Why America will not fail to accept the results of this election
Whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton wins the presidential election this year, America will accept the results of the election.
How can I make that statement after one of our candidates refused to confirm that he would accept the results of the election during the final presidential debate?
I can say that because I believe in America.
For 240 years, the rest of the world has watched and waited for the United States of America to run off the rails — to fail in our quest for liberty — to weaken in our resolve to adhere to the principles of our Constitution — to falter in our commitment to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
But we have never failed. Whether threatened by civil unrest or outside forces, America has never failed. We didn’t fail when tested by the horror of our own Civil War in the 1860s. We didn’t fail when faced with broad social changes such as the women’s suffrage movement at the turn of the twentieth century or the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
We didn’t fail when threats demanded we stand up for freedom during World War I or World War II; and we didn’t fail when terrorists attacked in 2001.
We did not fail because, like a family, Americans pull together during times of strife or threat; and we did not fail because our Constitution provides the road map to our survival.
This is not the first time an American presidential election caused political unrest. The election of 1800 between Federalist John Adams and the Democratic-Republican candidate, Thomas Jefferson, was similar to the Trump-Clinton battle dividing Americans today. That election, like today’s, occurred during a time of political change, between two unpopular candidates, who both resorted to slander and personal attacks.
Many Americans despaired of the other candidate winning and the candidates and their surrogates issued dire warnings for the future of our young nation if their candidate didn’t win. So what happened?
In an election that came to be known as the Revolution of 1800, the world’s first peaceful transfer of power between political parties took place. And to this date, through 57 national elections, America’s commitment to the peaceful transfer of power has never wavered.
Even during the four U.S. elections when a presidential candidate received fewer popular votes, but won the Electoral College, the results of our elections prevailed.
As recently as the election of 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush won the Electoral College. Later, accusations of voter fraud followed a controversial recount in Florida; and the election result was delayed for weeks before a final court judgment was issued. But when that decision came down, just as they did in 1800 — Americans accepted the results.
In his concession speech, Al Gore said, “I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country. […] President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities. I, personally, will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans — I particularly urge all who stood with us — to unite behind our next president.”
And Americans will not fail in a peaceful transfer of power following this election. We will not fail because we trust that our election system is fair; because we trust that our Constitution will protect our rights as American citizens; and because we trust that our three branches of government will guard against the abuse of power by any one individual.
Once the election is over, our focus will return to the disputes, both foreign and domestic, plaguing America today. We will work through our differences to face our social issues, immigration concerns, economic problems, and civic unrest. And we will come together to bear the burden of leadership thrust upon us as foreign entities continue to threaten world peace.
Yes, I believe in America. And, in January of 2017, we will prove to ourselves and the rest of the world that America remains unyielding in our dedication to our common good and unwavering in our determination to remain a beacon of freedom to the world. We can do no less.
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Mary Jane Honegger is a resident of Rathdrum.