I am not a supporter of Hillary Clinton. I think she is untrustworthy, and I don't agree with her policies. However, as I watched the results come in last night, my heart started to beat faster and I realized I was hoping for a Democratic win. In my mind, I had already prepared for four years of saying, "President Clinton," and had basically resigned myself to HRC's presidency. It was so shocking to see so many states turn red, and to realize that Trump was actually in the lead. I kept waiting for California's 55 electoral votes to be processed and to change everything. But even with California, it soon became evident that the race was playing out very differently than I had anticipated.
Trump's candidacy has seemed like a joke from the beginning. My roommate ironically put it, "Donald Trump is like the back mole you wish you got checked out." When he won last night, I quietly whispered, "America, we have melanoma." And it might be terminal. It was mildly entertaining to watch Trump's antics throughout the campaign process, but mostly just terrifying. He is a giant, egotistical toddler who has just been handed nuclear weapons. None of this is funny anymore. I had faith that American citizens couldn't possibly be dumb enough to elect someone so blatantly racist, sexist, and crude. But I guess Trump's bad publicity was better than Hillary's minimal publicity. He played to a large group of American's who feel that by including minorities and women, and by taking a step forward, we are losing American values. In my opinion, this simply isn't true. But Trump found an audience, and his loud, brash rhetoric moved them to action.
My biggest regret is that we didn't nominate a Republican candidate with good values and actual conservative beliefs. I don't even think Trump is a Republican. He certainly doesn't act like one, or stand for any conservative values. And with the level of distrust that lost Hillary the race, it almost seems like any Republican could have beaten her. However, in many ways Trump is like an anti-Hillary. While she ran a very polite, traditional campaign tailored to her voters, Trump's campaign was unexpected, loud, and unapologetic. Hillary is the iconic, untrustworthy politician. Trump is the definition of unqualified. Her campaign focused on empowering women, his focused on demeaning them. It appears that every aspect of Trump's campaign and him as a person is nearly directly opposite of Hillary.
It's also hard to realize that so many people chose not to vote. Yes, it was a nearly impossible decision. But it's one that we are blessed to be a part of. Many people are genuinely afraid for our nation, afraid for their rights, and afraid for their lives. It's sickening to think that they are feeling this way. Election day should be a day to celebrate, not to dread. It's a day to celebrate democracy and America. But this election will truly be remembered as a historic day. It's my hope that out of this fear, we will be able to pull together. That good will step up against evil. And that America will be reminded of what we really stand for.
My only consolation is that Donald Trump is not in charge of our nation. There is a system of checks and balances. There are people who have a voice. And above all, there is a God who has promised that "unto the righteous [America] shall be blessed forever." (2 Nephi 1:7) These are the last days, and prophecy is being fulfilled. We just need to have faith that if we live our lives righteously, the decisions we make in our own homes will have more impact than those made in the White House. Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and he will protect us, even when iniquity abounds and we are surrounded by turmoil.
Whatever comes of this election, hopefully people will learn from it. I'm grateful to be an American, no matter what happens.
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