Take a note from former pres. actions

Friday, the 45th president of the United States was inaugurated. Donald Trump officially became the ruler of the free country. Despite critiques and protests, Trump still took the oath and was sworn into office.

Thursday Jan. 19, Barack Obama was in control of the government, as he had been for the last eight years, but as of Friday, he had no power.

And Obama gave up that power peacefully and freely.

The 1790s in America are credited with establishing modern political parties as we know them today, despite the first president George Washington’s warning to avoid the party system.

During that time there were the Republicans and the Federalists who were on opposite sides of the spectrum on most issues, and each thought the other party was a threat to the country much like today’s Republicans and Democrats.

Despite the tensions between parties, Federalist John Adams still peacefully turned over power to Republican Thomas Jefferson. This exchange of power is credited as the first time political parties peacefully accepted a loss to another party. And this peaceful exchange is now a hallmark of American democracy.

Since that first exchange, power has shifted back and forth between political parties a series of times, all which happened peacefully.

The First Amendment of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This amendment grants the citizens of the United States of America the right to peacefully protest. It gives us the right to speak critically of the government. We have the right to not agree with the government, and to tell people that we don’t agree with it.

There is a difference, however, in standing your ground and destroying property. Setting fire to vehicles and breaking windows does nothing for your cause, and is hardly the way to gain respect for your opinion. By all means, have a voice and stand up for your beliefs, but rioting will only bring harm to yourself and others.

The outgoing president also has the right to speak out against the incoming president, and he has the right to protest the exchange of power.

But, each time, the outgoing president peacefully surrenders power. He accepts that the people have elected a new president and he hands over power. He trusts the incoming president to not destroy America, even though the two do not always see eye-to-eye.

We, as American citizens, do have the right to protest what the president does and believes, but Americans did vote to elect each president.

So, despite your opinions on Donald Trump as president and despite who you voted for in the most recent election we should take a note from our outgoing president Obama, and all the former presidents, and allow Trump to take control of our government. Trust that Trump is not planning to ruin the country we love, and trust him to make the right decisions for our country, just like all of the past presidents.

Follow his presidency closely, not for the chance to ridicule Trump about the next candid photo that gets published, but to be involved with what is happening in our country. Practice your First Amendment rights and speak up when you have an idea or a complaint. But give our president a chance to lead.

We all work better with collaboration and constructive criticism when it is given to help build us up, not tear us down. We are one nation, under God, and should join together to keep America great.