To all Bratenahl Residents,
Our Nation has experienced one of the most contentious elections for the Office of President in our
collective memory. The outcome was decided late last night. Rancor, vulgarities and anger were at the
forefront of this process. Policies and civil behavior took a back seat.
Politics, by nature, can inflame emotion. Individuals that are normally placid and calm may act
otherwise. Others can be so frustrated that they exhibit indifference. Party loyalties can often outweigh
common sense. Candidates appear deeply flawed or extremely qualified on any given day in the glare of
the spotlight. Candidates that are selected to run can surprise us with their lack of understanding of
issues and the manner in which they conduct themselves publicly.
The democratic process is not perfect. Nor is the Electoral College system, which is used only in
the election of our President. Yet no one has shown there to be a better system of selecting public
officials. Perhaps having a somewhat flawed system properly reflects the flaws that we all have as
members of the species Homo Sapiens.
Now that the election is done, what can we learn going forward?
I can offer this food for thought:
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Choose carefully when you enter the voting booth. As we have seen, a few votes can
decide an election
Consider more than policy and position. Character and personality count as well.
The ability to lead and govern is different than the ability to campaign and promote oneself.
Time will reveal this to be true. We all hope both skill sets are present in the winning
candidate.
People with whom you disagreed remain your co-workers, friends, family or neighbors. Let
the wounds heal and move on.
In our community, I have found that voters can make questionable choices for public office. That is
their right. But in Bratenahl, that only happens for one term. If that individual runs again, voters see the
flaws and make a different choice.
If your candidate did not win, there will be another opportunity in a few short years. This great Nation
has overcome worse things; wars, the Great Depression, epidemics, etc. Indeed, we have serious
issues to deal with; race, poverty, unemployment, etc. If you don’t trust those who are chosen to lead, put
your trust in the American people. They might not get it right the first time, but they rarely, if ever, get it
wrong twice.