My disclaimer: I am not normally vocal about my political views. Politics are best left for the debate table and not for work or other sensitive environments. But, my feelings and observations regarding the 2016 Presidential election are so strong, this blog post is a fair expression and my right of Freedom of Speech.
The results of the 2016 Presidential election were none other than shocking. For so long, the media hyped Trump as unfit for the office of President and fed us poll after poll of Hilary Rodham Clinton’s (HRC) lead. In the late hours of November 8th, it was clear that Donald Trump was to be our 45th President. As floored, shocked, saddened, and scared as my reaction was, reviewing the results over the past few days have begun to change my opinion.
What worries me most about the events of the last few days is how disrespectful people have been. I received a number of harsh responses to my tweets on Twitter regarding my shock and disdain for the “The Don.” These people were quick to judge me as a wrong for my point of view in a very disrespectful manner. While I knew the conversation wasn’t going to civil, nor productive, I simply asked them to respectfully disagree and show some respect for a fellow human and American. Once we lose our respect for each other, we lose America. Politicians may have lost respect for each other, but citizens are better than them and we can lead be example. Always be respectful.
Here are some points to consider:
- Was the media biased against Trump and trying to sway the public toward HRC?
- America didn’t vote for Trump as much as we rejected HRC
- Those who did vote for Trump, did so with a short-sighted view of the world
- Voter turnout was at an all time low
- The DNC was oblivious to the changed voter sentiment and still stood by HRC as their candidate, offending the ever important Sanders voters (myself included)
- Clinton was so arrogant about her quest to be POTUS, she lost site of reality
- Bernie Sanders would have been a better candidate, but was forced out by Clinton
- The political establishment needs a shakeup, Trump might actually be good for this country
- Clinton received the majority vote of the population, but the electoral college went to Trump; let’s rethink “democracy” in America
- America is bitter and divided, but we must find a way to respect each other.
- Protests and riots did follow the election of Obama eight years ago, calling out protests against Trump as unfair is unfair in itself.
- On Dec 19th, the Electoral College could still sway to Clinton
While I will never go out of my way to support Donald Trump, I do respect the Office of the President of the United States (POTUS). I think we do owe him a chance to lead this country and begin a process of unification. I am scared to death of what could happen if Trump is really tied to Putin’s Russia. On the other hand, Trumps presence as POTUS could be the shake up this country needs to rebuild its middle class and set America back on a course of innovation, prosperity, and best practice.
If he does not lead with compassion for all Americans, continues to berate fellow citizens and world leaders, and shows disrespect to the office of POTUS, I will be one of the first to sign a petition to start impeachment proceedings. Let keep an open mind in the interim.
Aric Monts-Homkey 