Trump is going to be the next President. So what now?
You can make a political difference
Last night, Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Election to become the next leader of the American people. He reached the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency by securing victories in many key swing states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida, in a major statistical and political upset.
It’s finally over folks. The ballots have been cast and counted all across America. Donald J. Trump is going to be sworn in as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America on January 20th, 2017.
Now obviously, a good chunk of American, college-age voters are not happy with those results. All these months of waiting, of pushing ceaselessly for your candidate (or simply against the one put forward by the other party), and it’s all gone for naught.
What do you do next? How could you possibly move forward and steer the country in the direction you believe it should take? Is it even possible if your choice for president comes up short? Well try these simple coping mechanisms and you might just make a difference well after the polls have closed.
This isn’t optimism. It’s the way in which you can use a political system that you might currently believe has wronged you.
Stay up to date with politics
Contrary to how it might feel, this election is not the end of American politics. Our government will continue to function, bills will continue to be authored and debated in Congress, Supreme Court justices will still be appointed.
This isn’t the last time you’ll be able to vote over the course of this presidency. Election Day is every November, and each race and issue voted on will affect our government and your place in it.
Stay informed and up to date, and your vote could affect which presidential policies are enacted and which die in Congress.
Stay connected with your members of Congress
The Senators and Representatives that your state elects are meant to carry your voice all the way to Washington D.C. Make sure that voice is heard. Call your various members of Congress, tell them what you’d like them to do in order to represent you.
Even if you didn’t vote for them, they are the most valuable asset you have in creating change in Washington. Do your best to explain to them why that change would be positive for your state or the nation at large. Look up their contact information, and use it to your advantage in the coming years.
Don’t know where to start? How about newly re-elected Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey? His Pittsburgh office can be reached at (412)-803-3501.
Protest
This one is going to require some real effort, but that’s what it takes to get things done sometimes. The freedom of assembly is a hallmark of American political liberty.
If you don’t like something or someone, you have the right to peacefully protest. Organize a rally at the Pittsburgh City-County Building. Start a dialogue on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. If at all possible, make it to Washington D.C. at some point during the next four years.
You really want to make a scene? You really want to get everyone to notice what you and those you support are bringing to the table? Go to the heart of American politics, and be as loud as you can be.
Speak your mind
Do what I’m doing now! Write down your thoughts, and share them with others. Start a blog, make a YouTube channel, or, you know, pen an article for a student news site (as a random, non-specific example).
Don’t stop spreading your message and the message of those you support for office. If you don’t like those in office, criticize them, and do it publicly. You’re free to do so in this country, so why not take full advantage of that privilege?