Op-Ed: Let's reknit community bonds

The 2021 elections are over. The voters have spoken. As this was an election with high integrity in its processes preventing voter fraud, the results are legitimate.

Congratulations to the victors, and condolences to the vanquished. Every person who stepped into the arena to contend for leadership in service to an ideal deserve our thanks and best wishes.

All newly elected, or re-elected officials deserve a honeymoon period. We, who contended fiercely, should now reknit our bonds of fellowship as one people.

This ability to be partisans during the campaign and citizens afterward is a virtue that has made the American Republic exceptional. Our tradition of good sportsmanship after a hard-fought battle serves us well.

We are all unified in our belief in the preciousness of liberty. We disagree on how this may best be achieved. Our shared love of freedom for the individual is much more significant than any difference of opinion. Now is the time to focus on those universal American ideals that make us one people.

To those who I have described as establishment candidates, you have won many municipal offices. However, many of these victories were by narrow margins; some were razor-thin.

Your victory comes with a responsibility to reach out to those who opposed you with genuine humility. Strive to represent the populace rather than any faction. Remember, in most cases the narrowness of your triumph grants you no mandate to push extreme policies that provoke predictable outrage. Be open to active citizens, who will continue to be involved in public policy.

To those who represent the Conservative insurgency, especially newly elected Coeur d'Alene School Board Trustees Anderton and Bjerke, be patient, gracious, resolute and humble.

The bureaucracy that plagues modern public education has indeed created a proverbial Augean Stable in need of a Herculean cleansing. However, it will take many years and many elections for parents and citizens to reclaim decisive control over schools from those who have hijacked their mission. Be patient, even as you strive for much-needed reform.

Be gracious, especially when you are constructively critical. Be happy warriors, and avoid the temptation to take principled opposition personally. Instead, earn the trust to lead by being thoughtfully honest stewards of our schools who are possessed of honor and integrity.

Never sell out the principles that fired you enough to seek elected office. Have faith that you cannot go far wrong by obeying the dictates of your conscience. Be honest, and show respect for those who have different convictions. Disagree, without being disagreeable.

Finally, remembering that your victories were also razor-thin, be good examples of Conservative leadership. By your chosen actions, demonstrate why future candidates like you deserve public trust.

All of you who have won elected office carry our hopes. Best wishes to each of you!

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In Maine and then Idaho, Ralph K. Ginorio has taught the history of Western Civilization to high school students for nearly a quarter century. He is an “out-of-the-closet” Conservative educator with experience in special education, public schools and charter schools, grades 6-12. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 2014. Email: rginorio@cdapress.com