The recent election held in the United State has caused me a large amount of pause.
This election resulted in Donald J Trump becoming the president-elect of our country as he gained the 270 electoral college votes needed to be elected. The result of this election is an interesting one, as Mr. Trump did not win the popular vote of the people, leading to him becoming the fourth U.S. President to win solely by the electoral college.
The idea that the “majority” of people did not want this man to lead our country, but regardless of that fact he will be put in power is a little frightening. But let’s look at what was considered the “majority.” This majority (keeping in mind that they did not win popular vote) was roughly 25% of eligible voters. It is shocking, and bordering on appalling that in a country the prides itself on democracy, we have the lowest voter turn out rate in the free world. It begins to make sense why certain countries, such as Australia, have voting mandatory.
My thoughts on the election are as follows: I am fearful that in electing Trump, we as the “leader of the free world” have set in place a horrific role-model for both our nation, and the world as a whole.
I understand that post-election, especially right after, that there is a large emotional response on either side of the “winner.” Upon writing this, I have moved beyond any knee-jerk emotional response into a more thoughtful analytic approach to the matter.
At the end of the day, the sun will rise, people will go to work, and the world will keep spinning. Am I excited to know that my younger sisters will grow up in a world where the highest position is filled with a man who has no regard for women? Not in the slightest. I guess it will be a battle that will continue to be fought.