I'm not American. I worked for a US company as an engineer in Europe and I have many good friends and great memories. This, by way of saying I am not anti-American. However... I am most definitely anti-Trump. He is a Dickensian grotesque of a rancid megalomaniac. Harris, on the other hand is an experienced and comptetent administrator and seems like a solid bet. You are correct, American politics affects the world; like the big guy jumping in the pool, if they do it wrong they can do all kinds of damage.
I don't mean to be cavalier on your behalf by saying "good riddance to all those Trumpers who cancelled their sunscription to your blog" but really, who needs people like that? I will never be able to reconcile the sheer indifference of so many people to the blatant, total lack of any moral character, the egregiously self indulgent narcissistic self promotion, the hateful and destructive rhetoric, let alone the incessant lies that beg for even some small degree of analysis, with any respect for individual difference of opinion. It seems you know as well as I do that, though this may be an unprecedented era in US politics, it's certainly not a historical first. I've read too many holocoust survivors and their families' accounts which connect the past and present dots easily and issue warnings that fall on too many deaf ears. You have appropriately addressed this recently. I too have slept fitfully worrying about Tuesday's election outcome--regardless of who the Electoral College affirms as the winner. We have children, grandchildren and dear friends living in the US whose lives will be directly impacted as the results reverberate around the entire globe. I thank you for the effort that you make to address this even as you so eloquently chronicle your adventures here in Portugal and on your travels.
Denise tells me that all the time about lost subscribers. Since I never intend to monetize this blog it shouldn't matter...but when you speak from the heart and write even when it isn't convenient it still hurts.
Yes, understandably, because you're an introspective person conveying with honesty and humility. That's the very thing: it falls on hard shell defensiveness that doesn't value those traits.
As always a great post. I love your passion about the political environment in the U.S. (but try not to stress over it too much).
Paul and I worry about the election results as well; although like Maria Anderson, we're cautiously optimistic. Everyone we speak with in Portugal who are not Americans, ask us about the election and yes, they're worried, too as the results will affect Europe and the entire world.
Every time I publish a post on my blog, I lose subscribers - whether the subject matter is sensitive in nature; or just a regular post about travel or personal experiences being an expat in Portugal, so don't be overly concerned about this. My core subscribers - the ones who are supportive of my work (paid or unpaid) are the people I write for.
The next several days, weeks, and months may be pivotal in shaping the future of America. I hope our votes help to make a difference. - CW
If Trump wins and things go the way we expect, then, yeah, I think we would have to find a place to land -- assuming we can.
Even if Kamala wins -- PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! -- I would pretty much be happy to never live in the US again for a lot of different reasons. I don't hate America -- there are a lot of great things about it -- but in general, I am happier overseas.
Brent has many more friends back in the States, so feels a stronger pull.
Then there's the question of what happens when we get older. We don't have kids or any family likely to watch over us. So would we be better abroad or back in the States when we need longer care.
I'm not sure of our age difference here -- if I am older or if you are -- but part of the problem for us is that right now we really really don't want to give up our nomadic lifestyle. But "landing" somewhere usually means staying put for an extensive period of time. It's a conundrum...
No more Washington Post here either my friend! What I found most disturbing is what Mr. Bezo’s decision means. When a newspaper declines to endorse out of fear of one of the candidates, as the NYT says, “Democracy dies i. the dark”.
In 2016, the morning after the election, I told my husband that we were not going to be in this country at the next election. We were; we were caring for my mother. In 2020, after Biden won, I said the same thing to my husband. I can’t take the stress. This isn’t over; the U.S. isn’t going back to normal. We moved to Portugal in September, 2021.
But escaping to Portugal hasn’t reduced the stress of the US election cycle. Elections have become even more abnormal. I still get emails and texts. I’m still stressed. Would it be even worse if we were back in the U.S.? Maybe. Thankfully we’re not exposed to the commercials. But I can’t wait for this to end. And it better end well…
Before the 2016 election, I told my mother, "if you vote for him and he wins we are leaving the country"...instead we moved from FL where we all were living to CA.
Lesa, I feel you. I should be more detached, but instead I wake up at 4 am every night and can’t go back to sleep. If Trump wins, I have no reason to travel back to the U.S. for many years. I will cut my “American” self loose. Of course it will be the exact opposite if Harris wins. ❤️
I will share this with my daughter as she just asked me yesterday why I was so anxious about the US election now that we live in Portugal. This is a good explanation....you can run, but......
I get asked that question all the time by American friends in the US. I remind them that our investments are in the US, that Ukraine is on the continent I live on ... but the truth is, Kamala has reminded me, I still love America, with all its worts.
You’ve captured my sentiments, and those of many of us, I’m sure. I have vivid memories of watching the returns come in back in 2016. Kate McKinnon’s performance of Hallelujah on SNL the following Saturday moved me, but gave me hope. If the American people re-elect him again, I fear everything everywhere will change for the worse. The fact that he could even run the campaign he did has laid bare the darkest impulses of half the population in our once proud and stalwart nation. Even if Kamala wins, the battle for the soul of our country will not have ended. I’ve never in my 70 years been so pessimistic about the future. A blue tsunami would help.
Well. That didn’t turn out so well. But the truth is hard to come by, sang John Denver. Most people who voted for Trump know he is an A-hole, but the Dems blew this. Kamala did her best, but she lost in EVERY demographic, even WOMEN compared to Biden’s run when he looked a lot less senile.
“They lost by wider margins than people expected in every single battleground state and won with less room to spare in blue ones.
Some free advice for Democrats: Maybe telling people the economy is great when prices are skyrocketing is not a great way to message on the issue. Maybe signaling to white men (a massive share of the voting population) that their very existence is inherently racist, sexist, or somehow in need of correction is not a good idea. Maybe trotting out Liz Cheney, the daughter of the architect of the U.S.’s prolonged Middle East presence, and Bill Clinton, the architect of NAFTA, as surrogates for your party is disastrously silly. Maybe not holding legitimate, open, and fair primary elections is still a bad strategy for picking your presidential candidate. Maybe decent chunks of this country are perfectly willing to accept high levels of immigration but refuse to accept a disorganized, chaotic system that provides no resistance for millions of people to enter the country illegally or through a broken asylum process.”
That last quote is from Isaac Saul’s excellent newsletter Tangle. I recommend it; it’s real news, about the news.
I could never unsubscribe Dana Millbank. WaPo also continues to track the Trump lies and misinformation. I am frequently surprised at how liberal much of the information. It's similar to family. Do I divorce my brother for his lack of political thoughtfulness?
No, actually, I have close family members who voted for Trump in 2016...
But despite some recent articles about Trump's mental fitness, etc. I do think that for too long they focused on the President's aging brain without highlighting the extreme differences between an aging brain and a malignant narcissistic brain that is also showing signs of early stages of dementia.
If my family members support a man who is responsible for women dying a slow death in hospitals due to unattended miscarriages, incited a violent murderous riot and calls it a day of love, admires Hitler and swears he’ll use the military against protestors and opponents, calls his opponent a sleaze bag, a low IQ individual and everything else on a daily basis- I would not speak to that family member. We three time Trump voters on my husband’s side - luckily not his parents - but his brother and wife -‘we will not be meeting with them nor do we talk to them.
And of course he's also building his argument and his war-cries to his base for after the election when he can keep trying his lawsuits, alternate selectors, throwing it to the House, and inciting insurrections. Sadly, we'll still not be hiding even if Harris-Walz have a decisive win. Shudder! But the good news is that the good guys are ready: we have the resistance already mobilized on the ground in the US, the courts have been holding mostly firm so far, and we have each other!
The Dominion issue was already litigated, some companies that amplified false claims had to spend millions of dollars for those lies. The US election system is among the safest and most accurate in the country. The American people will decide. If Kamala does not win, I will not suggest that the election is not accurate. I didn't do that in 2016 when Trump won the electoral college.
Heading back to Portugal in early December from the USA. Am thankful to be leaving well before the inauguration. Fearful for my gay friends, young men and women, immigrants, and so many other marginalized humans here. America becomes less kind and less democratic. So sad….
The subscribers you lost weren’t worth having. I have tried very hard to keep the faith. I even ordered an American flag to fly from my terrace in Lisbon when Kamala wins. Like one of your other readers, in 2022 I told my husband after Texas outlawed abortion completely, “that’s it. I’ve had enough and this is no longer my country. We are getting the hell out of here because 2024 is going to be a sh*t show.” That’s when we came to Lisbon. Being far removed, especially from Texas, has helped, but like all of us who grew up in a much freer and kinder America, I am filled with dread if the fascists take over. My two sons and many friends live there.
The saddest part to me is the loss of almost half of Americans to hatred, bigotry, misogyny, tolerance of rape, women dying for nothing, racism... And the fact that I will have nothing to do with those people ever again, many of whom I used to consider my friends. I cannot forgive them for who they are and how little they care about other people.
I am hoping with every fiber of my being that the best of America will heed the call and turn out in droves to defeat this terrible man once and for all. Keep the faith in our fellow Americans who love freedom and compassion.
Thank you for writing this on behalf of all of your American friends. It was necessary for us to come together.
Like you we have lost friends...very dear friends who are very kind and intelligent people. Unfortunately, they were also very rich and didn't want to pay taxes for "non-Americans and people that didn't work as hard as they had". I really hope with time we can come to understand the Trump phenomenon, the cult. And while I am very progressive and typically voted for the Democrat...I also hope that the Republican party can return to its traditional values. Finally, I hope that someone passes serious campaign reform. Things like: elimination of dark money, explicit shortening of the campaign cycle to no more than 8 weeks for non-Presidental elections, and 16 weeks for Presidential elections, and while we are it ... laws that mandate TRUTH in advertising.
I'm not American. I worked for a US company as an engineer in Europe and I have many good friends and great memories. This, by way of saying I am not anti-American. However... I am most definitely anti-Trump. He is a Dickensian grotesque of a rancid megalomaniac. Harris, on the other hand is an experienced and comptetent administrator and seems like a solid bet. You are correct, American politics affects the world; like the big guy jumping in the pool, if they do it wrong they can do all kinds of damage.
Dear Nanc,
I don't mean to be cavalier on your behalf by saying "good riddance to all those Trumpers who cancelled their sunscription to your blog" but really, who needs people like that? I will never be able to reconcile the sheer indifference of so many people to the blatant, total lack of any moral character, the egregiously self indulgent narcissistic self promotion, the hateful and destructive rhetoric, let alone the incessant lies that beg for even some small degree of analysis, with any respect for individual difference of opinion. It seems you know as well as I do that, though this may be an unprecedented era in US politics, it's certainly not a historical first. I've read too many holocoust survivors and their families' accounts which connect the past and present dots easily and issue warnings that fall on too many deaf ears. You have appropriately addressed this recently. I too have slept fitfully worrying about Tuesday's election outcome--regardless of who the Electoral College affirms as the winner. We have children, grandchildren and dear friends living in the US whose lives will be directly impacted as the results reverberate around the entire globe. I thank you for the effort that you make to address this even as you so eloquently chronicle your adventures here in Portugal and on your travels.
Denise tells me that all the time about lost subscribers. Since I never intend to monetize this blog it shouldn't matter...but when you speak from the heart and write even when it isn't convenient it still hurts.
Yes, understandably, because you're an introspective person conveying with honesty and humility. That's the very thing: it falls on hard shell defensiveness that doesn't value those traits.
Nancy,
As always a great post. I love your passion about the political environment in the U.S. (but try not to stress over it too much).
Paul and I worry about the election results as well; although like Maria Anderson, we're cautiously optimistic. Everyone we speak with in Portugal who are not Americans, ask us about the election and yes, they're worried, too as the results will affect Europe and the entire world.
Every time I publish a post on my blog, I lose subscribers - whether the subject matter is sensitive in nature; or just a regular post about travel or personal experiences being an expat in Portugal, so don't be overly concerned about this. My core subscribers - the ones who are supportive of my work (paid or unpaid) are the people I write for.
The next several days, weeks, and months may be pivotal in shaping the future of America. I hope our votes help to make a difference. - CW
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
That's not me talking to you. That's me talking to myself all day long every day...
Question: if the election went the "other way" would you consider landing somewhere?
We talk about this ALL of the time.
If Trump wins and things go the way we expect, then, yeah, I think we would have to find a place to land -- assuming we can.
Even if Kamala wins -- PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! -- I would pretty much be happy to never live in the US again for a lot of different reasons. I don't hate America -- there are a lot of great things about it -- but in general, I am happier overseas.
Brent has many more friends back in the States, so feels a stronger pull.
Then there's the question of what happens when we get older. We don't have kids or any family likely to watch over us. So would we be better abroad or back in the States when we need longer care.
We talk about aging and can afford live in care in Portugal...we even planned our home renovation to accommodate it.
I'm not sure of our age difference here -- if I am older or if you are -- but part of the problem for us is that right now we really really don't want to give up our nomadic lifestyle. But "landing" somewhere usually means staying put for an extensive period of time. It's a conundrum...
No more Washington Post here either my friend! What I found most disturbing is what Mr. Bezo’s decision means. When a newspaper declines to endorse out of fear of one of the candidates, as the NYT says, “Democracy dies i. the dark”.
Yes, like you I saw the irony in their tagline
In 2016, the morning after the election, I told my husband that we were not going to be in this country at the next election. We were; we were caring for my mother. In 2020, after Biden won, I said the same thing to my husband. I can’t take the stress. This isn’t over; the U.S. isn’t going back to normal. We moved to Portugal in September, 2021.
But escaping to Portugal hasn’t reduced the stress of the US election cycle. Elections have become even more abnormal. I still get emails and texts. I’m still stressed. Would it be even worse if we were back in the U.S.? Maybe. Thankfully we’re not exposed to the commercials. But I can’t wait for this to end. And it better end well…
Before the 2016 election, I told my mother, "if you vote for him and he wins we are leaving the country"...instead we moved from FL where we all were living to CA.
Lesa, I feel you. I should be more detached, but instead I wake up at 4 am every night and can’t go back to sleep. If Trump wins, I have no reason to travel back to the U.S. for many years. I will cut my “American” self loose. Of course it will be the exact opposite if Harris wins. ❤️
Me too twas 4am this morning 😳
I will share this with my daughter as she just asked me yesterday why I was so anxious about the US election now that we live in Portugal. This is a good explanation....you can run, but......
I get asked that question all the time by American friends in the US. I remind them that our investments are in the US, that Ukraine is on the continent I live on ... but the truth is, Kamala has reminded me, I still love America, with all its worts.
You’ve captured my sentiments, and those of many of us, I’m sure. I have vivid memories of watching the returns come in back in 2016. Kate McKinnon’s performance of Hallelujah on SNL the following Saturday moved me, but gave me hope. If the American people re-elect him again, I fear everything everywhere will change for the worse. The fact that he could even run the campaign he did has laid bare the darkest impulses of half the population in our once proud and stalwart nation. Even if Kamala wins, the battle for the soul of our country will not have ended. I’ve never in my 70 years been so pessimistic about the future. A blue tsunami would help.
Right there with you - although with fewer assassination nightmares. Now I have to find that Publico column. Thanks for sharing!!
You're certainly not alone. Hang in there! Fingers crossed. 🤞🤞🤞
Well. That didn’t turn out so well. But the truth is hard to come by, sang John Denver. Most people who voted for Trump know he is an A-hole, but the Dems blew this. Kamala did her best, but she lost in EVERY demographic, even WOMEN compared to Biden’s run when he looked a lot less senile.
“They lost by wider margins than people expected in every single battleground state and won with less room to spare in blue ones.
Some free advice for Democrats: Maybe telling people the economy is great when prices are skyrocketing is not a great way to message on the issue. Maybe signaling to white men (a massive share of the voting population) that their very existence is inherently racist, sexist, or somehow in need of correction is not a good idea. Maybe trotting out Liz Cheney, the daughter of the architect of the U.S.’s prolonged Middle East presence, and Bill Clinton, the architect of NAFTA, as surrogates for your party is disastrously silly. Maybe not holding legitimate, open, and fair primary elections is still a bad strategy for picking your presidential candidate. Maybe decent chunks of this country are perfectly willing to accept high levels of immigration but refuse to accept a disorganized, chaotic system that provides no resistance for millions of people to enter the country illegally or through a broken asylum process.”
That last quote is from Isaac Saul’s excellent newsletter Tangle. I recommend it; it’s real news, about the news.
Your piece was excellent Nancy
I could never unsubscribe Dana Millbank. WaPo also continues to track the Trump lies and misinformation. I am frequently surprised at how liberal much of the information. It's similar to family. Do I divorce my brother for his lack of political thoughtfulness?
No, actually, I have close family members who voted for Trump in 2016...
But despite some recent articles about Trump's mental fitness, etc. I do think that for too long they focused on the President's aging brain without highlighting the extreme differences between an aging brain and a malignant narcissistic brain that is also showing signs of early stages of dementia.
If my family members support a man who is responsible for women dying a slow death in hospitals due to unattended miscarriages, incited a violent murderous riot and calls it a day of love, admires Hitler and swears he’ll use the military against protestors and opponents, calls his opponent a sleaze bag, a low IQ individual and everything else on a daily basis- I would not speak to that family member. We three time Trump voters on my husband’s side - luckily not his parents - but his brother and wife -‘we will not be meeting with them nor do we talk to them.
I’m feeling cautiously hopeful.
Me too...the fact that he is amplifying the "steal" claims makes me think his internal polls are also showing him losing.
And of course he's also building his argument and his war-cries to his base for after the election when he can keep trying his lawsuits, alternate selectors, throwing it to the House, and inciting insurrections. Sadly, we'll still not be hiding even if Harris-Walz have a decisive win. Shudder! But the good news is that the good guys are ready: we have the resistance already mobilized on the ground in the US, the courts have been holding mostly firm so far, and we have each other!
No he is doing that because of the very real problems already occurring here in PA & the problem with Dominion in WI.
The Dominion issue was already litigated, some companies that amplified false claims had to spend millions of dollars for those lies. The US election system is among the safest and most accurate in the country. The American people will decide. If Kamala does not win, I will not suggest that the election is not accurate. I didn't do that in 2016 when Trump won the electoral college.
This is what I was talking about. Colorado not Wisconsin though. https://statescoop.com/passwords-to-voting-machines-in-over-half-of-colorado-counties-were-posted-online-before-june-primary/
The Iowa polling is fascinating and has been an excellent predictor over the years for the larger electorate. 🤞🏻
You just gained a subscriber and this is the first post I’m reading.
Thank you.
Thank you, Julie. Please feel free to contact me at anytime with questions or to recommend topics.
Heading back to Portugal in early December from the USA. Am thankful to be leaving well before the inauguration. Fearful for my gay friends, young men and women, immigrants, and so many other marginalized humans here. America becomes less kind and less democratic. So sad….
Hi Nancy,
The subscribers you lost weren’t worth having. I have tried very hard to keep the faith. I even ordered an American flag to fly from my terrace in Lisbon when Kamala wins. Like one of your other readers, in 2022 I told my husband after Texas outlawed abortion completely, “that’s it. I’ve had enough and this is no longer my country. We are getting the hell out of here because 2024 is going to be a sh*t show.” That’s when we came to Lisbon. Being far removed, especially from Texas, has helped, but like all of us who grew up in a much freer and kinder America, I am filled with dread if the fascists take over. My two sons and many friends live there.
The saddest part to me is the loss of almost half of Americans to hatred, bigotry, misogyny, tolerance of rape, women dying for nothing, racism... And the fact that I will have nothing to do with those people ever again, many of whom I used to consider my friends. I cannot forgive them for who they are and how little they care about other people.
I am hoping with every fiber of my being that the best of America will heed the call and turn out in droves to defeat this terrible man once and for all. Keep the faith in our fellow Americans who love freedom and compassion.
Thank you for writing this on behalf of all of your American friends. It was necessary for us to come together.
Like you we have lost friends...very dear friends who are very kind and intelligent people. Unfortunately, they were also very rich and didn't want to pay taxes for "non-Americans and people that didn't work as hard as they had". I really hope with time we can come to understand the Trump phenomenon, the cult. And while I am very progressive and typically voted for the Democrat...I also hope that the Republican party can return to its traditional values. Finally, I hope that someone passes serious campaign reform. Things like: elimination of dark money, explicit shortening of the campaign cycle to no more than 8 weeks for non-Presidental elections, and 16 weeks for Presidential elections, and while we are it ... laws that mandate TRUTH in advertising.
I love the fact you ordered a flag….I have been wearing my Kamala t shirt and explaining the
“, la” to the locals…who all smile as if it is an inside joke.