I am among those who were shocked when on November 9, I woke up to the news that the unlikeliest of presidential candidates had clinched the American presidency. I could not wrap my head around a Trump win, because it had been so unlikely! Where did it all come from? Should we blame so-called populism?
O yes! Impossible it was! Trump had to surmount a 99% chance that Clinton was going to win. She had led the polls all along, and there was no chance for an upset. All polls except two or three had predicted a landslide win for Clinton. All the TV stations all talked about a Clinton presidency, as if the election was a forgone conclusion.
But Trump won, and resoundingly so. Or as others have said, Clinton lost; well, semantics. We are in a transition period. Suffice it to say that it's an interesting one. However, since that fateful Wednesday, garbage has been picked up at my house, tap water still runs, and there's still power in the socket.
Whilst this may seem obvious, it shows how "almost irrelevant" the results are to me. Note I said "almost irrelevant"; it is quite relevant and consequential. A president may not necessarily affect my daily life, I should rather be more concerned about the local elections and the current council members. It's not that simple, however.
The president affects my life in one key way; he/she provides leadership and direction to a country. Trump, in a big way, represents a force that we cannot comprehend because he has been so greatly vilified, laughed at, seen as a joke by most people. Whether we like it or not, he will define where this country goes economically (trade, creation of jobs), socially (tolerance, justice, peace) and spiritually (a reawakening/revival).
And as we well know, where America goes, the rest of the world follows. I may not agree with most of his sentiments, and I know some of it might be political rhetoric. However, I do see an opportunity for this nation to make some radical changes and move forward. In that regard, I will do what I can do as an non-resident alien; maintain peace, keep positive dialogue open and pray that he will listen to and be guided by God.
I do hope, for the sake of us all, that Trump succeeds as a president.
O yes! Impossible it was! Trump had to surmount a 99% chance that Clinton was going to win. She had led the polls all along, and there was no chance for an upset. All polls except two or three had predicted a landslide win for Clinton. All the TV stations all talked about a Clinton presidency, as if the election was a forgone conclusion.
But Trump won, and resoundingly so. Or as others have said, Clinton lost; well, semantics. We are in a transition period. Suffice it to say that it's an interesting one. However, since that fateful Wednesday, garbage has been picked up at my house, tap water still runs, and there's still power in the socket.Whilst this may seem obvious, it shows how "almost irrelevant" the results are to me. Note I said "almost irrelevant"; it is quite relevant and consequential. A president may not necessarily affect my daily life, I should rather be more concerned about the local elections and the current council members. It's not that simple, however.
The president affects my life in one key way; he/she provides leadership and direction to a country. Trump, in a big way, represents a force that we cannot comprehend because he has been so greatly vilified, laughed at, seen as a joke by most people. Whether we like it or not, he will define where this country goes economically (trade, creation of jobs), socially (tolerance, justice, peace) and spiritually (a reawakening/revival).
And as we well know, where America goes, the rest of the world follows. I may not agree with most of his sentiments, and I know some of it might be political rhetoric. However, I do see an opportunity for this nation to make some radical changes and move forward. In that regard, I will do what I can do as an non-resident alien; maintain peace, keep positive dialogue open and pray that he will listen to and be guided by God.
I do hope, for the sake of us all, that Trump succeeds as a president.
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