I’ve been a lifelong Democrat who has occasionally voted Republican. When I heard the election results last Wednesday, I was immediately shocked and disappointed because I had voted for Hillary Clinton and thought she was the most qualified to be president. Clinton’s 30 years of public service has been exemplary I didn’t believe the “damn emails” would amount to anything and after eight bipartisan independent hearings on Benghazi she was found not culpable. I think our country owes her a debt of gratitude. She ran a hard- fought campaign and didn’t use a lot of divisive and cruel language.

However, Donald Trump is now our president-elect and will be our commander-in-chief. As a veteran, if asked to serve our country again (highly unlikely at my age), I would gladly do so, even with him as president. But I do fear that our country is divided and unless we find common ground his presidency could be dangerous for our republic. If Trump cannot heal the wounds of the economically depressed, then our country will not be great again. Bernie Sanders supporters and people who think that their children will not have a better life than their own and the demonstrations we seen after the election will pale next to what you’ll see in the future.

Trump has a big challenge and will need all our help. Many of our citizens feel the pinch in their pocketbook and many can’t afford the cost of higher education or healthcare. These are just a few of the points that need to be addressed. I can’t remember, in my lifetime, when there’s been so much uncertainty after a presidential election. Trump’s campaign promises to ban Muslims, build the border wall, expel illegal immigrants, demolish Obamacare, sue the nine women accusers etc., etc. This leaves me with cloudy thoughts on what’s next. Does he really mean what he says? Will Trump provide a steady course for the ships of state?

I feel we’re on a rocky road, and at 72, it makes me nervous. I think older citizens prefer to ride on a smooth road rather than one strewn with boulders. Hopefully, American democracy will prevail and our young people will have a bright future.

Now, on the other hand, Trump could become what we do want: a true change agent for a broken political system. If he “drains the swamp” of the truly corrupt and the cleans up many laws and regulations that make our everyday lives impossible to improve, then maybe, maybe, he will be a president to not fear, but rather watch with awe and surprise. Donald Trump will have to try to bring our country back together, and using foul rhetoric won’t help. We are basically decent people and want to be free of racism, poverty, bigotry and sexism.

Wouldn’t it be nice if one day our children and our children’s children could call the name of man or woman with pride in humankind?

Jed Brummer lives in Rindge.