(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

Another U.S. presidential election has come and gone. I’ve voted in every election since 1968 - 15 elections - so I have some experience, some perspective. One of the great things about that much history is that you know and understand fully what it means when your candidate wins, or loses.

I’ve been lower than a snake’s belly more than a few nights as ballots were counted…Nixon in ’68 and ’72, George W. Bush in ’04, and, of course Trump in ’16 and ’24. And, my feet never touched the ground the nights Bill Clinton won in ’92 and ’96, and Obama in ’08 and ’12, and Joe Biden in ’20.

As bad as the worst was…and as good as the greatest was…the grieving and joy both ended soon enough. Because ready or not the real business of governing starts on day one.

I’ve seen both ridiculous and serendipitous policy making in my more than half-century of voting for politicians and living with their decisions. Also, I’ve had mostly pleasure - and occasional pain - in meeting and talking with seven U.S. presidents during that time…not something most Americans get to do.

What I’ve learned is that life is better - certainly bearable - if you do what my dad advised me about life long ago: “Shave off the peaks and fill in the valleys, son.” So, as disappointed as I am that the least qualified person to ever grace the Oval Office has once again garnered the key, I understand fully that this, too, shall pass.

Oh, damage will be done…Nixon and Bush and Trump all made often disastrous decisions…but things got better. That’s why democracy works. Trump will - like last time - lie, cheat and add to his corrupt legacy during the next four years. But, when the pendulum swings too far one way…it always swings back. That is how democracy works.

Another sad fact of democracy is that the electorate is too ignorant...that’s been a relative constant over time. I don’t say that as an intentional slight…but from a half-century of observation of why folks say they back this candidate or that candidate. Always curious, I engage folks…part of my training as a journalist…and part of my personality

I’ve asked folks who the vice-presidential candidate of their party was over the years…lots of wrong answers. I’ve asked about debt and spending and immigration and healthcare…where indisputable facts readily existed…yet, again, mostly wrong answers.

It’s easy and admittedly unfair to simply say in the most recent case that “Trump folks are stupid.” But, when you talk to Trump supporters…my experience is that far too many can’t answer even simple questions of fact correctly.

I have asked, “Who benefitted most from Trump’s tax cuts?” and most Trump supporters said, “Middle class”, even though it’s a matter of fact that 87 per cent of the last Trump tax cut rewarded the richest Americans.

Asked whether “The country’s economy was better under Trump or Biden?”…some voters in a grocery store parking lot in Florida swore it was Trump, even though facts easily prove otherwise.

One of the faults of a democracy is that just because more people vote for a candidate doesn’t mean he or she is the best choice…especially when that choice is based on lies and misinformation. Trump persuaded white men and women to believe his lies. Even a large number of Hispanics and some Black men voted for him…despite his racist attacks on them.

Racism, of course, played a part in this election…as did misogyny...both always have. The Religious Right went all in for Trump, as well…a man who violated most - if not all - Ten Commandments. Between those who didn’t bother to check easily verifiable facts…or simply[ chose to look the other way…or hold their noses…Trump got the most votes.

Unfortunately, there’s a big price to pay when people disregard truth and fact. Trust has eroded - in both political parties - to an all-time low. And like in any relationship, trust is hard to re-build once crushed under the weight of lies.

A lot of my friends and family were disconsolate when Trump won. Many lack the advantage of being, well, old. They haven’t seen what I…and many others who care about democracy, the U.S. Constitution and the Rule of Law…have witnessed first hand.

Tragically, there’s another big price to pay for those who make choices based on lies and misinformation…people suffer unnecessarily. Women and girls - robbed of a right their mothers had - are dying because their access to reproductive healthcare is limited by old white men. Immigrants - both legal and undocumented - live on the edge of a knife knowing that their families could be separated at any moment.

Women, people of colour and the poor…know what they have known for more than 200 years…their lives will be tougher because of who they are.

All that said, giving up…giving in…isn’t an option. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off…and get back to work…harder than ever. Forget over-analyzing what happened. Forget blaming…Hispanics, black men, white women and ignorant Trump supporters who very much still believe he’s a good businessman. Forget it.

Rather, get involved. Engage at every level. Organize…deal with facts and truths. Let the Republicans do what they do…they’ll likely f*** it up because political ideologues always want to claim a mandate and then push too far. Remember, almost half of America chose democracy, women’s rights, sensible gun control and an immigration policy that works for America.

So, get ready to pick up the pieces of another Trump mess…and make America great for all Americans…first in 2026, when one-third of the Senators and all Representatives are elected, and then in 2028, when a new president is chosen.

Meanwhile, my best advice: shave off the peaks…and fill in the valleys. And above all, care enough to do something.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

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