On Jan. 20, 2017, when Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States, he must confront the task of uniting a country that seems as divisive as ever.

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He must resist the urge to think he doesn’t have to.
Indeed, it appears Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by a few million votes, leaving half the country in shock Wednesday morning.  There have already been reports of demonstration in U.S. cities, with protestors shouting “not my president.”
The electorate must get that out of its system too. On Jan. 20, Trump becomes everyone’s president, whether they like it or not. His success or failure becomes our success or failure.
It’s the same story with our economy: the success or failure of America’s businesses reflects our economic health. The key to creating jobs and lifting stagnant wages is not placing roadblocks in front of businesses. In this way the 2016 election can be seen as a success for American businesses.
To start, Trump will be the first American president who doesn’t have political or military experience. If you subscribe to the belief that our political system is majorly dysfunctional (it does not matter which side of the aisle you sit on), then sending a businessman to Washington D.C. is at least trying something new.
In addition, looking past the man’s style, Trump’s positions seem to favor positive economic growth — he promises to put “America’s Infrastructure First,” negotiate fair trade deals that create American jobs, reduce taxes for working and middle-income people, reduce bureaucracy, reform our regulatory codes and create 25 million new jobs.
It’s a tall order, but that’s the kind of hope we must latch on to and support, for the good of the country.
Drilling deeper into local politics, Fresno is also receiving a leader with a background in business. Incoming Mayor Lee Brand is known for his fiscal restraint, and while that’s not always sexy, it’s the kind of leadership Fresno needed to avoid bankruptcy. It’s the kind of leadership we need now, to improve our economic conditions.
It was also a successful night for incumbents in state and congressional districts. The San Joaquin Valley is often overlooked in Legislative circles, by urban politicians who are quick to write off “backwaters” such as the Valley. Incumbency means experience and seniority.
No doubt we have friends or relatives who are absolutely devastated by the results of this election. Then there are those who may choose to gloat or rub it in that their party/candidate/issue won. Let’s all get that out of our system and move forward together.