Jonestown...The Morning After...

It happened.

You aren't dreaming...it actually happened.

Donald Trump is the next president of the United States of America.

Yeah, I know.  I never thought I would get to write those words either.

Last night one political commentator compared this election to America being offered an experimental drug and deciding to "swallow the pill." (Images of  The Matrix rolling through my head...well at least we know we took the red pill, right?)

And now we wait to see the results.

Despite the importance of this vote it's time to focus on some much more important votes that were taken yesterday:

The Republicans have taken back the House of Representatives.

The Republicans have maintained control of the Senate.

Nationwide, state and local seats that have traditionally been Democrat stronghold have turned over to the Republicans. (Most notably the State House of Representatives in Kentucky, which has belonged to the Democrats for literally 100 years now has a Republican majority for the first time in a CENTURY!!!)

This election wasn't just about Hillary vs. Trump.

This is a clear mandate.

Americans are fed up.  They are tired of the weakening of the national defense.  They are tired of losing jobs that their families have depended on for generations (aka the closing of coal mines across Eastern Kentucky that cost Democrat Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo a seat he had previously held for 30 years.).  They are tired of not being able to feel good about their country's place in the changing international economy.

They are simply flat out tired of the last 8 years of American politics.

Americans want a change.

Do you remember the last time Americans demanded a change?

8 years ago.

In fact, the original Obama campaign posters incorporated the word "change" around his name.

Well, Americans got their "change" 8 years ago.

And they are about to get their "change" again.

Here's to hoping that this time the change that so many people have demanded actually results in a stronger economy and an America that we can all be proud to call home.



John Eric Buckley is the author of The Worst of Times crime series, the Elsewhere sci fi collection. the Disgruntled romantic comedies and the political thriller Shadow of Benghazi.  Find his books on Kindle, Nook, Amazon and most major online retailers. 

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @johnericbuckley