Accepting the results

“Not my president” has been chanted across America. Thousands have protested the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.

Outbursts of concern and fear accompanying his election have been widespread. Most of the protests have been peaceful, but some arrests have been made and some violence has occurred.

A week after the election, the protests continue.

President Obama and others have called for calm, saying that Trump must be given a chance.

The need for restraint is evident. The protests could grow in violence. Individual violence and hate crimes could escalate. Of these, Trump told his supporters to stop, but he has done little to alleviate the fears of others.

The campaign for the White House was vicious and vitriolic. The differences between Trump and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, were great. From all indications, voter turnout would be enormous.

Yet, fewer eligible voters cast ballots this election than in the previous two presidential elections. Voter turnout was only an estimated 58.9 percent. This election, as emotional and divisive as it was, saw 95 million potential voters not even take part. As a result, the two main candidates received only about a third of the possible votes each.

This is disturbing to begin with. Then, according to some reports, the protests are heavily sprinkled with non-voters, those who did not care about the results until the results were announced. Those unhappy or fearful about the election results should be protesting those who did not even cast a ballot.

Still, the campaign is over. The decision has been made. Donald J. Trump will soon be president of the United States. Despite the “not my president” chant, Trump will be the president of the entire country.

It is important that every voice be heard. Differing voices are important to a democracy, but they cannot become destructive.

Now, it is up to all citizens–voters and non-voters alike–to try to unite and strive for the good of all. The results of the election must be accepted. That does not mean citizens cannot continue to effect change, but everyone must remember that we are Americans first.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher