Ah, politics. They ruin friendships, they create ceaseless arguments, and they sully a good Thanksgiving dinner with their conflict. And if ever there was a political hullabaloo to end all political hullabaloos, it’s this one. The presidential election has created an endless supply of hostility, fear, and Jobama memes. So I offer my humble opinions into the whole matter. Stay as aloof as you please, these are opinions after all. Just like before, if you have something to say, be polite and courteous, and I will be happy to engage in a civil conversation. Apart from that, I have no patience for the nastiness that seems to have characterized this election. Apologies. So do please enjoy this article…I hope a few of you connect with it.

To the Trump supporters: allow me to be blunt. I did not vote for him. I respect you for doing so. What makes America great is the freedom to vote for whoever you want without feeling guilty. You did your part as citizens, and I respect you. But stop telling people to calm down and stop saying everything will be fine. Allow the people on the opposing side to feel how they want; that too is a freedom of speech. And unfortunately, some of them have a right to be scared.

While I am sure you did not agree with everything Trump and Pence stood for, you still voted for them, and that means you supported all their ideals. And sadly, some of their ideals involves deporting citizens, registering an entire ethnic group, and electrocuting people until their sexuality fits a certain social norm. People have a genuine right to be scared, and your telling them to be quiet and suck it up is nothing more than sheer ignorance.

Already we have seen hate crimes and beatings from the Trump supporters, albeit the far right, slightly insane ones. So be proud your candidate won; you have a right to. But I will kindly remind you that when Obama won eight years ago, there were public riots and vulgar displays as well. This is what happens every election cycle. Let the people feel.

To the Hillary supporters: Sit down and shut up, please for the love of all that is holy. I understand your concern and I understand your fear, but we have had worse presidents, I assure you. Andrew Jackson ran on a campaign of genocide, and he’s remembered quite fondly.

What makes America great is our peaceful transfer of power, and by basically throwing a hissy fit, you’re making a mockery of us. And how dare you bully and beat the people who voted for Trump; they had their right as Americans to do it. Am I scared for my future and perhaps my life as a minority? Yes, I am. Am I protesting and rioting? No, I am not. I did not want Donald Trump to attain office, but he did.

And now we must trust him with the future of our country, whether we like it or not. The Republicans did the same for Obama, as did every other opposing side after every election. That’s the way of it. So stop whining and protesting. Let’s save that in case some horrible anti-whatever law does get written later. Because trust me, I’ll be grabbing my sign then, too.

And finally, to those of you who didn’t vote at all: Shame on you. You are responsible for deciding the fate of an entire country, so act like it. I can understand not wanting to vote for either candidate; I, frankly, only chose Hillary so that Trump wouldn’t get into office. But then you should have voted for someone else (Third-party voters, don’t let people tell you off. Respect for voting your mind (except if you voted for Harambe, because then eat my reeking shorts)). By not voting, you waive all your rights for complaining, for bragging, or for being dissatisfied with this outcome. Because you had your chance, and you blew it. So there.

Now then! We have a very interesting few years ahead of us, as Americans. I hope President Trump makes some good decisions, I personally will be rooting for him. He is running the country, after all. So just as a quick wrap-up, Trump supporters: Shut up. Hillary supporters: Shut up. We need to work together on this to fight the people who really do wish us harm. Trump supporters are amazing people, and so are Hillary supporters. Politics should not alter anything, but it does. That is the naked truth of it. So I just beg that we can see past it to the love and kindness that we all deserve. Peace out, America.