We Believe In America
By Erica and Karen
This is painful and it will be for a long time. But I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that’s hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted.
We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought, but I still believe in America and I always will. If you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.
Hillary Clinton said these words, with style and grace. President Obama declared that we are all rooting for President Trump’s success. If they can say these things, we must listen.
President-Elect Trump, we wanted a different outcome, but you won. You will be our President. Build an America that is hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted. Embrace the people of our country, diverse of race, religion, gender, and origin. Make hope and generosity your guides, not fear and hate. You have given voice to the hurt and anger of some. Now you must hear, and serve, all Americans. Be compassionate. Build bridges, and schools. Eradicate inequality. Nurture international relations that will keep us honorable, safe and prosperous. Take advice from experienced people, and make wise and thoughtful decisions.
Our minds are open to a Presidency that is worthy.
Yeah, but he isn’t going to do any of that despite their urging him to. Of course they said those things, they had to. But I don’t believe it. His vice president believes in conversion therapy for gays, his surrogates have already gone on record as saying that they have a list of his enemies and they will retaliate once he is in power, he is committed to a supreme court appointee that will overrule Roe v. Wade, he has stated that he wants to punish women who have abortions, his congress will repeal the ACA as soon as he takes office. We know that some of these things are going to happen, for real. Others may not happen because he lied when he said them in the course of wooing his supporters. Who knows which horrific statement falls into which category.
This is not going to lead to a brighter better unified America. So I am not, personally, on board with this. I do not believe for one second that he will lead us into a better world. He is a racist, misogynist, uninformed liar and his cabinet will be made up of people who do not share my values.
I agree wholeheartedly. As we enter the unchartered waters ahead the alternative to remaining hopeful is too painful.
I agree with both of the previous comments. So, I am stunned and deeply disappointed, also cynical and know that for all of my life hope and belief in my own capabilities to survive and thrive is the only way forward. We have to move on. We have to fight on. Hillary set an incredible example. I will try to emulate her grace and determination.
I stayed up till 1 am on election night, then woke at 5 am to get the final verdict. I cried. Honestly, not so much at the loss of Hillary, but for fear of the potentially disastrous impact of Trump on our nation, and perhaps the world. I spent much of Wednesday in mourning. But, for now, the sun is still shining, the morning newspaper still arrived, and the stock market even managed to go up (at least for one day). I am trying to be hopeful and keep the open mind that we were encouraged to have. But, clearly, we must be on guard.
Yikes, all will be ok. We are no matter what the "United States."
Let us not bury our heads in the sand. We have seen an increase in ethnic discrimination and violence bolstered by the promise of a "Trump Nation." We are seeing cabinet appointments that terrify with their history of bias and conservatism. We have heard Donald Trump say outright that he expects his Supreme Court appointments to be in the vein of Scalia and to see the overturning of Roe v Wade. Trump’s new "education" secretary has presided over one of the poorest system of charters in the nation. He has, himself, just settled a $40M lawsuit for educational fraud for $25M — we elect people to our highest office who commit fraud against our own people??? HIs foundation has filed their 990 showing improprieties. He questions the Emoluments as applying to a president and refuses to separate from his business interests? He has no regard for the anti-nepotism regulations supposedly protecting us in government? As a non-profit leader, I assure you, those of us who respect the law struggle with these questions daily. And as someone deeply committed to education and to equality, opportunity, access and dignity the writing is on the wall: enlightenment is not forthcoming, and danger is already present.