So now what? There are several options here, at least for myself. I list several 'playful options here:
- To refuse to accept the election. Like those who have taken to the street, just refuse to accept Trump as President. This is not really a realistic plan. and I hope I am am largely miss-representing those in the street. I hope that they are more protesting to let it be known that though their candidate lost, they still have a voice. That is a position I can accept and endorse. In fact, this post is perhaps of a similar sentiment.
- A second option is to wait and see. We today have President Elect Trump. It has been four days since the election. It is just too early to say anything. We can express our disappointment and frustration with the election but really we cannot protest or challenge a President Trump. So we go about our business - there is really nothing here to see. Though I might wish I could embrace that, here I am dwelling on the topic.
- Earlier this week, immediately after the election, I had suggested on Facebook that I would not mention the President by name. Something I still find kind of amusing considering his narcissism. To only refer to him as the President but to neglect and negate Trump. And to refuse him that is to acknowledge the resentment and the frustration I have with the man and the campaign he led. In the end, however, though mildly interesting and amusing, probably not. Amusing, yes, but it is kind of silly.
- Another reading of that idea, however, would be to NOT focus on him and his actions. Focus on my things, on what I can and need to do in my life, and not let national politics intrude. This is not what I described above in the second attempt option, what I call a wait and see attitude - a honeymoon. This is different from that in that here there is a dash of resentment. I am purposely digging into the things I do have control over here-focusing on those items, and ignoring him. Here, I will not and cannot embrace him as President and further I will recommit myself to things I can embrace and do. As you can see I have not really embraced that strategy either. Though it is useful to remind myself that life does go on and that we should not allow these events consume us.
So where does that lead me. I do for the most part try to get on with things, I will try to give him the benefit of the doubt. The benefit of the doubt, however, is quite hard to do considering the campaign he led. He threatened numerous times to lock up his challenger. Numerous times he made the claim that the system is rigged. Interestingly, he ended up winning the election, despite losing the popular vote. He insulted numerous people, threatened, and bullied numerous others. And now after the election we are suppose to simply forget all of that? Simply turn the page? Such behavior has never in the history of American politics been seen or heard before. How does one trust such a man?
Interestingly, he says in a recent post-election interview, that he has no qualms over what he said during the campaign. He won. His winning the election justifies all the things he said. His campaign manager said as much regarding the false accusations thrown at Hillary in the last week. False or not, they stuck was the basic thought. The end justifies the mean. Perhaps it does, but that is why I voted against him and am sitting here typing this today. That is why thousands have been protesting over the past few days.
So the idea of a honeymoon, though appealing in some respects, is hard for me to do. And this is especially the case when you see how he has proceeded since his victory. Yes, his speech late Tuesday was promising. His visit to the White House was again done well. His comments, however, about Obamacare since the election lead to more questions. How does one go from claiming at every rally he had that Obamacare was a disaster and that he will quickly repeal it, to now asserting that there are good things in it, and that he will even save parts of it. What?
Further, his talk of Special Prosecutors for Hillary are all but forgotten. Yet today he asserts that he has other priorities. All very good, but these are the things he stressed and focused on for the last three or even six months at every rally, at the debates in front of millions of Americans. How does one make such assertions daily and then make such an about face. I should not be surprised.
Lastly, at the end of the day we cannot afford a honeymoon. He might not appoint special prosecutors. (In fact that has to be done by the Attorney General, but regardless.) He may very well salvage parts of Obamacare, but there are bigger issues. Appointments such as Myron Ebell, who he has chosen to lead the transition at the E.P.A. This man has no appreciation for that government agency or the laws it is to enforce. He has aggressively denied climate change. He has it seems challenged endangered species laws using the right to property as his argument. I know little of his arguments, but what does his Masters in Economics grant him regarding climate science? If he is an indication of the people and things to come, we must be weary and watchful.
No there cannot be any honeymoon, and I probably will try to limit my use of the word "Trump". I will try to focus on my things and what I can do. As his running mate, however, commented, where there is smoke there typically is fire. It is best in this situation if all of us who have felt the frustration and loss of this election to remain attentive to what is going one, be conscious of what is happening and further, let it be known that we do not approve. We become the forest rangers who will keep a weary eye out for smoke and fire. If you see something, say something. And yes on those rare occasions where there is common ground and agreement, if such occurs, try to trust and work with the man.
Try to trust are the key words above. "Trust and Verify" is another phrase that comes to mind.
This is where I have arrived at regarding this matter.
