Can you picture the popular folk tale about Chicken Little with the added wrinkle of modern social media?

It doesn’t take much imagination as all you have to do is browse your Facebook or Twitter feed to get a feeling of what that would be like.

Everyone remembers the fictional character from the old folk tales that spawned a popular children’s movie, right? He was so afraid the sky was falling at every turn that his hysterical panic caused all kinds of problems for he and his friends.

That is what the 2016 presidential election has done to many Americans — Republicans and Democrats alike.

Trump supporters were convinced the world would end if the “rigged” system allowed Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. Clinton’s faithful and others are up in arms about how the country is doomed when the Donald takes charge.

Both sides are wrong.

America is going to be OK.

Why am I so confident? I have faith in our democracy, faith in the resilience of our country and faith in the American spirit.

We are far from perfect but we are still the greatest country in the world.

America has survived a revolution, a civil war, two world wars, the Great Depression, terrorism and so much more.

The country has also come out on top when it comes to disco music, 1980s fashion, reality TV and the Canadian incursion Justin Bieber. That has to count for something.

Sure, this was a very acrimonious election cycle, maybe even the worst in our history. But, again, it’s going to be OK.

All those protesting the election outcome, calling for the dissolution of the Electoral College or saying they are ready to pack their bags for Canada are missing the point.

This is America. The people spoke. Now we have an obligation to give Trump and all the other elected officials a chance.

So some people don’t like the results. Guess what? We will all be able to start making changes the next time we enter the voting booth.

That’s what America is all about and, no matter what anyone says, the sky won’t fall between now and then.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. He can be reached at (859) 759-0095 or by email at mike.caldwell@winchestersun.com.