As we collectively watched the results from the election, liberals, left-wing anarchists and many others gathered all over the U.S. to protest. Some damaged property, caused mayhem and burned flags while others simply looked stunned. It was all quite sensational. But also misguided. The election was a solid rebuke of crony capitalism and corruption; it was also a rebuke of the Obama policies Hillary Clinton promised to continue.

Those of us who decided they had had enough of socialism, debt and centralized government stayed home and just watched the mobs. The pendulum swung and those who felt secure enough in their own convictions to vote for what we all know was an imperfect candidate also had the conviction to stand up and silently take a stand against a government run wild. Trump was the only choice.

With the Affordable Care Act debacle collapsing under its own weight, significant climate change yet to actually happen, and a disgraceful Iran nuke deal endangering our survival, the Obama administration simply failed to realize the American people expected more from government than just designating bathrooms for the LBGT community. A problem no one knew we had.

In truth, Republicans were to blame as well. A feckless bunch that pretty much rubber stamped everything Obama wanted. The vote also rejected the Republicans’ spineless stand against tyranny just as much as it was against Obama and the Clinton machine.

Tyranny? Yes. The use of executive orders to willfully disregard the rule of law is just that. We as a nation should not be subject to progressive whims and the reckless manipulation of our Constitution or the Supreme Court for political purposes.

Democrats turned a mounting border security issue into a racial issue. Clinton turned it into a campaign issue. Trump didn’t seem to care. Why would he? He was simply addressing an increasing threat posed by those who would seek to harm us.

Orderly control of our borders is not racist. It’s essential to our survival as a nation. People come here for a better life. Not the corruption or dysfunction they came from. If we are to welcome those people here, we owe them a safe arrival, a hardy welcome, a leg up and a chance to thrive. Not the disrespect and dependence that comes with a welfare check.

Coming to America should be a privilege and treated with respect. It shouldn’t be a mass migration because one political party seeks to bolster its voter ranks. Neither candidate was perfect, and of the two, Clinton epitomized what’s wrong with government. Protected by a politicized Justice Department that should have convened a grand jury investigation into her scandalous use of a private email server and the Clinton Foundation’s obvious “pay for play” scam was the “kicker” for many Americans. And that includes a lot of Democrats.

Donald Trump is no Republican. He straddled whatever fence it took to get elected just like any other politician. His lack of experience is no greater than former community organizer Barack Obama’s was after a short “do nothing” tenure in the Senate. Out of roughly 319 million Americans to pick from, sadly we got these two. And it caused quite a stir.

For every protester who took to the street the past few days there were at least 10 people who felt just as strongly about the prospect of a Clinton administration. They also failed to realize this country is a representative democracy with a check-and-balance system that’s stronger than any one person. Our elections are decided at the ballot box. Not in the street.

In the end, those of us who voted for Trump, despite the lies and half-truths from both sides, Trump’s shortcomings and all the rest, it was Trump that stood up for liberty and the rule of law. Not some “feel good” political agenda offering free stuff to the masses simply for showing up.

— Paul McKendry lives in Bend.