In just a few short weeks a new president of the United States will be elected. The one and only guarantee of this election is that approximately one half of the population will not be happy with the results. It won’t matter who is elected, the internet will be filled with cries of the end of the world and that as a nation we won’t be able to survive four years of  a Clinton or Trump presidency.

Decisions will be made that you won’t agree with. Things will be said by the new president that you won’t agree with. Both sides of the aisle will continue the insidious name calling that has sadly become the mainstream of U.S. politics.

Here’s the one good thing. You don’t have to be a part of the nonsense. It doesn’t matter who you support, in the end it is your choice on how you decide to respond. You can be part of the name calling and blaming, or you can decide not to be.

I am making a choice to do the following (regardless of who wins):

1. Each of us have a system of values that we have either received from our families or developed on our own. I will continue to impart these values to my children and I will associate with those who hold those same beliefs.
2. I understand that not everyone shares my beliefs but I will not resort to demeaning those who are opposed to what I believe.
3. With that said, I will not tolerate those who oppose me in a manner which is detrimental to both parties. I will actively defend my beliefs in an appropriate manner.

As Americans, we have the first amendment right to speech. In these troubled times we need to exercise that right, but to do so in a manner that does not resort to what has become the norm in our society. Nothing is going to change in our society (and many others) if we can’t learn to disagree with each other without resorting to lowering ourselves to calling names and playing to the stereotypes that got us to where we are in the first place.

Way to much mental energy is wasted on hating those who disagree with us. Instead of continuing to beat each down through words and actions, someone has to stand up to those on both sides who do not want to participate in a meaningful discussion. Will that person be a politician? An everyday person? Who??

Please let  me know what you think. Am I crazy to expect a reasonable amount of civil discourse, no matter who wins?