Not Worth It
I’ve recently heard people I respect on both sides of the political aisle suggest that this election—while vitally important—is not worth destroying families and friendships over.
I agree.
In the aftermath of the 2020 election, I lost long-time friends on both sides of the political spectrum. For example, one who was apparently on the left took offense that I said we should wait until proper legal challenges to voting irregularities were resolved. We haven’t spoken since election night four years ago. As another example, I’ve been accused of being in the tank for the left-wing deep state because I would not proclaim loudly that the 2020 election was stolen.
Rush Limbaugh used to say it made no sense to be middle of the road—because you wound up getting hit by speeding cars on both sides. Something to that.
This is a unique time in American history. Frankly, the past quarter century has been. I recall plenty on the left going ballistic when George W. Bush appeared on a TV screen, but nothing like today’s hatred for Donald Trump. I also recall folks on the right turning the channel when Barack Obama came on; that’s how disgusted they were with him. But again, all that pales in comparison with this us-versus-them, zero-sum-game dialogue we have today.
Actually, it’s not a dialogue…because a dialogue is when you actually listen to the other side.
I have no clue what’s going to happen on election night…or between the election and the inauguration…or after a new president is sworn in.
But when decades-long friendships and family relationships are destroyed solely due to how you cast your vote…that seems wrong.
This might be an especially good year for restaurants to stay open on Thanksgiving. Perhaps people would be better behaved if they had the holiday dinner in public, as opposed to someone’s house.
Have passion for your beliefs and those you support to carry them out. But there’s more to life than politics. We all need to remember that regardless of next week’s outcome.
