Some Short Notes on the Election

Here are some quick notes for those elected and for those interested in the elections and their aftermath:

1.  Democrats, stop being angry and get something done.  You have had 2 years to vent your anger over the 2016 election.  Now you have control of the House.  This is your opportunity to show us that you can do something besides hate.  I am concerned that already you have ramped up the name calling and hatred against Trump and his administration.  I realize that you don’t like his bluntness and sometimes unsophisticated words, and that, more importantly, you are still angry that he won the presidential election.  But, please, get over it.  Stop acting like angry children and start acting like adult legislators.   Many in this country look at what the President has accomplished for our economy and jobs and in our foreign relations.  They look at his actions rather than his personality and they either support him or believe in working with him and the Republicans to accomplish good things for the country.  Would that the Democrats and the Left would act like that.

2.  Please stop counting numbers of identity groups elected.  If I hear one more time how many women or Blacks or Native Americans or gays or (name any other identity group) that were elected I think I will scream.  Really, who cares? (Sadly, too many).  What I wish we could say is not that the (name your identity group) was elected, but that the best qualified was elected.  Let me make this clear:  simply being a (name your favorite identity group) does not make one qualified for a political job.  Voting based on identity groups just makes it easier for people who don’t want to think and easier for those who don’t want you to think to convince you to vote for their candidate.

3.  Those of you that made promises in order to get elected.  Show the people that you can keep them.  (That, by the way, is what our president has done)

4.  Those of you that won, remember that now you represent all the people within your district or state, not just those who supported you.  Do what is right for all of them, even if sometimes that is not what you personally want.  Don’t be afraid to work across the aisle and don’t think you must always simply regurgitate your Party’s line.  Remember, it is not about you; you are now a public servant and you represent the people.

5.  Those of you elected were elected to the greatest democracy in the world.  Please remember and respect that.  America is a Democratic Republic.  It is not a democracy of mob rule.  It is not socialist.  It is a country with borders and with a Constitution and rule of law that governs and protects us all.   You will be required to take an oath to support that.  Please take your oath seriously.