As 2016 draws to a close, a final act of weirdness befell America this week when Donald Trump was actually elected president of the United States.

This was pretty much a foregone conclusion in November, but with the ups and downs we’ve seen this year, nothing was certain as members of the Electoral College cast their votes – the only ones that really mattered – on Monday and formally elected Trump.

One article I read from a reliable news source said this was the first time since 1872 that there has been more than one “faithless electors.”  Two Texas electors did not cast their ballots for Trump – one went with former US Rep. Ron Paul and the other went for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Hillary Clinton had four of her electors from Washington state defect and vote for other people.

So unless something extraordinary happens, Trump will become president next month, and America is in for an interesting time to be sure.

Trump is loud, brash, and unrestrained. The decorum of the presidency, therefore, will be markedly different than anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes.

There is no controlling Donald Trump. For better or worse, he’s his own man and will do as he damn well pleases, no matter whose toes he steps on.

There are some toes that need stomping in Washington. Some bureaucrats need to be reminded they are not omnipotent, and the government as a whole needs a lesson that “business as usual” just isn’t working for many Americans.

The challenge for America is how it responds to Trump. He needs to be supported when he’s right and working for the common good, but he needs to be challenged – by both parties – when (not if) he goes off the rails. And we need to stay true to the things that have made America great in the past as the new administration seeks to make it great “again.”

America is a nation of immigrants. The nation needs to be mindful of that and cognizant of the strength that the “melting pot” of cultures has been for this country.

Some of our basic tenants are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. These freedoms must be applied equally or they are meaningless. Free speech covers the right to offend or it is not free. A free press will by its nature step on the toes of those in power. And religious freedom does not just apply to evangelical Christian nationalists. It applies to Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Native Americans, and any other faith you can think of.

If we can’t rally around those simple liberties, that there is no way America will ever be great… either now or again. Soon-to-be President Trump has indicated he has trouble understanding that. It will be up to the People and members of his own party to make sure he has some clarity on the subject as we move forward.

God willing, the new president’s better angels will guide him as the new year gets underway.  Let’s hope so.

Meanwhile…

Looking back on 2016, we would like to thank each of you for your continued support for this newspaper. Since 1878, we have been bringing you the news each week and chronicling our community’s ups and downs. But that could not be possible if it were not for our advertisers and readers.

We also want to thank the contributions of Morgan Wheatly and Tara Allred. Without them, you would not be reading this because they play an extremely important role in producing this paper each week. And let’s not forget Kari Lindsey, Sandy Anderberg, Peggy Cockerham, Kathy Spier, and everyone who contributes pictures, articles, and information to help us bring you the news. Ashlee and I appreciate all of you. We thank you for your efforts and look forward to working with you in the new year.

Speaking of Ashlee, I would personally like to thank her for all her contributions to the Enterprise and for keeping me sane but most of all for putting up with this crusty old editor for these last 12 years of wedded bliss. Happy anniversary, Sunshine!

To everyone, Merry Christmas from our family to yours, and may God richly bless you in the new year.