Never thought I’d write what I did in the title to this entry. I didn’t vote for Donald Trump. In fact, I stridently opposed his nomination. When he received the Republican nod, I withdrew my lifelong identification with the party.

I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton either. I did vote.Honestly, I wanted a good reason to vote for Hillary, but her unbending loyalty to abortion on demand at any time during a prengancy, and her unwillingness to support religious freedom, as concerns those who disagree with the LGBT agenda, kept that from becoming a reality. More than that, I cannot support the Democrats in any area any longer. In my estmation Progressives have contributed significantly to the moral ruin of this great nation.

I am surprised that Trump won. I thought HRC would take the presidency in a landslide. There will be challenges to the Trump presidency, perhaps many, but there will also be benefits. Yes, benefits. I said it in 2008 and I say it again: the pendulum must swing. After eight years of GW Bush, I welcomed Obama, even though I voted for McCain. Now, after eight years of the Progressive agenda I believe it is time for the other side to be in power. Not that Trump is a true Conservative, but it is largely that constituancy (in spite of grave reservtions among many) that broght the billionaire to power. So, I expect that Conservative ideals will be at the fore of Trump’s policies.

The primary benefit from a Trump presidency could be in the judiciary (assuming the President-elect keeps his promises). Trump has listed a group of Conservatives as candidates. A Conservative judge will seek to apply the Constitution, as opposed to reinterpeting it in order to overthrow legitimate legislation that disagrees with Progressive ideals, or using it to legislate from the bench.

The potential damage from a Trump presidency could be in US international relations. I am opposed to building a wall between the US and Mexico. I am in favor of compassionate, yet strict, enforcement of immigration law. I am opposed to an anti-immigrant stance, even as I support vetting those who enter this country. Every citizen should be required to support the U.S. Constitution.

I support dissent. If you disagree, then make your voice heard. However, I am strongly opposed to protests that break the law and promote violence and disorder. Standing on a highway (or other public road) is illegal and dangerous. People have to get to work, get home, earn a living. Anger over the outcome of the election shouldn’t penalize everyone and infringe upon their rights and responsibilities. Beyond that, I doubt that these protesters are not winning any support for their cause. In fact, what is the cause? A legal election took place. So, since you don’t like the outcome you would do what? Overthrow the legal election of the President so that your candidate would win instead? If that’s the motive, then it is hypocritical and should be spurned by everyone.

For eight years I opposed the never ending ad-hominem attacks against President Obama. I read ridiculous, false, and, in some cases, offensive accusations. Now the tables are turned. Trump has offended many people. There is anger that he got into office. Understandable. However, calling him names and making incendiary (and often unproven) accusations is simply sour grapes, small minded and wrong. Oh, and hypocritical, since disrespect and name calling is exactly what these people would say Trump has done to offend them.

Respect the President. Provide good evidence as to where and why you disagree with his policies. President Obama modeled decorum in this area when he spoke yesterday. The present President vowed to work to make the transition smooth for the President-elect. Obama affirmed our democratic process. Follow his example.

We need to learn to respect one another, even (and especially) when we disagree. We need to focus on issues instead of personalities. Debate against a position; don’t seek to defeat or disrespect a person.

Learn to apologize. Don’t be implacable when someone apologizes to you. No one is always right, not even you. And doing the right thing the wrong way makes it wrong. Beating someone because they support racism only proves the perpetrators are  as bad (or worse) than the racists they assault. I watched a video (rarely do this) of several young men beating a woman who tried to keep them from removing her Trump/Pence candidate sign. They jumped into their car and laughed. They should be in jail. Protests are democratic. Assaulting those who disagree with you is criminal and invalidates your legitimate grievance.

Some are saying of Trump, “He’s not MY President!” I understand the sentiment, but that’s all it is. Are you a citizen of the United States of America? Do you plan on keeping your citizenship? Then Trump is your President. Respect the office. If you are a believer, pray for the President. Obey the law. If you want a different President, work to support someone who could defeat Donald Trump in four years. As a recent commentator put it, “T0 desire the defeat of the President is like a passenger on an airline desiring the death of the pilot.” We’re all on this plane together…