I am not a political
person by nature. Sure, I pay attention
to what is going on. I take in a little
news from all sources. Still, I have
never been able to throw myself “all in” behind anyone. This election cycle, I found both major party
candidates exceedingly flawed. Worse
than that, I saw my entire country deeply divided and fringed with visceral hatred
on both sides. Too much name-calling and
hyperbole for my taste. I found the
whole process below the dignity of my great country. I don’t need to list the transgressions here—we
all lived through it.
So here it is: I voted
third party.
Normally, I eagerly watch
election returns. Last night, I crawled
into bed early and allowed 20 pounds of housecat to curl at my feet. Upon waking this morning, I consulted my
smarter-than-me-phone to find Donald Trump as the winner.
I am not particularly happy
about that. Trump is a name-calling bully. Those who golf with Trump say he is a far bigger
cheater than Bill Clinton. I have never
been able to abide either of those traits.
His propensity for litigation also disturbs me. Had Trump gone to my grade school, he is the
type my rowdy friends would have beat-up.
After seeing the election
results, I started coffee, fed my 40 pounds of housecat, and stepped outside to
sit in the hot tub. Above me, the stars
spread forth in all directions, unwavering.
I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
Beautiful as ever. And then, like
a mouse scurrying across a bed of coals, a shooting star crossed the entire expanse.
Wow.
Now that he is president,
I wish Donald Trump the best. I hope he
finds the courage and means to bring our split country together again. We cannot tolerate more “us against them.”
Another day begins.
--Mitchell
Hegman
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