Making American Great Again – by Moving Forward

In the wake of President-Elect Donald Trump’s historic victory last night, we find the country still deeply divided. After what was arguably the nastiest and most hate-filled political campaign, at least that I can recall, “we the people” face a decision – one with profound consequences. The attacks on Donald Trump and his supporters, both rhetorical and actual – caused profound damage to the American psyche, leaving many unsure how to move forward.

There is a deep-seated wave of anger causing some to lash out at those whose candidate lost. After being trashed as nazis, fascists, a**holes, racists, and such, many appear unwilling to win graciously. And, in many ways, you can’t blame people for having those sentiments. But, in the long run, is that really what’s best for us as a people and a nation? I’ll admit that, at first, I succumbed to some of my worst instincts. But after listening to President Trump’s acceptance speech again and thinking about the consequences, my view changed. After all, if he can forgive and move on, after all they’ve done to him, shouldn’t I, as well?

Throughout this long and bitter political campaign, underlying all the hurtful rhetoric, hasn’t the central message been “we can do better?” I believe the answer is yes. We can do better. I can do better. I know some of you feel bitterly disappointed by Harris’ loss and equally so that Trump won. But at the end of the day, we are all Americans. If we are to ensure that this Great American Experiment succeeds, we need to all work together. We don’t have to agree on everything; we just need to decide that we all want a better America. So, let’s all take a moment to bask in the glory of the win or feel the sting of defeat. Let’s release that emotion, open our hearts, and knuckle down to the hard work of rebuilding our country into its best version.

To quote Ronald Reagan from his farewell speech to America. We can be that “shining city on the hill” once more!

“[I]n my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”