Forestry Forum 2024 Presidential exit poll

[Jeff]

When you vote, unless you say, it is just added in.

I have zero reservations on posting my choice when I voted absentee last month.
Donald John Trump.

[Nebraska]

I voted this morning on the way to the office. 

[GAB]

Hopefully after today there won't be any more political ads on TV for a while.
Between NY, NH, & VT I've had enough political ads for quite some time.
GAB

[LeeB]

We've had 8+ inches of rain in the last three days. Our road out has had the bridge washed out. Only way put now is through a neighbor's property. Very rough road. Not much better than a pig trail. We gritted our teeth and put the truck in four wheel drive so we could make the journey to the voting booth. Certainly should have gone sooner before all the rain started. 

[sawguy21]

We are following this election with great interest in Canada.

[B.C.C. Lapp]

Mrs. Lapp and I was at the polls when they opened.  I saw my son, my daughter, and my son in law there.    We all voted for President Trump.   Proud to see my kids all voting for freedom.

[GRANITEstateMP]

My work encourages us to vote. Ours polls opened at 7am.  I got to the school at 655 and had to park on the ball field.  i guess a bunch of others had the same idea.  I was ballot number 169 through the machine.  I was only about 5 min late to work, but the first to vote.

My wife went through at noon and was number 1759. I think around 2500 voted in the primary, and that was a decent turnout.

LeeB, could you send about 2in of that rain up to NH?

Matt

[Jeff]

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, that was the primary mission for today. Vote well and vote often, I always say. SO I did a little sanding in the shop while the woodstove settled it to temp then headed out around 9:30. I find this is the best time for me these days, the working folks should get through as fast as possible because they have places to be and most don't get paid for voting time. 10am seems to be the sweet spot between morning voters and the stay at home voters, before the afternoon rush begins. Worked out perfect. I walked right up to my district table and since the poll worker there served as my LT. when I ran the rescue Squad, I didn't even have to give my name, just sign. In and out in under 10 minutes including greeting a few neighbors.
Nothing personal but my Dad taught me there were two things that were nobody's business but my own: How much I made, and how I voted. I try to live by that.
I hope everybody gets what they want, but I suspect half of us will not, so whoever comes out on the short end, I hope we can all just move on and accept it like Men and Women in stead of whining.

[Resonator]

How much I made, and how I voted. 

Here's what you should tell them Tom:
1. A bench, 2 stools, and a hollow framed mirror all before suppertime.
2. With a black pen on a paper ballot. 

[Resonator]

Got my sticker this morning. Said my name and showed my ID as per procedure, even though I've known one of the poll workers for many years through my local church.

Ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA! 

[RetiredTech]

I took 3 other people with me to vote this morning. I found it interesting that the Democrat party was listed at the top of the list while the Republican party was buried in the middle of all the other parties. I don't remember it ever being that way before, and I don't remember ever forgetting anything! I expected the major parties first followed by all the others alphabetically or maybe even the complete list alphabetically.

[rusticretreater]

There wasn't a single sign for Harris at my polling place. I am not lying.  It was pointless I guess.

I asked the poll worker why Jeff wasn't on the ballot for president and I just got a blank stare. 

Dixville Notch, first place to vote in the US at midnight returned a total of three trump, three harris.  Last election it was five for Biden.  That shows you that its so bad that even the cuckoos in NH can't support the leftys anymore.

[Jim_Rogers]

Before I select who I voted for, I wanted to know how this poll works. As a businessman, I normally keep quiet about political things as I don't want to offend future customers. So, if I select who I voted for will this be hidden from view?

I voted earlier before today at my local library early voting location.

Jim Rogers

[Jeff]

 It just creates a total. It does not say who votes what. You also dont have to post to vote.

[47sawdust]

My wife is an assistant town clerk and runs the tabulator all day at our small town here in Vermont .
It is a job that she is good at and I'm very proud of her.
I am a 77 year old vet .
We are all privileged to live in this country,and we all came from somewhere else.
.

[beenthere]

I assume the "tabulator" isn't anything other than a registered voter. Not tabulating any votes. 

[47sawdust]

beenthere,
I am not smart enough to explain what a tabulator is.
All I know is the town road crew brings it to the polling place with a bucket loader
We are pretty high tech here

[Jeff]

Thank you Lord

[jb616]

Thank you Lord

Amen. We have a reprieve.  Lets not waste it. Keep fighting for Freedom and values.

[aigheadish]

This was the first time for my son to vote, he turned 18 in June. I got off work at 3 and raced home to pick him up and rush to the polling place to beat the crowds (in a fairly rural area). We did indeed beat the crowds. It took us about 10 minutes to get through and the line was forming quickly behind us. 

I'm not sure I'll ever vote by mail or whatever. I like the pageantry of day-of voting and I like being friendly with and from the poll workers (Tom, did Pat work again this year?). 

This was also the first time in my memory where everything I voted for went the way I voted! Whoop. I hope Trump and Co. can be successful, looks like he may have the mandate to try it. How about ending the Fed and killing taxes? 

It looks like Elon and Ron Paul have been talking, in respect to the Department of Gov't Efficiency. That sounds pretty cool.

[WV Sawmiller]

   Like others I am having flashbacks and hearing voices again!

   Back in 2016 my wife and I worked the polls in our district. That makes for a very long day so after we had escorted/delivered the ballots to the courthouse we came home and went to bed late that night. I went to bed having nightmares about what I would wake up to find. About 3:00 am I woke up, went to the bathroom then eased into  the living room and turned on the TV taking care not to wake my wife. When I went to bed Hillary was leading. When I turned on the tube Trump was making his victory speech and had won the election. I honestly and immediately heard Munchkins singing!

   I woke up about 4:30 today and did the same. The Munchkins are back. They aren't singing "The Witch is dead" this time but they are saying she is unemployed and on her broom heading back to California with her flying monkeys and there is a good chance she won't be bothering us again any time soon.

   BTW - you can thank WV for flipping and taking back the US Senate too. (Okay - I realize Ohio and 49 other states helped.) And I expect more there when the counting is done!

[Chuck White]

Very pleased with the final tally.

Jeff, that was a very inspirational video you posted.

[WhitePineJunky]

Congratulations to the republicans and DJT. The man has defied the odds 

[Cedarman]

We are very rural.  Longest line ever in 40 years.  25 min wait.   11:20 in the morning.  Said that way since 6 when they opened.
Pendulum has now swung right.  Hope it has lots of momentum.
Country seems disgusted with the way things were headed.
25 per cent black males voting for trump.  Large numbers of Latinos voting for trump.  
Will be interesting if the MSM stops bellyaching. (Don't count on it)

[WhitePineJunky]

We are very rural.  Longest line ever in 40 years.  25 min wait.  11:20 in the morning.  Said that way since 6 when they opened.
Pendulum has now swung right.  Hope it has lots of momentum.
Country seems disgusted with the way things were headed.
25 per cent black males voting for trump.  Large numbers of Latinos voting for trump. 
Will be interesting if the MSM stops bellyaching. (Don't count on it)

Hopefully Canada follows suite 

[B.C.C. Lapp]

Every body I see today is smiling and happy.   Its like the black cloud of democratic socialism has lifted and the sun is back.    We have a future that looks bright again.    We must never ever go backward like that again.    Be sure to take a knee today and thank the Lord for this second chance.    

[jb616]

Every body I see today is smiling and happy.  Its like the black cloud of democratic socialism has lifted and the sun is back.    We have a future that looks bright again.    We must never ever go backward like that again.    Be sure to take a knee today and thank the Lord for this second chance.   

Absolutely agree. We need to make our presence known and not be silent. Just like @doc henderson quote on his profile. "Evil Prevails when Good Men Standby and Do Nothing"

[JD Guy]

Late to the party, we were gone out of town the last 4 days to a funeral. Wife and I voted early for the first time ever and were both 73! I can't even express my gratitude to the rest of our countrymen and women for helping to save this great nation!

[Resonator]

Local news said we had 96% voter turnout where I live (Marathon county). Will find out from my local clerk what the township voter participation numbers were, but I know from past experience they'll be high.

At one point before the voting ended I had 10 text message ads, my landline was ringing off the hook, and my cell was blowing up with calls. 
Beautiful sound today... the silent sound of NO MORE POLITICAL ADS!

[thecfarm]

I didn't get any mail today.  

[rusticretreater]

U.S. - The National Weather Service has issue has issued widespread flash flood warnings across America as liberal tears continue to pour down unabated, increasing in severity after Karen Handel's victory over Jon Ossoff in the race for Georgia's 6th Congressional District.

"We advise all citizens to disconnect electrical appliances, bring outdoor furniture inside, and move all important indoor items to the top floor of your home to avoid flood damage," a NWS spokesman said. "Also, avoid walking or driving through streams of tears, as their power can be deceiving - just six inches of moving tears can knock you down, and only one foot can sweep a vehicle away."

At publishing time, due to media rumors that Hillary Clinton is considering another White House run while Chelsea Clinton is being groomed for a future in politics, the NWS spokesman was predicting "no end in sight" to the downpours.

[Raider Bill]

Local news said we had 96% voter turnout where I live (Marathon county). Will find out from my local clerk what the township voter participation numbers were, but I know from past experience they'll be high.

At one point before the voting ended I had 10 text message ads, my landline was ringing off the hook, and my cell was blowing up with calls. 
Beautiful sound today... the silent sound of NO MORE POLITICAL ADS!

Thankfully we are back to drug company advertisements again.

[Ron Wenrich]

We voted early in the day.  It took 45 minutes to go through the voting.  My number was 154 and they had 1,044 for the day.  Another 265 were early/absentee voting.  Trump won our precinct 1039-258.  Most rural areas in PA had that type of voting results, or higher. 

While standing in line, a school bus stopped to let a car pull into the parking lot.  A window towards the back of the bus opened up and someone yelled "Vote Trump" before the bus pulled away.  It brought a chuckle to most of us standing in line.

[scsmith42]

Personally I'm glad to see that there is some diversity on the FF in terms of voting.

It makes us a better forum, IMO.

Scott

[WV Sawmiller]

Rustic,

    I assure you I am not worried about Hillary running again. The Munchkins have spoken!

     I don't think Chelsea is ever going to be a threat in spite of what her mom (I don't think her dad is pushing her in this way) wants her to do.

[Gearbox]

I find it strange that we had a record voter turn out in 2024 . In 2020 the total votes were way more than this year like 60,000 more votes cast . I'm scratching my head over this one . 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well whoever said there was record turnout was bad at math. It was considerably down from the last election.

[pigman]

I didn't make my mind up until Tuesday morning. Not who to vote for, but whether to vote in the morning or afternoon. I voted at 2 pm and it took me over an hour. No lines, just a lot of workers I only see at elections.

[aigheadish]

Maybe not appropriate for this discussion but in 2020 "they" cheated by 15-20 million votes to make up a difference. With the Virus and all the new rules that, seemingly, no one cared to check on, it made it easy to just make stuff up, and you were deemed a conspiracy theory kook insurrectionist if you questioned it. 

Now, we can look back and see a pretty consistent amount of votes, cycle after cycle, until 2020, when somehow the guy that couldn't get 100 people to show up at a rally (if he left the basement) managed to get like 20% more votes than any candidate in history? 

Delete this post if you want @Jeff I just find it amazing that the populace is so blind to (or unwilling to look into) all the nonsense that happened (not just voting) during Covid. 

[YellowHammer]

I was reminded of an old proverb:

"The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them."

[WV Sawmiller]

    I have seen several issues Trump says he will fix by executive order on day one. All look pretty good to me.

    Also, from what I have also read even before he takes office it looks like he will have probably have solved the housing problem because if all the actors and other celebrities who said they would leave the USA if he was re-elected actually leave as threatened (Promised?) there will be a huge number of houses available. Since most of these kind of people have several homes and many are suitable for multi-family occupancy (May be converted into apartments and townhouses) we should be in could shape for housing.

    I hope they all have the proper visa for entry into their new countries as I can assure them if they don't have the right entry visa, they ain't leaving the airport. 

    I will miss Cher but she has not been putting out any new songs lately so maybe it won't matter. I sure hope she speaks Italian.

[rusticretreater]

I would have the White House travel office contact them and volunteer to handle the arrangements for them so they have a trouble free exit.

[Joewood]

Absolutely agree. We need to make our presence known and not be silent. Just like @doc henderson quote on his profile. "Evil Prevails when Good Men Standby and Do Nothing"

I agree except this time Evil Prevailed; I just pray we won't be saying "hail trump" in the next few years. But think positively' in four years we can get rid of the bum again, if this is still a free country. 

[doc henderson]

Well Joe you can have your opinion, and politics is a dangerous road to travel.  some of us feel we just got rid of the bum.  There are plenty on this forum who have fought to keep this a free country and will do so again if needed.  The election was fair it seems and a better than usual margin.  I am making an effort to not attack you personally as you are a fellow forumite, but you are promoting the idea that he is evil and is like Hitler.  That is BS.  Compared to many lifelong politicians, he is a saint.   Doc.

[Jeff]

Its like there are people that live in a different dimention. I really will never understand, but do feel sorry for the people that think he is evil. He is not. Those that convinced and continue to try to convince others that he is, are truly the evil ones.

[WhitePineJunky]

Absolutely agree. We need to make our presence known and not be silent. Just like @doc henderson quote on his profile. "Evil Prevails when Good Men Standby and Do Nothing"

I agree except this time Evil Prevailed; I just pray we won't be saying "hail trump" in the next few years. But think positively' in four years we can get rid of the bum again, if this is still a free country.

IMO trump being able to win despite the tidal wave of left wing media lies and political attacks, is proof voting and democracy is still real. Turns out campaigning on the other half of the country being racists and nazis didn't work out, and shouldn't.

I've heard a lot of tak from democrats "democracy is on the line", trump won the popular vote as well, how about it for democracy? "No not democracy like that"

[doc henderson]

That sort of talk and belief may be why there have been two assassination attempts, two impeachments by the very individuals that spew all kinds of lies, most of whom are worth far more than their salary would account for, and why he was re-elected.  He donates his salary.  we have opened up a can of worms.  Any person that thinks biological men should be in women's locker rooms, children can decide and be encouraged to be castrated, their breasts removed and genital mutilated, and started on dangerous medications without their parents' permission, and that Joe is vital and of his right mind, and that millions of un-vetted and un-documented illegal aliens should be allowed in our country can pound sand.  Cmon Joe.

these are the people that are committing an insurrection.  defund the police, the "riots will just continue till people get what they want".  people thinking like that are the danger.

[WhitePineJunky]

That sort of talk and belief may be why there have been two assassination attempts, two impeachments by the very individuals that spew all kinds of lies, most of whom are worth far more than their salary would account for, and why he was re-elected.  He donates his salary.  we have opened up a can of worms.  Any person that thinks biological men should be in women's locker rooms, children can decide and be encouraged to be castrated, their breasts removed and genital mutilated, and started on dangerous medications without their parents' permission, and that Joe is vital and of his right mind, and that millions of un-vetted and un-documented illegal aliens should be allowed in our country can pound sand.  Cmon Joe.

these are the people that are committing an insurrection.  defund the police, the "riots will just continue till people get what they want".  people thinking like that are the danger.

Agreed, IMO the threat to the democracy ironically was by the ones gaslighting the masses playing clips of nazi rallies alongside trump rallies. What a disgrace. Lots of people who voted republican had fathers and grandfathers who legitimately fought nazis. 

The good news is the election was proof main stream media has lost the narrative control 

[WV Sawmiller]

  I confess - I am not a big fan of Donald Trump. There its said. I do like and believe in his policies and when you ask "Are you better off today under Biden/Harris than I was under DJT?" the answer is a resounding No.

    I blame the Democrats for putting him in office both times. They ran their most extreme candidates in 2016 and 2024 who do not represent the views of the party and its constituents.

    In 2020 Joe Biden ran as a moderate but when elected, he governed (or the ones pulling his puppet strings since it is highly questionable IMHO whether he is/was capable of decision making most of his time in office) as an extreme liberal.

  Given the options I was presented with I had to vote for him and I hope and pray he is able to do the things he promised to try to do. I think at least with DJT there is no question about who is in charge of the country.

  The term Lawfare has come into our vocabulary during the last 4 years as an attempt to stop DJT. Guess what - it did not work and I still expect the appeals process to ultimately clear his name.

[NewYankeeSawmill]

I just find it amazing that the populace is so blind to (or unwilling to look into) all the nonsense that happened (not just voting) during Covid.

There's a lot to unravel, and succinct is not a word ever used to describe my writing.... But I'll try.

It is/was an attempted take over by communists.

I believe that several well known psychological techniques were leveraged against the population at large. Not only are there famous experiments like Stanley Milgram's one about subordination to the clip-board and lab-coat, but the ability to control people by instilling fear into a population at large was really honed to perfection w/ the GWOT. The KungFlu was the perfect application of what was learned - a bad cold was engineered in the lab and people went nuts out of what: Fear. That fear was leveraged against all manner of Constitutional and Innate Rights which people willingly gave up (out of fear), Mr B. Franklin, I hear you! That was then used to divide society among vaxxx and anti-vaxx, lab- or natural- origin, mask or no-masks, etc., etc., etc... divisions were deliberately created among society at all points to foment hate and anger, and prevent unity and cohesion. This is classic Marxism, read your history, pickup a book! They literally tell you this is how they take over countries - divide the population!

Communists have long used cognitive dissonance to put people on edge, Pravda anyone (translated literally means "Truth", but it was a newspaper that spread government propaganda). This causes effects on the mind that are powerful but subtle, and we've all experienced it personally the last 4+ years, in various ways, shapes and forms: The talking heads on the tee vee tell you everything is rosy, but you can't afford gas nor groceries? That thing your brain does that makes you rub your temples when you hear crap like that? That's cognitive dissonance. It wears on you, doesn't it? That's not being done on accident! It's deliberate, to wear you down! That's what commies always did in the past, they used to brag about it! Guess what? They're doing it again, now, here.

The coup-de-gras is compliments of The Devil himself! His greatest trick is convincing people he doesn't exist, right? What do politicians tell you? What does school teach you? That government is here to help!

Anyone from WNC or ETN here wanna chime in about FEMA 'helping'...?

I got news for a lot of people on this board...

https://youtu.be/h242eDB84zY

Hint: The FedGov has been the bad guys since about 1946... They (have now admitted they) killed Kennedy for Chris'sakes, what more proof do you need!? You would have to have had your head in the sand for 60 years not know our government is run by traitors who don't care what The Constitution says... Probably since 1913, but that's a whole 'nother topic.

Half of Congress would hang if we were a lawful nation. Over half. You have to grok that. Once you get your head around the fact CONgress is nothing but a bunch of crooks stealing candy from babies, it all starts to fall into place.

... Most people have constructed a paradigm they live in where the Government is not only altruistic, but incapable of causing the kinds of harm to its citizens that they have and continue to do. We've got laws against that! They believe the lies they're told by Pravda (because Milgram). History and facts do not matter to their paradigm. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who says "I support Israel" today what they know about the USS Liberty. You get crickets, don't you? They don't WANT to know the truth, they want to continue to live in their paradigm. It's comfortable, they're used to it. Change is painful. You mean Israel isn't our greatest ally?

I was taught to question everything, and we ALL have now lived through personal experiences that reinforced that lesson (e.g. KungFlu?). Most of the US, and certainly the younger generations, have been INDOCTRINATED in public school, and by the media, that the world is not what it actually is. If you listened to the media (which all the good liberals did), you thought KamelToe had it close in the election. Nothing could have been further from the truth the entire time, but they kept telling the lie over and over again, didn't they? The election now proves that beyond a doubt - THEY WERE LYING TO YOU THE WHOLE TIME AND KNEW IT!!!! Do any of them accept that as truth today and adjust their paradigm? Nope, Trump cheated....Tee vee told me so.

Sigh... and now I start rubbing my temples, in disbelief that people really are that stupid.

To say 'we're screwed' is an understatement....

[47sawdust]

I did not vote for Trump and was not all that impressed by Harris.I live in Vermont and definitely lean left on social issues.
I am most distressed by the fact that neither party can field stronger candidates.
After Trump won the 2016 election election I read a book  called "American Nations" by Colin Woodard.The book describes the history of our political division going back to the Revolutionary War.The author describes us as being a country of 11 rival regions.It made made me realize we will probably never be unified in our respective beliefs.
To me the most important issue going forward is to treat each other with mutual respect despite political difference,color of skin,ethnic background and gender.We all can do better.Let's lead with compassion and our hearts.
Blessed day to all.

[jb616]

The current Democrats are projectionists, accusing the others of what they themselves are actually doing. The only threat of "democracy" was actually a threat to Democratcy. DJT actually cares for this country, all you have to do is listen the a few of the hundreds of interviews that he made with an open mind. These were legit interviews,  not scripted softball interviews for the left. Your eyes should also come to full open when you see life long Democrats moving to the Republican side. Its time to actually drain the swamp and end corruption on both sides, streamline the government,  and end the spiral into bankruptcy.

[Cedarman]

Since I am recovering from getting a new knee, I have a lot of free time to watch the boob toob.
I have been watching a  lot of MSNBC which I have not done before to get a feel for what the left is saying.
The left are saying Trump voters are sexist, racist and misogonist.  Non college educated, therefore stupid.  They just couldn't get it through Trump voters thick heads that they needed to change. That Kamala would change America for the better.  Extremely negative to the max.
The right seems to be saying that we are listening to the public and will make the changes that will make their lives better. Positive to the max.

Top of my list is that the new pres and congress will pass laws stopping the sexual mutilation of any one under 18.  I am appalled that a segment of our society condones this.  We should put emphasis on helping any youth that is frustrated with their bodies to seek help to get them through their troubling times without recourse to non reversible procedures.

Girls sports should not have transgender participants.  How many girls will be deprived of their sports experience until this unfair practice is eliminated?  Pass the law.

Will be glad when I can get to the mill again.

[Bradm]

I had a customer in on Wednesday and he moving in a daze and completely flabbergasted over the outcome.  I had made a friendly bet with him (lunch) over the outcome and even though he lost I still provided him with lunch.  What concerns me right now is the rhetoric I'm seeing and hearing coming from non mainstream sources.

Having studied some of the history of the last 70 years, I have noticed that the early 1970s could almost be considered a watershed moment of history.  There are a lot of connections, writings (many ideologically driven), business and NGO groups that either came on the scene or can trace their current roots to this era.

Hint: The FedGov has been the bad guys since about 1946... They (have now admitted they) killed Kennedy for Chris'sakes, what more proof do you need!? You would have to have had your head in the sand for 60 years not know our government is run by traitors who don't care what The Constitution says... Probably since 1913, but that's a whole 'nother topic.

Back it up to sometime between 1865 and 1900 when governments were sponsoring eugenics programs.  Also, though off topic, what are your sources on the government admitting to Kennedy?  Everything I've seen points to it and with Trump's about face on releasing everything about it during his first term has helped to solidify my thoughts on it.

[Jeff]

I get it, you hated him 4 years ago and still do now (Lord knows I do) .

Despite the hate, he's a consistent winner and overachiever.

Call it jealousy or envy, some people can't handle his success and wealth. There have been scandals, lies, and twisted truths, but he proves his haters wrong time and time again.

You may not have wanted him in this job, but there's nothing we can do about it. I know it might get worse over the next several weeks, but like him or not -

Tom Brady is doing a decent job as a broadcaster. Way better than Collinsworth....

Borrowed from a friend-

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Back it up to sometime between 1865 and 1900 when governments were sponsoring eugenics programs.  Also, though off topic, what are your sources on the government admitting to Kennedy? 

Right? Tuskegee was in the 1930's...
Wasn't there a sort of admission in an opinion piece or something in Time magazine earlier this year? I forget among all the rhetoric, there was something about it as a vague threat to Trump.

[aigheadish]

If you haven't read 1984 in a while give it another go. I think it should be read every 5 years or so to both remind us and see how it differs each time. I've read it probably 6 times now and each time it hits in a new way. The amount of doublespeak in society today is bonkers.

I'm not a huge Trump fan (he is funny, I'll give him that), and while I think he is the best offering, for President, we have right now, I'm still not convinced he's on "our" side. It's possible to do a lot of things that appear good and conservative and still do a few things that possibly enrich or enable terrible things to happen. I hope he's genuine but politics has left me jaded.

On a completely different note. This conversation is controlled, not disrespectful, and lovely. Where on the internet does this happen? Support the Forestry Forum. It's cheap, it helps the site, and it feels great!

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=125278.0

[47sawdust]

aigheadish,
Very well said.
I too  am  grateful for this forum.
Thank you,Jeff

[Joewood]

aigheadish,
Very well said.
I too  am  grateful for this forum.
Thank you,Jeff

I agree whole heartedly 47.
 Just to be clear, Harris was not my first choice, neither was Biden, they were just better than the alternative. If Trump has his way food prices will rise, no one to harvest the veggies or milk the cows; he has vowed to roll back federal regulations on energy and the environment, extend tax cuts to the rich, and pursue an "America First" foreign policy; this will put us back in the 20^th century with higher prices and less choice at the marketplace.
OK, I'll get off my soupbox but I do agree with a lot that was said on here. We'll just have to muddle through the next four years.

[GAB]

Since I am recovering from getting a new knee, I have a lot of free time to watch the boob toob.

@Cedarman:
I wish you a complete and speedy recovery.
GAB

[doc henderson]

Thanks Joe.  I do respect your right to have that opinion, but I do not know where you are getting the idea that any of that is true.  I take care of myself and family.  I work my ass off and if I am going to help a stranger, that should be up to me.  I will gladly pay for room and board and health care for any truly disabled person.  I do not care to pay for 10 million illegal immigrants who were encouraged to come here to get votes to make it, so the Dems are the only ones to get elected in the future.  Instead of giving them a hand up, they are bringing us down.  the idea is to get good people who can contribute to our country.  Lets give the new team a try.

[doc henderson]

In all fairness, the info we get is quite dependent on the news we watch and listen to.  I also try to watch the more left news intermittently.  I tend to trust fox news best.  I would also say that many neurosurgeons are quite arrogant and can be real ashes most of the time.  But, if you really need a neurosurgeon, I would pick the ash if they are the best over the really nice one.

[WV Sawmiller]

Joe,

  I am betting the cows still get milked and the crops still get picked. They may be/likely will still be picked by immigrants but I'm hoping and expecting it will be legal immigrants who have been vetted and follow the rules and obey our laws.

    I worked most of my career overseas in foreign countries but I worked there legally with proper visas and work permits and look back and say "That country is better off today because of the work I and my expat co-workers did." I trained many foreign workers and treasured the memories of watching them grow and become successful because of the help we gave them.

    Nobody ever suggested we were shutting off immigration. We will just regulate who comes in and make sure they are people we want and need and who help boost our economy and  obey our laws instead of drug mules and people putting a strain on our resources.

  I have mentioned before that I made a mistake and entered Brazil illegally for a vacation I intended to take there. I did not have the proper visa. The Immigration people at the airport were very professional but they were firm and I could not leave the terminal. They put me back on the same plane I came in on and they sent me back where I came from. I bear them absolutely no ill will. They were fair but firm and I think the USA should be the same way.

[Southside]

aigheadish,
Very well said.
I too  am  grateful for this forum.
Thank you,Jeff

I agree whole heartedly 47.
 Just to be clear, Harris was not my first choice, neither was Biden, they were just better than the alternative. If Trump has his way food prices will rise, no one to harvest the veggies or milk the cows; he has vowed to roll back federal regulations on energy and the environment, extend tax cuts to the rich, and pursue an "America First" foreign policy; this will put us back in the 20^th century with higher prices and less choice at the marketplace.
OK, I'll get off my soupbox but I do agree with a lot that was said on here. We'll just have to muddle through the next four years.

 Not attacking you here but that is a very inaccurate, over used, and frankly offensive statement. This coming from a guy who does infact milk the cows and pick the crops for a living.  I also hire people to help with that and I can assure you the illegals here DON'T want to do farm work. 

You know who does want to do that type of work now? Young American females who care about their food sources. Yup, all but one of our employees on the farm side is female, under 37 and I see the same thing at other farms.  As a bonus they spend their money here and don't wire it out of the country. 

Trump has his faults, but the man truly cares about our future and this nation. I am involved with some political matters at the state level here in Virginia and I can assure you he is a unicorn with those values in the political world. 

[Resonator]

Local news said we had 96% voter turnout where I live (Marathon county). Will find out from my local clerk what the township voter participation numbers were, but I know from past experience they'll be high.

Numbers were high. Talked to my town clerk today, we had 91% voter turnout in my township for the election. They were busy signing in voters from opening until closing. One friend in the city worked until 12:30 in the morning counting all the absentee ballots.
If you know any poll workers, thank them for the work they do.

[Ron Wenrich]

I saw that Trump has sent in his letter of resignation.  Sadly, he has given up his job making fries at McDonalds.  He has penned a well written resignation letter, and thanked McDonalds for allowing him to be part of such a big national brand.  He said his resignation will be effective on Jan 20, 2025.  You have to admire his sense of humor.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/icymi-trumps-priceless-resignation-letter-to-mcdonalds-is-one-for-the-ages-no-wonder-he-won/ar-AA1tNTia

[East ky logging]

Just so happens that someone that "supposedly " has experience working at McDonald's will became unemployed that day. 

[beenthere]

I didn't directly vote for Trump. But did for the ticket he was on and what I think is now possible to happen in our future.


I voted for the First Amendment and freedom of speech.

I voted for the Second Amendment and my right to defend my life and my family.

I voted for the next Supreme Court Justice(s) to protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I voted for the continued growth of my 401K and the stock market.

I voted for a return of our troops from foreign countries and the end to America's involvement in foreign conflicts.

I voted for the Electoral College and for the Republic in which we live.

I voted for the Police to be respected once again and to ensure Law & Order.

I voted for the continued appointment of Federal Judges who respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I voted for our jobs to remain in America and not be outsourced all over again to China, Mexico and other foreign countries.

I'm voting for secure borders and legal immigration.

I voted for the Military & the Veterans who fought for this Country to give the American people their freedoms.

I voted for continued peace progress in the Middle East.

I voted to fight against human/child trafficking.

I voted for Freedom of Religion.

I voted for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored.

I didn't just vote for one person, I voted for the future of my Country.

I voted for my children, my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren to ensure their freedoms and their future.

I don't feel my one vote was in vain. I'm happy with the potential prospects that now have a chance to continue or to happen.

[thecfarm]

That's a good way to vote.

[SwampDonkey]

It was interesting, I caught a glimpse of a CBC-NB interview with people in Calais, Maine over the election results. Of all the end of the world blat'n (yes some were crying at the mic) to be heard from the Harris supporters.   Well, you could see the bias in plain sight of the whole piece. If they'd had come up to the Aroostook county area, they'd see Trump signs on almost every lawn. :D :D Too funny.  At least Biden, in his right mind or otherwise, congratulated Trump on his win. 

In the local village here, things have chugged along as far as markets and such for fabricated material, through every US election. Grocery store is still there to. Never been much else for decades, except a greasy spoon and a junk store. Only thing we lack is a gas station, which is quite odd until you realize the environmental red tape. Hardware store relocated 3 miles away, but no big loss to me.

[rusticretreater]

The man was president before and times were good, much better than now. Do they really think we have forgotten or do they believe that gaslighting us will really work? The screams from the left are more and more extreme as the previous "the sky is falling!" rhetoric didn't work.  Sure Trump did some things after the last election that a President should never do, but that is part of the cult of personality and ego that allows him to be so effective.

As with most elections, we have to select between two bad, meh candidates, which is why Washington and Jefferson didn't like a two party system.  I am more vote to prevent someone from gaining office than supporting the other candidate in Presidential Elections. The lesser of two evils.

By the grace of God and our founding fathers, the Constitutional system of government allows us to protect ourselves when things start to go awry.  As Kevin O'Leary put it "America did a reset".  

[customsawyer]

I find it interesting that the Dems campaign fund ended in debt. Even after raising over a billion dollars. Don't boost my confidence in their ability to help the economy.

[SwampDonkey]

The perspective from two economists. I follow Richard Wolff, he is one of the honest ones. Have not seen the other guy before, but he's equally well respected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7iGPm0vloA&t=1773s

[Cedarman]

How does  a democratic donor who gave $100 to the campaign feel that it went as part of the million dollars that Oprah put in her pocket?  If Oprah believed in a Harris win, why didn't she and the other celebs donate some of their excess wealth instead of suckering the poor folks?

[Ron Wenrich]

To be fair, both parties take advantage of donors.  Years ago, we had our state Senator who was the leading money raiser in the election cycle.  He wasn't even on the ballot that year.  Its all a money grab.  They didn't get enough from us through taxation, they need to tap into our disposable income so they can tax us more.  

According to Forbes, $15.9 billion was spent on all federal elections. 

[GAB]

To be fair, both parties take advantage of donors.  Years ago, we had our state Senator who was the leading money raiser in the election cycle.  He wasn't even on the ballot that year.  Its all a money grab.  They didn't get enough from us through taxation, they need to tap into our disposable income so they can tax us more. 

According to Forbes, $15.9 billion was spent on all federal elections. 

I have never donated to a political campaign and plan on not breaking my streak.
I'm not going to assist them in polluting my television and radio programming.
GAB

[Resonator]

$15.9 billion.... and how many roads, bridges, schools, small business loans, etc., could have been done with that much money...

[Machinebuilder]

I've been reading news stories from variuos places.

I have not seen anyone admit/comment that Harris lost so badly is because she is a bad candidate.

I do not like Trump, it goes a long way back to the 1980's living in the Hudson Valley and seeing his questionable business dealings.
I think he is a very smart businessman and presents a strong image to the world.

I attempted to watch the 2 presidential debates. the first one with Biden my take away is that it is embarrassing to think that both candidates want to represent the USA on the world stage. the second debate with Harris, I could not listen to her talk so much to say nothing.

I keep reminding myself that at the end of Trumps first term there was an unprecedented 5 middle east peace accords signed.

Do I think there could have been better candidates.....definitely.
Do I have faith the current parties will allow them to run.....I am skeptical.

one thing I held against Harris is the way she was appointed to run, by the party claiming to be for democracy.

[Mooseherder]

I think History, as long as the truth still matters, Trump will be the Boy Scout who had a massive conspiracy against him.   We are still living through 2 forms of Justice.  The only person being held accountable for 8 years is Trump.   The People saw through it and now it's time to fix what broke.  Start with General Flynn with 2 teams.  One looking back and one moving forward.  Adam Schiff received 6 million votes when he deserves jail.  We have a ways to go.

[rusticretreater]

Well the Dems spent all that money and accomplished a lot, like getting our government turned around!  

Remember, most of that money went into the economy, whether it paid libs or not.

[doc henderson]

I would not vote for any dem at this point, cause they will pretend to be moderate, and then cave to the far left, or turn out to be in the end.  Trump was a good businessman.  I do not know many businesspeople that think kindness and charity is the way to success.  Maybe in a well-planned PR campaign.  trump is like the guy in pretty woman who after years came around.  he calls a spade a spade, but now is a grandpa.  We can all evolve.  I have always been a kind person and a good doc.  I after all these years become kinder (nothing to prove) and a better doc.  IMHO.  There was no other possible reasonable intelligent choice.  remember, do not drink the dam cool aid.

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Remember, most of that money went into the economy, whether it paid libs or not.

As a Printing Industry Veteran, those stupid postcards that come around every October/November were a nice boost to the year-end budget.
(Most printed election material has a "Union" stamp on it, certainly if you're printing for a democrat - so the owner paid $300/yr to some union somewhere he never heard of or knew existed. And we got to put a Union seal on anything we printed that needed one.)

Kinda like when you pay the rabbi to bless the juice after it's bottled... but I'll save that story for another time.

[aigheadish]

@Machinebuilder I'm with you on a couple things... I'm amazed that no one on the left is saying she lost because she was a bad candidate also (it was the same with Hillary). No, no, it's because she's a woman, or it's because America is racist and she's a woman. No, she was installed, with zero primary (no public voted for her for that position, "he's a threat to democracy!"), and she was a terrible choice. 

I think most conservatives would be totally on-board with a Margaret Thatcher type and would be thrilled to vote for her. Just present a good option. 

[Cedarman]

I want competence to achieve the goals I want for this country and the best character (they are all flawed to a certain degree) you can give me.
Does does race, sex matter? Not in my book.

[rusticretreater]

I would have voted for Condaleeza Rice, no problem.  That's a woman, a black woman, a *DanG smart black woman, a black woman with a penchant for wearing black leather and platform heeled boots. 

[Bradm]

I agree whole heartedly 47.
 Just to be clear, Harris was not my first choice, neither was Biden, they were just better than the alternative. If Trump has his way food prices will rise, no one to harvest the veggies or milk the cows; he has vowed to roll back federal regulations on energy and the environment, extend tax cuts to the rich, and pursue an "America First" foreign policy; this will put us back in the 20^th century with higher prices and less choice at the marketplace.
OK, I'll get off my soupbox but I do agree with a lot that was said on here. We'll just have to muddle through the next four years.

I want to ask where you got your information from with regards to higher prices and less choice.  I had, and still have, a lot of posts and videos from Robert Reich come across my feed and this sounds almost identical to what he was posting and not once did he include any solid evidence to back up his claims (though he did use liberal amounts of newspeak and out of context quotes).  I ask because I am truly curious and I do want to know as much as I can.  I do caution against using "no one to harvest ..." rhetoric as it can be interpreted in a manner that I don't think you intend.

I think we're going to see in the next 6-12 months a melt up in the stock market followed by a nasty crash and depending on how they go about bringing manufacturing back on shore there could very well be an increase in prices.

[aigheadish]

@rusticretreater Condi was the example I was thinking of too, I would have also voted for her back in the day, had she run against Obama. Probably wouldn't now though. 

[beenthere]

From what I can observe, Trump is putting together a very powerful Cabinet and it is very encouraging to me. 
  
  Giving the States the Education responsibility back is also encouraging. The statistics are mind boggling when looking at the intelligence of our HS graduates being turned out these days. 

[Mooseherder]

I'd like to see all government housing given to the States also.  The local governments can decide who lives in those units,

[GAB]

I've been reading news stories from variuos places.

I have not seen anyone admit/comment that Harris lost so badly is because she is a bad candidate.

I do not like Trump, it goes a long way back to the 1980's living in the Hudson Valley and seeing his questionable business dealings.
I think he is a very smart businessman and presents a strong image to the world.

I was worried that Harris would make the US look very weak at G7 or G8 meetings.
Trump has dealt with Kim, Xi, & Putin in the past so there is some experience there.
GAB

[teakwood]

A friendly reminder 

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=125278.new#new

[Jeff]

I woulda loved to been here!  Best version I can find. 

[rusticretreater]

I am a UFC MMA fan and watched the broadcast last night.  Trump, RFK, Musk, Kid Rock, Speaker Johnson, Tulsi Gabbard, Ramaswamy and Trumps sons were at the event at Madison Square Garden.

They came walking out of the tunnel and the place went crazy.  People chanting USA, USA.  The fighters went over to talk to Trump after the matches.  Jon Jones, a long time champion and a big, bad, black man said he was proud to be an American and that Trump's time was coming.  Some other fighters were pretty vocal about it too.

I also saw a photo of Biden at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.  They take a group photo of all the leaders there.  Xi from China was in the center front.  Biden in the back row on the end.  Lame Duck.

[Mooseherder]

I wonder who will be the 1st to cooperate for immunity?