Dear Future President,

First off I would like to congratulate you on a race well run. It has been a long journey, and you have emerged victorious on the other end, having successfully dodged the multiple obstacles in your path. This was no doubt a difficult task, and no matter your political party, I believe everyone will admit this is a commendable feat. I am a 12th grader at a small Catholic school in Utah. As a young person entering the world of adulthood soon, this election has left me uneasy about where our country could possibly be headed. It seems that it has become all too common for Americans to turn against other Americans in a time when we need to be united as one people. I would like to know what your plan is to help unite us as one nation, and to mend the unmistakable riffs that this election has caused between political parties, races, and genders.

Political polarization seems to be at an all time high. The Pew Research center cited in a survey done in 2014 that “a new survey of 10,000 adults nationwide finds that these divisions are greatest among those who are the most engaged and active in the political process” (Pew Research). If this was the case in 2014, a year that wasn't full of elections, it is likely that the divisions are even deeper now, and more widespread. Now that we face multiple threats from other countries, America as a nation needs to be focusing less on differing political ideologies, and more on fighting our common enemies.

As our future President, is you alone who can set us on a better path. If you exhibit kind behavior to members of both parties upon your election, and refrain from insulting or belittling the other, than we can begin this presidency with ease. I can only suggest that you tread carefully in the first few months of your presidency in order to avoid alienating members of the opposing party. This will be a difficult transition for all, but I believe as our President, if anyone is able to accomplish a successful next four years, it will be you. This has been a very damaging election for both parties, and it is time we start to fix this issue. This starts with you, and I, as a youth watching our country change, hope you are up to the task.

Best Wishes, 

Mae