Why'd you do that, Murphy?
Your turn today. Maybe last chance.
Today is the last "normal" edition of Understandably before Election Day next Tuesday.
(We have Free for ALL Friday tomorrow, and then Monday is scheduled to be a Big Optimism day.)
Over the last week, you may have noticed that I've shared more election-related items than usual in the "7 other things" section.
Why? Well, I’ve explained a bit before but basically, this is an unusual time. And, it’s by far the most important story right now. It would just seem weird to me to spend tons of time trying to find 7 OTHER things.
I've received a lot of feedback about this, both pro and con. I've thought about how to react, but in the end I realized:
Who needs to hear more from me? Let's just turn this over to the readers.
So, today is your turn, if you'd like it. I think everyone can figure out who I’m voting for (correction: already did vote for).
But, for the last time this cycle, we have a short poll on who you support.
After that, I'm going to suggest that today might be a day to comment, especially if you don't usually. Tell us who you are voting for and why—if you’re comfortable going public with your choice.
Optionally — since I’ve been including links here for six years — you’re invited to include a link to anything they think would help make their case.
I’d like to suggest a few rules to keep this civil:
One comment per person. (Just one, make it good!)
No replies to other comments. Especially no fighting in the comments.
Overall, please try to be nice and respectful.
(FYI, most days we have something like 40,000 actual readers, and maybe 30 or 40 at most take the time to comment. I'm curious to see if this changes that.)
That's all. Through the years we've built a great community here. I've always understood and celebrated that it's not a monolith of viewpoints.
While I doubt that any single one of us is going to convince anyone to do anything differently in terms of politics, I think it’s good for us to have a common, central, attack-free place where they can say: “Look, here’s who I’m voting for and why. Am I alone or am I among many like-minded people?”
I'll leave the comments and the poll open for a couple of days assuming everything stays civil, and probably provide some summaries on Election Day itself.
Other than that - here's everyone's last chance to chime in about the election before the big day (at least on Understandably).
One way or another (let’s hope), it will all be over soon.
7 other things …
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% pace in the last quarter and added a "stunning" 233,000 jobs in September, "far more than expected." The GDP release comes with the Federal Reserve poised to lower interest rates further despite the seemingly strong economy. (CNBC; CNBC again)
Elon Musk acknowledged this week that Trump's economic plans would tank the stock market and cause "temporary hardship" for people, but that they would lead to "a "healthier" economy down the road. Trump plans for Musk be in charge of chipping away at federal spending; Musk says he thinks he can cut the $6.75 trillion federal budget by “at least” $2 trillion. (Quartz)
What time the polls close in every state next week, and how long it may take to count votes. (Washington Post)
Lawmakers from both parties are openly expressing fears of political violence here after the Nov. 5 election. Democrats in Congress see it as virtually inevitable that Trump will challenge the election results if he loses, raising the specter of nationwide civil unrest. Republicans claim the real threat will be from the political left being unable to accept another Trump term. (Axios)
Police arrested a man wielding a machete outside a polling station in Florida on Tuesday, who was part of a group of teenagers accused of intimidating voters. Caleb James Williams, 18, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault for allegedly brandishing his weapon at two unidentified women, ages 71 and 54. (NBC News)
Gas prices have been trending downward for two weeks: $3.07 on average right now, down from nearly 40 cents from this time last year. Source GasBuddy warns against blaming the drop on domestic politics, however: “Politicians have little influence over the strong seasonal forces that drive prices lower in autumn," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy." (Jalopnik)
And congratulations: After taking advantage of three miscues to erase a five-run, fifth-inning deficit during one of the most memorable mid-game meltdowns in baseball history, the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth to beat New York 7-6 on Wednesday night. (AP)
Thanks for reading. Photo credit: Photo by Unsplash. See you in the comments!
As a life long republican, I cannot support Trump the person. He does not share my values of respecting and putting others first. You cannot make progress or be proud of yourself if you have to walk on the backs of others to get ahead. Trump does not live by any foundational values that I want my grandson to recognize as presidential or as being someone our country can look up to. I voted anti Trump.
No politician is going to be able to please all of us. No politician is going to say everything right or pleasing to everyone's ears. No politician is likely going to be able to accomplish everything promised during the campaign. But hate, division, disrespect, disenfranchisement of any kind should be unacceptable from any politician. Some people think they will be shielded from the effects of these destructive behaviors. But we will all suffer if this mentality should become the rule of the United States.