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Monday, November 11, 2024

Reflections After Elections

"...the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God governs in the affairs of men."

~ Benjamin Franklin, in the Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer

I was out of the country during the week of our presidential election. It was something of a relief to be removed from the intensity of media coverage. It also afforded an interesting opportunity to observe the deep interest with which foreign citizens follow our political events. There were many questions from drivers, waiters, and many other service personnel. Most of them supported the Democrat; having watched some of their media coverage, I understand why. Their "news" made MSNBC seem conservative.

Being several time zones ahead of the USA, I went to bed Tuesday night with a restless feeling that led me to awaken every hour or so to check the electoral college map on my phone. It was nearly dawn before I saw that Donald Trump's total had hit the necessary 270 mark. At that point I could sleep peacefully.

It was comforting and exhilarating to know that, as I had done, my fellow countrymen had voted overwhelmingly to change course. The change was not limited to the presidency but showed up in the Senate races results. The House of Representatives is still counting some races but has a whisper-thin lead for Republicans and looks promising to complete the sweep.

It has been less than a week since Election Day, and already so much has been said and written about the results that nothing new or noteworthy could be added here. There are two outstanding articles that I would direct you to for some of the most thorough and rational reasons why Trump's resounding victory unfolded as it did. Victor Davis Hanson provides his usual incisive forensic analysis in American Greatness, and in UnHerdDavid Samuels offers a fascinating and insightful explanation of how Obama's hubris proved to be his undoing. Both pieces are well worth reading. 

Today is Veterans Day. Thank you once again to all who have served in our military. I believe that you especially, along with every American, will be safer now.