kitten says:

      SMDH all these racist old people are killing our country.

      • Tania says:

        I said when I got home, “I can’t wait for her to die.” and I felt bad but only because I meant it. My Mom, who’s visiting, said, “You can’t say things like that.” Then I explained to her, “She thinks I’m illegal. Native Americans cannot be illegal on land they’ve occupied since time immemorial!” She was insulted as much as I was. The ignorance is astounding.

        I call her racist Aunt Marsha all the time now. That’s how she’ll forever be known. I told my husband we are never going back to his hometown until his grandma passes because I have no time for them.

        Their hypocrisy is only slightly outshined by their ignorance.

      • Veronica S. says:

        Plenty of racist young people, too, unfortunately. It’s just more obnoxious when it’s the elderly because they won’t have to live with the consequences as long.

      • Kitten says:

        @Tania-So she is your husband’s aunt or yours? I’d ask how anyone can be that ignorant but sadly, Trump America has shown me just how many ignorant deplorables are out there. I’m ashamed that I didn’t know how MANY there were.

        @ Veronica-Yeah but young racists don’t vote as often or as consistently as old racists do.

      • Anna says:

        Yeah though there is a healthy, young and strong white supremacist strain (of all genders) that was one of the deciding factors in 2016. Remember : 52% of white women for this president.

        Also, there are pockets of elders who now call Florida home who vote blue…I wonder how much their votes will factor…

    • Tiffany :) says:

      Tania, I don’t know if it is the icon next to your name, but I am noticing your posts more and more and i love them! Yes, I love the idea of electing women and minorities because representation is important, but also because it will really upset the bigots.

    • H says:

      I voted Gillum but am not hopeful. I live in a red county. I’m hoping I’ll be proven wrong.

  10. BearcatLawyer says:

    You know Rep. Maxine Waters already has a list of investigations ready to go. Cheeto Mussolini will regret taunting her.

    VOTE.

  11. Chef Grace says:

    I hope all goes well and we spread the BLUE TIDAL WAVE across this broken country.
    I am trying to find some positive energy. So burning sage all day. I have nothing else left in my heart right now.

  12. Akua says:

    Voted, praying Florida doesn’t disappoint. Sick and tired of Rick Scott, basically voting to keep my grandma Obamacare insurance

  13. Eric says:

    Grab three friends and have a voting party to check this administration and grab Emperor Zero by the ballot because

    BREAKING NEWS

    Via the Hill reporting from Russian media, EZ is going to meet with his handler Putin within 120 hours of the midterm elections.
    Firing Sessions? Rosenstein? MUELLER?

    Cmon Patriots!

  14. BlueSky says:

    I voted this morning. I got emotional when I got back in my car. All I could think about was my father who was an active participant in the civil rights movement. I thought about all of those that fought and died so I could have this privilege. I voted today because it’s my right and to honor my father.

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      We all should remember and honour their sacrifices.

    • The Other Katherine says:

      Thank you for honoring your father’s memory. Kevin Kruse did a great thread on Twitter honoring the martyrs of the Civil Rights movement.

  15. Esmom says:

    My friends and I talked about possibly having a get together tonight but ultimately decided we’d rather all hunker down at our homes.

    To paraphrase a meme I saw, “Waiting for election results is like waiting for your grade on a group project. You know you got your s#&t right but you’re hoping everyone else didn’t f%^k it up.”

    • Kitten says:

      Ha. That’s a perfect analogy. I know my state of Mass will come through and honestly, we don’t have a lot to worry about here–we’re really lucky.

      But I’m keeping my eye on the red states where polls will be closing early as I think that will be a sign of how we fare nationally: Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, Virginia…

      I’ve spent months steeling myself for a bad outcome so I feel prepared for that but I’m still holding out hope that we can pull off a miracle.

      • Swack says:

        Pray for MO – a red state who could possibly vote out McCaskill (who is Dem). Trump was here last Thurs and last night. Hopefully we can keep her in office. I will be voting blue the whole way.

      • Kitten says:

        Is that your state, Swack? Oh god yeah I hope McCaskill can pull it off. Sigh. So much at stake today…

      • BabyJane says:

        Kitten, check out her opponent, Josh Hawley. If he is successful in this race, you will see him soon, whether you want to or not. And he’s a big fat stupid turd, no offense to big or fat things, or turds.

      • Kitten says:

        @BabyJane-He has a punchable face and a 93% rating from the NRA.

        Then there’s this from Wiki: “Hawley stated that human trafficking is the result of women’s sexual revolution in the 1960s, due to the social encouragement premarital sex and the use of contraception. After receiving criticism for these statements, Hawley reiterated that Hollywood culture was a major cause of human trafficking.”

        So yeah, he’s a piece of shit like every other Rethuglican. Go get ’em, Claire!

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I will be dancing in the streets if Dana Rohrabacher gets removed from OC. He’s such a Russian asset.

        Steve King in Iowa is a long shot, but damn, that would be delicious if he was kicked to the curb.

        I heard that DOJ sent staff to King’s district to “monitor” the polls, aka intimidate minority voters.

    • Karen Laux says:

      @Tiffany 🙂 – I’m in Dana the Russkies’s District and I voted Harley Rouda! MSNBC has been in Orange County televising voters, and I pray we go blue. But, after 2016, it’s not over till it’s over and I watching while biting my nails.

  16. Kelly says:

    I’ve done my part in convincing family members on the fence to vote blue today. My dad, along with myself, will do his part to make Scott Walker unemployed and homeless as of January 7. He really doesn’t like either candidate to replace Paul Ryan in the House, so he’s planning on writing in one of his cats.

    I’m anticipating lines when I vote after work today. There were lines for early voting at the college campus I work at most of last week, which is a great sign considering that most of them are likely voting Democrat.

    If the polls are accurate and turnout is high, all but 4 Big 10 schools could have Democratic governors come January 2019.

    • Elkie says:

      Maybe Scott can get himself a job at the Foxconn(job) factory….

    • cannibell says:

      Good morning, Fellow Sconnie – just back from the polls where I did the same. Now, off to the library where I work (and where we had early voting until Sunday), sporting my “I voted!” sticker.

    • Swack says:

      I have a Dem for a county position I don’t like and I refuse to vote for the Rep.

  17. Gemma13 says:

    Voted early on Saturday. It was a beautiful day to stand in a line at my local library. No one was talking politics, just enjoying our time waiting to do our civic duty. No one even got mad, just laughed, when this guy who was on the phone with his “friend” was loudly spewing a bunch of fox new headlines near the line to vote outside. Yes, on Saturday I had to stand in a line, but again nice day, civic duty, good company. It was so obvious he was trying to sway voters. He wasn’t dressed in any campaign gear and never mentioned any names, so I think he was allowed to stay, but it was funny. If you don’t know who you’re voting for before you stand in line…you shouldn’t be in line! Especially since it was early voting.

    Anyway, go vote!

    • Lightpurple says:

      My polling place lady would have very loudly told him to pipe down.

    • Veronica S. says:

      A more responsible polling place would have told him to cut it out or get disqualified, honestly. You’re not technically allowed in most places to do anything to sway votes or reveal your hand, so to speak.

    • Christin says:

      I early voted, and there were signs posted at the entryway discouraging if not prohibiting any political talk within the facility.

    • Gemma13 says:

      “You’re not technically allowed in most places to do anything to sway votes or reveal your hand”
      That’s what we figured, too! I was surprised to still see him out there as we were leaving 30 minutes later. I guess they’re not that responsible and/or he didn’t say anything that would have been an outright violation? Oh well, I’m just praying Florida can pull it together.

  18. Snowflake says:

    I voted for Gillum, obvs I’m in FL. Was feeling good, but then I saw a newspaper w Judge Pirro’s picture. She met with members of a country club in Ponte Vedra, where mostly rich white people live. This is a beach community in Jacksonville. I’m afraid to trust polls after the President election mess. Keeping my fingers crossed that a blue wave is coming

    • Kitten says:

      Gillum losing would be a knife through our collective heart because he has such a strong chance of winning and it’s straight-up panic mode if he doesn’t. I think some of these races will go into run-off, like Georgia. But Gillum is such a fantastic and inspiring candidate who actually had a slim-but-significant lead over DeSantis, it seems impossible that he could lose.

      (hope I didn’t jinx it!)

      • Elle says:

        I have a lot of family in Florida and sadly you cannot underestimate the number of racists that reside there (even amongst minority communities). Unfortunately I think they will end up winning by a few votes to the shame of the nation.

      • Person3514 says:

        I voted Gillum too. The area I’m in is red. I hardly see any signs for democratic candidates. A few for certain people, but I’ve only seen 3 or 4 Gillum signs. This race is going to be so close and I’m not very hopeful.

      • Kitten says:

        🙁 🙁 🙁

      • Brian B says:

        More than likely he’ll lose. Most people don’t want to show you their bigotry.

      • jwoolman says:

        Person- can’t really tell from signs in the yard. I would never put a sign in my yard. It would be a target on my back. I would be afraid of some nutcase trying to hurt my cats sunning themselves in the yard.

        Somebody actually came into my yard through a latched gate to put a big sticker for a Republican candidate on my lamppost. I considered it intimidation and it most likely was.

    • Erinn says:

      I’m Canadian working in a satellite office for a company based in Jax. I have a few (dem) coworkers in that office who have been raging on facebook and doing everything they can to get people out to vote. One was getting a bunch of unsolicited rethug based text messages.

      I’m really holding out for Florida. I don’t have incredibly high hopes, but there’s a tiny glimmer of hope remaining.

  19. Lila says:

    Quote from Barack Obama
    “If you take that power and vote, something powerful happens. Change happens. Hope happens. And with each new step we take in the direction of fairness, and justice, and equality, and opportunity, hope spreads. Go vote!”
    I miss him.

  20. Ninks says:

    I am feeling a little like a prisoner on death row waiting the results of a last minute appeal to stay my execution tomorrow. There’s a really good possibility that it will work, but also it might not. Good luck everyone.

  21. Beth says:

    I’m voting all blue. I hope I didn’t jinx our blue tsunami by wearing antitrump shirts for the past week. I’m in Orlando, and when I go to vote today, I’ll be wearing my ‘Red Tide Rick Makes Me Sick’ shirt. Stressed about the election, and cable is messed up, so I can’t watch the news on TV all day like I planned

    • Jerusha says:

      I don’t understand how anybody in Florida, especially the large retired population, can vote for the Medicare defrauder Scott. Good luck!

      • jwoolman says:

        Yes, the Republicans have been trying to get rid of Medicare and Social Security since they began. Mitchell has admitted that they intend to push for cuts after the election. Paul Ryan has tried to privatize (translation: kill) Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid for many years.

        Medicare and Social Security are obviously very important for people over 65. But Medicaid also pays for almost half the nursing homes older people may find themselves needing later. Their families can’t afford the costs even for light nursing care and their Social Security and any pension won’t come close either. They need to impoverish themselves, using any other assets such as savings accounts, by paying the full bill themselves and then when they are poor- Medicaid kicks in and pays the amount every month not covered by Social Security and pension checks, which then go directly to the nursing home. My aunt went through this process and it only took a few months for her to qualify. She was allowed to prepay for a funeral.

  22. Eric says:

    If something suspicious arises at your voting place call
    1-866-OUR-VOTE
    To report

    If you’re a MAGAt, call your mom.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      “If you’re a MAGAt, call your mom.”

      Kind of reminds me of, “You’re in a cult, call your dad.”

      Same meaning, essentially. 😉

  23. Jerusha says:

    I voted. Straight Dem all the way. I wanted the pleasure of marking the dot next to each Dem candidate, so that’s how I did it. I arrived at 7 AM on the dot and there was a huge crowd. Unfortunately, where I live, out in the country, there are way too many low education white people, so this district is always red, even though they get nothing from that. Fingers crossed for Maddox, Siegelman, Kennedy, and all the other far superior Dem candidates on the ballot.
    And Florida-go Gillum and Nelson. Bury the racist DeSantis and the crook Scott.

  24. Christin says:

    The US media is doing the same as 2016 – making this a cliffhanger via pundits and polls.

    One poll referenced on TV this week (from a major newspaper) had “736 respondents” in the fine print. The poll was to be indicative of whether voters across the country were leaning D or R. Not even 1,000 respondents, to reflect the entire nation!

    That is when I decided to use the 20-30 minutes I usually devote to watching cable news shows in the early AM to more important endeavors. Anything is more productive than watching their pre-election ratings chase.

    I wish everyone peace today, as we await our next chapter of reality.

  25. PlayItAgain says:

    I sent my ballot in three days after I got it, which was 14 days ago. I’m on tenterhooks…hope keeps bubbling up this morning, and I keep tamping it down. I’m terrified that all our efforts will be for naught, and we’ll be plunged back into Trumpian hell without a lifeline for another two years. To make matters worse, I have a wicked head cold and can barely breathe without looking like a mouth-breathing Trumper. Yuck.

  26. Veronica S. says:

    I stopped visiting the NY Times and other sites that were doing live update polls more than a week ago. They might get the delight of feeding off the drama, but this shit is life or death for a lot of people. I’m just staying off the news altogether and not letting anything get to me until we all get the vote out. I can only vote once. Whatever will be will be, and I’ll have to decide on my next move based on the results.

    • Christin says:

      The nonstop polls are what turned me off of both TV and print these last few days. A better use of air time and print space might be giving information about how to register to vote, early voting, etc.

      I am even more convinced the media is hooked on covering daily upheaval. Having things more balanced might cause them to have to cover actual news.

    • Kitten says:

      If it’s a blue wave the headlines will be “Democrats pull off a miracle!!!” and if we lose it will be “Democratic enthusiasm not enough to combat Trumpism.” Even just typing that makes me want to tear my hair out. God forbid the narrative be “Trumpism is dying” or “GOP enthusiasm not enough to stop the Blue Wave”. Or how about “Americans come out to show how much they despise the GOP”?

      • Christin says:

        The media (at least some of the MSM) and Orange truly have a toxic, co-dependent relationship.

      • Veronica S. says:

        I just don’t even have the energy to follow the polls at the moment. I’ll wake up to the reality tomorrow.

        My options are simple: if we take back the House/Senate, I grit my teeth and bear through the next few years. If we don’t have anything resembling a blue wave in this election, I need to seriously consider if an exit strategy is on the table. I’m a woman of LGBT+ persuasion. I know there’s a strain of, “But this is your country!” but I’m over it. I didn’t contribute to this problem. I voted and voted against what this administration represents. I’m not sticking around to suffer the consequences.

  27. Ali says:

    Voted!

    I have family in FL in both parties. Fl has been heartbreaking for so many years now. Let today be the day. 🤞

  28. Incredulous says:

    When you’re out and about voting this day, please consider blasting this here tune out where people can hear it – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbkOZTSvrHs

  29. girl_ninja says:

    I voted this morning before work and now I’m obsessing about voting at work. Please fellow U.S. citizens, vote BLUE!

  30. Jessica says:

    I’m trying to distract myself, but really all I can think about is the election. I hope and PRAY that people turn out to vote and vote Democratic. Please for the love of everything that is good in this country, please let us take it back from Trump and his Dumpsters.

  31. aang says:

    Ya voté. If the dem is also on a third party line I usually vote for them on that line. I refuse to vote in a race that offers only one candidate. That just makes me mad. Today I wrote in Al Franken for NYS senate because I refuse to vote for Kirsten Gillibrand if not compelled by a tight race. I voted for Cuomo even though I’d rather vote for Howie Hawkins the Green candidate but even a 13 point lead for Cuomo over the republican is too close for my comfort and I’m not taking any chances. Fingers crossed that McMurray can beat Collins NY 27, that’s not my district but it is the reddest district in NY.

    • Olive says:

      Al Franken was my senator, and I was very happy to vote today for his replacement Tina Smith. she’s better for our state. don’t defend Al Franken, he admitted to wrongdoing and resigned.

  32. Lazyleo2017 says:

    I’m sending all the positive hope that I have for people to come out and vote. It’s been a challenge to watch the political climate and not feel despair. Just hoping that today will bring about the break we all need from this insanity.

  33. B n A fn says:

    Just came back from voting. BIG turnout in my polling place. Let’s pray that we can check the conman by flipping the congress. We cannot continue with this much devide, hate and lying in the country. ❤️ To all who voted or are going to vote today.

  34. Bliss 51 says:

    Here on the border, https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/06/border-patrol-election-day-midterms-demonstration-el-paso-texas/

    Voter suppression, voter intimidation or facism, same difference.

    • BabyJane says:

      Check out what Dodge City, Kansas did- the election clerk assigned a SINGLE polling place OUTSIDE the city limits over a MILE from the closes bus stop, Neat!

  35. Chef Grace says:

    I hate this state. Our neighbors told me at a poll some people were not asked for ID. But anyone of color were being thoroughly vetted. She said they reported it. She even pointed it out. Said she was asked to be quiet.
    This is what we are dealing with now.

    • Veronica S. says:

      My friend’s husband went to vote and found out that the polling station didn’t have him registered – despite the fact that he literally just voted in 2016 at the same residence. Called it in and found out they had him listed as having moved out of state, a man who has literally lived here his entire life. From the answers he was getting on the phone, he got the feeling he wasn’t the only person encountering this problem. His wife and I didn’t have the same issue because we’re registered independent, but he’s a Democrat.

      He’s a white man AND a federal employee. If he’s being targeted, I honestly cannot imagine the awfulness that minorities are encountering right now. Thank you for fighting for your rights despite everything.

      • Lokigal says:

        we had the same problem in my country. me and my BIL wear our resistance out and proud online. same thing happened to us and many others. we were moved more than 300 km away to addresses that were last used more than 20 years ago. others were moved within county or district but a few got bumped off states.

        this was despite us checking online less than 2 weeks before and our voting addresses were correct.

  36. Valerie says:

    I’m Canadian and I’m scared. Please vote. I could’ve just said ‘please’ and you would’ve been able to tell where I was from. 😉

  37. Bliss 51 says:

    The GOP will still control the Senate and midterms can only be a step for the long, very long game. Also, we need to keep an eye on the governors’ elected, be persistent with getting citizens registered and get out the vote movements. And keep a vigilant eye on voter suppression. There are technical problems with voting machines in Georgia, whatasurprise. I didn’t know Georgia requires ID to vote, I’msoshocked, also, Texas. And reexamine gerrymandering and the electoral college, another long game goal.

  38. Eric says:

    Holy snakebite Batman!

    The ”fertilizer king” of Russia was just picked up in Monaco on corruption charges.
    Batman: you mean the one who mysteriously appeared via airplane at MAGAt events?
    Robin: yes
    Batman: you mean the one who purchased the trump real estate and really overpaid for it?
    Robin: yes
    Batman: you mean the one known for money laundering via Cypriot banks?
    Robin: yes
    Batman: is Mueller going to extradite him?
    Robin: I hope so Batman

  39. NicoleinSavannah says:

    I don’t want to even type anything. I hate how red this place is. Only 3 spots at my pollingg place. The 80 year old amazing woman in front of me told them how they were discouraging voters.

    • jwoolman says:

      Reports are coming in about insufficient machines, broken machines, not enough paper ballots or no paper at all, etc. mysteriously only in areas with a lot of expected Democrat voters (as usual). This is always a problem and one way Republicans stay in power.

      People have been leaving the polling places because of such problems. Hopefully they return before the end of the open polling places because if they are in line then – the polls have to remain open until they vote even if that takes them into tomorrow.

      It is disgraceful not to have enough paper ballots in case of machine problems. They know how many registered voters they have, that should be how many paper ballots they have on hand. Better to overprepare than underprepare. And quite frankly, they test those machines at least the day before so it’s rather odd that they suddenly malfunctioned.

      This is an old voter suppression tactic. Send bad machines and not enough machines and not enough paper to precincts with predominantly non-white or young or low-income or whatever group they think might vote more for Democrats than Republicans. They should have to pay hefty fines, that might curtail their enthusiasm for the practice.

  40. Dina says:

    Been thinking about the elections all day, rooting for the democrats to take over. Love from Nova Scotia! ❤️

  41. GreenTurtle says:

    Just voted in Virginia!

  42. cannibell says:

    I was #4 at my polling place at 7 this morning. My Sweetheart usually votes at about 4 p.m. and is #42, or #57, or #26. Today, he was 199. By 5:26, there were 238 and a stream of people coming in to vote. The election chief and I hugged, we were so excited. I’m going to stop by on my way home from a meeting that ends right before the polls close, but she thinks 50 percent of eligible voters in the ward are going to turn out – in a ward that usually ends up with less than 10 percent!!!!

  43. Umila says:

    Felt awesome to cast my vote today, from Texas! <3

  44. AppleTartin says:

    I have gone 2x to my polling place now and it was dead. I was brought to tears seeing how busy it was today. Everybody was determined to vote and it was a wonderful thing to see. I voted, I did my part to get the blue wave going I hope you did too! (US folks) we appreciate the global support!

  45. Jayna says:

    There is not a huge blue wave. We made gains but the Repugs came out too.

    James Carville couldn’t hide his disappointment. He looked dejected. Me too, James.

    Florida is killing me. My heart is breaking in two right now.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      It is a blue wave by the definition of a blue wave. The odds for Democrats retaking anything were steep but have been overcome for the House, and that matters, it matters a lot. And look at the quality of the people entering government, especially the women!

      The Senate was going to be VERY hard to take. Florida will have more than a million new voters in its next election. Hang in.

      • Sam the Pink says:

        But it’s not a wave. It’s not a major feat to flip the House, especially given that the GOP did not have a substantial majority in it to begin with. People are more willing to give newcomers a chance in the House, because their terms are so short (2 years). If they’re lousy, just vote them out. They’re also more subject to gerrymandering, which makes their tenures more unstable.

        The Republicans are not just holding the Senate, they are increasing their power in it (have you seen the results?) They took Indiana, they took North Dakota. They will have an even easier time pushing through judges and any other Trump appointee. They will also be able to block absolutely anything the Dem house votes on AND now they won’t have to rely on appeasing Collins or Murkowski.

        ETAL And it continues. GOP outed McCaskill in Missouri.

    • Veronica S. says:

      The Senate was a long shot. House majority is a big deal, though – it means being able to stop things from reaching the Senate in the first place. Georgia and Florida are the let down because of how much power governors have, but at least Florida has just opened the door for a voting shift in the next election.

  46. Violette says:

    I’m not American but grew up and lived there for 25 years (now in Asia) and this election has also thinking of all my American friends and family. It’s so nerve wrecking to see the results come in and still with a Republic leading the race, especially for hoping for a bigger Blue wave. But it’s not over yet and so I’m praying for us all.

  47. Busyann says:

    Democrats are taking the House!!!!!

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Yes, yes they are. We can breathe a small sigh of relief and wish they were sworn in tomorrow because the next 2 months are going to be even more INSANE.

    • Susan says:

      That was expected. The Senate goes to Trump though. I guess he purposely campaigned for the Senate, not the house. I think it is because the Senate decides the judges and they are hoping for at least one more in the next two years. For some reason, the Senate was very important to Trump and the news says he is happy with the results. As well the Dems must be very careful now as if they don’t work well in two years they could lose again.

    • Sam the Pink says:

      But Republicans are gaining in the Senate. They’ve flipped Indiana and North Dakota. The Senate is the kingmaker – they vote on the Cabinet, executive appointees, and the judiciary. In addition, the House all come up for reelection every 2 years – the Senate is every 6 years, and their terms are staggered (so 2 from a single state never come up together). So while we should be happy, we could actually wind up in a worse position if the Republicans increase their hold over the Senate. Because that will outlast Trump.

      Oh, and Florida went Republican, for DeSantis. So there’s that too.