Election was a wake- up call

The voters on November 7 spoke out loud and clear, and never more so than in my municipality of Newlin Township, a Republican stronghold for generations.

Of all the contested offices on the Newlin ballot, Democrats won all but one. This is unheard of. The election was not so much a contest for local and state offices as it was a rebuke to the head of the National Republican Party, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

Like it or not, Republican candidates all run under the Trump banner regardless of their personal views, and many paid the price.

The election was both a revolution and a revelation. It was a revolt against a President who many perceive as shallow, callous, ignorant, narcissi, devoid of decency and dignity, and who apparently holds few if any ethical values.

The revelation came after last year’s presidential election when many people decided not to sit idly by and watch the democracy dissolve into rubble.

Instead, they became actively involved in the elective process.

Committees were formed, strategies developed, new voters registered, and concerted efforts were made to get out the vote with phone calls, personal visits, and social media; and it paid off.

The results of this election should have benefits for all of us.

Newly elected Democrats now have the responsibility of office and must demonstrate they deserve the trust given them by voters and work for the common good of all of their constituents.

Democrats should also use this election as a springboard for the 2018 election, which has national implications, by encouraging qualified candidates to run for office, continuing to register voters, and energizing their voter base.

For Republicans, this is a wake- up call to get back to their core values and repudiate the fringe areas of their party starting with Mr. Trump who is not qualified to be the leader of the Republican Party or President of the United States.

It is not enough for Republican politicians who are retiring from Congress to speak out. Republicans who hold national, state, and local offices and those who are running for office need to publicly repudiate the un- American ideas that Mr. Trump and the fringe right espouse.

For Independents, it is time to rethink your position. “A plague on both your houses” is not a productive position in a democracy.

It borders on condensation to say you are above the fray.

Take a position, join a Party, make your voice heard.

Vote in the Primary Election.

Participate in the democratic process.

The United States of America is the greatest country in the world, and all of us have the responsibility to see that it stays that way. RoseLynn Malarek

Newlin Township