Will we be here, as a country, ten years from now, able to look back on what we learned?
I have concerns, I have doubts.
The schisms in our society, which existed before the election have only become more pronounced and ugly. Everyone shares some blame in this. Right, left, Democrat, Republican and everyone else on the X,Y, and Z vectors of our political spectrum has something to answer for. Maybe the democrats are not as progressive as they should be or the republicans are perhaps not as smart as they claim; the right wing flirting with extremism and the far left uncompromisingly anti most-things.
The vast majority of Americans agree that something needs to change, except we cannot agree on what that something is.
Maybe we should start with the election process itself. As a diverse country, representational government would seem appropriate. The process should be standardized. Game shows are better managed!
Even if we didn't start this mess, we are going to be the ones left to clean it up. The winner of the election will certainly not take the blame and the loser will not stick around to help undo the damage either.
The key is the one thing missing from this election cycle specifically and from government, in general for years - constructive debate, civilized disagreement or good old fashion, hashing it out. That is how our Constitution was crafted, that is how our government and society is supposed to work. That all starts with respect, which many of our politicians and their followers have abandoned. Respect for the process of government, respect for the objectives of government, respect for truth and knowkedge, respect for each other.
If our leaders can't or won't, it is up to us.
We, the people, are on our own, again.
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