Despite the nightmares, rampant mudslinging and images of President-elect Barack Obama as an Islamic idealist, the truth stands: On January 20, Obama will be inaugurated.

As his supporters celebrate, the opposing “mavericks” seem to forget that the sun will continue to rise. McCain fans may not agree with revolutionary health care and tax policies, but these changes will not cause the disintegration of democracy.

This campus is decisively conservative, as seen in the results of the mock election, and students bemoan the victory of Obama for his left wing approach to politics. However, the next four years will force many Obama naysayers to swallow their refusal to compromise.

Obama based his campaign on the idea of “change,” establishing a goal to reverse the nation’s recent missteps. Whatever unconventional methods he may initiate, his plan is clearly not to please everybody. He simply wants to better the nation however he sees fit.

As president, Obama will face just as many or more obstacles as previous administrations, including hot-button issues such as the economic crisis and the war in Iraq. Without support and prayer, nobody in our nation can expect Obama to competently lead America. Whether or not the public believes he possesses the ability to bring about the change he promises, we must acknowledge his authority.

Obama achieved the presidency with only 52.7 percent of the popular vote, the highest portion since George H.W. Bush won with 53.4 percent in 1988. With such a narrow margin of victory, nobody expects the remaining voters to completely agree with the new president’s policies.

The very definition of democracy is “government of the people.” Majority rule gives everyone the opportunity to voice their opinions. If we, as a country, desire to see a change, we should actively pursue our beliefs while acting as a foundation for the president, whether a Republican or Democrat.