Donald Trump beat some incredible odds last night. He spent far less money on the campaign than his opponent. He had opponents in the Democrats, the media, the never-Trumpers, and the Republican establishment. He even shot himself in the foot numerous times, but in the end, he won. His campaign manager says he has a mandate. But what is the mandate for?
It is not for an unaccountable presidency. He was not elected to say whatever he wants or do whatever he pleases. He was not elected because he is abusive or racist or angry. If he assumes he may continue along that path with impunity, his success will be short-lived.
His election was the last gasp of constituents who were pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. They were desirous of smaller federal government and worried about the erosion of our human, not civil, rights. They wanted rule-of-law judges on the Supreme court. They wanted to free our economy from the malaise of regulation and wayward social experimentation.
It is not as if anyone believed he would do anything constructive in that direction. But, it was a surety that the policies of Hillary Clinton would be effective steps in the wrong direction. In this election, lip-service to those values was considered a higher good. Effective work in the wrong direction is a greater evil.
Donald Trump must be careful to discern the reasons for his election. It was not his character or his rhetoric. Continued divisiveness, anger, and abuse will cause great evil in the coming years. Donald Trump was elected to repair the ruin of a progressive predecessor. If he can do that, history may think better of him.
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