11/07/2022
Well, tomorrow is Election Day.
I think that people in either party whose favored candidates lose will be somewhat crazed, and if their party suffers great loss their heads will explode. Once you lay claim to the higher moral ground, it’s tough to believe that you’ve been repudiated by others.
If I were elected to any office, the first thing I’d do would be to invite the opposition to take certain positions something rarely done if ever nowadays. I’d reach out and listen and demonstrate that I’m taking action on all good ideas and embracing diverse philosophies to the extent they can compromise and help people.
One thing I wouldn’t do is focus on my next election. I’d simply do the best I could in the time I’ve been given. If it were good enough and appealed to enough people, that should be pretty solid for reelection if I wanted it.
Not a very complex philosophy. It’s “do unto others” in a sense.
I hope your candidates and your beliefs do well on Tuesday and, if they do, that you’ll still accept the views of others. But I also hope that if they don’t you’ll also accept the views of others. And I hope you'll vote, or your views aren't all that relevant.
Jefferson and Adams had starkly different views and often quarreled, but they were friends for life. The country was far better and stronger because of the both of them.