Election Processing
I honestly never gave Trump a chance to win. In my mind, all the way to the end, he was a joke and Americans would prove that on election night. I was clearly wrong, but my brain quickly began processing what happened and why. I came across a New York Times blog and felt that this author put a finger on what I suspect happened: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/opinion/election-night-2016/life-outside-the-liberal-bubble.
It's become clear that while I thought myself to be accepting of many views, many of the people I "listen" to everyday via facebook have similar upbringings, lifestyles, and interests and that I really might not have any idea what it's like to live outside of some sort of bubble. Has this country been so divided and I so enveloped in one side that I failed to even consider the plight of those entrenched in the other? I'm not talking about political ideological divides -- I'm talking about the divides that became so clear during this election and would like to see some stats on demographics of Trump supporters.
I was raised by Republicans then surrounded for most of the rest of my life by Democrats at work and among friends. I think I understand both sides pretty well and reasoning on various sides of several types of decisions. I don't think that everyone who voted for Trump is racist and sexist. Instead, I suspect that many were just frustrated with the status quo and strongly opposed to a candidate they did not trust and who is politically unattractive in many ways as well. I also suspect that certain issues such as the U.S. economy, helping people create a better future for themselves, and cleaning up our own house, were actually priority issues for these people that trumped nearly every other issue -- if they got a President who "misbehaves", they could forgive that as long as he helps them get what is most important to them. The establishment candidate may be smarter and know what she's doing, but that just preserves the status quo. Under that system, these people would continue to be marginalized, while they watched the same groups of people get richer. Well, this election was some revolt, and if this is actually what happened, I applaud that effort and, more importantly, want to understand what needed fixing so badly that they were willing to accept Trump as President.
In my opinion, people are being overly dramatic about this Presidential election. There were actually many other seats up for election and issues up for debate that may impact people far more directly and locally. For example, in Hawaii, we no longer have any Republican representation in our State Senate. It's unclear what the consequences will be, but I will miss our lone Republican, who provided at least some debate and presented arguments more succinctly and reasonably than most of the majority. I don't actually believe that the President of the United States, despite being perhaps the most powerful office in the world, has the power to unilaterally bring down or raise up a nation. That work must be done by millions of Americans. Whether I voted for this President or not, I support a country where we respect the rule of law and where I respect others' opinions. So if we have an established electoral college system and under that system, Donald Trump was elected as our next President despite losing the popular vote, I will accept that and respect him as our President. It is up to his staff, Congress, the Judiciary, all other governments, and citizens to live their daily lives the way they believe is best. No man's or woman's opinion and words, no matter how powerful or hurtful, have the power to unilaterally dismantle or build this country because we are the country, and we each have a role to play.
Going back to my initial thoughts, I'd like to think of this as a learning opportunity -- perhaps there are perspectives and populations in this country I don't know or understand but should. I may not agree with the way they chose to be represented by this candidate, but clearly they are a major portion of the composition of this country. I feel obligated to open my mind more and at least understand their perspectives. I hope I am enlightened by what I learn.
God bless America.
It's become clear that while I thought myself to be accepting of many views, many of the people I "listen" to everyday via facebook have similar upbringings, lifestyles, and interests and that I really might not have any idea what it's like to live outside of some sort of bubble. Has this country been so divided and I so enveloped in one side that I failed to even consider the plight of those entrenched in the other? I'm not talking about political ideological divides -- I'm talking about the divides that became so clear during this election and would like to see some stats on demographics of Trump supporters.
I was raised by Republicans then surrounded for most of the rest of my life by Democrats at work and among friends. I think I understand both sides pretty well and reasoning on various sides of several types of decisions. I don't think that everyone who voted for Trump is racist and sexist. Instead, I suspect that many were just frustrated with the status quo and strongly opposed to a candidate they did not trust and who is politically unattractive in many ways as well. I also suspect that certain issues such as the U.S. economy, helping people create a better future for themselves, and cleaning up our own house, were actually priority issues for these people that trumped nearly every other issue -- if they got a President who "misbehaves", they could forgive that as long as he helps them get what is most important to them. The establishment candidate may be smarter and know what she's doing, but that just preserves the status quo. Under that system, these people would continue to be marginalized, while they watched the same groups of people get richer. Well, this election was some revolt, and if this is actually what happened, I applaud that effort and, more importantly, want to understand what needed fixing so badly that they were willing to accept Trump as President.
In my opinion, people are being overly dramatic about this Presidential election. There were actually many other seats up for election and issues up for debate that may impact people far more directly and locally. For example, in Hawaii, we no longer have any Republican representation in our State Senate. It's unclear what the consequences will be, but I will miss our lone Republican, who provided at least some debate and presented arguments more succinctly and reasonably than most of the majority. I don't actually believe that the President of the United States, despite being perhaps the most powerful office in the world, has the power to unilaterally bring down or raise up a nation. That work must be done by millions of Americans. Whether I voted for this President or not, I support a country where we respect the rule of law and where I respect others' opinions. So if we have an established electoral college system and under that system, Donald Trump was elected as our next President despite losing the popular vote, I will accept that and respect him as our President. It is up to his staff, Congress, the Judiciary, all other governments, and citizens to live their daily lives the way they believe is best. No man's or woman's opinion and words, no matter how powerful or hurtful, have the power to unilaterally dismantle or build this country because we are the country, and we each have a role to play.
Going back to my initial thoughts, I'd like to think of this as a learning opportunity -- perhaps there are perspectives and populations in this country I don't know or understand but should. I may not agree with the way they chose to be represented by this candidate, but clearly they are a major portion of the composition of this country. I feel obligated to open my mind more and at least understand their perspectives. I hope I am enlightened by what I learn.
God bless America.
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