2016 Postmortem

A presidential election always comes down to two choices: D or R. We know what the Democrats stand for, and we know what the Republicans stand for. Your vote affects not only you personally, but the entire nation.

In this election, the choice was between HRC and Trump. We know who they both are, their past histories, their vision for the country, etc.

Failing to be "rallied" to vote is a lame excuse for not doing so. It's a civic responsibility, not a popularity contest.

No one should need prodding, cajoling, or sweet-talking in order to vote. "She didn't show up where I live, so I'm not going to participate at all" is beyond stupid thinking.

Every eligible voter who chooses not to vote - for whatever reason - is responsible for who winds up being elected, because every non-vote is one less vote that the ultimate winner didn't have to overcome in order to be elected.
It's really as simple as that.

No one actually likes standing on line at the DMV to renew a driver's license - but they do it anyway, without having to be "rallied" by someone to do so. That's because there are consequences to driving without a license. How much more dire are the consequences of allowing someone like Trump to be running the entire country for the next four years - consequences that affect everyone, and not just the unlicensed driver?

I've no doubt that many, many voters who actually despise Hillary got off their asses, stood on line at a polling station, and voted for her anyway. Why? Because it was going to be either HRC or Trump in the WH, and they understood how important it was to keep him OUT of power, whether they liked Hillary or not. Oftentimes, casting a ballot is a vote AGAINST one candidate rather than FOR the other - and that serves a purpose as well.

By your logic, anyone who lives in a town, city, county - whatever - that Hillary didn't physically show up in has a built-in excuse not to vote. And it's a totally bullshit excuse.

I hope all of those who didn't vote are happy with pResident Trump - because by their inaction, they helped elect him.

Somehow I doubt that their "well, I didn't vote because she didn't campaign here" reasoning is going to be of much comfort in the days to come.