Post Election Cries

By Fay Bcharah

Some may argue this election has been one of the most bizarre and confusing ever. There have been immediate responses to Trump’s triumph, and also to the results of the Massachusetts ballot questions.

The first question, regarding the expansion of slot machines, was turned down, with 60.7 percent of people voting no. Brandon Caouette, criminal justice major at Worcester State, is happy about this result, claiming he does not gamble, and does not plan to in the future.

62.1 percent of people voted no for Question 2, concerning the expansion of charter schools. Aaron Belanger, business major at Worcester State also voted no on this question.

“I think public schools are more important for the average kid,” Belanger said.

The third question, about improving farm animal confines, succeeded by the largest margin, with 77.7 percent of people voting yes.

“I think the result on question three was right and the moral choice,” Belanger said.

This act will not take off until 2022, however, giving farms enough time to prepare for the new law.

Question four, regarding the legalization and regulation of marijuana, was the closest. 53.6 percent of people voted yes to this question.

Molly Andes, a communication major at Worcester State, said, “I have hope that criminal charges of possession will go down along with regulatory efforts in the future.”

This state law will take off on December 15 for people 21 or older.

As for the results of the presidential election, there were some mixed views between the three students. Andes was shocked, and fears for the safety of minorities in states that are less progressive.

“I am deeply saddened that Donald Trump won,” she said. “He is an example of hatred, fear mongering, and bigotry. And I hate to see half our country supporting that.”

Both Belanger and Caouette were also very shocked by the results, but they have hope Trump will do a better job than many assume.

“He’s had some failure but also a lot of success in business because he surrounds himself with the right, smart people,” Belanger said. “I’m hopeful that he’ll do the same thing as President.”

Caouette is also hopeful for positive outcomes with Trump as the next U.S. president.

But, like Andes, many are not so hopeful. The Worcester Socialist Alternative organized a protest in downtown Worcester held on November 12. The protesters walked from City Hall to the courthouse, then to Kelley Square and up to Vernon Hill and back, led by the Worcester Police. Andes stated that she is “comforted to know people are not standing for this and are letting their voices be heard.” She continued, “I hope it is done in a safe way but I see no problem with protests and support everyone hoping for change in them.”

Belanger explained that Trump may have said some racist things towards minorities but that Trump has not actually done anything yet.

“If people look into some of the things he’s trying to do, they’ll see the government will make it very difficult for him to do,” Belanger said. “He may be the president but he’s still tied down.”

Caouette agreed with Belanger and said he was against rioting.

“He is our president and people need to accept that,” Caouette said. “Destroying property is not a good way to ‘protest’ the election.”