I was not for, or a fan of Donald Trump. However, working in rural southern Wisconsin, the typical Trump country, I live, work and play with a lot of typical Trump supporters. They are my colleagues, my patients, my neighbors, hunting buddies and all. This election season challenged us all in many ways. Many a time we would have discussions on the rhetoric and other hot-button topics, always with civility and often finding a lighter comical side to the situation.
The one thing I can vouch for is that the overwhelming majority of these
Trump supporters are not racists or bigots. Calling them such is akin to calling all Muslims terrorists. Actually, it is the opposite. Many of them are some of the best people I have ever met. They are decent and hardworking. I can also see where they are coming from. While many of us rode the American dream, many of them feel left behind. Like many of us, they are sick and tired of a Washington which is not working together or to the best of its ability. And they have spoken out not with an indecent revolt but by the power of their vote as such happens in strong republics, something which America proudly is. All kudos to them. The voice of their vote needs to be heard and respected.
I do not know how the Trump presidency is going to play out. What I know is that America of today is that big old freight train pulling only with half of its engine power. In staying divided, we under achieve our true potential, in so many things we do even when the desire to do good is there in the first place. Affordable care act is one such example where a well-intended law needs to improve with not one but both parties coming to the party. I must also add here that trying to repeal or replace this law would be a huge mess which would further divide the ranks when a bipartisan effort to improve upon it could be a much better option.
It often appears that as political rivals, we are wanting and waiting on the other side to fail just to feel good and prove our point, not realizing that we are all sitting on that same one thick branch. Swim or sink, we are in this together. We need not be the best of the best friends as long as we aim to be the best fellow citizens, the best fellow Americans. Many of these Trump supporters I know have done exactly that for years. Now it is our turn.
Trump was not my choice for President, but I shall do everything in my power to bridge this divide because that I believe is the right thing to do and by not doing just that is exactly how our enemies would like us to remain.
Your move Mr. Trump.