Trump’s “Make America Great Again” pledge concerns me for many reasons. Take health care, for example. He promised to abolish the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a “beautiful” health care system. What will that look like, especially if, as he has already promised, people with health preconditions will still be covered and children can still be covered by their parents’ plans until age 26? How will that feat be accomplished without including a mandatory enrollment component? Oh, and what will happen to the 21 million Americans who now have health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act? The Obamacarebashing GOP dog has caught up with the car. Now what? Stay tuned. Pay attention. Closely.

I’m equally concerned about the impact of the Trump presidency on “the other”: that is to say, non-white, non-Christian, non-male, non-heterosexual Americans. To me, it is absolutely baffling that 81 percent of white evangelical “Christians” voted for Trump, a man whose life and lifestyle diverge dramatically, to say the least, from Christian virtues and principles, at last as I understand them. Americans who fall into “the other” category have real fears about their safety, as well as their full acceptance as American citizens because of Trump’s hateful campaign rhetoric. It’s also clear that millions of women feel less safe because of the election — and implied normalization — of a man who treats women as objects to be rated (and groped), mere trophies for display.

To those who protest, “Just because I voted for Trump doesn’t mean I’m racist or sexist or homophobic,” I would suggest checking out the backgrounds of his senior staff appointments to date. I would also ask: “Will you speak out when and if Trump’s new programs and policies reflect a racist or sexist or homophobic mindset?”

To those who say, “Get over it. Donald Trump is our President. Let’s move on.” I say, “Sorry, I can’t just ‘get over’ the hate and divisiveness that Trump’s campaign has sown.” I can’t trust him to do the right thing until he earns that trust, and he can’t earn that trust merely by reading a few well-crafted speeches. Many people who were distraught when Barack Obama won the election were concerned about the darkness of his skin. Many of us who voted against Donald Trump are concerned about the darkness of his soul.

There might, just might, be some silver lining in the Trump cloud. The majority of Americans, whatever their political affiliation, believe that Congress is out of touch with the average American. If Trump can help put Congress back to work on behalf of the common good, then that’s a good thing. If he can reduce the impact of money — and lobbyists — on the political process, that’s also a good thing. I’m skeptical on those fronts, but I’m willing to be proven wrong. That said, if that work includes initiatives which limit the rights of “the other” or deny a woman’s right to make decisions affecting her own body, then I am totally opposed.

Here’s another possible plus. If the “two Americas” can take a time-out and begin listening to each other, then we might find some common ground. I can understand, for example, why rural mid-westerners and southerners feel concerned about their economic futures, given globalization and automation. That said, I don’t think that electing Donald Trump is the answer, given his business track record, but time will tell. I’m sure that blaming “the other” is not the answer.

It’s fair to blame “the media” for much of the polarization. The media encourages conflict and discord for the sake of ratings. If we can turn away from the media and try to engage people with different views, then we might begin to bridge the divide. That said, the Trump administration must respect the independence and freedom of the media. Note to Trump and his supporters: Berating and bullying reporters who tell unfavorable stories is both inappropriate and un-American.

In sum, I’m deeply saddened that Trump emerged victorious, thanks to his skill as a showman — and the electoral college system. Yet, I’m hopeful that America will emerge stronger on the other side, provided that the system of checks and balances works as it was designed to do and that decent people speak out and take a stand, whenever and wherever necessary.

David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary or suggestions for future “Just Little Old” columns at dtreadw575@aol.com.