A Moderate's Resignation

She quoted scripture. Galatians 6:9. "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Never have I loved her more than then while listening to her concession speech play live over NPR in my car as I drove to an event for Latino High School students where I'd hand them fliers about a program the new president could very well eliminate. It made me wish I had done more to fight for her when there was still a chance.

I guess I just always thought it was a given she was going to win. Trump said too many offensive and ignorant things. How could people take him seriously?

I read his platform points for the first time today. Went to his empire's website and looked at a picture of him sitting in a claw-footed chair surrounded by candlesticks and marble everything. And wondered how it is that he connects with the working class people who came to all his rallies.

Because Hillary said we owe him an open mind and a peaceful transition of power, I tried to find something I could agree with. He wants to put term limits on congressmen and women. That's wise. He wants to let local school districts have more control over their education. That's good. He won't draw a presidential salary. That's only fitting.

I'm still wary of the man who has verbally abused women and belittled minorities. And no money of mine is paying for any idiotic wall.

But I'm also not blacking out my Twitter pic, or protesting in the streets, or filling social media with sensational and rare (if very, very unfortunate) racist reactions. We don't need to foment any more fear.

When Donald Trump sat down to tell the press about his meeting with President Obama today, he looked humbled and subdued. There's a reason all the presidents go gray-haired within their first few years in office. Let's hope the president-elect is starting to get a real good feeling for the solemnity of what he's signed up for.

Besides, "the assumption of good faith in our fellow citizens is essential to a vibrant and functioning economy." President Obama said that in his remarks about the outcome of the election. It reminded me of what the current Latter-day prophet has said: "We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become..."

Of course, President Monson ended that statement with "...when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ." I'm not sure that will happen for Mr. Trump within the next four years, but if I truly believe "the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction," I better start living it. And that means supporting what I can about the president-elect's upcoming administration, respectfully and appropriately protesting as necessary, and, more than anything else, living a kind, moderate, and good life in my own sphere of influence.

Who's with me?