At lunch I went to Walgreens and Target. There was very little vday chocolate or candy on shelves, none of it the good stuff, and it was not even 50% off! I blame Trump. I refused to buy anything.

I don't think it can be done. You can't turn the clock back, and I think that's what rural America wants.

Finally realizing they could lose their health coverage and their SS/Medicare has shook a lot of them, though. We could win most of them by promising to improve healthcare and benefits, and promising to bring new-industry jobs like solar to largely rural states like WV. WV wants jobs. They just can't imagine any decent-paying jobs that aren't what they've always done before. We need to be helping them see how much better off they could be with different jobs and better support. And then keeping our fucking promises, because if we break them they'll be even more bitter than they are now.

promising to bring new-industry jobs like solar to largely rural states like WV.

Like, say, CLINTON DID ABOUT A BILLION TIMES OH MY GOD?????

(I'm not yelling at you, Zen; just the utterly futile-seeming situation.)

Like, say, CLINTON DID ABOUT A BILLION TIMES OH MY GOD?????

Jesus, all I have to do this think about the word cloud of what word Hillary said most (JOBS) vs what the media said (EMAILS) and the flames erupt from my face.

I know! They weren't receptive to the message at the time, because it came from someone they'd been taught to despise. We're in a different world now, a world in which they've been betrayed by the party they always trusted. They might be more receptive to solid plans for improving their lives from the other party. If the other party had any solid plans. Which they should.

The problem is that new-industry jobs require a higher education and willingness to keep on learning after graduation. Too many people don't want to do that.

We're in a different world now, a world in which they've been betrayed by the party they always trusted.

I don't get the impression that a lot of rural farmers and blue collar workers actually realize they're in the process of being betrayed, though. I mean, Trump's still fighting Obamacare death panels Killary Rosie O'Donnell Nordstrom's SNL the loser press the CIA and FBI suspicious brown people that want to come to 'Murica and take our jobs!

Installation of solar panels shouldn't require a college degree. It's a trade job.

I don't get the impression that a lot of rural farmers and blue collar workers actually realize they're in the process of being betrayed, though.

I'm going mainly by the number of people squealing "I voted for you, don't take away my SS/Medicare/healthcare! I regret my vote!" For every one of those who posted that on Twitter, there are maybe 100 who feel that way but don't use social media to yell about it. All those people have family and friends who voted Trump, and they'll talk about it.

Overheard at super expensive car dealership near Palm Beach, customer bitching up a storm because someone with initials DT has ruined the neighborhood. Boo Hoo, I should check and see if the multi-million dollar mansions are dropping in value. So yes, I am amused that he is seriously pissing off the neighbors. I guess he is coming back again this weekend. 3rd time in a month. The disruption is epic. Not living on the island or on the routes to the airport, or being a private pilot, it doesn't bother me any.