Long and offensive, this presidential election campaign has been a turnoff for me and others. A recent report showed that 52 percent of Americans felt this election to be a source of stress. The aftermath will likely heighten tensions. How do we cope? What about the future.
Some coping strategies:
Rant with like-minded friends.
Read more on relevant political issues to increase understanding.
Engage actively and constructively in community affairs.
Meditate.
Seek counseling.
Pray.
It may also be reassuring to place the current political situation into historical context. We have survived analogous episodes: Whigs split up in the 1850s over slavery; Barry Goldwater was not trusted by many to have the nuclear codes; Charles A. Lindbergh espoused his “America First” campaign. But, as one historian remarked, “we’ve never seen it all together at once.”
Some worries loom. Many American citizens are politically illiterate, not able to name all three branches of government, a Supreme Court justice or a freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment. Jefferson warned that “no people can be both ignorant and free.”
Then, there is evidence that facts don’t always have the power to change minds. Political scientists have discovered a human tendency to resist information that differs from their views. Many people exposed to corrected facts in news stories did not change their minds. Finally, Marshall McLuhan introduced the idea that the medium is the message. Confirming evidence of this abounds. Though many political ads are misleading or deceptive, evidence indicates that they work. Donald Trump personifies McLuhan’s idea. It doesn’t matter that his statements are exaggerations or lies. What counts is his aggressive and authoritative presentation.
What about the future? The following are guides for action.
Act on the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.
For change to happen, work from the bottom up, from the people themselves, at the community and state levels.
Act on the “Golden rule” of politics: be willing to have reasoned discussions while recognizing the diverse needs and values of others.
Require leaders to be close to the consequences of their actions and more responsive to their constituencies.
Bob Scobie
Hanover
Don’t Take Away Rights
In an article on Hanover’s Trescott reservoir lands, I was disappointed to see “harassment of hunters” listed as one of the rule infractions which led to the closing of those lands to the public (“Hanover Group Restricts Trescott Activity Again,” Oct. 19). The article didn’t say just what happened. But I can assure you that if a hunter points a weapon in my direction — as has occurred more than once in my life while exercising on public lands — be assured that, rule or no rule, she or he is going to get an earful from me!
Responsible hunters don’t aim unless they’re sure what they’re aiming at. And the New Hampshire Supreme Court has declared that rules against “harassment of hunters” are unconstitutional to the extent they inhibit free speech rights; see Opinion of the Justices, 128 N.H. 46 (1986). It’s tragic that rule infractions have caused this gorgeous area to be closed. If and when it’s reopened, I will certainly volunteer to help educate and enforce the rules whenever I go there … as long as those rules don’t infringe on constitutional rights.
Bernie Waugh Hanover
With this election over, this is a plea for future elections. However strongly you may feel about the opposition candidate, removing every sign on the streets for their campaign does nothing to promote the positive aspects of the candidate whose signs remain.
Here in Grantham, someone has consistently come out at night and stolen every Democratic street sign. This has happened for several election cycles now. Surely there are more positive ways to support your Republican campaign?
Elizabeth KnoxGrantham