In deep blue Minneapolis, many Somali voters withheld support for Harris

[nmmi]

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/11/23/in-deep-blue-minneapolis-many-somali-voters-withheld-support-for-dems-presidential-pick

Farah said he couldn’t accept that the Biden-Harris administration failed to produce a ceasefire, continuing to send taxpayer-funded weapons to Israel, which then showered them down on Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 40,000. He couldn’t ignore the images of decimated villages and hospitals, of dead women and children and babies broadcast for more than a year.

... he is noticing increased grievances with the Democratic party in his own community, particularly with those opposed to the “liberal agenda.” He said many Somalis hold conservative religious and family values that have more in common with Republicans than Democrats.

. . . that they were “sick of the status quo” and of feeling “taken for granted by the Democrats.”

... Nearly 20 stood behind a podium, pushing their priorities — the fentanyl crisis, school choice, public safety, the economy and peace — as more aligned with Trump.

... as a result of public schools teaching what he says goes against many of their cultural and religious values.

“The last 10 years, the Somali community has been voting with Democrats with no return on investment in the community,” Ismail said. “They took their vote for granted.”

... “You’re telling us you’re doing something about the genocide in Palestine. You promised all these things, but you guys never kept it.”

added emphasis by nmmi

Sounds logical until one considers the face-eating leopard party's declarations and actions.

“They wanted Trump, the guy who came to Minnesota in 2016 and called Somali resettlement a ‘disaster?’ ( https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/07/trumps-comments-on-mn-somalis-draw-sharp-response )   The guy who enacted the so-called ‘Muslim ban’ on several countries, including Somalia?” (https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/01/28/us-judge-bars-deportations-under-trump-travel-ban)

From the "Somali resettlement a disaster" link above :

the GOP presidential candidate told supporters that Minnesota had "suffered enough" for taking in thousands of Somali refugees.

He said Minnesota had seen first-hand the problems caused by what he described as faulty refugee vetting, "with large numbers of Somali refugees coming into your state without your knowledge, without your support or approval, and with some of them then joining ISIS and spreading their extremist views all over our country and all over the world."

and from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-referred-haiti-african-countries-shithole-nations-n836946

President Donald Trump referred to African countries, Haiti and El Salvador as "shithole" countries ... and asked why the U.S. can't have more immigrants from Norway.

"The economy" - just wait.

As for "no return on investment in the community", see my reply to this post for what the Democratic trifecta has done in the last 2 years at the state (MN) level, tons of which benefits the MN Somali community.

Minnesotans will benefit for generations from Legislature’s work, MN State Senator Ann Rest, -- see my reply to this post

[nmmi]

1. Minnesotans will benefit for generations from Legislature's work, Senator Ann Rest, 6/7/24

COLUMN: Minnesotans will benefit for generations from Legislature’s work, Senator Ann Rest, 6/7/24
Excerpts:

. . . The changes that we implemented over two years have produced the most equitable tax system in the country, with the lowest burden on low- and middle-income earners of all 50 states, according to a national study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

This year, more than 400,000 children and their families have benefited from the nation-leading $1,750 per-child refundable Child Tax Credit we enacted in 2023. To date, more than $510 million has already gone out to families across the state, with an average credit per family of nearly $2,500 this tax season. And in the recently completed 2024 session we took steps to improve the credit, which is expected to cut child poverty by 33%.

In addition to the Child Tax Credit, other key tax provisions that help Minnesota taxpayers include the elimination of state taxes on Social Security for 322,000 Minnesota seniors who will each save about $734 annually, and property tax relief for homeowners, renters, farmers and seniors. Importantly, our tax bill also has invested $300 million to address urgent public safety needs in every Minnesota community.

DFLers also made significant investment in every level of education from child care to college. We helped family budgets and reduced student hunger through free school meals. We also invested in higher education and a skilled workforce by making college free for families making under $80,000 a year and by freezing tuition at MinnState schools. In 2024, we increased funding for the READ Act to improve student literacy and their ability to learn.

On health care, DFLers took steps to reduce prescription drug costs and cap co-pays for drugs to treat diabetes, asthma, and allergies at $25 per month. We also enacted reforms to ensure Minnesotans struggling with illness are not saddled with unmanageable medical debt.

We improved economic security for working families by passing paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, and historic investments in infrastructure and housing affordability.

While Republicans in Minnesota and across the country continue to pursue extreme abortion bans and attack IVF and contraceptives, DFLers have made our state a haven for reproductive freedom by enacting the Protect Reproductive Options Act and repealing outdated, and harmful laws.

To ensure a healthy climate, DFLers put our state on a pathway to 100% clean energy by 2040 with investments that will bring critical federal funding to our state. In 2024, we streamlined permitting on infrastructure projects to help reach that ambitious goal.

After years of Republicans stalling efforts to address gun violence, DFLers enacted criminal background checks and red flag laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands. After the tragic and horrific killing of three first responders in Burnsville, DFL majorities increased penalties for straw purchases and banned the same binary triggers, which made the Burnsville shooter’s gun doubly dangerous.

As a member of the Elections Committee, I joined DFLers in pushing back against attempts to undermine our democracy by supporting the Democracy for the People Act, which will make it easier for Minnesotans to vote, while prohibiting voter intimidation and harassment.

https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/free/column-minnesotans-will-benefit-for-generations-from-legislature-s-work/article_7d019786-24d5-11ef-a801-c750d9f1d22c.html

Senator Ann Rest, DFL New Hope, represents Senate District 43: parts or all of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale, and Plymouth

[perdita9]

7. Unfortunately, facts and reasoning won't work....

Because MAGA didn't Facts or Reason themselves into voting for Trump

[Pototan]

2. Let's see if these demonstrations continue against Trump

Last edited Sun Dec 1, 2024, 05:27 AM - Edit history (1)

I don't know whether these pro-Hamas protesters have less brains or less balls.

[Hope22]

3. Maybe this is the missing link to our immigrants who have now become US citizens.

Sometimes a vote is made to make certain the guy who wants to kill you doesn’t get into office! Sometimes you plug your nose and vote for the better of two evils. It’s not a perfect system. But when placing a vote do the least harm to yourself and others. Also, the country you came from will not always seem to be first priority in US relations because as the melting pot we have many many complicated alliances to try and hold this crazy world together. Don’t take it personally. Very few voters get exactly what they want in any election. It’s the way it is. Work to help change the system. And by all means remember…Nazi equals very, very bad!

[Paladin]

4. "Sick of the status quo"

Check back with us a year or two from now, Somalis. Let us know how trump's status quo suits you.

[nmmi]

16. They will blame Biden for setting the economy up to fail. And they will blame the "Democrat Resistance"

They will never learn anything but alternative "facts"

On the first part of the title line - most of them think it has already failed and getting worse, so it refers to the few percent of them who realize that a 4.3% unemployment rate is historically very low, not a record high, sigh. Ditto a 2.3% inflation rate, only millimeters above the Fed's ideal of 2.0%.

[Paladin]

17. Who knew that Somalis were so fond of the NY Times opinion section? (nt)

[JT45242]

5. Wait till he starts deporting Somali refugees with citizenship

There is a lot of the Dems didn't do enough among immigrant groups and younger folks.

The stupidity is only exceeded by the arrogance.

Hope none of the Somali refugees' children needed an ELL teacher or a special Ed teacher.

They will soon find out that their faces are on the menu.

[perdita9]

6. The Somalis are going to get what they voted for

They're going to find out that actions have consequences. Maybe they'll learn something in the process

[AZLD4Candidate]

8. more idiot one issue voters.

[Walleye]

9. Voted Democratic all my life. Never once have I thought the Democratic Party "takes my vote for granted"

Not even sure what that means. Do some people in certain groups expect special treatment from the party?

[Aussie105]

10. You can't deny many voters were not happy with the Biden/Harris administration.

Many groups felt neglected, ignored, taken for granted. Oblivious to the help they were given.

But to vote for Trump thinking he would take better care of them, is a big leap into the unknown.
One that may well have a sharp bite.

[LisaM]

11. It would have been helpful if the media had reported successes.

The infrastructure act alone has provided a shit ton of jobs and likely staved off more accidents like the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Media pre-election: crickets.

The US has avoided the deep recession felt in many parts of the world. Media: crickets.

There has been some (admittedly not enough) progress on gun control, which most Americans want. Media: crickets.

Huge progress was made on an immigration bill, which Donald Trump shut down. Media: crickets.

No one wants a ceasefire more than Biden. How he is blamed for the mess in Gaza is beyond me, and how certain Muslim communities are letting Hamas off the hook is also beyond me. In reality, I think that some communities, like Dearborn, want us to cease all diplomatic ties with Israel. I don't like Netanyahu either. But neither do many Israelis, and we can't severe relations with them for myriad reasons that I hardly have to enumerate.

Somalis in Minnesota also have had some of their own issues. Remember how Somali cab drivers were refusing to take passengers from the airport if they were bringing home or had consumed alcohol? They probably didn't represent all Somalis, but it was enough of a problem that it got reported on. (Updated to add that they were also refusing to transport passengers with dogs. This had to be resolved in court).

[JustAnotherGen]

13. This is the difference

Between descendants of Jim Crow survivors (Black Americans) and newer African Americans:

But to vote for Trump thinking he would take better care of them

Black Americans would never expect to be taken care of by the US Government. My Grandmama survived Jim Crow in Alabama by going behind America's back.

Their expectations are about to meet the reality of Jim Crow Esquire.

[Fullduplexxx]

12. This is why the dems should sit back and let the american people have republicanism for while

[JustAnotherGen]

14. ITA

Will our elected members of Congress (Democratic Party) comply with the thoughts of the people who voted for them?

I want them to vote no in everything. Mikey and John need to be going through some things. If nothing gets done - I'm fine with that.

[kacekwl]

15. Sick of the

Status quo and feeling ignored by the Democratic party. The economy. All these bullshit excuses are being used by every type of group to explain their foolishness.

[Aussie105]

19. The foolishness doesn't come so much from wishing things would be better.

It comes from assuming a Trump presidency will do it better.

And that, dear children and childish adults, flies in the face of everything we know about Trump.

[Aussie105]

18. Somali? Aren't people from there kind of foreign, and dark?

The new Department of Racial Purity had better look into this!

Stop them in the streets, check their paperwork!

[nmmi]

20. "Trump Threatens 'Hell to Pay' Unless Gaza Hostages Are Freed Before Inauguration" (i wonder if they see headlines like

this and actually think about them.)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143349769

Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.

Including Hiroshima, Nagasaki?