I read this yesterday, “America has dwelled on division for far too long. The way forward is together.”
That’s good for a laugh, huh? Who sees Americans as “together” today?
Let me get this out of the way – Congratulations to Donald Trump. And to all of his supporters, you surprised much of the country, and I think Trump as well, since he was already filing lawsuits to contest election results (so, is it only cheating if he loses? Sorry, I couldn’t help it…). Hopefully, that was my last shot.
I have been contacted by several friends this week (readers have become friends over my years of writing), and some have been euphoric and excited. Others expressed frustration, bewilderment, surprise, and sadness.
I have not written since before the election; I needed a little more time to evaluate what happened, how I felt, and how I view Americans’ collective futures.
I’m ready now. First, let me say America’s future is fine. I’m a little concerned about the next couple of years, but we’ll get through it. America is resilient.
I am rooting for Donald Trump. Like I did in 2016, and like I did for Joe Biden in 2020, and every other president-elect, whether I voted for him (yes sadly, it is always a “him”) or not.
I am hoping that Trump will be successful as he reassumes the Presidency in January. I hope he surrounds himself with quality people and not simply loyalists, I urge him to temper his rhetoric, and I recommend that he reconsider some of the policies that he advocated during the campaign.
I know Trump sometimes shoots from the hip. When his supporters deflect with, “That’s just Trump” or “He doesn’t really mean that” I hope that’s true because some of his campaign promises and personal attacks were less than presidential.
With our current national debt ballooning to $36 trillion, is it really the best time to forgive income taxes on tips and overtime? Who can’t see how those programs might get abused. What are the costs, emotionally and financially, to deport twelve million people?
The Democrats’ campaign had its own misguided programs. Forgiving student loans from people who committed to that debt (which I had criticized in this column) and handing out $25,000 to first-time home buyers seems just as fiscally irresponsible, and more abuse and manipulation would surely follow. Then, Kamala Harris stole Trump’s no-tax-on-tips program.
Let’s quit trying to buy votes with dollars and instead, earn votes with solid policies that address real problems.
I am hoping that Donald Trump, in a second term, does the unexpected, becomes more presidential, lessens his personal attacks, and focuses on policies and programs that Americans want. I am rooting for him… Really.
But mostly, I hope we dial back the anger and hate. The denigration of political opponents, the divisiveness among the voting public, even among family and friends, and the anger and constant attacks, verbal and sometimes physical, persist because of a lack of trust in one another.
We don’t trust each other anymore and we don’t respect each other anymore, and I’m not just referring to this election; it’s been a while. I want that trust back, I want that respect back; so, I am rooting for Donald Trump.
I’ve lost friends in this election because I wrote what I thought and not everyone agreed with those opinions. When they contacted me to voice opposition, I was willing to engage in debate, but some, and I am included in that “some,” got defensive and/or insulting, and respect took a hit, again.
I am going to try to do better. I won’t pledge fealty to the new President, and I will criticize when warranted, and do my best to hold him to account. But I will show respect if he does. I hope all of us, including those in power, will make the same effort.
Concession speeches have already been given, so election deniers should disappear, hopefully forever. U.S. elections are fair and if both sides can agree on that in 2024, let’s remember that whenever the other side eventually wins. Let’s rebuild that trust and lose the conspiracy theories.
And a note to neighbors: many political displays have been removed, but not all. Please take one minute to take down your signs, your flags, your banners, and let’s set aside partisanship for four years. If you are blue, don’t mope; if you are red, don’t gloat.
Let’s go back to being Americans again, not red or blue. Let’s accept the election results and the changes that will inevitably result, and let’s be optimistic, and hopeful for the future. I am rooting for the new President, but like all past presidents, he will be judged by his actions, not his promises. Stay tuned.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI, and publishes opinion columns regularly.
Tweets @curtmacrae — comments to rantsbymac@gmail.com
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