From sea to shining sea, the nation has spoken. But with people divided and civil unrest growing among the frustrated citizens, the direction that the country will head is still unfolding.
“This election brought out the worst qualities in each party, focusing more on attacking each other instead of talking about how to improve society,” said NIC Republican club president Ezra Dolezal. “I hope that Donald Trump will do what is best for the nation and bring the people together and I also hope he upholds the Constitution and will actually make this country great again.”
Former NIC Republican club president Brian Dunlop took a similar stance.
“The tone of this campaign shows the lack of education in America’s election process on both sides,” he said. “This election was based on fear and not hope, and was what a lot would consider as ‘bumper sticker politics,’ and a social media election.”
On the other side of the aisle, some dissidents expressed willingness to move forward with President elect Donald Trump.
“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him,” said Bernie Sanders. “To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.”
And in a press release, Idaho Democratic Chairman Bert Marley said, “For our country’s sake, we wish President-elect Trump good luck.”
But not everyone in the Democratic party was willing to accept the election results. In major cities from Seattle to New York, protesters took to the streets to air their grievances with the results. “Not my president,” the protesters chanted, while setting a paper mache Trump head on fire.
Many across the country are trying to ponder what a Trump presidency means. The government is set up with checks and balances, having the Senate and House of Representatives (legislative), Supreme court (judicial) and president (executive). Now that there will be a Republican majority in each, Trump is more likely to have his propositions made into law.
Donald Trump’s campaign promises for the first 100 days include:
- Cancel Obama executive actions on immigration and guns.
- Ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.
- Suspend immigration from “terror-prone” countries and implement “extreme vetting.”
- Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement or withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
- Impose tariffs on goods made abroad.
- Build a wall and have Mexico pay for it.
- Introduce the Middle Class Tax Relief and Simplification Act.
A Trump presidency could also have an impact on the environment. Trump was once asked if he would cut departments.
“Environmental Protection. What they do is a disgrace,” he said. “Every week they come out with new regulations.”
When asked who will protect the environment: “We’ll be fine with the environment,” he said. “We can leave a little bit, but you can’t destroy businesses.”
Trump addressed his energy policy at a North Dakota oil expo in May of 2016. He talked about renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy. However, he said that they shouldn’t be promoted in favor of cheaper, more effective sources.
The only certainty at this time is that the nation will be watching closely in the coming months.
