2016 Postmortem

Here I shall post my original post again.

I can assure you, the count is correct. Since the late 70's until today what, at one time, used to be a Solid Democratic portion of Pennsylvania has slowly but surly turned Republican.

The biggest cause, without question, has been the slow decimation of the manufacturing base in Western Pa. There was a time when Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Westmorland, Lawrence and Fayette Counties were all strong manufacturing bases for Pennsylvania and they ALL voted consistently Democrat. In the last election cycle the ONLY county still voting Democrat was Allegheny.

Starting with the recession of the early 1980's I have watched 10's of, if not, 100's of thousands of good paying, good benefit providing job's vanish. Along with the jobs disappearing so did the Democratic votes that those jobs provided.

What has been replaced for those type of jobs and group thinking, has been minimum wage jobs and voters who have watched their way of life decimated. They have voted, and waited, for the Democratic Party to make the right decisions and remember who used to be the backbone of the party. From the last few cycles, in my humble opinion, it just seems their patience has just run out.

I have Voted in EVERY election since I got home from the service in 1982. I have ALWAYS voted for the Democratic candidate for President, until this cycle. I would Never Vote for a Republican President or, for that matter, Republican Lite.

I hope and pray that we are able to find a True Democrat in 4 years. I'll be honest though. I'm not holding my breath.