I thought was simple. People run for office. Someone gets more votes and wins. The losers don't have to like the result of the 2016 presidential election, but it's hard to see what part of democracy is served by going out into the street and yelling "He's not my president." Well, yes he is. Or will be.
There's a time to protest a president, as we boomers know well. But that time is after the president has actually been in office and done something. Then there's something to march for, or protest against. We did that pretty well in the 60s, first for elimination of institutional racism, then against an unwanted war. There weren't coalitions of unhappiness getting together to march in the streets for dozens of unconnected causes. Today's disturbances are the public equivalent of holding your breath till you turn blue, the outburst of children who don't get their way. What will be changed? What will be made different? What sense is there in lashing about in a fury because you don't like the way the election went?
Tell you what. Let's all declare a National Day of Angst. One day when all work will cease, when people will be allowed to go out in large groups and yell really loud. Cry, scream, blow out the pipes. Close the bars, liquor stores, pot shops. Keep people away from plate glass windows. Let them carry guns but ban ammo. Then at midnight, make it stop. Send everyone home, and tell them to get a good night's sleep and be ready to go back to work or class or video games or whatever will occupy them tomorrow.
Whether you like it or not, America has spoken. You may be frustrated and angry, but you're not the only ones. Others expressed their frustration and anger - or their hope - by going to the polls and voting. There were more of them.
You get another chance next time. So have your cry. Then get over it.
