History teaches us to expect surprises

Trump has won. Protests have broken out. Other countries are worried. It seems a bit like 1860.

The country was falling apart. War had already been going on in Missouri and Kansas for four years. The Democrats split into two parties. The Republican Party was less than 10 years old. Two other parties were doing fairly well. Lincoln only got 37 percent of the popular vote, but it was more than any of the other four candidates got.

Lincoln got the Electoral College victory. The Southern States cried foul, left the Union, and nationwide war broke out.

Lincoln was accused of destroying Democracy and being a tyrannical dictator. A lot of people hated him. Now, he is a hero. Things now are very shaky and uncertain, but probably not as bad as 1860. Trump is a far cry from Lincoln, but we must hope that he will accomplish something positive to straighten out our mess of a government and improve the country.

He just might. He is certainly full of surprises.

Rich Lorimer

Streamwood