Whatever happens today, your neighbor is still your neighbor

Tens of thousands and thousands of People will head to the polls as we speak. Tens of thousands and thousands have already voted. At stake, the White Home, Congress, and right here in Mississippi, a number of key judiciary races.

Cumulatively, billions of {dollars} have been raised and spent. The cycle has been marred by a number of excessive outlier occasions, together with the post-primary alternative of Joe Biden because the Democratic nominee and a number of assassination try on former President Donald Trump.

However by and enormous, People and their quick consideration spans shrugged these issues off shortly, anticipating the following outrage or gaffe.

As polls shut throughout the land tonight, it is going to all be over however the crying…and the tabulating…and the lawsuits…and the protesting. Hopefully, there isn’t any violence or mayhem.

However no matter occurs as we speak, your neighbor continues to be your neighbor. Even when they voted for somebody you wouldn’t have, your neighbor shouldn’t be your enemy.

Sadly, in so some ways, society has been conditioned to think about political energy as the last word prize and to think about “the opposite aspect” as undeserving of respect, understanding, or quarter.

However Jill with MAGA hat has causes for what she believes. So too does Joe with the Harris-Walz register his yard. They each have values, aspirations, and fears driving their resolution. On the finish of the day, they each need good issues for themselves, their households and their communities.

The reality is that if we have been residing as much as the unique design of our authorities, as we speak’s election would have little affect on our precise lives. The presidency, and even Congress, have been by no means supposed to own the type of energy they’ve claimed over our lives.

It’s okay, and even wholesome, to passionately imagine in a candidate or set of points. It’s okay, and even wholesome, to vigorously debate and defend what you imagine. It’s simply price remembering, that based mostly on historical past, the end result of this election — both path — shouldn’t be, in actual fact, an existential risk.

Even with all the tips of D.C., making coverage in carefully divided authorities is difficult work and dangerous coverage might be undone. So vote as we speak and don’t be a shrinking violet in protection of what you imagine to be proper, however don’t lose your self within the course of.

A Little Mississippi Election Lagniappe

Final evening, I used to be taking a look at presidential endorsements from inside Mississippi. Members of the respective events largely lined up behind their occasion’s nominee for president. For instance, each Brandon Presley and Congressman Bennie Thompson have been very vocal advocates for the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris.

All the Republican statewide elected officers, besides Michael Watson, have endorsed Trump (Watson is operating the election as Secretary of State, and as such, didn’t endorse any candidate). Likewise, nearly all Republican legislators endorsed Trump, with three exceptions.

Based on lists launched by the Mississippi Republican Get together, Home Medicaid Chair Missy McGee, who spearheaded efforts to increase Medicaid this previous session, abstained from making a Trump endorsement, as did Senator Brice Wiggins. Wiggins beforehand drew consideration for his response to Donald Trump’s conviction for falsification of enterprise information in New York, writing on the time: