We Have a Republic, Ya'll

U.S. Capitol Building at sunrise (Shutterstock photo)

In the political world, it looks like we're stuck with each other. If you grew up with siblings like I did, there were probably those times when your mama said, "Yall are just going to have to work it out – don’t keep running to me!"

The day after Election Day, even as votes were still being counted, it was clear that there was no “red wave,” just as there was no “blue wave” in 2020. No party is going to sweep the board and make things right, nor will they burn the place down. At least for now, we see that public sentiment is not to have things go to either extreme. I was surprised to hear one of my work colleagues say, "I just voted for every Libertarian I saw on the ballot – I'm fed up with all those folks!"

The voters appear to be saying, "Ya'll are just gonna to have to work things out and get some things done for the country."

Most of the extreme Trumper candidates lost on election night, which gives me hope that Trump might start to fade away without the political turmoil of an indictment or a second Jan 6. Democrats will likely lose the house, but not by much. There was no clean sweep on anyone's part.

As distasteful as it may seem, we’re just gonna have to work together, ya'll. The bigger picture may be that we are living in a pivotal time and trying to make life work using outmoded systems, but for now, we can only do the best we can.

Rest well, Democrats, you held the course on an even keel. Be glad, Republicans, you live in a democracy where every voice counts. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, we have a republic – if we can keep it.

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