Feeling Hopeful About This Election, But Grounded in Reality

After this election, I feel a surge of relief and even hope. The results are a step in a direction that, for once, resonates deeply with my values. There's been a shift toward principles I believe in—a focus on preserving rights that anchor our freedom, a renewed promise to guard against out-of-control taxation, and a stance against unaccountable spending that only seems to drain our country and benefit distant interests.

But I want to be clear: I understand how government works. These election cycles are a pattern of giving and taking, shifting power between two wings of the same bird. There’s a machine churning in the background, MUCH bigger and MORE significant than any one leader or party, and every so often, both sides get their "bone" tossed to them. This time, I’m grateful that the issues closest to my heart are in sharper focus.

While I am encouraged by the outcome, my thoughts are also with my friends and family who voted for the other side and feel sick today. I know that feeling well—I thought it four years ago. It’s a complex, unsettling feeling, and I care deeply for the people in my life who may be hurting right now.

I don’t expect everything to change overnight. Corruption in government runs deep, from secret budgets sending money overseas to powerful 3 letter alphabet agencies operating without real oversight. But for the first time in a while, it feels like we’re moving closer to addressing the core issues: protecting our 1st and 2nd amendment rights, pulling back on extreme policies like taxing unrealized gains, and ultimately returning government to the people, where it truly belongs.

There’s still work to do, and I’m not expecting miracles. But right now, I feel like we’re finally leaning into something meaningful. This election has reminded me of the importance of standing firm in my values but with my eyes wide open. It’s also reminded me to hold tight to the people I love, regardless of how they voted, because our connections with each other go far beyond politics.