The Election That Was
posted by Daniel Martin | December 18, 2016 | In OpinionAs we closed the most recent election, in which Donald Trump was elected to become the next president of the United States, one can’t help but think about how we got to this point. Everything from emails to walls was seen in the whole scenario that unfolded. And throughout the entire process, both sides made a mockery of the system. After the election, false rumors circulated that thousands of people wrote in the name Harambe (the gorilla shot dead at the Cincinnati Zoo back in May), as well as false reports of Trump supporters being attacked for voting for Trump. The election seemed to show how divided our country really is.
Many felt that third party votes were wasted votes. I looked at it differently. I myself voted third party and thought of it as my way of expressing that I was not happy with the choices and that something needs to change. I also feel I wasn’t alone in that thinking. Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, and Evan McMullin collectively pulled in 5,988,770 total votes. For me, this showed that others were not happy with the Democratic or Republican candidates, either.
In the end, the reality is that we are left with Donald Trump as the president-elect and we need to give him the chance to sink or swim. Fighting and protesting isn’t going to change what we have. There are still checks and balances in place, and Trump will not just be allowed to do as he pleases.
And, in my opinion, those who didn’t vote have no right to complain. The ones that voted for whomever they did need to accept that maybe their candidate didn’t win, but that doesn’t mean the winner will destroy our country. If you don’t like where we stand, then take it up in your local and state elections. The president is one person. The real struggle and changes need to start in Congress and the Senate. Let them truly become the voice of the people.
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