Elections Have Consequences

The quote, “Elections have consequences” is largely attributed to Barack Obama. Others may have said something similar prior to that, but President Obama used it to highlight Minnesota and that by electing the same political party to the majority in the house, senate, and governor the state can make progress on their agenda that they otherwise could not. As of this afternoon, there is a new mayor in my hometown of St. Paul, a new governor in Virginia and New Jersey, and a new redistricting plan in California. Elections do have consequences.

The issue is how much?

There is so much anger out there. So much division and unwillingness to even listen to people with different opinions. We’re at a bit of a crossroads. And I’m not entirely sure what the answer is. However, I know what the answer is not. Not more of the same. Not more digging in. Not more “doubling down” (not even sure what a poker expression means in this context). Not more “owning” the other political group. The crossroads is the cusp of a new age. 

In the new age, the Age of the Heart,  if love, tolerance, understanding, and the ability to see other’s perspectives are valued, we might get there. 

So, to the question “how much do elections have consequences?” The answer is about how much we are willing to listen, to be empathetic, to see other’s perspectives, and otherwise be decent human beings. I think we can do it.