"I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
I'm proud to say there's men (and women) who've died,
Who gave their Lives for me.
I'll gladly stand up,
Next to you,
And defend this country"
Arguably some of THE most powerful lyrics ever written in this country's history. Yes folks, even more powerful than Beyonce's last two albums....
So what do they mean? In today's world, so many of us are not proud to be an American. So many of us woke up this morning dreading what the next four years will be like. On the same token, some of us woke up excited, invigorated, and, dare I say, hopeful for what is to come. I woke up grateful. Grateful because I got to VOTE. Did my candidate win? No. He did not, he never had a chance, but who cares? Because I voted, I got to express my opinion and directly affect the future of this country. And so did all of you, win or lose, voting isn't some big competition. The presidency should not be a popularity contest.
The fact that this year's election mirrored a clique of middle school girls with access to social media is embarrassing. On the global stage, America is most certainly questionable right now.
There's no doubt that morals and quality characteristics were lacking in this election, but do you know what was not? Politics. These candidates have ideas, big ideas, and sadly, most of you don't even know what those ideas are; you just voted to spite the other candidate.
So do yourself, and your country a favor and go educate yourself. No, "Saturday Night Live" skits are not peer reviewed sources, and yes, Trump has an actual platform.
-He supports the privatization of healthcare. The affordable care act has been FAR from affordable, pray to God that it will finally have a chance at being repealed.
-He supports cracking down on immigration. No, he is not going to send you back to Africa, Mexico, Haiti, Guatemala, Germany, Ireland, or wherever the hell you came from IF YOU CAME HERE LEGALLY. He is simply going to ensure that people pay their taxes and help this country grow stronger.
-He is in support of keeping small middle-eastern countries out of NATO. Though Hillary wanted to have them join to secure more votes against Russian takeover of the oil field (a smart but extremely risky plan), Trump says no. He recognizes that article five of the NATO treaty requires that if one country is attacked (no matter how tiny or unable to defend themselves), the entire alliance must go to war aiding them. So really, Trump's stance on this issue is LESS likely to cause WWIII than Clinton's proposal.
-He does not support late-term abortion. Okay, I'm a woman, so I believe it is a woman's choice to do what she wishes with her body, and I don't think a man should have a say, but hey, we can't all agree on everything.
-He supports the Second Amendment. It is part of the constitution--the document upon which this country was founded--and it should 100% be respected and upheld.
-He is against raising taxes. No, that is not the same as giving tax breaks to the wealthy and up-charging the poor, he supports a stable rate of taxation, and I agree. Making more, should not mean you have to give up even larger of a portion of your salary, those people work just as hard for their money as others do, and they deserve to keep it.
There are many more components to his platform, and to the other candidates that just took office because, by the way (in case you didn't know) the office of POTUS isn't the only one you voted on..... So go, do your research, and thank your lucky stars that you are an American--because otherwise all your super ignorant, rude, and inappropriate social media posts could get you beheaded (:
And thank God for our military (whom Trump supports) for protecting our rights to vote, moan, complain, and celebrate as much as we please!!!