It would be easy, for those of us who disfavored Donald Trump and his politics and swore that his candidacy could not succeed, to drown in self-pity and cast blame in many directions. And many will resort to this tactic.

Trump may have been abhorrent to many. However, the reality is that he awoke a sleeping giant in an electorate tired of promises and political correctness that have failed to elevate them from their floundering economic status — a condition in which they were stuck regardless of how hard they worked. We were blinded by the light of principled political speech from Hillary Clinton, which voters concluded would not change their place in life.

Political rhetoric and promised priorities are often seen as both the means to get elected and the ends that an official will pursue. Time will tell to what degree the new president follows the course he has offered. However, based upon the successes that Trump has achieved in many aspects of his career, one can only hope that much of the venom of the campaign will transform into a fierce motivation to improve the plight of the many who, in their plea for help, gave him an unexpected victory.

One way or the other, President-elect Trump deserves the support of all of us. Whining about what we expected to happen on Election Day will serve no purpose.

Steve Kramer

Mashpee