Now that the Great Presidential Campaign of 2016 is over (even if we don’t know the results yet) can we all make this post election pledge to get along with one another?
Post Election Pledge:
I promise to treat everyone with kindness, consideration and respect, no matter who they voted for this election.
I will not hold it against them if they voted for someone other than the person for whom I voted.
I will let it go and do my best to mend friendships that have been torn asunder by this presidential race.
I will no longer unfriend people for having a different opinion than my own.
This election has done more to divide our nation than anything I can think of. On the one side you have the people who worship the most seasoned politician (and not in a good way) ever, someone who is corrupt, reckless and more of an insider than anyone who has ever held office. Why they believe she is going to do anything different than the status quo is beyond me. On the other side you have all the deplorables who support a candidate who is vile, temperamental and so unfit to be President of the United States it isn’t even funny. It’s not. I know I’ve made all kinds of jokes about him not being fit, but it really isn’t funny when you think how close he came to being president.
Is it even possible to bridge this gap between left and right, red and blue, liberal and conservative, deplorable and corrupt?
What worries me most is that no matter who wins, this divide will remain.
I was looking forward to the end of the election because I want social media to be the fun place it used to be some 15 months ago. I’m tired of labels like racist, misogynist, xenophobe being thrown around so casually that they really have no meaning left. I’m tired of the words email, server, FBI, Foundation, Benghazi, pneumonia. More than anything I am tired of the hypocrisy and blind support from both sides.
I won’t lecture you that just because you support a candidate, you support their behavior. No, it’s much more likely you’re supporting their policies because you believe they will do more to make this country of ours a better place.
As it should be.
I’ve had enough. I’ve kept my mouth shut (for the most part) when people post misleading memes, articles and quotes attributed to the other’s candidate. I’m tired of the populace reposting anything that coincides with their belief without bothering to check if it’s actually accurate or true. I’m tired of the hatred, vitriol and downright stupidity on both sides of this coin.
The reality is they’re both horrible candidates. And I get why people talk them up and put the other down. It’s about winning the election. However, the election is over and now it’s time to get on with life.
Thankfully, we live in a country that has checks and balances. Our country will survive no matter who wins the election. I’m not sure we, the people, can survive if we don’t do something to actively stop this divided hatred.
Can we all promise that on Wednesday, after all the votes have been counted and a clear winner has been chosen, that we all do our best to put this horrible election behind us and get along with our fellow American? No matter who you voted for, can you promise to treat everyone with kindness, consideration and respect? Is it possible to stop judging others because they voted for a candidate who was not yours?
I know, I know, what was I thinking.
Can I judge silently? If I promise not to post or say a word about it? I just don’t “engage” people I know who make it well known they don’t support the candidate I support. I admit though, it can be very difficult not to post a reply to their whack-a-doodle posts (rants really). I don’t think any confrontation will result in anything positive.
This is good.
My attitude has been that Presidential politics are largely a soap opera. Our vote on that level doesn’t mean much and it’s certainly a lousy reason to ruin a friendship or connection with a family member.
I made it through without ruining any relationships, I think.