Martha Stewart is a household sweetheart in the U.S., well-known as a businesswoman, writer and television personality. From her work in home and retail to her do-it-yourself crafts and recipes, the 83-year-old entrepreneur has won the hearts of many homes in the country. Like the 47th president-elect of the U.S. Donald Trump, Stewart has dedicated fans who hold her work in her field very high.
The difference between them: Stewart served five months in prison for the felonies she was convicted of.
Following the results of this year’s election, it is true there should be a peaceful transition of power and a certain level of trust that should come with counting votes and accepting whatever result. Despite this, voters have failed to think about the character and the face that would be representing the U.S.
Although political controversy is nothing new to the Oval Office, with affairs and bribery acknowledged and swept under the rug before, Trump’s reelection is something voters can not and should not ignore.
Regardless of the productivity of policies or promises made by a candidate, there is only so much one can look past before problems should be outwardly acknowledged. With 34 counts of falsified business records, it makes little sense that the next president of the U.S. can carry on with his job without any form of repercussion.
Actions are said to speak louder than words, a phrase used to urge Trump’s opposition to look past his comments and focus on the changes he had made in office. As someone who is praised for bringing together “the American people” under a false sense of patriotism to “Make America Great Again,” it is shocking for those supporters to also listen to someone who would say words alluding to violence against the left.
With Republican ideologies claiming to be rooted deeply in family values and respect, it is not easy to just simply turn away after hearing Trump mock a reporter with a disability, repeatedly make sexist comments and sexual innuendos toward women and describing the homes of immigrants as “s—hole countries,” according to The New Republic.
We need to hold politicians’ characters to a higher standard, with Trump being a prime example, but not the only one. There are reasons allegations get football players suspended, there are reasons why companies outline what someone can or cannot say on the job and there are reasons why people get convicted and punished. Because they did something wrong.
As citizens and voters responsible for who is put in office, we should be wary at the polls about how voting for someone can affect the outward appearance of our country in addition to the internal effects of policies. Much of the world looks to the U.S., and for it to continue to fail as an example through the figureheads elected into the White House is because of ill judgment of character.
With Trump now projected to be in charge for the next four years, those who have put him into office should also keep him accountable for his words along with his actions. Although we should hold every politician in power to the same standards, this is the future of the next four years and it should be riddled with as little controversy and harmful rhetoric as possible.
Abby Jenkins is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Abby know by tweeting her @abbyjenks18 or emailing her at aj205621@ohio.edu.
