You can call me an optimist, but I’m not overly concerned about the future of our democracy, no matter who wins the presidential election on Tuesday, whether it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

It’s likely there will be protests nationwide regardless of who comes out on top, and that is concerning.

However, I maintain my confidence that our governmental structure will prevail.

Unfortunately, the narratives we’ve heard from the candidates and their campaigns have not reflected this optimism.

Both Trump and Harris have branded each other as threats to democracy, using fear as a tactic to energize their supporters.

Trump has portrayed Harris as a radical leftist intent on transforming the United States into a Marxist utopia.

In turn, Harris has labeled Trump as a fascist, irrational, and a tyrant.

Such rhetoric has left many Americans anxious, genuinely worried about the nation’s future.

It’s unfortunate.

The election is significant, but let’s maintain perspective.

Issues beyond the main candidates are shaping this election.

While the candidates highlight the threats to democracy, many Americans are actually more focused on their daily realities, such as the soaring prices of essentials, the economy, illegal immigration, and crime.

As Harris and Trump wrap up their campaigns, their messaging has taken a more ominous tone regarding the consequences of a potential loss.

Just last week, Harris addressed the American public from the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., the very location where Trump spoke to his followers on January 6, 2021. While she called for unity, her speech was predominantly focused on criticizing Trump.

“America, we know what Donald Trump intends,” Harris declared to the audience. “More chaos. Greater division. And policies that benefit only the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. I propose a different approach, and I ask for your support.”

The president’s role is undeniably vital. However, our governmental structure ensures that no branch holds excessive power. This is the strength of our checks and balances.

Moreover, it is expected that whoever wins the presidency will face a divided Congress, which should alleviate some voters’ concerns, as a split government serves as a barrier to any president’s agenda.

Harris and her Democratic counterparts often depict Trump as a potential dictator who poses a significant threat to our democracy.

This scenario is far-fetched, especially given the strength of our Constitution.

As Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, insightfully noted: “We choose a President, not a monarch. The Constitution was crafted with the expectation of facing authoritarianism.”

Our democracy has more pressing threats than the outcome of this election.

That said, I acknowledge that there are genuine issues facing our country, including a diminishing faith in our fundamental rights.

For example, a new study from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression indicates a growing misunderstanding and undervaluation of the First Amendment among Americans.

A majority of Americans now feel that “the First Amendment extends its guarantees too far.”

Moreover, 80% somewhat agree that “speech can equate to violence.” (This notion is fundamentally incorrect.)

“Equating speech with violence diminishes the severity of real physical harm, stifles discussions, and may even promote actual violence by justifying the use of force against offensive speech,” stated Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of FIRE. “Free expression is not violence; it’s the most effective alternative to it.”

If any danger does exist for our nation, it won’t originate from one

However, we might find it within ourselves.