I feel the same way Ronni.
One of the problems with being an older adult that there is no one to give me a cookie, dry my tears and tell me it's going to me OK.

Ditto

One of those days I'm really glad I chose not to have kids. I feel sorry for the younger generation. So fortunate that I get medicare in December, and already get Social Security...though who knows how much damage the reps will do to both in the next four years, unrestrained.

I do have to wonder if Trump was partly acting to get votes, and he might revert to a more liberal president? If that happens, his "base" won't be happy -- but they might not notice! Ha!

So sad and disheartened for Hillary and the message this sends to women everywhere. Smart, qualified, prepared women fall short of male dominance. I live in a deep red state, so have always been in the minority...but always felt the USA was overall was progressive. Today, not so much.

A sad day for America.

Thank God the Framers added the enumerated powers to the Constitution.

Elections belong to the people. They decide. If they choose to turn their backs on a fire, then they will have to sit on their blisters. ~Abraham Lincoln~

I am horrified. I am in mourning. A monster will be president of the United States.

Devastating. On more levels than I can fathom right now.

Perhaps that odd focus on clowns recently was portent of having a buffoon elected.

What cast of characters will he choose for his cabinet? Guiliani as DOJ, Ivanka as Secy of State, Lewandowski, Christie, Newt? Egads. All clowns who need no masks.

I'm sick for the minorities and immigrants (Van Jones gave an emotionally moving comment on this last night), every child, the wild places, all animals and ocean life - it's open season now. The list goes far beyond this.

The press is all about economics, but that will not be the lasting destruction. Life is much, much more precious and worthwhile than that.

A dark part of me knows the Republican politicos in Washington are not that shaken by this. They know their position to influence this man-child and there will be hidden deal-making in back rooms for 4 years. My days of being interested and up-to-date on politics are nearly over. I think there's a silver lining there.

In spite of it all, the sun came up today. I am grateful for that.

While I understand that Trump can't legally do most of the stuff that he said he would do, the President and the first family set the tone. And that tone appears to be hatred.

SusanG...
Although I intellectually agree, the president elect has spent about half a century proving that he can bully anyone into just about anything he wants. Why would he be different in the White House.

I am more afraid for our country than I was immediately after 9/11.

I am in despair. Last night my 18 year old daughter, 700 miles away in college who voted for the first time, for Hillary, was texting me throughtout the evening with growing fear. The unthinkable happened, and I had to tell her not to despair, that her life would be long and she would see many ups and downs and twists and turns, and, this, too, would pass. I tried to give her a sense of hope I do not feel.

I'm in disbelief also. Can people really not care that this man has NO experience in elected office? I'm afraid I still believe that there is a core of sexism in this. People who didn't like Trump and also didn't like Hillary -- they chose Trump because they wanted change. They've been constantly complaining about the country changes of the last 10-15 years anyway, so what sense does all this make?

I'm just so sad.

Such thoughtful comments. I'm sickened too, but glad for your words.

A big shout out and and thank you to the FBI! I would never have believed that such a horrible excuse for a man could be elected. But then who knew that the FBI would turn on its own people? And we all laughed when trump said the election was rigged! Boy, how naive we?

Yes, Nancy, I agree that it's the Supreme Court that will make all the difference in our daily lives. Farewell choice. Social security and Medicare at serious risk. Health care gone. I have a grandson who is black, gay and autistic. God help him. But probably my worst fear is for the international situation. This horrible man has essentially pledged to slaughter anyone who messes with the USA! USA! USA! I am too old to stand on street corners vainly protesting another war and it wouldn't do any good anyway. I have not gone to bed nor eaten and still feel utterly sick. I can't see my way clear to getting over this no matter how many times the effing sun comes up.

I agree with Florence. The United States has been revealed. Not for what we might become but for what we are now. How else can we make sense of electing a man filled with hate and intolerance? I am heartbroken and ashamed. I can't see anything positive coming from this. Maybe tomorrow, but not today.

I never really believed there were that many stupid unthinking people in this country. Fool that I am.
I appreciate that Hillary won the electoral vote but that and 5 bucks will buy her a latte at Starbucks.
I too am wearing black.
Elle in Oregon

This is a disaster far beyond four or eight years. Climate change. The Supreme Court. Immigration. I think in the spring I'm going to start visiting the National Parks before fracking and Ammon Bundy take over.

Now, perhaps more people can begin to understand how we felt in the 1960s when people like Lester Maddox got elected and President Kennedy and his brother Bobby were killed. I and many like me were devastated! Many of us have never recovered from that ... and this just adds to the pain.

A parallel to something I just read . . .

Now it's time to not worry and be happy - perhaps delusional!

Look at it like this . . . we finally no longer have to be concerned about things like, a clean environment. safe drinking water, clean air, good health care, legal abortions, fair elections, good schools, safe food, and anything like a better, livable minimum wage – and, the first amendment and the future of professional journalism - just smile and say, "goodbye".

May God bless those 1% who now have title to the remaining 99% . . .

Roe v. Wade will be history, too--you can count on Pence to push that and he won't even have to push very hard with a Supreme Court appointed by Herr Drumpf. This is a total disaster for our country, and I can't see any way around it right now. I hope that in the days to come I will because we'll be stuck with the results of this election for at least 4 years. I still find it hard to believe that there are so many gullible people in the U.S.--that they would actually elect a Carnival-Barker-in-Chief.

This has been a vote of anger from large numbers of people who have been ignored. Yes, it's a terrible choice, and is almost sure to work against their own best interests. But politicians need to pay attention to the huge population that has felt left behind. Are they sexists, racists? Then we need to make their lives tolerable enough that they can become educated enough to recognize the error of bigotry.

This is a terrible shock, but it's not the end of the world.

I guess Michael Moore was right after all ("Michael Moore warned a Donald Trump victory would be the biggest 'f*** you in human history'. He was right - " - independent.co.uk). To top it off, Paul Ryan's speech this morning was a chilling portent of things to come.

Yellowstone summed up our future in the previous comment.

I agree with everything that has been said already. A friend of mine said she feels the unsettled grief you feel after a death. So do I. I don't know what to do with myself today.

I'm thinking of Sept. 11 and how this might, probably will, result in even more deaths. It came from outside the country, while this comes from half the country we live in. Our countrymen & yes, women.

It may not be the end of the world, but it sure feels like it.

I don't want to be cheered up today. I need to mourn and validate what I am feeling. Tomorrow will be baking day ....I'm thinking a nice batch of Terrible Awful pies might just set my soul to right...delivered to my hardworking Republican county office.

The next four years will be a trial to our souls - if American can survive a nuclear holocaust of Trump's making. I am counting on the younger generation to get it right. Mine certainly didn't.

Yesterday's election was upsetting, but I'm trying hard not to be upset. I've long known my opinions differ from the majority. The Republicans have gotten everything they ever wanted yesterday. They should be able to enact the laws they want. Let's see what they do. We are powerless now. They claim they have the moral superiority to create a better country. They believe they can solve all our problems. I hope liberals don't do to them what they did to Obama. Let's see what they do with their four years.

I only pray for one thing. If their experiments fail, I hope they will admit they are wrong. If they are right, I'm willing to give them credit. But conservatives have longed to test their ideology. This is their time. They've got a mandate. I've always hated the way conservatives never gave Obama one lousy chance. I don't want to be like that. I can't stand Trump, but I don't think we should stonewall him like the Republicans did Obama. That was so nasty. I dont' think we should be small and petty like that.

I'm sorry to be the one to invoke Godwin's Law, but it's been pointed out that 50% didn't vote for Trump. 70% of Germans at the last time that were permitted didn't vote for Hitler and see how that turned out.

I am angry. Make that furious. I am so disgusted with the gullible loons who have inflicted this disaster on us. When they find out that Trump doesn't give 2 figs about them or their problems that they thought he was going to magically solve, it will be too late for buyer's remorse.

The Trump voters learned nothing from having the Republicans in charge of the House and Senate and doing nothing for the country except obstruct and gave the three branches of government to them. Now there are no checks and balances and we have an irrational, ill informed dunce in the most important office in the world.

My depression will last a very long time and now the Supreme Court will be the most conservative, radical one in our history and that terrifies me for my grandchildren

I predict one of the first things the Republicans will do is privatize Social Security and Medicare in their effort to destroy them. Be ready to fight as that's the only weapon we have now.

I really fear for the minorities and the gay community because it is obvious we now have a government of bigots and racists. And apparently we have 50% of the populace who are ignorant.

No, I will not be diplomatic and give them excuses. They have kissed democracy goodbye and we who pay attention must suffer with them. I am irate at them.

Take comfort in the fact that half of Americans still believe in and uphold the original ideological values of equality and respect for others. The Wild Man let loose amongst us is only here for a time. I am actually excited to observe his limits (if any). I think his reign will have a cathartic effect and release the pus which have been building in society's system. We may suffer or even perish during the process but there will be a valiant fight for what we hold dear.

As to Hillary!! Good god, that woman has become my hero. Battered and pursued by hounds of Hell, she remained strong and unflinching. I weep for her when she did not deign to weep for herself. In the minds of my families and friends she epitomizes the highest standard of strong, straight and ambitious womanhood. Thank you Hillary for standing in the gap for us.

I agree with Fran 2.35pm above. My admiration for Hillary has soared.

There's a Youtube clip showing DT thumping someone near a wrestling ring, and later forcibly shaving a man (he'd lost his bet with DT) - the look o DT's face is that of his rabid supporters.

History destined to repeat itself. Hitler and his appeasement is similar to DT and the GOP appeasement. Now its to the part ".. they came for A, B, but I was silent .... and then they came for me". I think of the unthinking whites: they will now come for your Medicare and Social Security. The chinless, rabbity weasels in GOP will support that, no problem. At this moment, I do not care if that is vindictive.

What happened, Friko? Women joined the Trump fan club. Didn't you see the viral photo of the woman Trump supporter who had drawn an arrow pointing to her crotch and added the words "grab this." Anyone who thinks women aren't sexist or misogynistic hasn't worked in an office or business environment. In fact, women can be pretty vile and this breaks my heart. Men in charge frequently use a woman if they want to control another uppity woman. And sad to say, these women as surrogates are quite happy to throw another woman off the cliff if it helps them get ahead. Such is the competition for the few openings for women moving up. The social media effort during the primaries that turned Hillary into a crooked bitch had numerous women participants.

Just watched Hillary Clinton's concession speech. I wish I knew how she manages to look so fresh and composed after such a blow. Salute. She's a greater person than many another world leader who has openly wept/teared at his loss. My heart goes out to you. May God bless you.

I did not vote for Trump and I am scared for this country with him as President.
However...

Actually I feel sorry for those that voted for him expecting changes. What I see from here in the Midwest is a nostalgia vote to some extent. I saw the same in a driving trip to rural New England recently.

The country has changed and their way of life is fading -probably more rapidly than they can deal with.

Small towns are fading, people are moving out due to lack of jobs and farm consolidations due to children not wanting to farm. All are no more than 30-45 min from a Walmart, Target, Tractor Supply, etc. and these are killing the local businesses. They want their towns back - but this will not happen. Trump can't fix it.

They want the jobs their fathers or older brothers had. Come out of high school and find good paying work locally. These jobs are gone forever - mostly to automation and some by movement to other places (within the US -like Texas where labor is less expensive not just overseas).

You drive through these towns and small cities and it is sad - crumbling buildings, abandoned schools, and rural poverty.

People are angry and scared- at a number of things - the gummint, immigrants, business, etc. They feel abandoned and forgotten.

You look at these mostly rural farm states on the election results maps - cities blue all else red.

The real sadness is that Trump can't fix the issue - they probably know that but who else has even tried to help? Who else has read their anger? They really have nothing to loose so what the hell - tear it down. Punish the system.

In addition others laugh at their religious beliefs on marriage, abortion, immorality of the culture. How would you feel?

This is at least some part of why Trump won.

So while we can be angry at some of those who let the dogs loose I suggest at least some empathy with those who are suffering through the all too rapid society and culture changes.

I know right now there is anger in the Hillary camp and for the most part this is justified. But not all Trump supporters are the "deplorables".

(Note - I am a recent transplanted New Yorker to the Midwest so my observation is not colored by any personal experience or anger.)

I've just come in from our small weekly vigil demanding that the San Francisco DA charge the police officers who shot a Guatemalan man (who didn't know who was yelling at him) in the back. As we were leaving, several thousand young people marched by, offering hugs to any who needed them because Trump was elected. In our immigrant neighborhood (if the offer was in Spanish), this was gratefully accepted. My neighbors are living fear because frightened white people in far away states have fallen for a con man who will tear up lives without giving a fig for who is hurt.

I'm hurting -- but I'm also angry and aim to turn my anger to (nonviolent) action against all Republicans and other thugs. It would have been nice to retire, but that's not what I get. As someone wrote above, sometimes I'm glad I don't have children. These people are going to let earth warm and kill many species, including ours.

Terribly sad in France too and anxious for the future and for the votes for the President in 2017.
Chantal from Paris

I already suspected it but for me it just drives home the fact of how many complete dunces inhabit this country.

I've been reading various blogs about the election results, particularly the comments, just to get the public feedback. Odd - many are virulent and FOT Trump, in far too many numbers to be just a coincidence. I wouldn't be surprised if as I read a few days ago, foreign trolls are writing these comments.

Another thing: after the first Barack Obama/Donny meeting, Donny says meeting only to last 10 or 15 minutes, but last more than one hour - implying they got along so well they kept on chatting. BIG LIE. Meeting was scheduled for one hour. It was just so Lying Donny could give out a false impression that the two were getting pally. Its consistent with his campaign behaviour.

His cabinet seems to be filled with big cats - so much for DraintheSwamp.

America: what have you done to yourself?! It may be the rural belt who voted for dreadful Donny, but everyone is going to get screwed.

Is there not even ONE decent GOP? horrible Ryan, rabbit chinned McConnell, ...et al.

I have been in a nearly-comatose state for the past two days, fighting nausea and tears and despair. I don't know whether it is the thought of the future consequences or the realization of how many more Americans are racists and misogynists than I could ever have believed.

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” H. L. Mencken, 1920

And so it begins...

The paper this morning (USA Today) had several articles on the racist and anti-immigrant speech and graffiti in several places. So the fears that Trump has enabled or encouraged this behavior seem to be coming to pass. We have to forcefully smack down this stuff - right now!

The business section had articles on how the market is reacting to business who are "not American enough". Meaning using foreign factories. The title was "Trumps Enemies are Already Paying the Price". Their stocks are down.

At the end of the article, which talked about lowering corporate taxes, this was said:
"Investors fears may prove overblown, though. Trump's plans to lower corporate tax rates might encourage tech companies holding cash overseas to bring it to the US and boost dividends"

"Boost dividends" = make the rich richer. Not invest in new manufacturing or add jobs here in the US but pay out more dividends to their stockholders. Most of the population does not really own stocks that would benefit from this. So the rich who hold the stocks get richer.

Now yes many pension plans and retirement investments do hold these stocks and would benefit in the short term and that does help us retired or soon to be retired folks. Good for us. Not so much help for the general public.

So already we are seeing what a true Trump victory might mean...