His plumber may have voted for Trump.... and now he feels real fear

[philosslayer]

Ned Resnikoff is the senior editor at ThinkProgress, and had the following interaction he posted on Facebook:

As quoted from USA Today:

Ned Resnikoff, a “senior editor” at the liberal website ThinkProgress, wrote on Facebook that he’d called a plumber to fix a clogged drain. The plumber showed up, did the job and left, but Resnikoff was left shaken, though with a functioning drain. Wrote Resnikoff, “He was a perfectly nice guy and a consummate professional. But he was also a middle-aged white man with a Southern accent who seemed unperturbed by this week’s news.”

This created fear: “While I had him in the apartment, I couldn’t stop thinking about whether he had voted for Trump, whether he knew my last name is Jewish, and how that knowledge might change the interaction we were having inside my own home.”

When it was all over, Resnikoff reported that he was “rattled” at the thought that a Trump supporter might have been in his home. “I couldn’t shake the sense of potential danger.”


This is the world we now live in. Who in your daily interactions voted for Donald Trump? And what are they capable of? And what happens starting on Jan 20th when they feel as if they are no longer held back by the rule of law, and that the Administration will have their back when they start "the purge" they are so desperately wanting? Scary times.....

[malaise]

1. FFS

What a wimp. I'm getting tired of these cowards.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

3. No kidding! n/t

[GeorgeGist]

6. Ditto.

[WhiteTara]

9. I'm not a coward, but I do vote with my

money. I have no desire to enrich them.

[malaise]

13. Same here but guess what - unless you have your own links you'll find many

Last edited Sun Jan 15, 2017, 08:51 PM - Edit history (2)

of these professionals share the politics of the owners of the places where they buy their supplies. We all know that many are RWs.

I am not afraid of any of them - the most they can do is kill em - and that might be better than living under them.

[WhiteTara]

16. So, it reverberates up the food chain

and those folks don't get my money either.

[Jim Beard]

56. BINGO!

[delisen]

18. I am surrounded by Trump voters-not fearful but I do understand the fear any person

or anyone belonging to a group decimated by Nazis, might feel.

Many people may be thinking: when is it time to leave for a less hateful country ? So often in history knowing when to fight and when to flee has made the difference between survival and annihilation.

The more of us who speak out, and refuse to let any people be targeted, the more we can help quell this sense of dread.

[malaise]

20. They won't support the destruction of their health care, Medicare/Medicaid or Social Security.

Find those who think like you - they are everywhere - and fight back

[Girard442]

42. Problem is, when it becomes clear you should leave -- it's too late. NT

[panader0]

24. Here at DU I have read countless posts calling this administration

the end of the USA, the end of the world, etc.
I share your sentiments exactly. The same people calling for our Democratic
representatives to "grow a pair" need to do the same.

[malaise]

27. That simple

[cwydro]

51. Yes.

What you said.

[bettyellen]

30. On the other hand,a friend had pizza delivered by a guy who noticed she had a reproductive rights

Buttons and flyers (many) posted on a board visible by her entryway. He looked at them and grimaced saying she "shouldn't be doing those things" and she thought his time was menacing. At the time I thought she was a bit paranoid. Turns out he was involved in shooting clinic doctors. Was being harboured by one of those local anti-choice "homes" for pregnant women. glad he didn't decide she was a worthy target. But sometimes a persons instincts are right.
Not saying in this case, but in some.

[malaise]

33. He'd take back the pizza and refund me if he made that comment to me

anywhere let alone in my private space.

[bettyellen]

36. Well that's nice, but she was working with groups that were getting death threats on the regular....

And groups whose members had actually been murdered by people in this mans group.
And while she had gotten accustomed to that reality as part of her professional life it felt like quite a different thing when she was alone in her apartment with this man. She's one of the most courageous people I know, but living alone in a fairly isolated and non-secure apartment and facing down irrational hatred is certainly not easy. she wondered how irrational her moments of fear were, finding out years later that the man was a murderer did not help.

[Ilsa]

54. Yes, and women need to be more mindful of gropers, rapists, molestors

Now because of trump's sexual assaults and molesting history. It's already happening.

[get the red out]

53. Yep

I live in Kentucky, I guess I should be afraid to leave the house.

[brush]

60. On this I don't agree with you. Many of my AA friends are strapping up because of what the ...

the trumpies may do after Jan. 20th. We see all the racist incidents that have happened since the election.

I understand the guy's feelings in a slightly different way, and frankly it's not a pleasant thought and not meant to offend.

Progressives I am not talking about you.

We know that most trump voters were white, and of white men without a college degree, 73 percent voted for trump. 60 some percent of all white men voted for trump.

So I find myself very well aware when I am out and about, shopping, eating, at the movies, walking on the side walk or through a mall, 6-7 out of the 10 white males I see are trump voters who stand for deporting immigrants, barring Muslims, building a wall, support a racist candidate and quite possibly are themselves racist, they are also anti-women, they want to snatch healthcare from millions, they want to make America white again.

That's what I see so I understand the poster and his feeling about dealing with his plumber who is most likely one of the 73% of non-college educated white men who voted for trump.

This is reality now in this insane trump era.

[enough]

2. He's wondering if the guy might have voted for Trump,

and he's going from that to fearing that this perfectly nice consummate professional plumber might hurt him because he's Jewish?

I have to say l think this is over the top, and based apparently on the fact that the plumber is a middle aged white guy with a southern accent. We need to have better ways of understanding each other than this.

[cyclonefence]

58. this is the sanest response to a crazy post I've read yet n/t

[whathehell]

59. Thank you..

This sort of reaction IS really over the top...He doesn't even know if the guy voted for Trump, but he's white and blue collar, so the guy thinks he MIGHT be a Trump voter and THAT apparently equates to some personal Nazi threat to him....Talk about paranoid.

[Tanuki]

64. Jimmy Carter is a white guy with a Southern accent...and

Al Gore...Bill Moyers....just to name a few....

[hack89]

4. That's pretty stupid

Hard to imagine that many emotionally fragile people out there.

[cwydro]

52. Read DU. Many of them are here.

And no, I don't knock "weaklings" as someone suggested.

I just find tough talk on the internet kinda funny when the same posters are seemingly in terror.

People need to get a grip.

[marybourg]

5. Most of my neighbors and local tradespeople

voted for Traitor Trump. And if they're folks I've known for a while, they mostly they know I didn't. It has not yet crossed my mind to be afraid of them. I think the writer of that article is exhibiting either paranoia or it attempting to stir the pot.

[MineralMan]

7. Oh for pete's sake.

He hired a plumber. The plumber fixed his problem. That's what plumbers do. Neither the plumber or his customer need ever discuss politics. This is silliness.

I had a guy install a new furnace in my house. He was there all day. I didn't bring up politics, nor did he. He had work to do and I needed a new furnace.

I don't live in fear about what someone I hire thinks, nor for whom he voted.

Weird story.

[malaise]

21. Very well said

Phewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[Kilgore]

39. Bravo

Well said!

[WhiteTara]

8. Before I hire a new trades person, I ask

who did you vote for. If they say Trump, I tell them I don't want their services and won't give them my money.

[philosslayer]

12. I think thats a good strategy

But I would extend it beyond those in the trades. How about those teaching your children? Your doctor?

[WhiteTara]

14. And my dentist.

I walked out in the middle of a dental cleaning a couple of years ago because they were repukes. In my interview is all new people, I ask if they are Democrats. They get my money.

Boozeman is my senator and I'm planning on taking a packaged Tyson chicken to his optometry office to see if they will trade for an eye exam. I could throw in a jar of canned beans as well.

[bettyellen]

31. My hairdresser. And he was great.

[WhiteTara]

49. Oh, yeah. Him too.

A gay guy who loved Trump. How stupid can you get? Too stupid to get my money, that's for sure.

[Abq_Sarah]

68. I've never had a client ask who I voted for

And if they did, I'd politely tell them it's none of their fucking business.

I own a business. My business is apolitical. I'll take money from Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, Anarchists, Socialists and Communists.

I can't imagine isolating myself into a bubble where I only interact with people who have the "correct" opinions. That's not living in the real world, it's more like joining a cult.

[WhiteTara]

70. I only financially support

people I choose. I interact with people of every culture and belief. That's called choice.

[WillowTree]

10. I'd be willing to bet cold, hard cash that the plumber wasn't wondering who Resnikoff voted for.

Seriously. This guy needs help with his neurosis/paranoia.

[cwydro]

11. Now this is funny!

Seriously?

Lmao. I work with Trump supporters everyday, who are well aware I'm gay.

Never have I quavered in fear or been "rattled" by their proximity to my gay self. Omg, too funny.

[braddy]

15. For crying out loud, this is getting ridiculous, you don't have to worry for your life if your

plumber or electrician, or the checkout woman at Walmart votes for the other party.

[Yo_Mama]

17. Deranged. Really, really odd.

If this was seriously intended, and not just posing, this guy needs a full medical and a psych checkup.

[RedWedge]

19. Don't ever change, philosslayer. You're one of a kind.

What on earth would we do without you?

[leftyladyfrommo]

22. I had an AT&T guy come in.

He was anti everything I am for. Didn't bother me at all. I was just nice to him.

Course, I live in a red state so I am pretty outnumbered.

[Historic NY]

23. Wait was it "Joe the Plumber"...

then I'd be concerned, he's unlicensed.

[DeeDeeNY]

37. Funny

[braddy]

41. Joe the Plumber worked under the boss's license, the same as is done in California and many states.

When you call a plumbing company in California, the plumber arriving doesn't have a plumber's license, unless he is the owner.

[Historic NY]

44. He kept trying to get one.....

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Story-of-Joe-the-Plumber-springs-many-leaks-3265195.php

[braddy]

45. I looked into it back then and my memory is that he did not need a personal license since they work

under the business's license, in California for instance, the plumber coming to your house doesn't need anything but that his employer carry the plumbing business license.

As a master plumber, and a licensed plumbing contractor in California at the time, I never understood the media continuing to harp on him not having the license, when he was what we all normally call a plumber.

[Historic NY]

46. He was in Ohio

[braddy]

47. I know that, and when I looked into it at the time, the laws were similar, he worked under his

employer's license, yet the media harped and harped on that aspect.

What stood out to me, was that never in my entire life had I seen the media so absorbed in what officially allows a plumber to call himself a plumber, or anything related to the job description of plumber. In movies and TV any handyman who shows up at the apartment is called a plumber, not just the men actually working as actual service plumbers.

[Historic NY]

48. Last time.....

The Toledo Blade, examining Lucas County Building Inspection records, reported that his employer, the A.W. Newell Corp., "does maintain a state plumbing license, and one with the City of Toledo, but would not be allowed to work in Lucas County outside of Toledo without a county license."

"Mr. Wurzelbacher said he works under Al Newell's license, but according to Ohio building regulations, he must maintain his own license to do plumbing work," the newspaper said. "He is also not registered to operate as a plumber in Ohio- which means he's not a plumber."

[braddy]

50. That was weird writing in the article, along the lines of what I was saying, so the company has it's

city and state license, but for some reason didn't bother with, or update yet another license, the county.

It all sounded so breathless and dire, why didn't the media just call Joe an unlicensed plumber, or say that he was working without a license?

[Throd 2.0]

25. Did he do a good job at a reasonable price? That's all that really matters.

Odds are that some of my clients are Trump supporters. I don't know and I don't care.

[otohara]

26. I Don't Want To Give My Money to Trump Supporters

so I look up party affiliation to any and all potential persons I need work from whether it be a doctor or plumber.

[angstlessk]

28. SOME ARE MISSING THE POINT! It is NOT that he IS a racist..

..it is the fear of what trump has unleashed on Americans!

In 1933 Jews did not fear hitler.

[philosslayer]

29. That IS the point

Something has been unleashed. The thought that 60+ Million people could have voted for this man is frightening in and of itself. They now feel as if their racist views have been validated by his supposed "win". So what comes next? Thats what we need to fear.

[angstlessk]

34. I agree...but blanket fear of 'the other' is going to tear this country apart

[Generic Brad]

32. I just assume I am surrounded on all sides

I am in Kansas, for God's sake! It doesn't get much redder than here.

[dembotoz]

35. The fear is real

Some places worse than others. Personally I have received death threats tho none in last couple of months...for some of us openly being a dem takes guts

[Kilgore]

38. Ned needs to visit places and interact with folks outside his neighboorhood

The world is full of people who hold views different than yours. Interacting, discussing, debating is part of the human experience. Withdrawing into a sphere where there is no disagreement or challenge is unhealthy and results in Neds type of thinking.

I would much rather engage and take the chance that I might get a mind changed.

Ready for the flames!

[procon]

40. My neighbor had a Trump loving painter show up at his house with a gun.

He said he heard his wife yelp and was startled to see a man at his door with a gun. He thought he was going to be robbed, and the man seemed quite unaware of the anxiety he had caused, pointing to the work contract he wanted signed. My neighbor asked why he would come to their home carrying a weapon and the painter told him that it was for his safety.

Evidently words were exchanged and the painter demanded money for his time, then the cops had to be called to force him to leave their property. When the painter turned his van around, my neighbor said his bumper was plastered with Trump signs. His wife says they're going to make sure the next painter is not a gun toting Trump fan.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

43. I'm not afraid of being surrounded by trump supporters here in rural Indiana.

I have many friends but they know I don't think like them. I keep my head low. I don't want retaliation.

Shame it has come to this but it has.

[PlanetBev]

55. My sister had to dump both her hairdresser and HVAC guy

The hairdresser had been haranguing her with Hillary hate and no matter how many times my sister told her to stop, she persisted.

The day after the last debate, her longtime air-conditioning guy brought up the election out of the blue and started screaming about "tearing babies out of the mother up to the last moment of pregnancy". He bought Trump's bullshit.
It really spooked my sister.

These people have no boundaries.

[GaYellowDawg]

57. Seriously? What a sniveling little turd.

"Oh, I couldn't shake the trembling fear that that Cro-Magnon plumber might attack poor little delicate me!"

This is bullshit. First, it rested on the assumption that the plumber was a Trump voter. Elitist stereotype much? Second, it rested on the assumption that a plumber would commit violence for political beliefs. Because going to jail for assault and permanently ruining his future would be worth committing violence on a Hillary voter. What a load of shit. That plumber wasn't thinking about anything but getting the job done and getting paid.

This is exactly the kind of stupid shit that we don't need in the Democratic Party. How many Democratic politicians have been elected by electricians and pipefitters in their unions? People just like that plumber? One hell of a lot. If you had any sympathy for this shitwit, then you are a goddamn fool. Notice that he didn't even try to talk to the plumber. Just quivered in the background while making assumptions about the nasty blue-collar primitive.

[ecstatic]

61. Living in GA, I'm always mindful of the possibility of someone I've hired

being a member of the KKK or worse. Sometimes I have no choice but to hire businesses that are located in more rural areas. That they voted republican is usually a given, so I don't dwell on that part.

For the people mocking that author, just know that it is an unsettling thing to contemplate. Our homes are our sacred, safe spaces... Unknowingly inviting a truly deplorable / unhinged person into our homes could easily turn into a safety issue (although for me, being a woman amplifies certain risks, and the threat is from deplorables in general, not just tRumP voters).

[baldguy]

62. The average Nazi-supporting German in 1933 was a perfectly nice & reasonable guy.

Church-going, conscientious, pleasant to be around in social situations.

But they really did love Hitler with all their heart, and really thought the Jews deserved everything that was done to them. As well as to the Communists & the Labor Unionists, the gays & the Gypsies, the liberals & the intellectuals...

[philosslayer]

63. Thats exactly what we're seeing right now

The average Trump supporter is just what you described. Supposedly hard-working, sociable, etc. etc. However, they harbor hatred in their hearts, and are just waiting for Trump to take charge. The next 6 months will be very interesting. Or maybe even terrifying.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

65. Hmm... not sure about that. It was made illegal to criticize Hitler or...

the Nazis, and that's when many Germans "shut up" out of fear that their neighbors might report them.

That's what I was taught about it, anyway.

The Nazis didn't start winning a plurality in their parliament until AFTER that law was passed too.

[baldguy]

66. Kristallnacht didn't happen until 5 yrs after Hitler came to power.

Carried out by the very same neighbors, colleagues & patrons the Jews had been dealing with every day of their lives.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

67. That didn't involve every German. In fact...

https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005201

Members of many units wore civilian clothes to support the fiction that the disturbances were expressions of 'outraged public reaction.'

The "Enabling Act" was passed years earlier, in 1933.
http://www.historyinanhour.com/2011/03/23/enabling-act-summary/

Within a matter of weeks it had become illegal to criticise the government. A new secret police force was established, the Gestapo, which immediately began arresting ‘unreliable’ persons.

One of the most disturbing indications from Trump, in my opinion, is his obvious disrespect for freedom of speech in this country.

[BainsBane]

69. I don't have those kind of conversations

with people I don't know well. I have three Hillary signs in the front of my house and will not take them down as long as Trump is in office. But I'm not going to initiate a discussion with a plumber or electrician about politics. Nor am I going to interrogate someone about their constitutional right to a secret ballot before I hire them. Though if saw a Trump sign at an establishment, I would go elsewhere. Since I live it a Dem city, however, it doesn't make sense for business owners to display GOP signs.

I'm not going to be frightened of someone based on their vote alone. They would have to do or say something threatening. People have all kinds of reasons for their vote. Voting Republican doesn't mean they are a danger to your life. That plumber could even be one of those people who yelled JewSA at Trump rallies, but that doesn't mean he would physically harm a client. He needs to make a living after all.

In terms of the recent news, people should be prepared for Trump voters to dismiss all of it, regardless of the evidence. That is the world we live in now, and Trump has skillfully manipulated them into believing what he wants them to. Additionally, they consume media that promotes his viewpoint. If these tapes the Kremlin has turn up, it won't make any difference to them. The CIA could have audio of Trump taking money from the Kremlin and agreeing to let them have Crimea in exchange for money, and the deplorables will not care. We can't count on them to care about anything Trump does. They knowingly elected a serial sexual predator who ran on white supremacy. They admire the murderous despot Putin more than our current president or intelligence services. It is the current state of the American electorate that has produced this nightmare. Even the jackhole lunatics who claim to be progressive defend Trump. For them and their like-minded Trumpster allies, the fact that Trump ran against the progress of the last century and against gender and racial equality is enough to give him a pass on just about anything.