Reject both extremes

I realize there were extreme elements behind Trump.  I realize he played up to them.  I realize there were extreme elements behind Clinton.  I realize she played up to them.  I realize both of those extremes are going to react in inappropriate ways.  For the Trump followers, it will be seen on tweets, and social media, and dark corners of the blogosphere with the occasional breakthrough on cable news.  For the Clinton followers, it will be in those areas as well, but it will also find its way into mainstream venues and outlets, pundits dressed as comedians and radicals not identified as such by the media despite the obvious.

For those who hope the best for the country, admit it.  I cringe at what I’ve seen some Trump supporters say on Facebook and other sites.  I’ve seen some deplorable images.  I’ve seen some hateful rhetoric  But I see it from the Left just the same.  And again, as I’ve said before, that rhetoric of the Left doesn’t always come through the same because it appears to have the imprimatur of social acceptance since it can find its way into mainstream outlets.

But reject that.  Especially believers who would set an example.  Call it out, sure.  If you see something terrible, say so.  Knowing Patheos, I’ll focus on the meaner elements to the Left of center since I have no doubt others will be diligently scouring the culture to find those nasty elements to the right of center.  But never pretend that proves anything.  It only proves what the Faith has long proclaimed, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Instead, look at why this happened.  Listen to those who are hurting – on both sides.  People are scared.  On both sides.  Don’t dismiss them.  Sure, they should behavior with respect and lawfulness, they need to be mature and bring their concerns to the table as adults.  But listen.  And find ways to come together, to make sure the worst elements of this long, agonizing campaign don’t manifest themselves in either party, or in any branch of government.

If we truly value other things than partisanship, we’ll do just  that.  We can disagree, we should.  We’re not a dictatorship.   I think one of the big backlashes we saw on Tuesday was the growing notion that one side had seized the reigns and, with a sympathetic media, was simply bypassing traditional procedures in order to impose its values on the nation.  Even those who sometimes agreed, if those I personally know indicate anything, were getting a little worried.

So call out the extremes, find common ground, come to the table to discuss differences, and of course pray.  For non believers, at least hope.  And remember it’s not just us that we struggle for, it’s our posterity.  Something our Founding Fathers were so keenly aware of, they put it in the Preamble of the Constitution.  If nothing else, we owe it to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by putting aside their differences and biases so the rest of us wouldn’t have to.