Emineth: It’s time to get down to business

Republicans had a decisive victory across America, giving them a mandate to lead. The numbers were even more impressive in North Dakota although not unexpected.

Americans have spoken now it’s time for those elected to get down to business.

When elected officials implement the policies, they have promised on the campaign trails, they typically are rewarded at the ballot box.

When they deceive or mislead us, the Americans see through it, although not always right away.

Which is why Donald Trump had such a decisive victory. Trump’s numbers were up across the entire country and helped carry many across the finish line as opposed to him being a drag on the local races. This has some baffled because they refused to believe the handwriting on the wall.

I had a sense a couple weeks prior to the election that Trump was winning because of the silent Trump voters who were badgered and disrespected for being so misinformed.

This could explain the discrepancy in the polling numbers. Pivoting to North Dakota’s election, there were no surprises.

Why?

Because Republicans have built on North Dakota’s most successful politician in history, Ed Schafer.

Ed Schafer’s campaign theme “Schafer Means Business” was pivotal in North Dakota’s political direction.

Our economy was in the tank back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. North Dakotans were tired of doom and gloom and wanted a vision of a brighter future for them and their families.

Schafer got down to business and so began the largest Republican majority in state’s history which has sustained itself for the past 30 years. I don’t expect that to change for another 20 years. I believe Republicans could do the same nationally if they would get down to business and follow through on what Americans have always wanted: safety, opportunity, liberty and for the government to get out of their way.

American exceptionalism is real, but it can be squandered as anyone could see after the last administration, which is why Donald Trump won.

Americans said enough is enough, get out of my way and let me live my life in freedom and liberty. They want America to be a beacon of hope and opportunity not only for them but for the rest of the world.

There are many problems ahead for the next generation; I will leave them for future columns, but our elected officials must unleash the energy bottled up in many frustrated Americans. If so, we could see a new and brighter future for the next generation.

But as politicians start thinking it is their job to tell us how to live, what to think, and how to behave citizens become frustrated and rise up.

It takes leadership, courage and devotion to channel that energy. Ed Schafer had it right 30 years ago and I believe Donald Trump has tapped into something. It’s time to get down to business.

Gary Emineth is a North Dakota native businessman and political activist. He is a former Executive Director and State Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party. Emineth has served on the Republican National Committee and chaired numerous presidential campaigns in North Dakota. He is the host of “The Legislature Today” and “Open Range” daily TV shows on BEK. He is a serial entrepreneur and has 40-plus years of business experience with multi-national companies. He has traveled the world extensively and has served as CEO and president of mid-tier companies.