We have successfully elected the individual who previously attempted to overthrow the legitimately elected government of the United States as our President. Like many others, I am grappling with what this means for the present and the future.
In a New York Times essay referenced by Eugene, Bret Stephens criticizes supporters of Harris who justify their defeat to a man they viewed as a “twice-impeached former president, a felon, a fascist, a bigot, a buffoon, a demented old man…” by suggesting that the nation’s susceptibility to demagoguery led to his victory. Stephens argues that liberals’ failure to understand Trump’s appeal contributed to his comeback.
Let’s set aside discussions of racism, sexism, and other divisive issues. The election outcome was influenced by factors such as taxes, trade, the economy, transgender rights, immigration, abortion access, vaccine mandates, and other policy differences between Harris and Trump.
Personally, I struggle with the fact that supporting or participating in efforts to subvert the peaceful transfer of power is a complete deal-breaker for me when considering a presidential candidate.
I had always assumed that respecting the outcome of elections and the peaceful transfer of power was a fundamental principle shared by all Americans. However, it appears that many citizens disagree, and I am trying to comprehend how this is possible.
It seems unlikely that people do not believe Trump was involved in the election subversion attempt, so the issue must lie in differing views on whether participation in such actions disqualifies a candidate.
This uncertainty worries me, as a shared commitment to the integrity of election results is essential for a functioning democracy. The implications of diverging opinions on this matter are concerning.
The fact that we are a nation where the people have the power to choose their leaders is a source of pride. While I did not personally vote for him, it appears that Trump won the election fairly.
As a result, we now have a President who represents all Americans, regardless of whether they support him or not. This is the essence of democracy – accepting the outcome of elections, even if it goes against our personal preferences.
Therefore, I must accept the consequences of this decision, even if it means potential policy changes that I may not agree with. The democratic process has spoken, and we must respect it, even when the results are not what we hoped for. That’s the outcome we desire, so it will be difficult to raise objections if he attempts to deliver it to us, especially if he does so within the bounds of the law and the constitution.
In my opinion, this is a nightmarish scenario. However, it seems to be what we are seeking, and it may very well be what we end up with. I suspect that the American people won’t be pleased with the state of the country in that situation. I could be mistaken, but I am already anticipating the 2026 midterms.
The post Who We Are appeared first on Reason.com.
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