It is a few days after the election and I could not be happier this whole event is over. Not necessarily because of who won but simply because I am tired of seeing the worst come out in my fellow Americans. The disrespect that has been shown towards citizens with different opinions as well as the presidential candidates themselves is truly heartbreaking and honestly, unacceptable. At the end of the day, we are all human beings, and that includes Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. We all deserve to be treated with respect and even when being criticized it should be in an educated and thoughtful manner. What happened to the golden rule that was nailed into our heads since childhood by our families and plastered on posters that were hung in every classroom? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We live in the most amazing country where we have rights that others would kill for. We should be using these rights in the correct, most upright manner and be supportive of one another. The word “supportive” in this case means that we can at least admire each candidate’s courage and bravery for getting up in front of the whole world and asserting their beliefs and ideas all in the name of trying to make our country even better. The one common goal of both of these candidates was to become the President of the United States of America and do their best to lead, serve, and protect the citizens of this great country. Is that a goal that should be met with constant criticism, judgment, and hatred?

Throughout this campaign, comments have constantly been posted such as, “I’m not racist, I support women, I love gays, I’m a Christian, etc, but I voted for Trump” and “I’m not a cheater, I don’t believe in abortion, etc, but I voted for Hillary.” Is it really necessary to post who you voted for and then qualify your decision with a disclaimer that you don’t believe in everything they stand for? As an American citizen who is at least 18 years of age, you have the right to vote for whomever you choose. It is not necessary to share your decision with anyone and it is certainly not necessary to explain your choice. No one should have to justify their morals and values nor should anyone be judged for their beliefs. Isn’t that what America is supposed to be about? Freedom to live the way we choose and stand up for things we believe in. That’s what makes America great and we have to believe that anyone running for President supports those rights and, therefore, deserves our respect as they exercise their rights in their campaigns.

It seems like another other childhood saying would be appropriate to reference at this time. You know the one, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” but that saying is actually too juvenile when it comes to something as important as choosing our next President. People do have strong opinions when it comes to whom they choose to lead our country and they have a right to have and voice these opinions. However, there is a respectable way to do so and that is the point of this article.

Our country is not “screwed.” WE are the people and we can make it, or try to make it, what we want it to be. What we have to accept is that there will never come a time where everyone is in agreement about any issue so we need to learn how to respect that fact in the way we treat people with different beliefs and viewpoints. Donald Trump is the 46^th President of the United States of America. We, as American citizens, must now put aside what we wanted and who we voted for and support our new leader the absolute best way we can. We are a United nation, who must come together and support the decision that has been made and help keep America great by showing respect and love to each other and our chosen leader.