About Last Night...(with apologies to David Mamet, Rob Lowe, and Demi Moore)

My take on last night's results? My candidate did not win, I am not happy about that as I believe he was the right person to allow us to say in 4 years: "Yes, I am better off than I was in 2012." That being said, like Mr. Romney and many others (including many of you), I will pray for Mr Obama, his family, and his advisers. This was not a runaway--about 57 Million people voted for Mr. Romney and I sincerely hope that all of them will endeavor to have their voices heard in a positive, constructive manner.

Personally, this election process, tedious as it had become, will cause me to be more tolerant of and patient with views different from my own. I will not reduce my standards and compromise the values instilled in me by my parents and passed on to my children (in conjunction with their mother, of course), but I will listen to anything anyone has to say, as long as the message is not delivered in a shrill, how-can-you-not see-it-my-way manner.

A quote on TV this morning said that the Republican Party and Mr Romney allowed themselves to be shaped and defined by their opposition. I have long felt that when such occurs, you play away from your strengths and don't focus on what you are really good at. Sad, but maybe a lesson learned. 

The country is great because we have 2 major political parties and a vibrant forum for discussion, but I don't feel, as some do, that this is a disaster for the country or Republican party. In adversity there is opportunity, but from the Democrats' perspective, they have to realize that they didn't come close to a sweeping mandate to govern. Bullying, Chicago-style politics won't get anything done and if Mr Obama wants to leave a legacy and have the Democratic nominee win in 2016, he will have to be more co-operative and communicative, more in tune with issues, less selfish and realize what is best for his own party and the country after he leaves office.

Also, there seems to be a growing tendency to emphatically 'spike the football' when receiving news, especially when that news adversely affects someone we we may not like or with whom we disagree. I understand everyone's competitive nature, but my goodness, careful that what goes around does indeed come around, and I am only partially talking about the election yesterday. I'd be thrilled if we expressed way less hate and schadenfreude in the world.

Thanks to all my friends and neighbors in Port and environs for this opportunity to communicate to you. I value all of our interactions and conversations and will look forward to many of the same over the next 4 years and beyond.

Charles