ELECTION: Care about your neighbors

With this election, one thing is certain. When it’s over, some will feel relieved and righteous, and others crushed and worried. Some will feel betrayed. If it takes a long time to sort and count, everybody could be upset. Whichever side you’re on, if you care about America, you will care not just about your side winning but also about how your neighbors feel. Broadcast media, shock jocks and internet trolls make it seem like those others are monsters, and enemies. The truth is that we’re all human beings. We all want America to be what it has promised to be. Most Republicans, Democrats and everyone else just want to be safe, have our children safe, and be able to make a decent livelihood.

America is not just a fertile land, not just economic opportunity, not even just freedom. America is a people. We’re a people who stand together against all odds and all threats. We pulled together through a Great Depression and two world wars. Around the country in disaster work, I’ve seen all kinds of people working together. It’s possible. No matter what the outcome of the election, we, all of us, somehow have to get past the ugly name-calling, past the suspicions and conspiracy theories, past the selfish thrill of being angry. We need to face up to science and law, with respectful conversation and hope, care about our neighbors and recover our mutual decency.

REV. DR. MIKE BULLARD, president

League of Women Voters of Kootenai County