Lift Up Your Hearts!

On the eve of Election Day, as I await the results with some trepidation, I ponder the question, "Are you sorry you voted for Trump?"

Many who voted for him in 2024 are disappointed in what President Trump has accomplished in the first two years of this term. But after much consideration, I can say, "Absolutely I do not regret my vote. I am happy that Donald Trump is our president." Of course he has disappointed me in some areas, but no more than any other president and a lot less than many. The state America was in when he took office was dire, and still is. The problems have been building for a long time, under administrations of both political parties, and accelerated markedly under President Biden—or whoever was holding the reins of power at that time. Critical situations that have developed over several decades will not be fixed in a couple of years, and not without pain.

Does that mean I approve of President Trump's behavior? Often not. But after more than seven decades, I've realized that the people you need most in some situations are not always the most polished.

More than two years ago, shortly before the last presidential election, I clipped something that Jordan Peterson had to say about Donald Trump's flaws in a conversation with Elon Musk, and I finally have occasion to use it:

He's a complicated person, and I've been trying to figure him out, because some of the things that look like flaws might be advantages in disguise. He seems to me to be pretty good at standing up to psychopathic bullies, for example, and that's a useful skill, and it's not easy. You have to be a bit of a monster to manage that. And it isn't obvious to me how many of even the divisive idiosyncrasies of Trump are the mirror image of his capacity to stand up to bullies, and that's a tough call.

When I look at what President Trump has actually accomplished, I am more impressed than I have been with any president since Ronald Reagan—who was himself a rough character I came to appreciate slowly.

On border security Trump has done remarkably well: reducing new illegal immigration and encouraging the departure of those who are already in the country without permission—through financial incentives when possible, force of law when not. Unfortunately, a president with a different attitude toward wide-open borders could wreak havoc again, but that's another issue.

Many people are bitterly disappointed because of our involvement in new foreign wars, and I don't blame them. America has been notoriously bad at overseas military involvement: stepping into hornets' nests and leaving after accomplishing little more than stirring them up. But I also realize that our national security is in bad shape on many levels and that sometimes war is necessary. At least Trump recognizes the danger that faces us on many fronts and is trying to address it. 

He has been hindered by the many court battles dogging his steps. The right to challenge policies in court is essential in a democracy, but it's hard to be effective when your actions keep getting put on hold. Even if you win in the end, delay is costly in battle. The process may be necessary, but I don't hold it against President Trump when others keep undercutting his efforts.

What pleases me most about this administration is that I, along with a great many others, finally feel heard. At last someone in power is considering some of the concerns I've had for decades. RFK Jr. hasn't done nearly as much in his position as I had hoped, but nonetheless he has successfully shone a spotlight on issues that many of us feel need addressing, especially in the areas of nutrition and health.

Overall, I am encouraged by what President Trump has accomplished. Am I satisfied? No. But I will hold to the path that still seems best.

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