What positive changes are you looking forward to as outcomes of the USA 2024 presidential election?

Christopher Weeks wrote:Sure, but in a world where "unjust or prejudicial distinction" is the norm, putting one's thumb on the scale a little helps to make things more just. Obviously, the devil is in the details and if certain programs are destructive, they should be tuned to produce the outcomes that are actually desirable.

It sounds to me like the "thumb on the scale of justice" is a renaming of the fallacy of appeal to worse problems.  

It could go like this; The issue of discriminatory protections actually becoming discriminatory actions is less of a problem because the big problem is that we allegedly have a norm of unjust or prejudicial distinction.

Seems like there ought to be a way to address both without the thumb on the scale. I do not think a little discrimination now to help eliminate discrimination in the future is a sound concept.

I'm on board! When you come up with a better plan, I'm all ears. Until then, how about we don't just settle for the racist, sexist, ablest status quo? I'm not too interested in letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Christopher Weeks wrote: how about we don't just settle for the racist, sexist, ablest status quo?

Yes. Personal action and responsibility would be the best solution, if your in a position of authority at your job.

I have tried coaching my hens, but they still fall back to their old ways. They are very discriminatory. My rabbits seem to do better than the hens with no coaching.

r ranson wrote:

... but I think it's more likely those people saying "don't buy American" will have a place in the sun for about 5 minutes and then everything will go right back to the status quo.  

In the past (because the history of the usa is interesting and we have been here several times before), the Boycott USA movement lasts as long as the Americans First movement does.

They are two sides of the same blade.  

Still going strong.  Getting stronger.  

Strong enough that mr trump noticed and isn't happy about it.  
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hoekstra-canadians-mean-nasty-1.7590636
https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/us-boycotts-clearly-having-impact-bc-premier-says-following-ambassadors-remarks/

Reading more history books lately and I was wrong before.  The Buy Canadian movement lasts about 6years after the threat is ended.  

Part of that is because it saves money once the supply chains have rattled into position.  Many Canadian groceries and supplies are now significantly cheaper than the usa counterparts.  And cheaper than pre 2025 levels.  That turned out to be a positive change.

So, almost a year later, thoughts?

Is this the direction hoped for when he was elected?

I know some people voted for Trump because he warned us that Harris would attack Iran and that’s obviously something we needed to avoid.

I'm pleased that the buy local moment is stronger than it's ever been in canada.  

The percentage of made in canada goods available in the shops has more than doubled in the last year.  It's provided the chance to try new products that  I haven't seen before.  A lot of them taste or work better.

It is also helping to breath life into the local repair movement.   Wheras less than two years ago, repair shop after repair shop were closing, now they reopen again and have lenghty wait lists.   Local reddit has daily posts of people asking where they can get parts to fix...or where can they learn the skills to build...

I've been recruited to give free textile lessons all summer at a local museum.  Everything from "how to get that 100 year old sewing machine running tickityboo" to how to process wool the easy way.  And even more exciting events.  I might have to start making yt videos again it's so exciting what the locals are doing and how many people are excited to learn these old skills.  The museum is currently building us one new building and considering a second.  Because the interest in textiles making and repair is so high thanks to international events.

And then there is gardening.  Wowzers.  It's like 1942 all over again.  Even more people interested in food plants in canada than 2020/21 when we had that massive seed shortage.

Maybe it's the bias of seeing the news from the international side of things.  But I did not expect the politics of a nation we largely ignore to have so much positive influence on our local permaculture style projects.

Although I am kind of looking forward to the day i can read the local news and not have two out of three stories be about international issues any more.  Local news is supposed to be about lost puppies and current concerts and stuff.

https://globalnews.ca/news/12085306/buy-canadian-19-months-trade-war/

Basically, Canadians avoiding usa made products is unchanged since the first threats of destroying our country.  We've all had so many American friends lecture us on how Americans have the best kind of democracy for representing the will of the people, that it's now difficult to separate government from population.  

In the last week or so, there are all sorts of local wines available that were only made for export before.  Exciting times.  

It's not just canada.  I've been seeing this trend in  art supply buying habits.   There are so many small producers of paint and other supplies that are being discovered.  Many of them outshine the bigger brands at a fraction of the price.  Roman szmal  and rosa gallery watercolors in Europe. Khadi paper from india.  

In canada, our local small makers are also shining.  Beam watercolour will have their fall sale soon and kama seems to be on everyone's lips in art class (figuratively).  There are some canvas and paper makers in eastern canada starting to show up on our coast.  It's very exciting time for smaller brands to shine.

And, although I have seen less of it online, I really hope Americans are seeking out their local small makers for art supplies as they have some truly brilliant hidden gems.  

What a chance to widen our horizons by looking closer to home.

R., I wish I could share your optimism.
I'm happy for Canada...from what I've learned you have a stable leader and Canadians for the most part have joined together.

We (my family) are covering just the basics as always.

The most positive thing I've noticed here are big banners, billboards and signs in support of T. have come down over the past year...I'm in a very right wing state.

Even in good times I was not seeking out art supplies so I don't know of any hidden gems here....I have not bought art supplies since college when I would spend my food budget on those and books...the 'skinny' days 😊

My concerns  are no less from when I began this thread....

I should add to my post above that Steve and I can easily ignore the political world....no tv, no news unless I go seeking it....we have a very full life with good food, good company and extended friends and family...we are home in the gardens and living our normal lifestyle most of the time.

We are among the local walkers here in town and we make a point of smiling and waving at every car we see...kind of our own personal peace machine.

As far as cost of living our monthly purchases have increased by $50 and our gas for the month normally $30 increased to $40 with the gas price increase...we drive even less lately.

It's easy for me to hang out in my bubble and be happy.

I thought of another positive thing: it appears more are planning to vote than previously.

...and the price of eggs went down a little.

Judith Browning wrote:

...and the price of eggs went down a little.

thank you for the chart Jackson.

I buy eggs from a local farm so have no first hand knowledge just notice in passing when at the store.

my occasional morning read posted another positive!
Music💜....something that's always played a part in pointing out a need for change and energizes folks.

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/october-3-2026

On Saturday, October 3, the Power to the People festival, organized by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, took over the stage at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. On two stages were rock, alternative, and hip hop royalty, joining together to remind Americans of their agency to change the future and reclaim American democracy.

The line-up of musicians was legendary. Joan Baez, Jack Black, Cypress Hill, Dropkick Murphys, Flavor Flav, Foo Fighters, The Linda Lindas, Mike McCready, Killer Mike, Dave Matthews, Public Enemy, Nathaniel Rateliffe, Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Stills, and Serj Tankian, among others, covered seven decades of American music.

The festival featured a “Freedom Village” where attendees could find ways to get involved in government, grassroots organizing, education, mutual aid, and social impact organizations. Festival organizers donated a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to VoteRiders, a nonpartisan organization that works to overcome barriers to voting and make sure everyone who is eligible can vote.
Both in person and in the live stream of the concert, artists urged Americans to remember that they have the power to throw the Trump administration out of office and, together, to build a better nation.

If I had to choose a political party my preference is an active Green Party.

BUT...that's not the world we live in at least here in the USA.

So, for me this swing of the pendulum is very good news.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/npr-news/2026-10-25/in-arkansas-democrats-see-an-opening-at-the-edge-of-the-competitive-midterms-map

    In Arkansas, Democrats see an opening at the edge of the competitive midterms map
Arkansas is one of the most conservative states in the country, with nearly two out of three voters supporting President Trump in 2024 and Republican Sen. Tom Cotton in 2020.

Running against Tom Cotton...Hallie Shoffner is a multigenerational farmer who decided to shut down her family's operation in 2025, citing financial headwinds from rising input costs and Trump administration tariff and trade policies. That in turn inspired her Senate run and influenced much of her campaign's focus.

One thing I appreciate is that she speaks about is growing food crops instead of fuel crops in the state as is done now.

more here https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2026-10-15/cotton-seeks-third-term-in-u-s-senate-but-faces-potentially-stiff-challenge-from-democrat-shoffner

I am always heartened by American spirit not vanquished by the political plague that has spread across our land.  Some great soul bent down to pick up dog poo someone spread liberally around the voter ballot drop box.  A young man grasp his walker and reposed with a painful smile on his face.  “We won’t have this”.  Depositing my ballot I asked, and he replied, “86.  I’m on duty here, if you don’t mind”, stern and salty.  Then an old man in shorts say 25 years old came by and voted into the drop box.  His other hand opened and reached for the bag of the young man each looking in the eye.  No words, and the old man strolled to the receptacle.  You never know who people are.  Value in each other is said to have divided in these States United, but by whom?  The ‘signs’ of this have vanished, did you notice?  Action I did notice in equity is everywhere, all around us.  “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury”.  M. Aurelius.  Cheers and Vive la Voters.

some Patrick Stewart quotes.....

"You might say to me, ‘well, you’re not an American. What has it got to do with you?’
The fact is, when America sneezes, the world catches a cold.
And America, I think, is on the edge of a very bad flu infection.
And it’s because of the man who is in the White House.
I do find, as time goes by, I find myself becoming increasingly anxious.”

2017...."I’m not a citizen,” he said. “However, there is, maybe it’s the only good thing, as the result of this election: I am now applying for citizenship. Because I want to be an American too.”

Seems the relevant question now would be "What positive actual changes do you anticipate from the outcomes of the USA 2026 midterm elections?"...

Coydon Wallham wrote:Seems the relevant question now would be "What positive actual changes do you anticipate from the outcomes of the USA 2026 midterm elections?"...

Yes! It might be time for that question😊
I've been thinking on this while I dig sunchokes.

I know some think there is no difference in these two main parties in the USA.

I think, though, that with some Republicans losing their seats at the very least some balance might be possible in the government as it exists now....less violent rhetoric and division....maybe protections for pedophiles will be lifted, maybe an unnecessary war will end, maybe project 2025 will be exposed, maybe someone will be found incompetent ...I don't know?

I don't expect the cost of groceries or gas to suddenly plunge nor do I think we can gain back the respect we once had as a country.

My thinking is that I don't expect any immediate positive changes when Democrats win the house because I think this administration will do all it can to prevent them....and some changes are so deep as to be almost impossible to repair.

I don't watch the news ...I read Heather Cox Richardson and a couple other substack writers so maybe perceptions  are different with others....I hear the term 'sane washing' used for much of the conventional medias reporting.

For the most part, for Steve and I, it's all pretty easy to ignore....BUT...I didn't lose my health insurance or job and so far we just cut back a little here and there to cover the increase in groceries...drive less...because we can....many others can not and my heart goes out to them💜

Please share thoughts.....

The link to Heather Cox Richardson's post from yesterday evening... https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/november-2-2026
helping to put things in perspective....well worth reading the whole thing...here's an excerpt.....

 At key moments in American history, the majority of voters have woken to the reality that a small group of men has rigged the system to funnel the wealth produced by ordinary people into their own pockets. With that wealth, they have bought power and undermined democracy in favor of themselves.  

The political power pendulum is always swinging, and I think/hope that we may see some moderation come to the House which will act as a check on the Senate and Executive. We may be setting the ground for a lame duck president to serve out the rest of his term.

I think we have seen the pendulum that I previous stated swung pretty hard last night. Full control of Congress has been given to the Democrats. While we may not see much policy come out of the federal system in the next two years, I believe we may see this as a correction to what we have experienced from the previous election.

Well said Timothy!

This election was quite a statement!
I'm feeling cautiously relieved this morning🙃

A huge positive that stood out for me in this election cycle is that in general people spoke louder than money...maybe that will be an ongoing change, I don't know?

The other plus positive, in my view, is that there is so much wonderful diversity in those elected...that was encouraging to see and gave me some hope for this countries future.

...now back to my gardens💜💜💜

Well done Mississippi!!!
💜