Every election is important and not just the vote for President every four years. As important as that is, there are also elections for US Senate, the US House, state offices, local offices, and ballot initiatives. All of these races are important to our quality of life, and in many ways, I would argue are more important than the Presidency. They determine local justice issues, transportation plans, educational resources, first responder resources and so much more. Today, much of our country is making those vital decisions. As we have witnessed during the pandemic, natural disasters and civil unrest this year, those state and local leaders are vital to our health and vitality.
I have been involved in local, state, and federal campaigns since I was in high school. Yes, I was one of those guys. I have been involved in both winning and losing campaigns. Nothing compares to a narrow underdog win in a hotly contested race or the sting of a loss despite all of the countless hours of hard work. Emotions run high, tempers flare, and it feels like the world as we know it has irrevocably changed. However, keep in mind that the next election is literally just around the corner. That is the way our democracy self corrects.
This year the stakes seem enormous, the tension and anxiety are extremely high, and the outcome is very much up in the air. All of this happening in the middle of a pandemic and civil unrest only heightens all of those emotions. We likely will not know the outcome of many races tonight or even tomorrow. In fact, the two US Senate races in Georgia won’t be decided, and possibly control of the Senate, until mid-January. The spin from all sides will be loud, brash, and provocative. There may even be demonstrations and protests. I urge you not to get too caught up in the maelstrom that is our national debate propelled by the news and social media looking for the maximum possible rancor and disruption. Now, more than ever is the time for patience and calm.
Regardless of whether your preferred candidate wins or not and the response to that outcome, please know that our country is enormously resilient. We have survived and come back stronger from political scandals, terrorist attacks, and other calamities. We will get through this moment in time and will be stronger for the effort.
Today is a day to really celebrate what it means to be an American. Despite our flaws, we have the great privilege and responsibility to continue the journey that our founders embarked upon, “to form a more perfect union”. Freedom and democracy is messy, it is loud and as Winston Churchill so brilliantly put it, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…’. Despite our challenges as a country, we are still a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the world, every year people from all over the world risk their and their family’s lives to make their way to our shores.
Please take a few moments today to celebrate and say thanks for the privilege of getting to exercise our responsibility to participate in the grand, messy, noisy experiment that is America. Robb
Please utilize ABA’s Election Resource Center for real-time results. We are pleased to once again feature for ABA members an interactive election map, where you can select and stay up to date on results in states and districts important to you and your company.
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Robb MacKie |