Words of healing
The days after a national election can be exhilarating for the elected, and dispiriting for those who were not. The professional pundits (for and against) are consuming more than their fair share of oxygen with insights on the candidates, the issues, the electorate, the trends and predictions for the future.
I consider myself to be politically independent and am registered as such. This stance shields me from too much post-election jubilation, or too much despair. After the election results are known, I find myself asking the question: “what comes next?”
Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris do not have much in common, but by their own admission they are connected at least to this one thing: fighting words. His utterance was in an unscripted moment of survival when he raised his fist and shouted "fight, fight, fight." Hers was in the concession speech she made to supporters, when she repeated the word "fight" over seventeen times.
I can understand these emotions, and that both candidates' supporters are drawn to a leader who is willing to fight for them. My question is simply this: where is the commitment to "healing?" Because if I know anything at all about where we are in the history of this nation, we desperately need leaders dedicated to healing.
Healing #1: We need leaders who will promote policies that bring opportunity and prosperity to every American who follows the law and is willing and able to work. This opportunity is not available to everyone today and that needs to be course-corrected. A bi-partisan coalition of elected officials need to do make this happen. Now.
Healing #2: We need leaders (in both parties) to acknowledge this country's approach to taxation is broken. If a person is employed, they need to pay taxes. Our government needs to bring into compliance those who benefit from "under the table" and "black market" economic activity. Close the loopholes for individuals and corporations. Tax the ultra-wealthy. Let it rain.
Healing #3: We need leaders who will enact a humanitarian approach to border security. This solution will require a commonsense path for citizenship, combined with a safety net against the world's hardened criminals—this is what every reasonable American voter is looking for.
Healing #4: We need leaders, at the state and federal level, who will stop legislating a one-size-fits-all approach to governing. Fifty-one percent is not a mandate. It gives you the opportunity to serve all Americans, red and blue. When you achieve an approval rating of 75%, then you can take a victory lap.
So, while some may be in a fighting mood, my prayer is that solutions-based healing wins the day. While it is hard work, we do have the innovation, the resources and the resolve to make the privilege of US citizenship a better experience for us all.
